Reading Reflection Ten

“The crimes targeted in the bill are particularly pernicious crimes that affect more than just their victims and their victim’s families. They inspire fear in those who have no connection to the victim other than a shared characteristic such as race or sexual orientation” (Statement of Sen. Patrick Leahy).

The article we were assigned was all about hate crime legislation with arguments both for and against the passing of such bills. Personally, I applauded Senator Leahy’s statement on The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act of 2007. The quote above is such a powerful statement, and is why I completely agree with the passing of this bill. Hate crimes do no only affect the victim, but anyone with shared characteristics to said victim. When a gay man or a black man or a Middle Eastern man is killed or beaten because of nothing but their race or sexual orientation it instills fear in anyone who shares those characteristics. Hate motivated crime should be punished further than general violent crimes, if only to try and stop them by setting an example.

What really appalled me was the “gay conservative” and others who opposed hate crime legislation. Although I can see this view I cannot understand supporting it. First, many people are worried that the passing of this bill is a violation of our Bill of Rights, such as our first amendment freedom of speech. This infuriates me. Hate crime legislation is working to erase hate, and I really don’t see how anyone can oppose it, especially when referring to their rights as a citizen. Don’t all minorities and victims or hate crimes have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Not likely to happen when they are being victimized. Secondly, many people, the conservative in particular, think that making violent crimes worse when they are hate crimes will only create more groups and more gaps in our community. I can understand this view as well, but I don’t agree with it. I really believe that hate crime legislation needs to pass in order for hate crimes to be eliminated; ignoring the problem won’t change anything. I did like how this article had both viewpoints. It made the arguments more valid, and it made me feel more secure in my opinion.

Observation Journal #5

I am currently enrolled in legacy of world civ and in that class we recently watched a film entitled "Reel Bad Arabs". The movie was about how Arabs and Muslims are constantly portrayed in Hollywood films as villains. The film went through countless examples of films that make Arabs either terrorists whose only purpose is to kill and maim, or as comic relief where they play the ignorant Arab, whose only purpose is to make mistakes. In either case the films put Arabs and Muslims in a bad light. Even the Disney movie Aladin was used as an example, where in the opening scene they refer to their land as "barbaric, but hey it's home". We are even discussing this film with other colleges around the world, on a blog network similar to this one.

This film is really significant because it proves that many people today really only associate Muslims and Arabs with terrorism, and our media is only making that issue worse. It is deffinatlely a good sign that a film like this was made to make it known to everyone that there is an issue with racism against Arabs, and it is not ok. This phenomenon is not recent however. there were films from the 40's and 50s as well that were blatanty racist toward Muslims and Arabs. I just really hope that a film like this will have some impact on others, the same way it impacted me, and that eventually people will not associate arabs with terrorism. Unfortunately i think we may be a long way off, especially becuase of 9/11, I think more poeple than ever hold hostilities toward people who are middle eastern.

Reading Reflection Nine

“Today’s American families bear little resemblance to the cultural ideal that existed just a generation ago.” (Newman 322)

The section that caught my attention in chapter nine was the section titled “The Futures of Gender and the Sexual Dichotomy”. This section examined what will happen in regards to the future and how gender roles that have been the norm for so long are becoming more and more obsolete and it is possible that in the future men and women will share domestic responsibilities and both parents will probably work as well. It went further to explain that both parents splitting household duties, which includes child rearing is beneficial to the child. As good as these changes sound, Newman finishes the section by saying that even with all of these liberating possibilities discrimination on the basis of gender is unlikely to disappear completely. He finishes by saying that it is likely that these changes in the family will not completely affect changes in the workplace and employers are more likely to choose employees who are work oriented over workers who are more family-oriented.

I was glad to see that a sociologist like Newman feels that the sexist family dynamic is changing for the better. I have always felt it was unfair that nowadays women are expected to work and take care of the family, while male roles have changed very little. I agree with him as well when he says that men of my generation are more ready to take on family life and split domestic duties then men of past generations. I wish he had included the future of other cultures gender roles, because I am curious how they may be changing for cultures that are even more male dominant than ours. I hope to see in the future evidence of what Newman says. I would really like to see that when my generation gets married and starts family that the duties and responsibilities are more evenly dispersed. I know I don’t want to have to take care of my kids and work without any help from my husband.

Reading Reflection Eight

“With the exception of fashion modeling and prostitution, men in traditionally female occupations traditionally out earn women.” (Newman 302)

This chapter concerned inequalities in economics and work, but the section that caught my interest was the part on gender and the workplace, specifically gender discrimination in the workplace. It is no secret that for as long as women have been working men have been making more money. However I didn’t realize the extent to which this happened. First off, the jobs that are primarily assumed to be women’s jobs, such as teaching, nursing, etc. are all low paying jobs. It is well known that teachers do not make a very significant salary, although I could not tell you why, considering teaching is one of the most important professions in America. It makes me furious when I compare a teacher’s measly salary to that of a professional athlete, who makes millions for playing a game. And wouldn’t you know that professional athletics is a men’s field?

Although all of these inequalities are completely unfair, I was somewhat aware of them. I have heard the term class ceiling before, and I know that women make roughly 25% less than men for the same jobs. However, I was outraged to hear that even in primarily female occupations, such as receptionists and librarians; men still make more money, and are more highly valued than women. It makes me furious to hear that in law firms women are undervalued even with the same level of education and seniority, especially because I want to go into that field. How does it make sense that simply because I am female I deserve less credit and money even with just as much work as a man? Are genitals that important to a law firm?

I really don’t understand how this still occurs even with the percentages of women in the workforce and the amount of gender discrimination law suits that go on today. Why does it still happen? Why are men so much more valued than women? I have always heard that it is because women take maternity leave, and can’t work too much because of their kids. I think it is time that we change the family dynamic in order to make it more equal for women. Although men cannot give birth, Newman writes that women still do twice as much housework as men, even when they work longer hours then men. We need to un-condition America to think that a woman’s place is at home, when so many of us plan to join the workforce.

Observation Journal #4

I was flipping through the channels the other night, watching TV, when I stopped on the show “Mind of Mencia”. The show stars Carlos Mencia and he does skits and stand up comedy and things like that. People seem to think he’s pretty funny, but I really don’t understand his appeal. First of all, all his material is made up of racist and sexist jokes. Carlos Mencia is a Mexican American, but since he makes fun of Mexicans in his comedy he seems to think that it is ok to make fun of every other group, including whites, blacks, gays, lesbians, Italians, Asians, and more. He even makes fun of people who are mentally retarded.
I don’t really think comedians who target different ethnic groups to be funny. I think it’s a cheap and easy way to get people to laugh. All Mencia does is make fun of people through stereotypes. Every joke he has ever used has been said before, because he just plays off of stereotypes that different racial and ethnic groups hold. I think making fun of people through stereotypes is first of all wrong because many times the stereotype is not true, and it’s not imaginative or original. Carlos Mencia is not the only comedian guilty of this, but I think he is the most well known. Watch his show for a half hour and you will see him target every minority and majority group you could think of, although watching his show for a full half hour could be considered torture.
Carlos Mencia’s jokes and the jokes of other comedians who do the same thing he does only sustains inequality by making people think that believing stereotypes and repeating them for a laugh are alright, but its not. Im sure that people are offended all the time at Mencia’s show, I know I have been. I know that I will never watch his show again because it only supports what he does, and I don’t agree with him or his ideas at all.

Reading Reflection Seven

“Rape was considered a crime against men, or more accurately, against men’s property.” (Newman 259)

The section on rape in this chapter made me furious. Whenever rape statistics and studies on rape or reported I become furious. That all women must live with the threat of rape in the back of their minds makes me furious. When I go to the grocery store, when I walk back to my car from work, and especially when I go out on the weekends the fact that I could be raped always lurks somewhere in the back of my mind. From the time I was about 12 years old and still to this day I have been trained in ways to prevent rape. Newman lists many of them on page 262, and notes how all of those measures are ways in which women can prevent being raped. Rarely are there measures to be taken for men. It is even more frustrating that the United States is one of the more sympathetic countries when it comes to rape victims.

This chapter made me realize how our world still needs to progress when it comes to women, and rape. The fact that women are blamed and sometimes even killed for being rape victims is appalling. Newman explains in the quote I chose that rape has long been considered a crime against men because families and husbands are both dishonored when their women become “tainted” and they are also humiliated that they could not protect the women they fee responsible for. Even in the United States “rape victims must prove their innocence, rather than the state having to prove the guilt of the defendant” (261). As a woman I will always support the woman’s side of the argument, and I do not agree with the way rape victims are often put on trial, this chapter did challenge my beliefs because I do understand that in convictions where a person could go to jail for years and years that it is important to make sure the defendant is really guilty. However, I don’t think it is fair that a victims’ pasts and relationships with their rapists are put on trial, or that women can be blamed because of her behavior.

As far as my behavior goes, it won’t change, because I still need to take precautions when it comes to rape. However, reading this chapter, especially the sections on different cultures and their views on rape made me want to get involved with rape crisis outreach programs both in the US and possibly elsewhere. I also think that both men and women need to become more educated when it comes to rape.

Reading Reflection Six

"Working class and poor people must receive less preventative health care than wealthy people and often must endure inadequate treatment in crowded public clinics.” (Newman, 190).

This chapter began with an anecdote from Newman about a trip he took to Thailand and a visit he had to make to a hospital. He expected to have to wait in line for hours because of all the people he saw in front of him in line, but because he was American and the hospital staff knew he would be able to pay, and most likely pay in cash he was rushed in and received some of the most personal care he had ever received at a hospital. This story clearly shows how not only in America, but all over the world the health care you receive is dependent on the amount of money you have.

Personally, the entire healthcare system both here and in Thailand makes me furious. Healthcare, at least in my eyes, is one of the things that should be provided if you cannot afford it. It is ridiculous to me that people go without medical attention because they don’t have the money to pay, and it happens all the time all over the world. I cannot understand how a government could be aware of the issues with healthcare and still not do anything to help.

I am from Massachusetts and recently they passed a law that says it is illegal to not have health insurance. Until your 18 your parents take care of your health, and if you go to college you are all set, but many of my friends got jobs right after high school, and they cannot afford health insurance. The new law completely screwed anyone who gets out of high school, is looking for a job, must say their expenses, and health insurance is required. The whole system makes me furious.

Newman clearly pointed out how the rich receive better healthcare simply because they are wealthy. He and I are in agreement that it is not fair and something needs to change. Although I was aware of the issues with insurance and healthcare in America, and I knew that all over the world people were not receiving the care required I never gave it much thought because it did not affect me. I would really like to see something change in this area, because I can’t see it remaining the same.

Observation Journal #4

I have beun to notice that a lot of men still have issues with male dominance over women, even in this day and age. I hear jokes about women belonging in the kitchen and things like that, and usually i laugh these off because i know that they are jokes and i dont take people who say things like that seriously, because i thought they were kidding. However, recently it seems that sometimes people may day they are kidding, but they sound like they mean it.

For example, last semester i was at a party on st, patricks day, and some guy came up to me and commented on how big my boobs were. I was pretty offended that someone would come out and day something so personal and rude, and he went on to offend me even more. He began saying that i went to champlain because i was an idiot, and he knew i was an idiot because i have a large chest. I was furious. Not only is what he said untrue, i considered it sexual harasment. I was so mad that I left the party and didnt return.

The whole situtation made me realize that men still discriminate women, maybe not as much as they may have 50 years ago, but it still occurs just the same. This situation shows that we, as a cultute, have still maintained a state of inequality. Obviously something needs to be done, preferably in the media where women are portrayed as sex objects. Shows like "Girls Next Door" only reinforce these stereotypes and make women look bad. You would think that in the 21st century we would be more progressive than we are.

Reading Reflection Five

“Around the world , discrimination- especially violent ethno-racial discrimination- is the rule, not the exception.” (Newman 178)

In this chapter Newman begins to discuss inequalities, and the affect they have on our society, and societies around the world. One of the sections was about global ethnic violence. My first reaction to this section was surprise. Although on some level I knew that ethno-racial violence occurred around the world, not just in our country, I had never really given it much thought because it doesn’t directly affect me, the way racism in the U.S. does. When violence against different racial groups occurs here it’s scary because we are supposed to be such a progressive country, and yet we still have these issues. I think I associate ethno-racial violence as problem for third world countries and underdeveloped nations, although I’m not sure why.

After reading this piece and learning more about ethno-racial violence, I really want begin researching it more, so I can further understand it. I think it’s really important to be aware of what goes on around the world. Although Newman’s book discussed a few examples of this violence occurring around the world, it really didn’t explain why this violence occurs, or how long it has been going on. I would really like to know more on this subject. Newman didn’t really challenge a belief on this matter, because I don’t know much on the subject to begin with. However, because of this article I want to learn more and that will shape more beliefs.

Reading Reflection Four

“Gender structures every organization and shapes every interaction in society, often in ways we are not consciously aware of.” (Newman, 115)

I really enjoyed this chapter from Newman’s book. I thought learning about learning was really interesting, especially when discussing social identities. I am taking an adolescent psychology class, and a lot of the things discussed about child rearing, and how kids learn have been discussed in that class as well. I especially liked the section about “learning genders”. This section discussed where children learn about their gender, how it affects their behavior, and briefly looked at biological and environmental factors that determine how children learn their gender.

Newman opens this chapter with an anecdote about a couple he was friends with and their attempt at raising their children without gender roles, and how even without this pressure their son would play games considered masculine and their daughter would play with little girls and play games considered feminine. This would suggest that a lot of behavior that children express is not completely determined by parents. I completely agree with this view, and I always have. I think that how parents raise their children affects how children will act and the choices they make, but most of the time children act based on their own beliefs and wishes, rather than on their parents. For example, my friend was raised as a conservative Christian by her parents, who always stressed the importance of abstinence until marriage, but my friend did not hold that same personal belief. She felt sex before marriage was alright if she felt ready, and acted upon her own beliefs, which differed from those of her parents, even though her parents had raised her on their own beliefs her entire life. I think the same goes for gender roles, where children will act more on their own thoughts and societies’ thoughts, rather than just their parent’s beliefs.

This reading did challenge some of my views as well. I always thought that because gender roles have changed so little over such a long period of time that they must be biological traits engrained in our genes. However, Margaret Mead’s studies on other cultures prove that this is not necessarily true. In some places men will portray traits traditionally considered feminine, and women will express traditionally masculine behavior. These studies seemed fascinating to me, and I would definitely like to learn more about them. They show that although genetics may play a role in determining gender roles, society may have an even larger part in deciding our behaviors.

Observation Journal #2

Is American Being Raised Racist?

Since I moved to Vermont I have met so many different types of people, and even coming from Massachusetts, which is only 250 miles away I experienced culture shock. One of the things that shocked me most was a friend I met in a few of my classes. She was great to hang out with, but soon after meeting her I realized that she was a little bit racist. She would say things like how she was afraid of Arabs, and how African Americans are second class citizens, and how Mexican-Americans were all lazy immigrants. It was appalling that these were her views, but it was how she was raised, and her opinions were not going to change. Although I made it clear that I did not agree with her views she would not censor herself because she thought she was right in her opinion.
I was always under the impression that Vermont was a very liberal state, but my friend made it obvious to be that in some parts of even a liberal state there are still people being raised to think that they are better than peoples of a different race. And I am sure this is true for all states. I’m sure there are parts of Mass that are generally more racist than others. At first I excused her behavior because it was how she was raised and “she didn’t know better. But then my opinion of her changed. I cannot imagine hating a group of people for no reason other than aesthetics, and not thinking it is incredibly wrong. That made me wonder if people who are racist know what they are doing is wrong, or if they are so delusional they convince themselves their prejudices are correct. Although I would like to think that one day racism will be a thing of the past, I cannot honestly say that I think it will happen. If racism is still alive in well in progressive states like Massachusetts and Vermont I don’t think it is likely that eventually all people will change their views.

Reading Reflection Three

“You can’t put white people in their place when they own the place to begin with.” -Tim Wise

This essay confused me first and foremost. Wise’s first point seemed to be that white racism is not really an issue because black people have less hurtful slurs for whites than vice versa. He made it seem as though black racism toward whites is alright because blacks have been oppressed for so long, and it’s not really racism because blacks aren’t in a position to bee racist, considering their lack of power. Personally, I feel all racism is wrong, whether it be black on white, white on black, Indian or Asian. I don’t think any racism should be tolerated.
Wise also points out that black people are worse off than white, even when they make more money. He says things like “But they [poor whites] nonetheless retain a certain “one-up” on equally poor or even somewhat better off people of color thanks to racism.” However, he never really explains why he feels this way, nor does he provide proof to back up his claims. I do agree with Wise’s feelings that African Americans have suffered more than whites due to racism, and there is no denying that racism still exits today. However, I feel that all discrimination based upon race is bad, and I cannot agree that some discrimination is worse than others, because I think that all discrimination is terrible. The fact that in the title of the piece is the words “reverse racism”, which is how Wise describes other groups hatred of whites is completely ignorant to me. If racism is the discrimination of a group based on race, then how is hatred of whites reverse racism, not just racism?
Finally, Tim Wise makes the point that white people are in power, which is why they can be racist, but that almost sounds like he is saying that whites are superior, or at least that blacks are inferior, which in itself seems racist. So although Wise’s article did not make me change my perspective, it did make me question my beliefs, and I hold them more strongly than ever.

Reading Reflection Two

“In other words, race is a social construction.” (Newman 42)

I have to begin by saying that the idea of constructionism is really interesting to me. Constructionism is the philosophy that the things we find to be real and essential are products of the culture and historical period we live in. In my life I have spent hours, maybe even days discussing issues such as race, gender, sexuality, etc. However, I have never looked at what those words actually mean, or where those ideas come from. For the first time in my life I have begun to examine my beliefs about these issues, and I find them changing all the time, especially after some of these readings challenge my views. My first reaction to the reading was fascination. All of these identities, including race, gender and sexuality are merely lists of criteria used to group individuals together. For example, to be a woman you must have female parts, menstruate, produce estrogen, and so on. But the criteria above does nothing but differentiate men and women, which is completely based on society. What was male and female years ago has begun to change because of our culture. Technology today can make a man have female parts through surgery, and a man can be supplied with estrogen. Does that make him a man or a woman? I hadn’t even contemplated these issues until reading this chapter.
The author not only challenged my beliefs, he shaped them. I really agree with constructionism, and the idea that identities are constructed by humans. It is really hard to see it that way however, because I have always seen race, gender, sexuality as concrete things that could not be changed. I now understand that these are all fluid concepts that change based on society. Is someone of mixed race black or white? And who gets to decide? It is all based in society. Finally, I like how the author put the other idea, essentialism in the text so the reader can compare and contrast. It made it easier to understand, and seeing the other view made it easier to choose a side. I support the philosophy of constructionism all the more because I was able to compare it the opposite view, essentialism.

The Ignorance of Americans- Obervation Journal 1

Most Americans seem to share the idea that we are superior in all things, and everyone else in the world should follow, imitate and otherwise emulate American ways. I was sitting in English class last semester and the discussions turned into what we had done the previous weekend. A student raised his hand and mentioned that he had taken a trip to Montreal for the weekend with friends, but would not be returning because he disliked how the Canadians in Montreal spoke French. He felt that everyone in Canada should speak English, and to my horror most of the class agreed. The discussion continued, and I sat there, seething at the ignorance of the people I was sitting with. It hit me then that Americans really are brainwashed from birth to think everything American is right, while everything foreign or different is wrong. It perpetuates the cycle of oppression and inequality on a worldly level, because Americans (or I should say most Americans) feel that they are superior, and therefore others are inferior.
This instance in my English class happened over 6 months ago, and the conversation I witnessed had such a great impact on me that I remember it as clear as day. I am disappointed in myself, because although I was mortified to even be in the same room as that conversation, I didn't speak up. I pointed out that when in another country you cannot expect things to be Americanized especially for your convenience, but I didn't give the class the earful I wish I could have. The event as a whole changed my beliefs and my perspective as an American. I can also say that if I ever hear another conversation similar to the one that took place so many months ago I will not sit by quietly and watch. Something needs to be said.

"She could not go to the bathroom by herself. She could not recognize a glass of water for what it was. But she could recognize a nigger." Tim Wise

I found Wise's essay to be very powerful. This fresh view on racism in America really made me question my beliefs. I have never considered myself to be racist, but I can admit that I have preconceived notions when I first meet someone, whether it be based on their race, gender, age and so on. My first reaction to this essay was agreement, mixed with guilt, because I am guilty of judging people before I know them. I loved the writer's honesty and ability to put his beliefs and opinions into such a powerful essay. His personal story about his grandmother and her debilitating disease makes the piece all the more honest and real.
While reading assignments for most classes is an arduous chore, the readings assigned were both informative and entertaining. I liked that they challenge my views. The way in which Wise presents his argument is both fresh and persuasive, and he does not hold back. He's not afraid to be offensive or disagreeable. He challenged how I see myself. Although I am not racist or prejudice, I can see that people in America often are conditioned to hate. Wise's grandmother was taught to hate blacks the same way in which many children today are being taught, whether consciously or unconsciously to hate Arabs, or anyone who looks Middle-Eastern. Instead of feeling guilty about it, it needs to be accepted to it can be changed. Pretending the problem does not exist is only going to further propel racism in America.