This class has changed my life. And my families lives. So much of what we learn in this class hits home to me. I love sharing the new information with my family. I am so proud to know that I can make such a difference in so many peoples lives. This class has taught me to be thankful for EVERYTHING that I have; not everyone has the amazing opportunities that people at our school have. Since taking Soc, I have taken a step back and thanking people a lot more. I have also focused on service, even moreso than ever. I have always been doing service, but I feel like it has a lot more meaning now.
I think there are two things that really stick with me, and that I think about often; two things that dont really exist: Social Class and Race. These things stick with me because I am trying to think of them for what they really are. Even though social class does not exist in America, it does. After learning what I have about social class, I have started really thinking about donating my money to help people. Over the holiday season, I donated more than I normally would. One time, I was with a friend and I donated $15 at the store. She asked me why? And the answer? Because I can. Because I can affod to help the people that deserve a joyous holiday season. I never would have done that before sociology. After learning about the social class in America, I have focused on making my dent into it, and helping those that need it.
After we talked about race, I became really admite that it really does not exist. We are all humans on this earth. We are all the same. Our DNA isn't different because your skin is darker or lighter than mine. So I really have stopped judging people based on skin tone when I meet them. This is something that I am really proud of! We are all the same people!!!!
I believe I am a completely different person in a good way. I am proud of the changes that I have made in my personal life since taking sociology. I have realized that I live a great life, and I should not complain about anything. There are so many people with less than me. I have also started appreciating my family more. My parents worked so hard to get where they are and I am so proud of them. I would not be the person I am without them and their amazing influences. Even when I get upset with them, I try to handle my reactions differently so that they still know I am thankful for them. And my view on the world: we are all the same. If everyone worked together, we could solve so many problems. I think that every person needs to be thankful for everything that they have.
This was an amazing class.
I leared a LOT.
Thanks Sal :)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Racist
We are all racist whether we mean to be or not. When you see someone, you automatically notice and make judgements on about 11 things within 30 seconds. The color of their skin is one thing. And then without thinking, you will judge them and stereotype them unconsciously. In class this week, we watched the movie Crash. This movie was made to show people just how racist most of America is. This movie incorporates many of the large race groups in America today. They all judge other races that are present here. And they all fit the stereotype for the "race" that they are. It was so sad to watch as these people acted how they did to people with a different look than they have. The judgements were very harsh and hurtful. I know that some of this was exaggerated, but knowing people EVERYDAY do the same thing is a hard thing to think about.
This movie has summed up so much of what we have talked about in Sociology. Sal has been telling us all year that we need to see the larger picture. We need to think about others that need more than we do. If everyone in America would sit down and watch this movie for less than 2 hours, so much would change. People would see how wrong it is to judge someone on just their appearance. This movie is blatantly telling the public to stop and see the bigger picture in society, in people, and in the world.
This movie relates to my life because I, too, judge people. I think that is something that will never change in most peoples' lives. You can't just stop judging people. But this movie made me so much more aware of the harm it can have. Since taking this class, I have tried a lot harder to see the bigger picture. I have tried to not look at people for the color of their skin but what is really inside. And I think that is the most important thing in a society such as ours. So next time, try and stop yourself from judging before you know someone.
This movie has summed up so much of what we have talked about in Sociology. Sal has been telling us all year that we need to see the larger picture. We need to think about others that need more than we do. If everyone in America would sit down and watch this movie for less than 2 hours, so much would change. People would see how wrong it is to judge someone on just their appearance. This movie is blatantly telling the public to stop and see the bigger picture in society, in people, and in the world.
This movie relates to my life because I, too, judge people. I think that is something that will never change in most peoples' lives. You can't just stop judging people. But this movie made me so much more aware of the harm it can have. Since taking this class, I have tried a lot harder to see the bigger picture. I have tried to not look at people for the color of their skin but what is really inside. And I think that is the most important thing in a society such as ours. So next time, try and stop yourself from judging before you know someone.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
It Doesn't Even Exist!
RACE DOESN'T REALLY EXIST! Did you know that the first thing we see when we first meet people is their sex and their race. So we notice the color of their skin. And then we start judging them before the first words can even come out of their mouths. This week in Soc we have been talking about how race is a socially made up concept. There is nothing different in my blood being white than a different person being black or hispanic or asian. Nothing really sets us apart except for the area of the world that we are from. So what are we really looking at? Do I become "black" when I am super tan in the summer? How do I pass as white? What is so different about me? Simple answer...my family is from Europe, so I have lighter skin than someone from Africa.
So this is related to sociology because people aren't seeing the bigger picture in everyone. I wish people could break past seeing color and see the real person inside. I try to do this everyday. I want to know people for who they really are, and I want people to do the same when they see me. Would you want to be judged based on your appearance and not the real you? Personally I think everyone should have the chance to be themselves before they are judged.
This realtes to my life because of a friendship I had a long time ago. My best friend growing up until she moved in 2nd grade was black. When we are young we don't look at the color of someone's skin. This is what we need to do now! See the real person! So I didn't judge her or expect something different, I just wanted to be friends. Why can't this always be the case? Let's try and see people INSIDE before we judge their outsides!
So this is related to sociology because people aren't seeing the bigger picture in everyone. I wish people could break past seeing color and see the real person inside. I try to do this everyday. I want to know people for who they really are, and I want people to do the same when they see me. Would you want to be judged based on your appearance and not the real you? Personally I think everyone should have the chance to be themselves before they are judged.
This realtes to my life because of a friendship I had a long time ago. My best friend growing up until she moved in 2nd grade was black. When we are young we don't look at the color of someone's skin. This is what we need to do now! See the real person! So I didn't judge her or expect something different, I just wanted to be friends. Why can't this always be the case? Let's try and see people INSIDE before we judge their outsides!
Friday, December 3, 2010
30 days
Could you imagine living a life of poverty? Working a minnimum wage job and having a family? I can't even imagine that. We live in completely different lives than lower class families. In class, we watched 30 Days where Morgan lives for 30 days making minnimum wage. The minnimum wage is currently $8.25 I believe. Most working students at our school make more than $8.25 and we are only in high school! And how fast does that pay check go? FAST! At least if you are like me. There is a whole nother side to the world that people in our area don't always realize exists. Many families by us are in the top 10 percent of the United States. There are people that aren't making even a fraction of what some families here make!
This relates way back to one of the first weeks of school with having a sociological imagination. We need to be able to see that there are other parts of life, not just what we live. This class has made me realize how lucky I am to have been born into the family I have been. It's luck of the draw. Like when we played Monopoly; there is no way to choose who you are...it's a roll of the dice and you're stuck there for probably most of your life.
This idea relates to my life because of my parents. They were the difference in this social class phenomenon. They were born into lower class families without college education. Both put themselves through college and broke the norm. They can imagine what it was like to live in the minnimum wage families. It's hard for me to grasp what else is out there. It makes me wonder what I can do to help everyone else. There is so much more out there than we realize.
This relates way back to one of the first weeks of school with having a sociological imagination. We need to be able to see that there are other parts of life, not just what we live. This class has made me realize how lucky I am to have been born into the family I have been. It's luck of the draw. Like when we played Monopoly; there is no way to choose who you are...it's a roll of the dice and you're stuck there for probably most of your life.
This idea relates to my life because of my parents. They were the difference in this social class phenomenon. They were born into lower class families without college education. Both put themselves through college and broke the norm. They can imagine what it was like to live in the minnimum wage families. It's hard for me to grasp what else is out there. It makes me wonder what I can do to help everyone else. There is so much more out there than we realize.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
It's EVERYWHERE
When we were watching the movie in class, it shows Black Americans that are both in and not in the Jack and Jill society. The people that can not get into the group believe that people being "shunned" by other peers is only present in their life. As I was hearing it, they believe that only blacks have a society that not all blacks can be in. It sounded like the wealthy blacks were saying that they are the only ones that work for it, and that it is handed to whites.
Some of the things they were saying bothered me for a few different reasons. I am a member of the Children of the American Revolution, and that is a group that is somewhat "exclusive" as well. You must be related to someone that served in the Revolutionary War, and you must fill out a very detailed application that must be approved. So the same things happen in white societies too. The reason I was upset with the wealthy blacks was because they think they are the only ones that work to gain the status they did. I know MANY white Americans, including my own parents, that worked and put themselves through school and made their way in this world. They broke out of the lower-middle class lifes that they lived. Both of their parents were blue collar workers, and they have both become successful white collar workers; and they did it themselves. So all of this stuff isn't just present in the Black American lives.
This relates to sociology because it is all in the mind sets. People aren't seeing the bigger picture. I have started realizing that not everything is just like me. There are many different ways of life, and because of this class I have started really realizing this. But aspects of all societies are present in many other societies around the country.
Some of the things they were saying bothered me for a few different reasons. I am a member of the Children of the American Revolution, and that is a group that is somewhat "exclusive" as well. You must be related to someone that served in the Revolutionary War, and you must fill out a very detailed application that must be approved. So the same things happen in white societies too. The reason I was upset with the wealthy blacks was because they think they are the only ones that work to gain the status they did. I know MANY white Americans, including my own parents, that worked and put themselves through school and made their way in this world. They broke out of the lower-middle class lifes that they lived. Both of their parents were blue collar workers, and they have both become successful white collar workers; and they did it themselves. So all of this stuff isn't just present in the Black American lives.
This relates to sociology because it is all in the mind sets. People aren't seeing the bigger picture. I have started realizing that not everything is just like me. There are many different ways of life, and because of this class I have started really realizing this. But aspects of all societies are present in many other societies around the country.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Jail
In class, we watched a 30 Days episode where he went to jail for 30 (25 actually) days. This was a mind blowing thing to watch; I guess I never really thought about what jail would really look like. It made me really appreciate everything that I have in my life and the wonderful opportunities that I have to keep me out of jail. It also makes me feel really bad for all of the people that shouldn't be there. Some of the people are actually mentally challenged, or have physical reasons that they should not be in the same place as people who have committed serious crimes.
This relates to sociology, because people would much rather pay for prisons than places where people can actually get help. When thinking about it, it would make sense that people would want to keep the "bad people" off the street; but some of the people aren't actually bad. Some people just need help, or need to be institutionialized. That would really be helping the country more!
I don't really know how to relate jail to my life. I don't know a lot about jail, and I never want to. I am just thankful for the life that I, and my friends and family, have been born into. I am proud to say that I don't have to worry about jail as an option everyday of my life.
This relates to sociology, because people would much rather pay for prisons than places where people can actually get help. When thinking about it, it would make sense that people would want to keep the "bad people" off the street; but some of the people aren't actually bad. Some people just need help, or need to be institutionialized. That would really be helping the country more!
I don't really know how to relate jail to my life. I don't know a lot about jail, and I never want to. I am just thankful for the life that I, and my friends and family, have been born into. I am proud to say that I don't have to worry about jail as an option everyday of my life.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Why is that weird?
In class, we have been talking about social deviance. Deviance is the act of doing something "weird" or different. In sociology, it is okay to do something unnormal, but in the world, people look at you differently. Not all acts of deviance are bad though. We read a story about a man who did an act of deviance and ended up helping a man out of a slump in his life.
We were then encouraged to do an act of deviance in our life, so I thought I would do something to help my friends. I don't normally go out of my way to help my friends, because I have a casual relationship with all of my friends. So, when we were at lunch last week, I decided to do my act of deviance. I did something simple, because I didn't want my friends to be too weirded out. So after we finished eating, I stood up and threw away everyone's trash and put the trays where they are supposed to go. My friends all told me that I didn't have to do that, and they seemed kind of uncomfortable to have me do something so simple for them. One of them even told me to stop because she could do it! I just continued on, and told her not to worry about it. After I threw everyone's stuff away, life went on like nothing had happened. They were all thrown off for a second, but after it was over, life went back to normal.
Why do things that are done just to help people have to be weird? Why can't it be okay to help your friends out once in a while? I don't want it to be weird! I just want to help my friends out, and not have them think that it is weird, especially in a bad way.
We were then encouraged to do an act of deviance in our life, so I thought I would do something to help my friends. I don't normally go out of my way to help my friends, because I have a casual relationship with all of my friends. So, when we were at lunch last week, I decided to do my act of deviance. I did something simple, because I didn't want my friends to be too weirded out. So after we finished eating, I stood up and threw away everyone's trash and put the trays where they are supposed to go. My friends all told me that I didn't have to do that, and they seemed kind of uncomfortable to have me do something so simple for them. One of them even told me to stop because she could do it! I just continued on, and told her not to worry about it. After I threw everyone's stuff away, life went on like nothing had happened. They were all thrown off for a second, but after it was over, life went back to normal.
Why do things that are done just to help people have to be weird? Why can't it be okay to help your friends out once in a while? I don't want it to be weird! I just want to help my friends out, and not have them think that it is weird, especially in a bad way.
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