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! :)

Crazy Parents?

Reading the article about both Chinese and Western Parents I realized how crazy some parents can be. I almost have a catharsis-tic feeling because my parents are not as harsh as the Chinese parents are in the article. Although, it may be viewed as a stereotypical Chinese parents, some of the things in there does stand true for me because I have Indian parents. They may not be as strict as other parents, but they know when I should do certain things and when I shouldn't. Being strict in my opinion is a good things, because it will help in the future. It is better to provide more than just food and shelter being a parents. Being a parent also means that the parent does things in the best interest for the child. I am starting to realize now that without my parents being so anal about me as I grew up, I would not be who I am today. It is because of my parents I know when to say 'No' to certain things, and they are the reason I know my boundaries. So at times we all may hate our parents for making us stay home and do chores, but most of the time they deserve a "Thank You" for all they've done for us.

Tuesday's with Morrie

If we are afraid to love, why might that be? How can we overcome this?

I think the key thing that makes people scared to fall in love is the fact that we are afraid of commitment. This idea of being with the same person for years, and not thinking that way about anyone else. This idea of being with someone else and having so much more responsibility that you previously did. Lastly, this idea of being with someone and taking a risk at being hurt because Love does not always go right. All these reasons make people scared to fall in love, or love in general because what you see in someone may not always be what they see in you.

People overcome this by taking that leap of faith and committing, my parents did and they have been married for almost 22 years. Of course they argue now and then, but at the end of the day they talk about going to see movies together so it is never a big deal. Love is a fear one should atleast face once in their lives, because once you commit it's really hard to quit.

American Culture:

 While reading the series of little articles from the man from Munich who came to America it allowed me to think of certain things we value. Time is a big one we always try to save time by cutting into one activity in hopes of having more time to do something else. Also, we hate WASTING time because that means effort is just tossed in the trash. In addition we also value, money Stefan mentions how big our stores out compared to Germany. Showing that we have lots of materialistic goods that we could spend out money on. Also, we value appearance because while he talks about jogger he mentions that not only men job, but lots of other people. Therefore, jogging is a more universal thing in America where we all try to have that great body, and look good to people on the outside. Not relating to the article, but I personally feel that we value the technology we have passed the era of cavemen. Now, we rely way too much on T.V, iPod, cellphones. Even teachers try to sneak in a text or two during class. Clearly, we have valued other things before but to me I feel that  we revolve around everything that has something to do with technology.

Same game, different rules.

This week's activity definitely got me thinking about how people feel when they have to assimilate to a new place. Whether it's to a new school, country, workplace etc, when we go through such things it's hard to change. I remember being the new kid at school, because I've had to do it quite a few times and it was always hard at first to get along with people and follow new school procedures. I can definitely see a parallel to the game we played. When new people came to the table many were frustrated, confused, and others just went along with it. Although, it was not too long before we all figured it out, it was funny while it lasted because some expressions were priceless.

"Do Nothing?"

     Usually, I'm that type of person that can't sit still anywhere. I need to always be doing something, whether it's talking, writing, or even doing homework. During this experiment it was slightly hard for me to "Do Nothing" because there were certain obstacles that faced me and my friend as we did the experiment. Our other friends not knowing what we were doing would come and try to be a huge distraction, but we persevered and hung in there and continued to do nothing.
    Doing this experiment got us to go outside of our comfort zone, and actually do something we normally would not do. Although, this was an awkward position to be in, it allowed us to do something we normally this is socially awkward!

ROSA SAT, MLK WALKED, OBAMA RAN:

I had no idea that history was being made. I was just tired of giving up. ~Rosa Parks

     We all acknowledge Black History Month, we all know it's Black History Month, but do we harvest into our heads the true meaning of Black History Month? When we think black history we think MLK, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. All who shared one common goal, and that was to have peace and equality, not only for themselves, but for all. It holds the memories of a terrible age, but also the promise of a new one. Just take a look at today. What better example than our own President? The inauguration of PresidentObama is the ideal picture of how blacks have come so far, and accomplished so much.

    I hope that every February be a month where we all reflect back on the black experience, because it doesn't only apply to blacks, but to people of all different races. After fighting and struggling for hundreds of years,they proved to the world, and most importantly, themselves, that success will come to those that take matters into their own hands.

What gives you hope?

Ever feel hopeless? We all have those days that make us feel crumby and just upset. I remember one of those days a couple of years ago, and my friend showed me this amazing website. It made me smile and I thought it would be perfect for this class. This video is just a reminder that we all have the ability to open our eyes and see the happiness in the world. It also teaches us that things will work out in th end.

Influences in My life..

My faith in God is my stronghold. Without putting my faith towards God I do not think anything would be possible. I feel as if things do not always work my way, therefore, I must put my trust in God. Only if I put my trust in Him and follow his word will my needs be answered. He's like a best friend, a place of comfort with no judgement. I believe that as much as my parents I owe him a thanks for giving me such a blessed life. Other influences would be my friends and family, they are always there for me no matter what! Without friends at school, or a family at home life would be so difficult. College is coming up, and it is going to be hard leaving most of them behind, because I am going to Michigan State as a Pre-law major. You might have guessed it, I do want to be a lawyer. It has been on my  mind since my father injected me with a lecture when I was about 6. I don't know how it stuck, but I have never given up on that dream. And now I am about to live it...hopefully.