Reflective Essay

Reflective Essay

 During my time in Charles Quist-Adade’s Sociology introduction course, I’ve learned to see the world in different perspectives. One of the many things learned in class is culture. Culture can be defined as the totality of learned, socially transmitted customs, knowledge, material objects and behavior. As stated in the textbook culture is a complex collection of values, beliefs, behaviors, and material objects shared by a group passed on from one generation to the next. Living in Canada in a multicultural society we all are faced with the surroundings of culture. Race is another interesting topic discussed in class. I learned that there is really no such thing as race, that our society constructs it. Race is based on socially selected physical characteristics of individuals. Racism on the other hand plays hand in hand with race as it associated biased comments about individuals with different physical characteristics. With culture having an influence on race and race influencing racism, they all intertwine with each other to create our society.

Lately with the events taking place on the news, there has been hate crimes happening in B.C. The white supremacist international neo-Nazi group called Blood and Honor, There are about 15 members in this group in B.C. One of the incidents took place in 2009 lighting a Filipino man on fire. The next incident took place on Commercial Drive where a black man was brutally assaulted and robbed. When I first heard about such groups forming in the lower mainland and continuing to grow just angered me. Why on earth would any human being(s) want to keep the faiths of old white supremacy groups such as the KKK. This subculture example of culture justifies how behavior is learned from one to the next to continue its legacy.

Watching the videos screened in class it was interesting to see the videos on race. Growing up I’ve seen kids through the years not knowing they are being racial against certain people they would target. Regardless of it being a joke racism is all around in our society. Many of us may not know that we are being racist rather more judgmental towards a certain group(s) or individual(s). In the video, it was tested among a group of students who took their own DNA samples and tested it out to see if there was any differences between their gene sequence to that opposite of them. The results came to find that no matter what skin color, eye color, hair color etc you had, the DNA sequence was no different than that of the opposite members in the study group. I found this to be interesting as people do not realize themselves our genetic code is the same as a person who is not Caucasian decent. If the white supremacist groups would only realize this, than perhaps the hate crimes to those who aren’t white by skin color wouldn’t be

 Sociology is a great course and prepares you to understand the environment you live in, as well the structure of society and how people you associate with shape it. In the beginning of taking this course, I wasn’t really aware of what to expect. I had little knowledge of the subject. I knew it had to relate with our society but nothing beyond those borders. Now that has changed, culture determines how we learn about others ways in how people practice their faiths, to the types of food we eat and many traditional festivals among communities. Within our society we have individuals who turn to a darker subculture, like the white supremacist that continue to keep the old groups that formed many years ago alive. Culture shapes our society and makes us aware of those groups around us and a better understanding of people within their culture. Racism and race all play a part in our society. Neither of them should be tolerated but are present in our world. I’m glad I did take this course, not because I needed it for an elective but the knowledge I get to take with me finishing this course.

Social Justice Observational Essay

Observational Essay

Attending the student colloquium held at Kwantlen`s Conference Hall was both inspiring and informative about Ghana. The student’s showcased the trip to Ghana and through each student eyes, they would give their perspectives to the Ghana field school experience. Almost every student that I was able to listen to had a different placement once they were established in Ghana. Listening to each student about their experiences allowed me to get a better understanding of Ghana and how the field school works.

One of the points brought up in each student’s presentations was that the trip to Ghana was a one in a life time experience and that everyone should experience something like this in their life. The students did try to articulate their feelings towards the trip but weren’t so successful in doing so. From my understanding I believe it may have been too much for the students to grasp everything in one presentation and of course Ghana having different customs than Canada, it was hard for them to explain the experience in such a way that we could understand.

The not so positive comments about the trip to Ghana were that the students felt like they didn’t have a big enough say in the work they were assigned to do. Many of them would have liked more responsibilities, or at least some clarity in what their duties were as field students. Among the students, one student had a placement in a women’s rights office and had quite the responsibility. She was responsible for creating a draft of a newsletter that would be passed around to women in villages to inform them of important issues such as birth control. This was difficult as she didn’t understand what she should write and to make sure all that was said was down to the truth of birth control for these women.

The presentation of the Ghana field school trip was a success. They managed to capture the good and bad side of it all. With all the students that I was able to listen to all said they had a fantastic time going to Ghana and would recommend the trip to everyone who has a chance to go. I would agree that a trip like this would be very worthwhile and a great learning experience. However with the students responsibilities not being cleared out clearly, that’s one thing I would like to see in the near future for students going next year. The students spoke about the price being quite high but ended it off with the experience you leave with when coming back home is rewarding. I believe the program to go see Ghana is a great thing to have and for students to see things out of their comfort zones.

Class Discussion 5

Q: In class we discussed socialization. We were asked, “Why does socialization make us adaquetly human?”

Socialization makes us adaquetly human by how we interact with one another and how we shape our environment and the relationships we have in our society whether it be with family our friends, boyfriends etc.

Class Discussion 4

Q: What are our thoughts as a group of the film racism part 2?

A: As a group we thought the tactics used were a bit harsh but understandable to why she was using them. It was interesting to see how the blue eyed group responded to authority and to see the reactions of many in that group turn away. To see racism still continue in our society shouldn’t be tolerated by those facing it, however it is reality and it does happen.

Class Discussion 3

Q: What is Micro and Macrosociology?

A: Microsociology focuses on the individualals and small groups interactions. Macrosociology focuses on society as a whole.

Class (Group) Discussion 2

Q: How we see ourselves in our global I.S?

A: As we are all females in Canada (in our group) We effect others by clothes and food we buy, as well the music that we listen to has a strong message which effects us in different ways. Examples The Beattles from England, Coldplay from London.

Class (Group) Discussion 1

Class (Group) Discussion 1: 09/19/2011

Q: How we affect the world and how it effects us?

A: By the products we buy and use that are produced in other countries, as well the clothes we purchase and where the matrials came from. Music as well has a huge affect globally, artists are from around the world who can have a huge effect on people by their music. As the example stated in class, I love chocolate and seeing where it came from (Ghana) and finding that the people make way by Canadians purchasing chocolate is another example of this question.