In response to the reading on Ableism, I feel burdened for the people who grew up in situations in which their parents were not at a place with their own self-worth that they could help their child grow to their full potential despite their disability. I know that it is much harder in real life than for a person who has no experience with raising a disabled child, but the reading did prove that children whose parents were able to adjust with the loss of the "perfect child" were more equipped to be a better parent to the child.
People who are disabled make up the largest target group, at 43 million people when this article was written and I am sure that that number has increased in number since then. It's important for me to assess how I would handle the situation if a. I had a child who was born disabled, b. had a child with a disabled friend, and/or c. worked with someone who was disabled in some capacity.
While I was reading this article over the weekend, I was on a high school youth retreat as a leader and I observed the interaction between students who were disabled with their peers during sporting events. One of the students was able to involve himself in a game of basketball despite the fact that he was in a wheelchair. There were other students with different levels of disability and their involvement was different as well. I wondered how much the parent's role and support during the developmental years of the child played into their adjustment/mal-adjustment on the retreat. It is hard to say definitively the role that the parent had to play and the effect of the child's own personality on the situation, but it was interesting to think about in light of the situation.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Personal Journal #5: 3.31.09
During class I was coping with the feelings that I had about Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender in a way that I never thought about them before. I realized that I do have slightly homophobic feelings and get uncomfortable in situations with people who would consider themselves Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender. Growing up in the church, we do not discuss sexuality much beyond what is expected of each gender, as far as roles within the church and when you come of age, how you were created in God's image. Sexuality is discussed as far as male and female bodies and coming into their own. Topics that are never discussed, but probably should be, are those about sexuality, what to do with the new feelings and hormones you are experiencing, rather than label them as sinful and to shun them from your thoughts.
I appreciated the dialogue in class because the class has become a comfortable and safe environment for me to discuss my feelings with the other students. Also, I think that society has not yet realized how to approach the issues of sexuality, because of the way in which Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual's rights are instated in governmental issues. We have been discussing the conflict between conservatives in the government trying to "retain" their rights as heterosexuals and ban the rights of those to practice differently. Also, there have been many shows portraying the parody of the gay community (such as Will and Grace) and not necessarily any shows portaying GLBT in a non-joking manner. If there are shows to that nature, I am unaware of them. The media in general does not portray this particular community in a positive light and our views usually stem from what the media feeds to us, which is also not positive.
To combat these negative feelings, I believe that I need to not only address the stigmas I am feeding my views off of, but also I should try to engage with people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender. I am sure that eventually I will be in contact with/need to help someone who has a sexual preference other than what I have considered "normal," so I must address my feelings and figure out how I can set my feelings aside and engage with the person to give them the help that they are seeking, to treat them as I would any person. I need to pray for discernment in this area and for compassion and grace, because I am not perfect and will need to Lord's strength for situations that I'm not comfortable with.
I appreciated the dialogue in class because the class has become a comfortable and safe environment for me to discuss my feelings with the other students. Also, I think that society has not yet realized how to approach the issues of sexuality, because of the way in which Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual's rights are instated in governmental issues. We have been discussing the conflict between conservatives in the government trying to "retain" their rights as heterosexuals and ban the rights of those to practice differently. Also, there have been many shows portraying the parody of the gay community (such as Will and Grace) and not necessarily any shows portaying GLBT in a non-joking manner. If there are shows to that nature, I am unaware of them. The media in general does not portray this particular community in a positive light and our views usually stem from what the media feeds to us, which is also not positive.
To combat these negative feelings, I believe that I need to not only address the stigmas I am feeding my views off of, but also I should try to engage with people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender. I am sure that eventually I will be in contact with/need to help someone who has a sexual preference other than what I have considered "normal," so I must address my feelings and figure out how I can set my feelings aside and engage with the person to give them the help that they are seeking, to treat them as I would any person. I need to pray for discernment in this area and for compassion and grace, because I am not perfect and will need to Lord's strength for situations that I'm not comfortable with.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Personal Journal #4: 3.31.09
Anderson and Middleton: Article 19
1. I feel that someone is being discriminatory when you can easily distinguish the way they are interacting with one person is noticeably different from another person. After the saleswoman ignored Dr. Mock for the third time, helping a third customer before him, her actions are inexcusable.
2. I am impressed with the Asian American man's response to the situation; he kept his cool but also did not sit back and let injustice happen. Oftentimes large-scale justice attempts do not work as well as small-scale personal ventures to bring justice to personal matters.
3. The saleswoman was ignorant in the way in which she was treating the man. To her, she was justified in treating him differently from the other customers, which is an incorrect thought-process. The man wanted to practice what he preaches, since he is an "activist" of sorts, studying inequality in America and knowing the effects that is has on members of society and also having the right tools to combat the sentiment.
4. If I were the woman ally I would notify the manager of the way in which one of the employers treated a paying customer unfairly. I would testify all that I saw and the injustice that I witnessed. Since she is a member of the "agent" white group she possesses privileges that others may not.
5. The saleswoman may not have many interactions with Asian Americans and is umcomfortable with people different from her. Perhaps she was turned off as well by the trench coat, that he used for practical purposes.
6. I would want to tell the people who received mistreatment that I am sorry for the way that their humanity is questioned and that that's no way to be treated. A kind word and an interest towards someone's personal well-being speaks magnitudes, just as in the example with the Middle-Eastern woman and the Asian American man.
1. I feel that someone is being discriminatory when you can easily distinguish the way they are interacting with one person is noticeably different from another person. After the saleswoman ignored Dr. Mock for the third time, helping a third customer before him, her actions are inexcusable.
2. I am impressed with the Asian American man's response to the situation; he kept his cool but also did not sit back and let injustice happen. Oftentimes large-scale justice attempts do not work as well as small-scale personal ventures to bring justice to personal matters.
3. The saleswoman was ignorant in the way in which she was treating the man. To her, she was justified in treating him differently from the other customers, which is an incorrect thought-process. The man wanted to practice what he preaches, since he is an "activist" of sorts, studying inequality in America and knowing the effects that is has on members of society and also having the right tools to combat the sentiment.
4. If I were the woman ally I would notify the manager of the way in which one of the employers treated a paying customer unfairly. I would testify all that I saw and the injustice that I witnessed. Since she is a member of the "agent" white group she possesses privileges that others may not.
5. The saleswoman may not have many interactions with Asian Americans and is umcomfortable with people different from her. Perhaps she was turned off as well by the trench coat, that he used for practical purposes.
6. I would want to tell the people who received mistreatment that I am sorry for the way that their humanity is questioned and that that's no way to be treated. A kind word and an interest towards someone's personal well-being speaks magnitudes, just as in the example with the Middle-Eastern woman and the Asian American man.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Text Journal #4: 3.31.09
In response to "Reflections on Heterosexual Privilege", I have been enlightened to account for the difference in treatment of those who are heterosexual from those who are homosexual or transgender, or "GLBTQ." There is a strong, negative sentiment towards people who are not heterosexual and they are not culturally accepted. Many people , myself included, shy away from interactions with people who are not heterosexual. Sexuality is a unique topic of discussion in the United States because it is a major selling point for advertisement agencies and Hollywood, but it is not acceptable to discuss one's sexuality in formal situations or settings. TV commercials and Hollywood movies may show women parading around scantily clad and men in provacative attire but to discuss one's sexuality or one's sexual preference is viewed as taboo. I believe it would be more acceptable in society to discuss one's "blackness" or "asian-ness" before one's sexual preference because of the strict cultural mores we have on sexuality.
Some of the feminist's from the reading would claim that this is because of society's unnatural view of the roles of men and women in society; men having to be the leaders and women being the subservient "appologetic" type which in turn leads to "emotional and social problems." However, she contradicts herself in the next paragraph stating that even though she is lesbian, she must combat the tendency to "act according to the heterosexual norms that are apart of me;" which is like saying that it is normal for her to act out of her heterosexual nature.
An issue that Deborah brings up is the question of whether or not people choose to be gay. Her beliefs on the issue derive from her personal experience with people in her hometown who committed suicide because of, as she later found out, emotional struggles regarding their sexuality. She believes that their crisis comes from their struggle with society's norm of finding the perfect mate and fitting into those narrow roles. This article has not changed my thoughts on the question of "nature and nurture" and which is responsible for a person's sexuality but it helped me to be more understanding of the seriousness of the situation with GLBTQs.
Some of the feminist's from the reading would claim that this is because of society's unnatural view of the roles of men and women in society; men having to be the leaders and women being the subservient "appologetic" type which in turn leads to "emotional and social problems." However, she contradicts herself in the next paragraph stating that even though she is lesbian, she must combat the tendency to "act according to the heterosexual norms that are apart of me;" which is like saying that it is normal for her to act out of her heterosexual nature.
An issue that Deborah brings up is the question of whether or not people choose to be gay. Her beliefs on the issue derive from her personal experience with people in her hometown who committed suicide because of, as she later found out, emotional struggles regarding their sexuality. She believes that their crisis comes from their struggle with society's norm of finding the perfect mate and fitting into those narrow roles. This article has not changed my thoughts on the question of "nature and nurture" and which is responsible for a person's sexuality but it helped me to be more understanding of the seriousness of the situation with GLBTQs.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Personal Journal #3: 3.23.09
Some of the questions involved in this survey were shocking. They tended to lean toward the more extreme side of the spectrum for either side, whether it be the hostile sexism or benevolent sexism. I was confused by the questions regarding feminism, because I am not sure what degree of feminism they are referring to. Feminism can be simple and non-abrasive but it can also be pushy and in your face. I leaned more towards the feminism that is present today, wanting equality in the workplace. Feminists already have a major win, they got women the vote, so there is not much need for them to be extremely active today, in my opinion.
I was surprised by my scores because I scored a 2.18 on my hostile sexism report and 2.91 on my benevolent sexism score, both of which were higher than the average American male and female. I was only slightly higher than other males in hostile sexism, but a significant amount higher than females. I have not idea why that my be. Perhaps the scoring is not altogether accurate as well. I do find myself leaning more towards the chastity side and assuming that men should care for and honor women, which is what I assume the benevolent sexism is. I was closer to a 3 on this score, but am still not overtly high. In Syria, both the men and women scored higher than me in the benevolent sexism column; women near a 4.5 and men near 4.
I was surprised by my scores because I scored a 2.18 on my hostile sexism report and 2.91 on my benevolent sexism score, both of which were higher than the average American male and female. I was only slightly higher than other males in hostile sexism, but a significant amount higher than females. I have not idea why that my be. Perhaps the scoring is not altogether accurate as well. I do find myself leaning more towards the chastity side and assuming that men should care for and honor women, which is what I assume the benevolent sexism is. I was closer to a 3 on this score, but am still not overtly high. In Syria, both the men and women scored higher than me in the benevolent sexism column; women near a 4.5 and men near 4.
Text Journal #3: 3.23.09
One of this week's chapter was on Hispanic Americans and their struggles in American society and even before entering into the United States society. I found it interesting that so many of the Central and South American countries suffered from civil war which is what drove them to the United States. Also, some of the civil war fights and gangs followed the people into the United States and gangs were formed in many of the states and the fighting continued, perhaps the most noted was Salvadoran gangs in Southern California and how it's influence spread to other countries in central America as well.
The majority of Latino Americans in the United States come from Mexico. The next highest population is Cuban and then Puerto Rican. Central and South America both are represented, but not as significantly as Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba. The Dominican Republic has the next highest population percentage in the United States.
Some startling statistics are that the Latino population is the fastest growing population in the United States. By 2020, it's expected that 1 in 4 children will be Hispanic. 58% of the population 25 years and older have a high school education. In 2004, almost 22% of Hispanics lived in poverty.
Some problems in society is that the different subgroups have the highest high school drop-outs of any group and the lowest high school completion rate in the country. It was interesting that men were noted for not wanting to be involved in social work sessions due to a cultural belief. Some ideas and ideals from culture are embedded deep within us and we are unable to get rid of them.
The majority of Latino Americans in the United States come from Mexico. The next highest population is Cuban and then Puerto Rican. Central and South America both are represented, but not as significantly as Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba. The Dominican Republic has the next highest population percentage in the United States.
Some startling statistics are that the Latino population is the fastest growing population in the United States. By 2020, it's expected that 1 in 4 children will be Hispanic. 58% of the population 25 years and older have a high school education. In 2004, almost 22% of Hispanics lived in poverty.
Some problems in society is that the different subgroups have the highest high school drop-outs of any group and the lowest high school completion rate in the country. It was interesting that men were noted for not wanting to be involved in social work sessions due to a cultural belief. Some ideas and ideals from culture are embedded deep within us and we are unable to get rid of them.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Personal Journal #2: 3.8.09
Question: How would you respond to Dr. Tatum's closing question in the film: Who has had opportunities in my environment and who hasn't? What can I influence? How am I making a more equitable environment?
The differences between people of privilege and those without is vast. Usually the people in our environment who do not have privileges have been that way for a long time. Once something has been a certain way for a long time, it's hard to make a change for the better. Through being in this class I am more aware of the privilege that has been afforded to me simply because of the color o f my skin. In my environment at home people with more money have more opportunity than those without money. The majority of people in my area were white, but the disparity of money is extremely vast. Also, about 20 minutes down the road were the projects on the North Side of Pittsburgh which were inhabited mostly by impoverished African Americans. This is another depressing picture of the "white flight" to the suburbs that they discussed in the movie after WWII. The culture shock from one area to another was extremely disturbing to me, and I tried to make a difference in the ways that I could.
I used to work on the North Side over the summers at a day camp for the youth who lived in the project and also for kids in the surrounding area whose parents needed an affordable option for their kids for the summer. Since I love to teach and to spend time with children, being able to interact with the youth and to help with their education over the summers was an unforgettable impact on my life as well. Now that I am older and can see the truth of the disparity, I can take my passion to work with chidren and to see equal opportunities for education and use my age and whatever other authority I have in society as leverage over the system. I believe that the root of the problems in today's society is perpetuating the effects of the racism of our forefathers by basing school funding on property taxes. This has been detrimental to our school system and in turn detrimental to our society as well. Any way that I can be a voice for the equal opportunity to a QUALITY education would be one step closer to making a more equitable environment.
The differences between people of privilege and those without is vast. Usually the people in our environment who do not have privileges have been that way for a long time. Once something has been a certain way for a long time, it's hard to make a change for the better. Through being in this class I am more aware of the privilege that has been afforded to me simply because of the color o f my skin. In my environment at home people with more money have more opportunity than those without money. The majority of people in my area were white, but the disparity of money is extremely vast. Also, about 20 minutes down the road were the projects on the North Side of Pittsburgh which were inhabited mostly by impoverished African Americans. This is another depressing picture of the "white flight" to the suburbs that they discussed in the movie after WWII. The culture shock from one area to another was extremely disturbing to me, and I tried to make a difference in the ways that I could.
I used to work on the North Side over the summers at a day camp for the youth who lived in the project and also for kids in the surrounding area whose parents needed an affordable option for their kids for the summer. Since I love to teach and to spend time with children, being able to interact with the youth and to help with their education over the summers was an unforgettable impact on my life as well. Now that I am older and can see the truth of the disparity, I can take my passion to work with chidren and to see equal opportunities for education and use my age and whatever other authority I have in society as leverage over the system. I believe that the root of the problems in today's society is perpetuating the effects of the racism of our forefathers by basing school funding on property taxes. This has been detrimental to our school system and in turn detrimental to our society as well. Any way that I can be a voice for the equal opportunity to a QUALITY education would be one step closer to making a more equitable environment.
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