Reflective Essay (Affective)

How do I feel? What do I think, believe, know?

After a semester of introduction to sociology, I feel that I have learnt a clear concept of how society works. Like the beginning, we learn that society is created by the human kind that is in it, we create society, and in turn society creates us. If mankind did not have society, then society would not be able to progress. Though, at the same time while humans create the views and ideologies of society, sometimes these ideologies can cause negative impacts upon others. For example, European mankind to categorize human beings into superior and inferior classes, which in the end effected many nationalities, created racism. This theory discriminates against many innocent individuals who are unable to defend themselves, as well, individuals lose out on opportunities just because of their skin colour. I also feel that as I participate in society, I can see more of a divided difference among all the cultures, which as much as we like to believe that society wants what is best for everyone, it does not always happen.

 

I think that this sociology class has taught me to be more open to others opinions and that every individual should have a chance to speak before being judged. After participating in this class I believe that society has a lot to contribute, both good and bad ideas, but depending on what ideas the majority of society wants to support, it then creates our culture and construct, so one would say, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”. The world is full of some many ideas and opinions, it is hard for all of them to be heard and respected. I think in sociology, equality and human rights is something that is preached, but there is too much ignorance and stubborn attitude to create change at the moment. Everyone wants to world to be peaceful and perfect, but no one can spend a day without some sort of frustrating event to not happen to the individual.

 

After being in this class I believe that, since the individuals in the society create society, then individuals should voice their opinion. Majority or society has the same beliefs but we cannot create a better, well-working, society without bringing forth new ideas. People want peace, than people should band together and create peace or contribute in a more peaceful society. Life is hard if one keeps a stubborn ideology, because change cannot happen from a stubborn attitude.

 

I know that being Canadians, we are lucky because are lives are pretty comfortable compared to individuals who’s basic needs are not even met. There still is a large division in our own society, for example, a division between classes, and immigrants who do not get to achieve the same employment potentials as their fellow white citizens. I know that human rights maybe a law to protect Canadian citizens, but in the end, there are individuals who lose out on these privileges because of unfair circumstances. I also know that, living in a capitalist society, means there are unfair opportunities among the people, that even though one may be the smarts, most diligent worker, if they are a female or a coloured minority, one has a less chance at receiving the best pay.

 

Sociology opened my eyes in how society works, and what happen in our world and why. Unfortunately, there is a tough truth that as much as we want equality, the idea is still in the works.

Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story

Race: The Power of An Illusion

Did this film challenge or change the way you think about race?

After watching this video, the information provided did not change the way I think about race, because I have already learned these facts (race is not found in our genes) from previous readings.

What is the film saying about the concept of race?

The film is saying that there is only one gene in the human DNA that causes these skin tone differences. That when we look at our genomes, the information in our genomes are all quite similar. There is less differences between each human then in each penguin.

What is its fundamental argument?

The fundamental argument is that, categorizing race is a procedure created out of ideas without any true evidence to support which races rank better than other races. That there is not difference when it comes down to the main point of dividing races into categorizing.

What is the issue of “concordance” about?  Why is it important to the concept of race?

Concordance means theres no link between skin pigmentation and cognitive ability or personality, just a combination of factors. This is important to the concept of race because this means there is no reason why one race is considered better less evil than another race. That skin pigment should not be used to judge individuals.

Is the student Noah right when he concludes: “every single one of us is a mongrel”?

Yes, he has a great point because when you trace genetics all the way back to our ancestors, we are quite similar, and that our biology has been mixed around so much that DNA are among all the races. “85% variation among humans beings are among the same region, meaning as much difference among the same race”.

Does the film deny that race is real?

The film does not believe there is a difference in race when it comes to skin tone and culture.

Shift Happens video clip (Affective)

How do I feel? What do I think, believe, know?

After watching this clip, I feel that they presented many great facts, for example that 25% people in china have the highest IQ, which is greater than the population of North America. That the education we’re receiving will be old news by the time we graduate. This facts make me feel that it’s hard to keep up with how fast past society is changing. I feel almost hopeless from watching this clip. I think that as these facts are presented, maybe society should look how much information is in our faces, how can we support our future if change happens so quickly. The amount of information is overwhelming and has already begun to change society. I believe that as great as the power of internet and the fact that we can get it whenever we want it, it can also cause problems in that people are presented the wrong information, or the information can cause harm (self-diagnosising medical problems). I know that many of these facts are true, and I agree that we must keep an open mind when it comes to receiving information because information is always changing.

September 11: Forgiveness is Not Part of The Lessons Learned (Affective)

How do I Feel? What do I think, believe, know?

After reading this article, I feel that after the tragedy of Sept. 11, The Bush Administration saw the pain and fear created by the terrorist in their citizens. Since the attack left a deep impression on the American citizens and became personal in the eyes of Bush Administrations they approached the situation with a revengeful attitude. As the article notes, they ask for forgiveness from other countries, yet when they are the ones attacked they seek for revenge and asks others to join in. I think that Bush administrations should have stepped back and see what would be at risk when going into war. I believe that personal feelings were on the table and the scares of the attack were still fresh when the decision of going to war was made. I know that a situation involving forgiveness is easier said than done. The ones who are suppose to be forgiven, aspect forgiveness to be easily granted to them, but the ones who are suppose to give it, they are never truly the same after the situations.

Christianity, Eurocentrism and “Race” (Dialectic)

Racism Is Dead; Long Live Racism!? (Affective)

How Do I feel? What do I think, believe, know?

After reading this article I would agree that even though society has made many cultural advances, eliminating racism is not one of them. Racism consists of ideas reflecting prejudice and discrimination against others because of biological or cultural differences. The evolution of racism is now instead of a crude way of racism, it has now become more subtle, but some social scientist claim racism is dead. I, being a girl of colour, believe the opposite. I agree racism arises in conversation in a more sophisticated manner, people project their opinions as a joke which do not seem racist because it doesn’t have a tone of hate. I believe for people who are more privileged or do not come from a coloured background, they are more likely to believe racism is eliminated, but until someone is truly living the life of another person they will not truly know what racism feels like.

Instructor’s articles: Who Will Liberate Liberia? (Dialectic)

 

The Sociology Of Human Rights And Social Justice (Paraphrastic)

Summary of What I read:

Recently human rights have become a study of interest for sociologist, the development of human rights is based on finding and implying equality in society and on a global scale. Unfortunately, because of power shift (i.e. economy, race, sexual orientation) it is hard to achieve equal human rights and instill equality in society. Human rights are moral rights that every individual are entitled to. There are many different types of rights, collective rights, individual rights. Some rights are upheld by the government by using laws, for example, the right that every individual has food. The problem is even though many rights are regulated by the government it is hard for every individual to receive human rights.

Quote:

Sociology sees human beings as products of their social, cultural and physical environment. For humans to develop and to realize their full potential as social beings, they need to live in a society that guarantees them freedom, equality, and liberty. As intensely social beings, humans need others to survive and flourish. Thus, society must create conditions that will make solidarity and cooperation among people possible (49 Quist-Adade).

I chose this segment because it notes that for society to “survive and flourish” people need each other, as true as this statement is, it is hard for society to flourish together equally. The main point of human rights is that every individual has a fair opportunity at achieving one’s goal, however, this is not how it is, people who are rich or who have power are more likely to flourish and have a greater advantage in surviving because they have more pull. If government was to truly care about human rights than poverty wouldn’t be such a big problem, but if they government was actually do something to fix poverty and the lower class, they would be taking away their own advantages for no gain. As wonderful as human rights is, these laws are not fully portrayed in society.

Social Justice and The Social Construction of Inequality and Difference ( Affective )

How do I Feel?

After reading this chapter, I felt that it is unfair that in society there are two different groups, the “privileged” and the “others” ( 32 Quist-Adade). That the “privileged” have many more benefits than the “others” in society, for example they are more likely to be wealth, and gain more opportunities in society. The “privileged” gain these privileges either because they are born into it or because they are able obtain power over the “others” I believe this is an unfair advantage because there is not much that they did to gain these privileges, and there are very few people are able to be in the privileged class.

What do I think, believe, know?

I think that there are too many disadvantaged classes compared to the advantage, and that the disadvantaged classes fall into the disadvantage classes because of unequal circumstances. That the categories in social construction of difference are are bias reason of oppressing certain individuals, because of their gender, sexual orientation or other biological reasoning that are out of their control. I believe that because of how society use to view different individuals has greatly influenced our current generation, that society, now should speak out more about equality and giving everyone privileges, instead of a minority of people. I know that prejudiced was created from predisposed judgement, letting individuals discriminate against each other.