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.