McKamey and Restler

 I agree and resonate with McKamey and Restler’s piece. I vividly recall being in every single after-school activity I could growing up; I loved it! Growing up I did basketball, baseball, dance, and even tutoring offered by the institution after school, which was offered over the summer as well. McKamey and Restler are correct in their statement of how COVID-19 has negatively impacted Rhode Islanders, especially with the advancement of technology that happened during that time, and I’d go beyond and say the whole world. I remember growing up with all these different after-school activities, playing outside with friends and family. I liked watching TV, but when the opportunity to go outside appeared, I did not once doubt leaving the TV. All this changed for me during COVID; I got so used to being locked up, online school, and being on my phone and computer all day that I didn’t miss the outside at all. I began to isolate, and when the opportunity to regain my old life/habits came back, I no longer wanted it. It was a struggle to get used to the real world again. If this impacted me as a 15-year-old at the time, I can't even imagine what it’s doing to kids who were born at that time or were barely toddlers. I rarely see kids playing outside anymore; I see my cousins scheduling hangouts together just so they can all be on the phone. I believe that the advancement of technology during COVID has made kids more susceptible to anger, lack of creativity, and a lack of focus. After-school programs and hangout spaces are needed for kids. 

Real World Connections:

Transformative Impact of iPads on Children: Before & After #shorts #parenting #screentime - YouTube

This video shows how internet addiction is actually a psychological illness which has taken over the minds and lives of children. It also shows the significant change in a child's behavior before technology (he was outside, playing sports, happy) and after technology (aggressive, stuck on ipad, lacked focus).

"angry Kid Throws Tantrum When Parents Take Away His Ipad!" #comfortzone #focus #motivation - YouTube

This video also shows how an internet addiction can create aggressive behaviors in children.

This Book is Anti-Racist!

 

The reading “This book is anti-racist” calls us to examine injustice and work toward oneness. It challenged me to reflect on my personal actions but also on how society treats those who are marginalized. It made me think more deeply about how I show up in the world and whether my actions truly reflect love and kindness.

While the book discusses how our race, background, and experiences shape who we are, I began to think about how identity goes even deeper than that of personality and physical traits. It’s more than saying “I like to bake” or “I’m optimistic. "These things are good, but I think they only describe our preferences and feelings, but they don’t fully define who we are at our core because at the end of the day preferences change and so do feelings. I believe true identity is grounded in a solid foundation, in our character, in how we treat others, in what we stand for, and in how we live. Identity isn’t just how we see ourselves, but how we live out our values in a fallen world in desperate need of truth, love, and justice.

The reading made me think about Elastic girl's quote on "The Incredibles"

Identity Map!

About me!

 Heyy! My name is Isber Baez!

I enjoy spending time with my loved ones!

I'm a Christian!

I love animals!

I like riding horses!