Reflective Essay

Coming into this class/course I wasn’t sure what to expect I didn’t know much about sociology but I heard it was interesting so I decided to take it. Overall I am happy with my decision and feel like that I have gained more knowledge not only inside the class room but also outside the classroom. Although this is an introductory class I think it is a class that everyone should take because I feel that as a citizen, and some one who is helping making up our society it helps you understand your role in the society, what it is made up of and how our society works in different types of ways. Now that this course helped me see how my role in society can actually make an impact on others I plan to make a larger and more positive role in our society.

 

The core concept that I found the most interesting was global sociological imagination because it relates to my life. Global sociological imagination is someones actions, or decisions affecting someones life. I find this concept to relate to me because my parents actions and decisions have affected my life today. My parents originally being from India had made the decision to move and live in Canada, this decision had been made over 30 years ago and has still effected me and my siblings today. Because of my parents making the decision of living in Canada I have been able to live in a modern city and country and have many options with things like where I live, what I wear, what I want to do with school and my careers. I never really realized that my actions and decisions could affect other’s but this concept made realize that they could affect someone down the street from me or even someone on the other side of the world.

 

Before this course I always believed in race, but didn’t think anyone who was a different race to be much different from me. After the lectures in class and watching the video Race: The power of illusion, I believe that race has become a powerful myth that our society has created. Skin color is only skin deep, beneath the color of your skin you can actually have a very similar genetic to code to someone you would think you were completely different from. Although our society has created race and made it such a powerful concept in our society today it may be hard to get rid of racism, but I do believe it is possible if more people are find out that it is a myth made up from us.

 

Sociology has taught me many concepts and a lot about our society, that I would not have not known about without this class, I found sociology a very interesting class and do plan on taking more sociology classes. Because of this class I see our society in a different way, my perspective has changed in a positive and more knowledgeable way. The concepts I have learnt in this class will definitely be effecting my decisions, goals and tasks through out school and my life.

Alternative Project – Experience on selling chocolates

As my alternative project for the group project, I had to sell chocolates that were from Ghana, all the money for these chocolates are going towards a scholarship at Kwantlen. When I sold my chocolate I noticed who was more interested in actually listening to the reason I was selling them, and willing to pay over the people who were not interested at all. The people who I noticed were more interested in listening about the reason I was selling them, and willing to buy some seemed to be parents who had children and who could have been possibly going to or be in college. These parents were probably more interested because they understand how expensive school can be and how much a scholarship can help. This also gave me a broad aspect about our society seeing how willing and open people are to listen to another stranger. A lot of people usually like to keep to themselves and will avoid you at any cost. Selling these chocolates were out of my comfort zone so I felt it gave me better speaking skills, and gave me the courage to go strangers and have a conversation with them. After being selling these chocolates I feel that I have gotten better speaking skills which I think are a very important skill that you need for school, work and just in general in your every day life. I also feel that I got to learn about our society outside of the classroom and get a feeling our society on a more personal level and through my own perspective.

Video blog # 2 – Race: The power of an illusion

Race: The power of an illusion 

Paraphrastic reading:

This video explained how race is a biological myth and it is actually not real but it is a lie made from our society. This film challenged and changed the way I thought about race, it made me realize we are much more alike beneath our physical appearances. Although I never looked at anyone who was a different race then me to be any different, I never knew that your genetic code could be the same or very similar to someone on the other side of the world. For example someone who is Asian in Canada could have a very similar genetic code to someone in Africa. Most people would assume that the these two races would be completely different because of their skin color and different background but they can actually more similar then someone who is both Canadian and Asian. The society has portrayed that race is biological because it is an excuse for social differences, some people in our society believe that because you are  ”black” you are more likely to be athletic and a faster runner, yet this has no correlation between your hair. eye, skin color and your height weight, athletic skills etc. skin color is only skin deep. Although race is a myth, racism still does exist, race is still a powerful myth that has been created by us, because of its power some people are not open to as many opportunities as others. A lot of people on our planet are against racism and may be colorblind to race meaning they see everyone to be equal even if they may be a different skin color then you. Race is not based on biology, but is an idea fed to bio, this film didn’t deny that race was real but it also didn’t support it.

Appendix article #1

Negotiation, Not Retribution

By: Charles Quist-Adade

Paraphrastic Reading:

 

Dr. Charles Quist – Adade’s article discusses how many innocent victims had lost their lives because of the 9/11 attack. ” Life, every human, life, is sacred and precious.” Citizens of the United States gave up their innocent lives to save others because of something so horrendous that had happened. Modern western civilization is not paying attention to the oblivious. Instead of realizing how much damage this attack has impacted the world, we are to busy jumping to conclusions and looking for the fastest way to get revenge:war. War is also just taking many innocent lives away, hero’s who are risking their lives for their countries, but what outcome do we really get for going to war? I personally think war is not necessary our world is a harder and more of a dangerous place because of all this hate that we live around and the media has brain washed us to believe a certain way. Most countries are against what is going on, and realize there are different ways we can handle these situations which can be a positive income for the not only our country but for the world. But the western society have left the decisions in the governments hands because the media and government are brain washing them to think that because of all this attack it is okay to risk more innocent lives. We are lucky we don’t have people in the army in our back yard with guns, not telling us what we can and cant do and we are still living in a peaceful country while others may be suffering.

 

5 sentence segment:

As we do so, we also we should pause for a moment and, at least, ponder over the souls of tens of thousands of innocent children, women, and peasants in the developing world. Countless numbers of them have perished and continue to die everyday not only due to the direct and indirect interventions b the US-led West, but also by the apathy, wastefulness and greed of people in the industrialized nations of the world. For example, arms manufactured in the America, Russia, and many of the industrialized countries are sold, as I write this commentary, to Africans, Asians and Middle- Easterners, to kill and maim one another. I could cite many concrete cases around the world, but for brevity, the Democratic republic of Congo will suffice. Three million people have died in Congo alone since 1996 with the complicity of the western countries, notably the USA.

 

I choose these five sentence segment because it discusses how many innocent people have lost their lives to save others, and that we should really stop for a minute and think of how this really has impacted us,others and the world. This was all done because of all the hate and war in our world, the industrialized nations only really care about their issues and their nation but they need to come realize that one point this isn’t going to matter and we may even have to work together in the future.

Illustration of most intersting concept

Homosexuality is a big issue and topic all over the world. Many religions and parts of the world are still having a hard time accepting homosexuality and gay marriages. On January 14th 2012 a 19-year-old male who lives in California named James Borges killed himself because he wasnt accepted by his family members or other people in his society for being gay. James Christian parents had performed exorcism on him hoping this would “cure” him from being a homosexual. James had not killed himself because he was gay or ashamed of who he was but for the disgusting ways he had been treated his whole life and from his own family members. Gay marriage is still banned and is being protested about in California along with many other areas all over the world. Homosexuality is an issue that everyone should take more seriously, no one should be treated different because of their sexual preferences. As a society we should all support each other ,not judge someone for the way they choose to live their life and help homosexuality and gay marriages become a norm.

Here is the video James Borges made talking about his experience:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=InWhEIaCFkg

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/religion/christianity/gay-teen-kills-self-christian-parents-performed-exorcism-him

 

Issues in Social Justice – Chapter 1

Religion and Homosexuality

By: Frank Tridico, Jacob Armstrong and David Barry

Affective Reading Method:

What is the reading about ?

Chapter One is discussing the organization and structure of religion (mainly Christianity) and how religion is a big impact in our society and somebody’s life.There is also a big connection between Christianity and homosexuality. Homosexuality is still a big issue in our world today and many religions are still having a hard time accepting that homosexuality does exist in their religion. The religious beliefs Christians have affected Americans and other countries, these issues are still going on today. Passages in the bible say who those who practice homosexuality are committing a sin, this is an example of how religion/Christianity plays such a  powerful role in our society.

How do I feel about the reading I just finished?

My feelings after reading chapter one of social justice issues; about religion and homosexuality have changed because I had always thought  that religion and homosexuality should not have a negative connection and that whether a person is homosexual or heterosexual they should be treated equally. Seeing that many religions do have issues with a human like everyone else but having different sexual preference does disturb me. Although those who believe in god say that god makes everyone and loves every individual equally, religious  passages in the bible say that being a homosexual is considered a sin.

What do I think about the reading I have just finished

I think the reading I just read gives you a lot to think about and is a good way to demonstrate how religion and homosexuality have a negative connection and how much of an impact it can with the people in our society. I feel that the reading discusses how society can portray one another because of their religion or sexual preferences. Although someones religious background or sexual preferences can represent who they are, it doesn’t mean that the individual is any different from any other human.

What do I believe about the reading I just finished?

What I believe about the reading is that society creates majority if not all aspects of our everyday life and daily routines. In order for our community, religion and beliefs to function we have society and sociology behind it. I feel that society and religion are being so judgmental towards people who are humans but have different sexual preferences. I feel that everyone should be treated equally, people who are looked at differently are trying to fight for their rights and to live a normal life like everyone else without being judged. I believe that religion plays a big role and has a lot of power on the way society looks at homosexuality, religion has been part of society as long as civilization, it helps give us morals, it helps with “answers’, it helps believe in something which can keep the human race “stable” but religion should not have negative aspects and should make everyone feel loved and felt as an equal.

What do I know about the reading I just finished?  

What I know about this reading is that religion is a big and powerful aspect in our life, weather it may be Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism or anything else. It is also showing the connection between religion and homosexuality and how homosexuality is considered a sin because religions judge it so harshly. This chapter makes a connection of how much power religion has and how much it can control society and judge things they may consider “wrong”. I know that in my life religion is important but I also believe every individual should be treated equally.

Issues in Social Justice – Chapter 8

Minority Women In Violent Relationships By: Krim K. Lacey

Paraphrastic Reading :

Summary: 

Approximately 4.8 million women experience rape or physical abuse from their partner, more then 60 percent have reported being abused more then once . A large number of minority and immigrant women deal with abuse from their partner. Violence against women has become of a more common world wide issue and also an issue in our community, although this is a serious issue there has been a lack of attention to the problem because it was considered to be a private matter that should have been dealt with in the privacy of your home. Women who are abused are always left with a decision on how to face the issue, open ended questions are left in their mind like “should I leave him?, but I love him”, “what will others think?” having children also makes the situation much harder to deal with.  Some women also put up with the abuse because of what society may think and the label they put on themselves and their family, but staying only increases the changes of injuries or even deaths. A big reason women decide to stay with their abusive partner is because for their family (children) or husbands income depending if they are a stay at home mom or if they don’t make enough income to support to their children on their own.  Although some women are put into this situation and know they what has been done is wrong a large amount of women that are abused  usually end up returning to their partner. Statistics have proven that high school or less educated respondents are less likely to stay in an abusive relationship college educated respondents.

5 segment sentences:

Studies have discussed the role of socioeconomic factors in intimates leaving/staying in abusive relationships. It can be argued that some women may be dependent on their partner for financial support and may have fewer alternative to staying. Such  a theory espically holds true for stay-at-home spouses with children where the partner is the sole provider, as well as for individuals who lack the education and skills to surive in our society. Their inability to be self- sufficient may create barrier that keep them from freeing themselves their abusers. Accordingly, the fewer resources a woman has, the more “entrapped” she is (Gelles,1976″).

  I selected these five sentences because they summarize the chapter. They review the chapter within five sentences about how a large amount of minority and immigrant women are abused by their partner. It also sums up the statistics done a range of women who have been abused and who is more likely to stay in the abusive relationship and who is more likely to leave. Statistics show that women who are less educated and don’t have as much going for them compared to a women who has a family, a decent income and an education are more likely to get themselves out of an abusive relationship.

Social Justice Issues in Local and Global Contexts – Chapter 3 The social construction of inequality

Dialectic Reading:

 

What question did the text/chapter raise?	How did the text answer this question?	How does the answer match our own ideas and experiences?
What is Dichotomization?	Involves the process of separating and differentiating.	Promotes the image of the mythical “other” and yields a vision of “them”.
What are the three types of Oppression?	1.Institutionalized Oppression 2.Interpersonal Oppression 3.Internalized Oppression	1. That which is built into, supported, and perpetuated by institutions and the social structure. 2. That which is manifest between individuals. 3. That which is directed at oneself.
How are you a prejudice?	If you have negative beliefs or feelings about a particular group of individuals.	Ex) Asians may not want their daughter marrying an Indian man because they are racist. They are being prejudice/bias towards the Idea of their daughter marrying someone outside their race.

 

Chapter 2 – Social Justice Issues in Local and Global Contexts – Social Reality Construction and Global Social Justice

Dialectic Reading:

What question does the text raise?	How did the text answer this question?	How does the matter match our own ideas and experience?
What is social constructionism?	Is based on the assumption that there is nothing natural or normal about the world we inhabit. Social reality is created by individuals who reflect to certain interests.	What social constructionism is stating is that humans are socially constructed; nothing is normal or natural about our world. For example a question like “what time is it?” can be different for people it could have a simple meaning for someone, by them checking their watch, or someone may check by how high the sun is.
What is Critical constructionism?	Is based on the assumption that the way social reality is constructed, perceived and presented. This is usually based on the interests of society.	Based on the relationships between power and knowledge. For example at school, the relation with the professor and student.
What is Hegemony	Through hegemony, one group exerts leadership over all others, and its interests are promoted above those of others.	One group of having power over another group within the society. Example: the wealthy class may have hegemony over the power/ lower class.

Global Sociological Imagination

After watching the videos  “What have my cocoa beans got to do with Canada” and ” The son of the Global Village” I have realized that living in Canada I have things at the tip of my fingers, I can get things so easily without even having to do any work. While watching this video I started to think about how my parents came from India and how much hard work they had to do to get to where they are today. My life has been impacted by the actions and decisions my parents made to come to Canada. If my parents had not chosen to come to Canada I would not be where I am today, I wouldn’t have considered going to post secondary to become an accountant. Unlike Canada the education in India is more limited and you don’t have many opportunities and eye-opening experiences in a country that is still developing to become a modern country. I have only been to India once and is a very different society then the society here in Vancouver and Canada, I am very grateful for the life my parents have provided me, and the many experiences and opportunities I will get while living in such a modern society. In our society we have to work together and a lot of our actions impact each other, actions that I have done that have affected local areas, and other parts around the world are donating to charities including red cross, Unicef and volunteering for Unicef and the heart and stroke foundation.