Knowing Your Rights

AMENDMENT XV

Section 1.The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude--

I know that this Amendment, well like Amendment's, are enforced, but how enforced are they really? How are we to honestly judge if an employer highers someone of a certain race or color. An employer could simply say that that individual wasn't qualified for the position, or they may find other excuses to not higher someone or race/color. I understand that this Amendment is extremely important because it is completly unfair and unjust to not higher someone bases on their color/race. But in some instances I could see where it may not be appealing. Perhaps at an airport if they were to higher someone form the Middle East that might be a little sketchy.

Colorado Gun Law states that you can have handgun in your vehicle, dwelling, business, etc., if its use is for lawful protection. You cannot carry a handgun concealed into a business, dwelling, etc. Handguns are meant for protection, and in Colorado you have full rights to protect yourself. In other states there are different laws, such as you cannot own/carry a handgun until you are 21 years of age. When some people turn 18 they automatically move at of their parent's home for whatever reason. At the age of 18 some people may already have children. To have the right to a handgun at the age of 18 for self defense purpose's seems extremely reasonable to me. Sure, school shootings do happen and they are terrible things. But most kids involved with school shootings didn't go buy their own gun, they just used the one that their parents had at home. It is too thin of a line to determine who will act wholesomly with a weapon and who won't; but as an 19 year old I'd still like the option to defend myself.

It may seem too soon and not safe to let an 18 year old own a hand gun. Like I mentioned school shootings do happen and they are terrible. But most of those student's didn't purchase their own handgun, they used their parents. At the age of 18 people can enlist into the military where they are trained to learn how to kill people and they are trained for combat. If an 18 year old can sign up to pretty much take another human life away, at the age of 18 we should be able to own our own handgun in means of self defense.

RA's as Authoritative Figures

As an RA I have a lot of authority when it comes to resident and living in the residence halls. Surprisingly I know more than you’d think. Many of the upcoming ideas that the school is thinking of proposing is offered to the RA’s and they take our opinion into consideration. The higher authorities of CSU-Pueblo take our opinion into consideration because they know as RA’s that we represent the student’s and what they want. Most students if they have a problem with something around campus they go and tell their RA and then the RA relay’s that info back to professional staff. I like being in part of some of the decisions that are being made on campus because I’ve seen firsthand that our input is being used and thought of and being put into action. One thing that I know the RA’s had a big say on was regarding the dining services and the meal plans available. Everyone, RA’s and resident’s alike complain about Chartwells and the food they offer; not to mention the meal plans. The RA’s had suggested that there was a way to get a swipe for a ‘meal plan’ from the cafeteria and make it equal to food available in the La Cantina. The managers of Chartwells had talked to us near the beginning of the semester but then the meal plan transferability was used and enforced way sooner than we all thought. Too me, that was impressive on Chartwells part for being flexible and for taking our opinion into consideration. Some people may argue that just because we are RA’s we are still in fact students, and that our authority isn’t that high or it shouldn’t be taken into that high of consideration. But if higher authority, or an ‘adult’ who doesn’t live in the dorms really cannot relate to our jobs. Some people in higher authority might try to pull that line “well, back when I lived in the dorms…” let me tell you, I’m sure living in the dorms from now to five years ago was extremely different, let alone living in the dorms now compared to twenty years ago. So that line doesn’t really work for me. Sure RA’s are students too, but when it comes to talking about what student’s and resident’s want to see, you should still take into consideration the RA’s opinion’s because we are student’s and are opinion’s are just as important.