January 27, 2008

So the readings for today touched on some of the issues we had been discussing in class regarding racism, classism, etc. There was an idea presented that disadvantaged minorities should just try/work a little harder to improve/solve their own issues. This is America, the land of opportunity; all one needs to do is lace up their boot straps and pull themselves up; everything else will soon fall in place. However, the article " Responsibility for Reducing Poverty" touched on key issues, particularly the fact of blaming the victim has to stop before any real progress can be made. I believe that when it comes to significantly reducing any of the "isms" , action will be required of everyone from the government down to the individual. When society passes these issues off as the responsibility of the individual and their particular community, it creates a divide and mentality of us against them; perpetuating the same division the systems put in place have already created.

January 21, 2009

So I just got back from my Service Learning outing. I work with kids who are socio-economically disadvantaged. I assist them with their homework and they can also read to earn money for their "money" bank. This bank is redeemable on Fridays for various prizes. There were quite a few more kids there today, which made the time fly by. There was this one little boy there who I spent most of my time with. He was in Kindergarten and had the ten page packet of homework to complete by Friday. He was very shy at first, but quickly warmed up to me. The program director said that was only his second day and she was surprised how much he talked to me. The children present were mainly of Hispanic ethnicity. Overall, the kids seem excited about being there. I mean they do try to get over on the director, but she has been working with them for awhile and stays on top of things. One thing I liked was we met the kids coming off the bus. As stated before in a previous blog, all the kids from the apt complex are invited, and the director new all the kids by name (even the ones who didn't come). She stated it was a way to reinforce that the Homework club is a safe place for them.

January 20, 2009

So as we all have experienced, today American made history by inaugurating the first Black president. Ironically, our readings for today focused on race and discrimination. In the article " A Bill of Rights for Racially Mixed People", there was a section about resistance that fits appropriately with today's turn of events. "To resist means that one does not accept the belief system, the data as they are presented, or the rationalizations used to perpetuate the status quo around race relations." President Obama's entire platform has been one of inclusion and not exclusion; to focus on what unites us and not on our differences. He ignored the statistics and rationalizations that America wasn't ready for a non-white president. His "yes we can" motto was one that resonated within every oppressed group around the world. His efforts to unite not only those within the United States, but even those countries in the far reaches of the world will help bring about the change that is so desperately needed in politics and society. As a person of color, this is the second most historical moment that will forever have an impact on my life. The first being the Civil Rights Movement and all that Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for and was able to achieve (with the help of people from all races). While we shouldn't be stuck on race, one cannot push aside the significance it has in this particular situation.

January 15, 2009

Today's class discussion focused on race and race relations in America. As one can imagine, it was an extremely passionate discussion. I personally appreciated every one's honesty, who spoke up and it is from the experiences of others that we can all gain knowledge and growth from. However, as intriguing as the arguments were, my focus will be on the assigned readings centered around this discussion. In the article, "The Continuing Significance of Race..." I identify with the author's observation that some White people think minority groups play the "race card" too often and too quickly. I have had acquaintances go as far as saying that this "card" is the crutch that is holding Black people back from becoming productive members of society. I am glad the author pointed out the more times than not, the exact opposite is true, particularly in the middle class. It has been my own experience that I have let certain slights against me pass without confronting the situation out of fear for "crying wolf" one too many times. Every encounter of discrimination told in this article is sadly a story the majority of Black people face on some level and in some combination on a daily basis. This is our reality. Imagine if you lived in a society where you were constantly chasing something and every time you come close to catching it, a stumbling block is thrown in your path; sending you right back to the starting line. Think of how frustrating and exhausting and draining that would become. That has been my experience in chasing the American dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Everyday I feel I am getting closer to achieving this equality and everyday discrimination rears its ugly head, forcing me to pray the next day will be better, especially for the generations to come.

January 14, 2009

Today's blog is dedicated to my service learning activity. I currently volunteer with Mercy Housing. It is an organization the offers affordable housing and on-site services for low-income, elderly and special needs individuals. These services help families stabilize and become successful in their communities. During my time, I help out with the Homework Club, which meets Mon, Wed, and Fri. Any school age child is welcomed with written parental consent. However, the majority of the children come from within the housing complex, where the office is based. The children are given a snack, along with some guidance when completing their homework. Most of the children are African-American and are of lower socio-economic status. The children were typical children to me. I am a mother so I feel more comfortable around kids then maybe someone who does not have any. The kids were very inquisitive about who I was and what I was doing there, but after "warming up" to me I was accepted as if I had been there for months. They were very eager to help me find things, such as where the snacks were and how to turn on the DVD player. I had a really fun time and because I am of the same ethnicity as most of the children, I could relate to them. I was a familiar face. If I were not a part of this social group, I would probably feel sorry for the children and think that they were poor or wonder why more children from that neighborhood didn't take advantage of the free tutoring services. Thus, reinforcing the stereotypes that because of your zip code you are some how less intelligent than those who live in more affluent neighborhoods. However these kids are super bright and funny and kind of tricky at times, but once you get them re-focused they were good to go.

January 8, 2009

Today in class we had several interesting and thought provoking discussions. The one the stuck out the most in my mind was that of privilege, specifically heterosexual privilege. As brought out , privilege entails power. Now, for me, the word power in this instance has a bad under current. It's almost as if I want the benefits that power brings without actually saying I have any power. To actually acknowledge this power, is like saying I have done something wrong or I am a bad person of sorts. So one is either pseudo-humble about their power/privilege or ignores it all together. Our professor's statement about not having to carry around a state issued card declaring my union to my husband opened my eyes to the heterosexual privilege I do have. And in defense I wanted to trivialize it and point to what I would label as a larger source of privilege-white privilege-and say, "well I don't hold that power". As noted in the readings, it is always easier for a person to see the privilege in others and not the ones they happen to benefit from. I couldn't imagine not being able to openly love the person I choose to love and legally marry that person because of a privilege or the lack thereof. Yet at the same time, why would I have to even imagine it (prior to taking this course), because heterosexuality is my norm. It is my power that society says is OK for me to possess. Society says I should be proud of this power and use it as the measuring stick for all other groups to stand up to. But when your eyes have been opened to the hurt and exclusion this power brings, I can no longer opt out of the conflict by remaining silent. Yes heterosexuality is my choice, but why should my choice dictate how and who others choose to love and spend the rest of their lives with...

January 7, 2009

Today in Sociology 240, we watched the movie "Mickey Mouse Monopoly." It basically described the way Disney perpetuates stereotypes of racism, sexism and classism to thousands, if not millions of children around the world. It was interesting to watch but not alarming. As a woman of color, I am typically misrepresented and/or under-represented in the media. So why would Disney be any different? Now, don't get me wrong my kids enjoy Mickey Mouse just as much as the next child. However, I feel it is a parent's responsibility to address the issues that affect their children and to have that continuing dialogue. It is not the burden of the media.