Future Of Equality

This is the unit two Action Project for my humanities course Equality. Unit two was titled Herstory and investigated what the future of equality will look like. We studied modern issues involving gender, race, and class. We learned about the feminist movement of 1970's and how it helped to shape certain fights for equality today. The class discussed about how one hears the voices of the marginalized. The action project asked students to look one hundred years into the future and create a time capsule. The time capsule contains various documents which shed light on a specific event relating to equality. I really liked this unit as it allowed me to question a lot of my prior ideas. I like how herstory contradicts some of the fundamental ideas of history. This unit was wonderful and I believe the AP was a creative and engaging way to finish it up.

America’s Destiny:A Futuristic New-Source 

February 24, 2117 

Bridge To Be Built Between The US And Mexico!

   The beginning of the 2100’s has brought a plethora of significant advancements and achievements in equality for all. The United States has recently been focusing their efforts on unifying Americans and Mexicans with a revolutionary border bridge. 

   Various unification efforts have been underway for the past few decades. Currently, there lacks systems and policies that effectively reflect the Mexican majority present here in America.      

Conversations regarding the construction of a border bridge began taking place in Washington, DC last year. An official proposal for the bridge was presented to congress yesterday. 

   The bill received bipartisan support because of it’s potential to produce a substantial cultural and economic impact. Congress’s session prioritized the formulation a budget and timeline. A major component of the proposition is creating a bridge that can be properly utilized across the entirety of the US and Mexico border. The people traveling between the two countries need entry points several times along the border in order for the program and structure to work as intended.
   Another fundamental component is that Mexico will participate in the financing and construction of the bridge. The significant time and monetary investment required for the construction and maintenance should be shared amongst the two countries. History has shown us what racism and xenophobia can do to our nation’s values, progress, and relationships. The intention of the bridge is to recognize our borders as doors rather than walls.
   The bridge is intended to stretch across the whole US - Mexico border and include access points in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Both US and Mexican citizens will be able to travel back and forth between the two countries from any of the access points. The accessibility of the entries is intended to increase the flow of people crossing. The United States and Mexico share the mutual belief that the bridge will generate economic and cultural prosperity.
   Construction is set to begin before the end of the year and is expected to take just under two years. The old days of “build that wall” are gone and the new days of a connected US - Mexico is approaching!

America’s Destiny:A Futuristic Newsource 

February 24, 2117 

Op-Ed

My name is Julio Sanchez and I’m a Mexican American. My parents made the bold decision to cross the border and have me here in the US. Their lives were secure back in Mexico. They had their friends and family. Both of them had a good job and they shared a nice home. Their decision to come here was made solely for me, their unborn son. Shortly after arriving in Texas they had me and we began our brand new life. They began new jobs but struggled to maintain them due to the language barrier as well as their legal status. We made it through the hard times and now hearing that there’s a strong possibility that our home land might unite with the US via bridge I am overwhelmed with emotion. So much of my history and identity was formed by that border. It acted as a wall both physically and psychologically. We couldn’t go back to our homeland. We were denied the ability to be with our family and culture. The new bill that would begin the construction on a border bridge is the most exciting policies i’ve seen come about in a long time. It recognizes the vast number of Mexicans in the US and their connection to home. It creates a legal framework for going back and forth between the two countries. The economic possibilities for both countries is endless. The transfer of culture and ethnic backgrounds will occur like never before. It really redefines prior notions of countries and borders. Instead of there being an impenetrable wall there is a bridge with has doors in it. For the first time my family will be able to go back where they came from. This act of removing the wall and turning into a bridge is a testament to the unified future we’re heading in.

Bill

An Act

The United States Of America will begin the construction of a border bridge along the entirety of the US - Mexico border. The US will be splitting the finances, construction, and maintenance with Mexico. Both countries hope to strengthen their economies and cultures. The design process officially begins on March 1 and construction will begin in July. The US and Mexico will work vigorously constructing the bridge. The United States and Mexico’s unified efforts towards the bridge will last roughly three years until construction is complete and then many years afterwards allowing the flow of people in and out for the betterment of both countries. 

Unity Puzzle

Come Unlock Your Mind!

Unity Puzzle, MS, 2017

This is a unity puzzle. The theme of the puzzle is turning walls into doors. It’s intended to subliminally inspire players to be more open minded. This game was created because acceptance and unity need to be more widely implemented and puzzle are timeless. A large part of the game is spent building the surrounding wall. After completion, the player realizes that through the wall lays a door to the other side. The hope for the game is to have players break down their walls and start recognizing the doors.

Textbook Chapter

This is the unit 1 Action Project for my Humanities course Equality. Unit 1 was titled history and was guided by the question "What is the history of the fight for equality?" In class we explored the history of race, gender, and class. We had conversations about current issues in our society and studied wonderful of equality fighters from across history. The Action Project was focused on telling a story. Students were asked to recount a significant historical event. Students were asked to create a chapter for a textbook focused on marginalized people. I selected a topic I was previously interested in but not well versed in. I really enjoyed the first unit of this course and thought the action project was a creative way to finish up the unit. It was interesting to do an AP in a new format, a textbook chapter. This project wasn't too difficult but it did take a long time to complete. Overall, I am happy with what  I learned and the project I produced to show my mastery.

United States VS Jones

This is my unit 3 AP for my Policy class. Unit 3 was titled "Judge" and investigated the purpose and powers of the judicial branch. The class learned how the judicial branch functions and how that effects society. Additionally, we examined policy on a global scale and viewed what policies should govern all nations. The unit's AP asked students to select a Supreme Court case and analyze it. Students were asked to research both sides of the case as well as agree or disagree with the ruling based on the US constitution. I loved this AP and thought it did a phenomenal job of wrapping up the unit and the course. I really enjoyed selecting a case and seeing how its impacted society. Overall, this was an outstanding AP that was both interesting and fun!

Energy Policy Modernization Act

This is the first action project for my Policy class. Unit 1 was titled Legislate and investigated the powers and purpose of the legislative branch of government. The guiding questions for the unit focussed on examining legislative branches at different levels of government as well as how one goes about proposing legislation. This unit was extremely entertaining and informative as I got to dive deep into one of the central parts of our nations government. I am most proud of my ability to connect a genuine interest and passion of mine with the action project.

MS 

GCE Lab School

1535 N. Dayton

Chicago, IL 60642

April 27, 2016

Paul Ryan
1233 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker,

The United States’ use of both nuclear and fossil energy have detrimental effects on the global climate. The ways in which we currently power our society don’t align or correspond to the needs of the environment and climate. Our country's unsustainable and inefficient energy policies are contributing to a world that is undergoing severe destruction. Our current policies have failed to create energy production, storage, and distribution systems that work effectively to fulfil society's energy needs while remaining conscientious of the environment and climate. It is time for us to collectively recognize the damage we’ve caused and work towards investing and building a prosperous future for both the environment and society. Speaker Ryan, I am asking for your support as well as advocacy in congress for the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016. The country’s current energy policies have negative impacts on the climate, yet efficient and sustainable options are available. Fortunately the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 lays the groundwork for modernizing our country's energy systems. As speaker, your support of the bill will greatly increase its chances of a vote in the House, thus raising its chances of becoming enacted.

Currently, the United States’ primary source of energy is fossil fuels, which account for nearly 70% of all the electricity generated. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum emits carbon dioxide, which plays an integral role in global warming. Nuclear energy is dirty, dangerous, and expensive. The radioactive waste produced by nuclear reactors is extremely hazardous and can leak radiations which can cause issues for both the air and water systems. Nuclear energy requires uranium which is a scarce resource. Scientists estimate there is less than a 200 year supply of uranium left. There is no place for nuclear energy in a safe, clean, and sustainable future. In addition to laying the framework for minimizing energy productions negative impact on the environment, the bill it also raises conversation of the social and economic risks our nation faces as a result of our current system. The bill would create programs whose main focus would be improving energy systems in order to address the threat of cyber attack on the nation’s electrical grid. The technological era we live in has created the ability for people to do harm on a scale previously unimaginable. A U.S. official was quoted saying, “cyberwarfare can be used to disable the U.S. power grid. U.S. systems aren't any more protected than those breached in Ukraine.”

I’m reaching out to you Mr. Speaker in order to express a very real fear I posses. The way we as a nation are currently operating can not be sustained. Temperatures are rising, forests are being destroyed, and the air and water is becoming increasingly polluted while we continue to just do our thing. It’s our obligation to recognize the current state we’re in and make a conscious decision on how we want to proceed into the future. I am passionate about taking the next step into the future but want to do so in a way that works for everyone and everything. My right as a citizen of this nation to openly advocate and support policy along with my passion to want to continue humanity and and the well being of planet earth has caused me to try and get through to you in order to convey this message. I believe this bill is in everyone's best interest and feel as if it needs to be passed and become a law. A major opposition towards this bill comes as a result of the money involved with the systems and processes being reviewed and revised. The fossil fuel and nuclear industries are ginormous conglomerates that possess large amounts of money as well lobby over congress. They are at the top of the power structure consequently making them the ones most fearful and opposed to a change.

The enactment of this policy will propel us forward on our collective mission towards forming a sustainable and prosperous planet. This is a moral and ethical decision rather than an economic one. Its implementation will mark the beginning of a well awaited response to nature's cries. Our planet has suffered enough and will be unable to sustain us and our lifestyles if we continue to neglect its needs. As a young adult who is apart of this upcoming generation, I want to establish a set of policies that I know will protect our planet. I want planet earth’s longevity to be maximized and will to do everything in my control to minimize humans negative impact. I’m asking you to join the fight for humanity and planet earth. I’m calling upon you Mr. Speaker for your action as an influencer and constituent. Please take into consideration the fragile state we are all in and the direction we’re heading. Our futures can be changed and our planet can be saved. The waiting must stop and action must begin. It is time to take control and reverse our course of action. I would like to conclude by thanking you for your time and thoughts. I hope you can take my words and use them as a source of motivation and drive for the enactment of this bill.

Best,

Max

Sources:

"The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels." Union of Concerned Scientists. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

"Nuclear Energy." Greenpeace USA Nuclear Energy Comments. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

Davenport, Coral. "Senate Begins Debate on Comprehensive Bipartisan Energy Bill." The New York Times. The New York Times, 2016. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

"Summaries for the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016." GovTrack.us. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

"U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis."What Is U.S. Electricity Generation by Energy Source? Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

"First on CNN: U.S. Investigators Find Proof of Cyberattack on Ukraine Power Grid." CNN. Cable News Network. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.