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I would like to acknowledge the trauma we hold in our bodies in this stressful time. If youre reading this, stop clenching your teeth, relax your eyebrows, roll your shoulders back, and have some water. Stay safe you guys.

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I would like to acknowledge the people who came and went in my life. People are there for a reason, some for a season, and some for a lifetime. These are the people who help me through my struggles, celebrated my winnings and sat with me through rough times. They are the unsung heroes.

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I would like to acknowledge kindness of strangers and my family. I added late to this class, but thanks to the professor! you rock! I was able to add. Thank you so much for your kindness. It takes a small gesture or words to change someones day. She really relieved stress of me. I also added that my family, specifically my grandma is so important to me. I had a rough year with my dog of 13 years passing a month ago due to cancer and some fallouts with other family members.To others they see it as a dog, but to me she was my first best friend. I am 23 now, so i had her for a long time. My grandma griefed with me and understood me. In addition, my mom couldn't come to console me due to her being diagnosed with COVID., but we talked about it on the phone, so i wouldn't feel so overwhelmed with her passing. In addition, some college friends i meet at mesa reached out to me not too long ago and also helped me emotionally. They were technically strangers to me because most of them i had not talk to for a long time, but i am glad that they told me such kind words.  Even a small smile (even though masks cover our facial expressions), a thank you, can go a long way!

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I would like to acknowledge my ansisters. They were feild workers, soldiers, and construction workers. They lifte me up on their overworked shoulders.

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I have been on a strange and uncertain journey within the past 10 years. I am not confident with writing about myself or my deep thoughts to people who may read my writ. Here is what I would like to say. I am thankful everyday to be me. No matter what I do, think, or feel inside,  I make a conscious and unconscious decisions to keep focused on being a better and loving person for myself and others, including animals and nature. No matter what happens to me on a daily basis, I am always appreciative of most of the experiences that happen to me. If the experiences are negative, I try to find some peace or resolution in order to get past them and learn. Additionally, I want to thank my parents who have both passed away years ago for doing the best that they could in order to make sure I was an able bodied person who is somewhat independent yet empathetically connected to others' situations and experiences. I really try to understand and love others in the realm of humanity. What I have discovered is that each day that I try to connect to others, life for me becomes so much greater and the possibilities of happiness, knowledge, and love are immeasurable. Please, love your fellow human. Especially, love yourself.

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I don't know about you guys, but this pandemic has really put me through the 7 stages of grief! Navigating online classes last semester and working on an ambulance through the scary unknowns of the virus when the news first came out about Covid 19 was incredibly stressful.

I would really like to acknowledge health. I think that it is so easy to forget how fortunate we are just to wake up every day with no pain, no sickness, or serious conditions that prevent us from living life in a way that we are not suffering.

I have seen families say goodbye presumably for the last time when our patient has "Do Not Resuscitate" orders as our ambulance transports them because hospitals and skilled nursing facilities won't allow visitors as long as they are admitted.

It's heart breaking to think of the possibility of someone passing away without their family by their side even though they would be able to without the pandemic. A facetime call, as nurses hold the camera toward the dying patient as their life slowly fades away is a cruel substitute for a final goodbye. Every time it reminds me how fortunate I am to have healthy friends and family that care about me. My grandma, recovering from brain surgery that left her partially paralyzed and almost dead.

Mental health is just as important as physical wellbeing. In these stressful times, everybody is bound to be strung a little tighter than usual. Take care of yourselves you guys, we are all struggling, some a lot more than others. But I care about you all, and there are others that care too. The narrative has shifted, it's ok to need a little bit of extra help if you're struggling. ❤️

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Teachers. During this difficult time they have managed and adapted they best they could to be able to continue educating and assuring that kids are getting the education they deserve. I am lucky to see it as my mom is a 3rd grade teacher and is working on the transition for her kids is the best it can be and making sure they are not only learning but having fun too. She works on her "days off" so that her lesson plans are just as engaging and interactive as they would be in person but even more so now by making a website with puzzles and games that link to assignments. She also makes sure that kids have a space where they can talk about how they are feeling through the pandemic and has zooms where they can talk to their friends and play hangman. It makes me thing about the other teachers who are going through this as they are trying to find a balance between work and life. RIght now everything is bleneded and it just makes me appricate them more than ever I just think about my mom and how everything changed and how stressed she was knowing that some of her students cried saying that school was

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my poor, poor air conditioning unit. I try not to run it often, considering the issues it causes the environment (and my electricity bill), but it's been a lifesaver this past week. My apartment likes to absorb heat and clutch onto it like a dragon hoarding gold, but my wonderful air conditioner manages to keep things below 85 when it counts. Fight on, my friend! My sanity rests on your cold, metal back.

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My family. I have been going through a tough time in the past couple of years, and my family was there to support during this hard time. I believed I was truly alone, but my family acknowledged me and the problems I was facing, and gave me the support i needed to face my problems and answer them head-on. There recent support has guided me to be more in tune with myself, and given me the opportunity to express myself. I am grateful for all they have done for me, and for the positive attitudes they have as they continue to support me.
(The anonymous post right before is mine, I'm not sure how to delete it.)

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All essential workers who are persevering through these difficult times, wearing the masks for 8 to 12 hour shifts and doing it with a good attitude. I appreciate you for showing up to work and dealing with the angry customers and the heat the mask brings. Thank you for your hard work.

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The United States of America. I am grateful for the exceptionalism of our country and the patriotism of our people.

Our Constitution. I am grateful for the legacy secured for all citizens of our country by our Founding Fathers.

Our nations warriors. I am grateful for the patriots that have kept our country free through sacrifice and blood.

Our American Flag. I am grateful for our flag, and when raised, stand in honored remembrance and respect for our dead.

Our American history. I am grateful for our collective achievements and our mistakes.

Our People. I am grateful to live in a country where the life of every American is sacred and holds value!

God bless America

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I would like to acknowledge the love and support of my family and friends during this time of crisis. Despite the chaos, I am grateful for the people in my life who have lifted me up when I was down and feel blessed to be there for them in their times of need. From the facetime calls to the social distance picnics, my family has been able to stay connected when our society has become fragmented and I am truly grateful for the hard work we put into staying positive and connected. 

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Those who persevere despite the many challenges and roadblocks that life throws their way. Though perseverance can be seen in many, it is not something to be taken lightly. Undoubtedly there are times and situations that engender a feeling of wanting to quit and yet, you still march on. It is not necessarily just being unaffected by these challenges that show strength, but being able to pick yourself up after being knocked down that does. As tough as it may be and as tough as it may get, the severity of that pain won't last forever. Your perseverance won't go unnoticed.

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I would like to acknowledge: The importance of connection.   

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I would like to acknowledge: The importance of connection.   

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During these trying times of pandemic and social unrest many of use, including myself, find themselves losing but also gaining connections to people, activities, or even ideas.  In the beginning of the year, I was excited to make new connections with people like my new Professors and friends I had made in class.  But when quarantine began it was difficult to keeps those new connections, over the little time I had met them in person.  But through technology and virtual communication, I was able to keep a semblance of that connection and normalcy.  I really enjoy meeting people face to face but it’s been quite the experience learning to adapt to a new normal way of connecting with people.  I’ve been so lucky that I have been able to be with my family during quarantine and meet with my friends online, whom have been such a huge mental and emotional support for me.  I hope everyone, including myself, can keep building and strengthening those connections, through these new and unusual times.

-Kiersten Reyes

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I would like to acknowledge the BLM movement and all of the people working to end the racial injustices that are deeply rooted in American society. The movement is here to stand up for the voices that go unheard. The obtuse ideology that has infected large occupations. Such as our police force, medical care, and even our educators at times acting on personal bias. Our nation was built on the backs of slaves and does little to acknowledge it. BLACK LIVES MATTER! We must never forget! Another acknowledgment I'd like to make is to the Native Americans around our nation, the land was taken from you, and your practices were colonized and used against you yet made profit from those who stole it. America is dividing before our eyes, and we must stay "United." Fight for human rights for EVERYONE!

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I would like to acknowledge
My ancestors who went to no small amount of trouble to leave the “old country” in order to try to make a better life for themselves and their children.  The physical journey was not easy: they were threatened and waylaid, robbed, and sometimes arrested.  Emotionally/psychologically, the journey was hard because they gave up everything they had and knew without knowing for certain what might lay at the end of the road.  Like Dizzy Gillespie said of Louis Armstrong, “no him, no me.”  If my forbears had not left, I might not be here today.
My parents and mentors also have poured themselves into me.  They have inspired me to reach higher and better myself, to attain more than they had the opportunity to fulfill.  Their love, support, and guidance helped me and, on a regular basis, I try to honor their sacrifices.

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I would like to acknowledge that transgender lives matter 

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I would like to acknowledge that transgender lives matter 

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I just want to acknowledge transgender lives and speak out to the incident that happened in Hollywood, CA. Three transgender women were brutally robbed and violently attacked by multiple men while waiting for their Uber.

As women of color and as community's we need to learn how to support other community's that are facing discrimination and violence due to people authentically being themselves. Last year in the U.S 30 transgender lives were lost to violent attacks. These are attacks are the only ones that are reported, there are many more that have not.

As community's we should support LBGTQIA community. I hope that all my trans brothers and sister continue to fight for what as right and stay true to who they are. I support my trans sister and brothers to be treated equally and respected as individuals. I hope with educating people this can open people perspective and eyes that the ideology's society places on trans community's are not true. As a society we can hopefully embrace everyone with respect even if we are do not agree with their life choices.  I will continue to support the transgender lives and advocate for what is right! 🤍🤍🤍.

Taylor Rossell Knighton

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This pause.

Sometimes a wrench thrown into a machine isn't a bad thing. For me at least, just making it day by day wasn't cutting it. Through all of the uncertainty, isolation and fears, there is at least the opportunity to re-think life in this moment: what matters, who matters, what kind of a society we want to rejoin when restrictions are lifted.

I hope that this can highlight our need for one another and a stronger community, because we are so often under the illusion that we can and should figure things out on our own. For that small silver lining, I am  grateful.

-Lillian Jensen

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Although the past few months have been quite heavy, to say the least, I believe this period of our lives has sparked a fire for many of those who may have lost their creativity in the hustle and bustle of our daily responsibilities. It’s easy to get caught up in a routine that is solely to survive the game of life because we have bills to pay, mouth(s) to feed, and other obligations that distract us from our passions. With most of us having extra time on our hands nowadays, quarantine allowed us to rediscover our forgotten talents and for some, talents they didn’t know they had. It’s unfortunate how many jobs have been affected due to covid-19 however, recently I’ve noticed people have become more innovative and creative with starting their own businesses. I acknowledge the love and passion that is handcrafted into every artwork and I think its amazing that more people are becoming their own boss and building their own businesses that all started with a creative mind and the love for art. Thanks to being self quarantined, local artists have had more time to create with real passion behind their work that stems from the natural feelings we get from what we see every day in our timelines and on the news. This art represents the injustice in our system, the anger towards the ones that are meant to protect us the most, and the confusion from what’s really going on around us. Black lives matter, trans lives matter, and support your local artists/businesses!

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The service my mother provided for my family. My mother is a very strong woman and has put up with a lot in my family. The three men in her life have been very troubled during different periods and she has remained the rock. In my opinion my mother could of been or done anything she wanted in life, but she sacrificed all of that for the love of her family. She never made it a choice. If something needed to be done she accomplished it. My father, brother and I, have put here through hell and back and she has remained strong and dedicated to us. In 2016, I got out of the Navy and ended up having a substance abuse issue that took me away from my child. She was there to pick me up and put me on the right path again. Through her love and patience she helped me heal and become the man I am to day. I man that I am proud to be. She is the reason I am the father I am today. I would also like to acknowledge the service my son has provided me. He will not know how much of a role he played in saving my life and maybe he never will, but I will always know. He gave me a purpose, a reason to live and I love him more than anything I ever thought possible. There is no such thing as failure in my life because of him. There are small setbacks and lessons but he gives me the strength to never quit. He is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and I will provide him with the life he deserves. I love you Logan and Maryann.

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I would like to acknowledge our teachers. Being a teacher at times can be difficult and yet also very rewarding. As a teacher you take on a wide range of students, each with their own personal and educational challenges that both the teachers and students need to overcome. The rewarding part comes in when they see a student they have mentored, move on to the next part of their lives. Be it either graduating from High School into College, or going from a Community College to a University.
Several challenges have popped up since the ball drop on December 31, 2019 and teachers have had to accommodate and evolve their way of teaching to fit the needs of the many, going from face to face, to having a screen in front of them day in and day out. Teachers are the educators of the new generation, these same educators are underpaid and underappreciated at times. I would like to acknowledge those teachers who need that extra “thank you” or “I appreciate you” just to keep on doing what they're doing. Sure, teachers are spectacular and they know that, but it is still good to hear it from the students they have helped over the years.

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I would like to acknowledge and express gratitude for writing and literature in general. Literature helps us preserve each other’s histories and cultures for future generations. It offers us a glimpse into the past and into the mind’s of the writers. And through this, it helps us know ourselves.

The study of North American literature was not always so inclusive. It was largely focused on white, male writers, Hemingway, Steinbeck, etc. Great writers, but it is so incomplete and does not fully represent the many voices of this country. Particularly the voices of writers who are of color, lgbt, and women. Their contributions to literature are extremely important. It helps us empathize and understand the history of this country. Through literature, connections can easily be made between current events and past events. We can see the picture more fully. I'm grateful to be taking classes where including a diverse group of writers is a priority.

In my other literature class this semester my professor included this Toni Morrison quote on the syllabus and I think it’s a great quote on the importance of these writer’s work. “A writer's life and work are not a gift to mankind; they are its necessity.” - Toni Morrison

Which reminds me, I'm also grateful for Toni Morrison.

I hope everyone has a great semester!

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Parents and Teachers            I would like to acknowledge all the parents who are struggling with balancing their work, home and childcare duties especially during COVID.  I know how hard it can be to educate children at home. I would like to acknowledge all the teachers who miss their students and who are successfully learning a whole new online pedagogy.  It is nothing short of Herculean what parents, teachers and school districts are changing and how they are quickly adapting to continue to reach their students.

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Parents and Teachers            I would like to acknowledge all the parents who are struggling with balancing their work, home and childcare duties especially during COVID.  I know how hard it can be to educate children at home. I would like to acknowledge all the teachers who miss their students and who are successfully learning a whole new online pedagogy.  It is nothing short of Herculean what parents, teachers and school districts are changing and how they are quickly adapting to continue to reach their students.

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---Julie Nydam

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Love. I would like to acknowledge love because I feel like it is what's behind everything good in life. If there was no love in this world, we would have nothing. I want to acknowledge the love we feel for our moms when they take care of us. I want to acknowledge the love we feel with our partners when we look into each others eyes. I even want to acknowledge the love we feel for our earth when we decide not to litter and recycle. Loving is caring for things and others even when it doesn't convenience you. It is not selfish. I want to acknowledge love because it is honestly what makes life worth living. The people we love, the things we love to do, the food we love to eat. Love is everything.

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Though life before us may have changed dramatically over the last several months. One thing remains certain, and that is we are all in this together! These challenging times will create two types of people during this pandemic:
1. The Debbie Downer- One who only looks at the negative aspect of our current situation.
2. The Persevering Optimist-  One who accepts everything that has transpired and is determined to make the most of the situation.

As this semester begins, I am trying to become the second type of person that I mentioned. Which will you become?

I hope that anyone else who is going through rough times right now is able to find and remember your "WHY". The reason for your existence. Establish goals this semester and stick to them no matter what!

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The many contradictions of this capitalist society, that have been accentuated by COVID-19. The uprising all peoples of color today, as well as in the 1960’s, is due to the repressive, exploitative, and violent conditions imposed on communities of color in this country.

Many times we are not able to think past the narrative that is taught to us is K-12, and even college, because the curriculum prevents and in-depth analysis to be taught on how things really are.

I want to acknowledge all women and men, activists, the youth and educators who stand for what is right. I would like to acknowledge my brother and sister activists, of all colors, that are in the front lines.

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The Kumeyaay Nation . We are here on their land, now called San Diego. They have occupied this land for over 12,000 years.

The legacy and history of Black Americans and their continuing contributions to the building of this nation. Black lives matter.