REFLECTION on DISCUSSION

Watching "Crash" was definitely a great way to almost end sociology, and even high school for that matter. It's a movie that teaches us to accept, to understand, and to look. To accept, because obviously we are all different, and this society is very well mixed. To understand, because if we are ignorant to what other people are then we are missing a huge part of life. To look, because most racist behavior start because people are too blind to look past skin color and ethnicity. Throughout the discussion we were revisiting the idea of the Police Officer and the lady in the car, which was the climax of the movie. That heart stopping scene showed redemption, the cop who previously molested the Black lady redeemed himself by not only trying but succeeding in saving her from an explosive car accident. This movie did a phenomenal job of "Crash"ing in the major stereotypical races and showing us that it takes two to crash, and become one.

Keepin' Streets Safe:

Last week really opened up my eyes to how kids are taught to treat one another equally, but there are people that are still ignorant to open eyes to people of color. So far I have not directly experienced racism, but I know Indians are definitely not 100% accepted in this country. Lots of other races are not accepted either. It is sad to think we are called the UNITED States of America and yet some people take racism to a high extent.

Mo' Money Mo' Problems.

This week while working on the "Social Class" project, it made me realize how easy it is to spend money, but so many people struggle to make how much they make. I grew up being on the lower end of the class spectrum, and through life experiences I've learned that money is not a joke, and it definitely doesn't grow on trees. Money is a blessing and to be in the position I am in today is a great gift. My parents moved up the spectrum to Upper-Middle class according to the book. Money is great, but if you don't use it / spend it wisely things will get out of hand.

It Gets Better

This week has made me realize how much people of the LGBT community suffer from bullying. I mean I knew there was bullying going on, but I never knew how much bullying was going on in terms of suicides and in school bullying. The fact that many kids take their own lives because of the way they are treated for simply being themselves is inexcusable. Just by listening to Paz's story and just feeling sorry at the fact that even parents have a hard time accepting their own children for being who they want to be. Paz is one in many that go through this. On the outside we are who we want to be, but on the inside we are genetically made to be a certain way. I believe that parents give birth to a child, it's strictly up to the child to grow up how they want and the way they want. The job of the parent is to simply be there for their child. Once upon a time Americans did not like African Americans, but at one point we break barriers and hold hands. Bullying needs to be stopped, whether you're Lesbian, Gay, Trans, or even "Green" children do not need to end lives to prove a point. They just need the acceptance and hope that "It Gets better".

I Love College:

This week while working on and looking at the various media posters that we worked on made me realize how society is corrupt. Especially while doing my poster the song's title is "I Love College", but then the whole song is something totally different than what you perceive a college to actually be. Which made me think even more, is this how we want future generations to grow up? Is this really the right message to sent to prospective students? Out of that whole song Asher Roth talks about going to class "for a bit" once. The rest depicts college as one big party with sex, drugs, and alcohol. Personally being an almost college freshman I want to take education seriously and not goof off in college. What I perceive college to be is a kingdom of learning and not partying. I hope it stays that way for my friends and even my siblings who will one day go to college in the future too.

Growing up too Fast.

While watching "Consuming Kids", I thought to myself that video is correct on how children grow up too fast. I personally, know that I've been that kid who wanted what was advertised on TV, and I think a majority of the people do the same. When we are kids we want to be grown up when we really are not. For example, when I was 6 I would always want to get a Barbie jeep to drive around because I loved that fact that my parents could drive. Whenever my mom told me that I had to wait 10 years it made me upset. Sometimes too upset that they felt bad for me, and by feeling bad for me they also felt obligated as parents to buy something to temporarily make me happy. We play dress up doctors, artists, President, etc all jobs adults have. We also play "house" so there would be a "mommy, daddy, and kids". Showing that kids always have this idea of what it is like to be grown up. Media largely influences this through TV shows and movies because ratings seem to rarely apply anymore, something rated PG-13 could be most likely something rated R. Our culture has adapt to a "pure" mind in that sense. We are aging faster than we know.

SOCIALIZATION:

In class we talked about how our neighborhoods shape who we are. The fact that I moved about five times in my whole life also got to me. Does having been in 5 different neighborhoods make me a person with a variety of socializing techniques? Then I realized how much it has helped me to build friendships, I was always been put in a different environment when it came to school. I had to find friends, figure out schedules, and get on the good side of teachers. The fact that I moved a lot did not only matter to the type of neighborhood I was put in, but the whole new environment I was put in. From Evanston to Skokie to Des Plaines to Wheeling to Buffalo Grove I've been in a huge variety of suburbs all were definitely different from each other. It was a great experience now that I really think about it because without moving alot I would never have the ability to make new friends easily. Now, I adore the fact that I have new people to meet at college next year! :)