I was looking through the "How to be an Ally" packet that was handed out on Tuesday. The last page has a Self-Assessment of Anti-Racist behavior. I went through some of the questions and would like to reflect on my responses to some of the questions, and how much I have assessed in this class throughout the semester. Some also reflect the most beneficials readings and things we have discussed in class, showing what has had the strongest impact for me
1) Through articles in this class, and especially Spring's novel, I have become more well-educated about the culture and experiences of other groups
2)I have through about and dug deep into my childhood memories to think about racial experiences I may not have thought to be racist or problematic at the time. I have blogged about a few of them
3)I definitely think about the things I saw and what others say to see if anything implies inequality. I analyze shows and other things in new ways I never have before
4)I have become more knowledgable and comfortable about discussing diversity issues and what action needs to be done to remedy it
5)The Action Plans really got me thinking about what I can really do to help and put it in more of a realistic perspective as opposed to just theoretical.
6)This was by far my favorite class this semester. I have analyzed a lot and learned realistic things that will help me with my career path along with social society
7)I really enjoyed the blog. I know I did not participate all that much during class. I really enjoyed just observing what everyone else had to say, and then post my responses and thoughts on a later date, and still have my thoughts known, just in a different manner.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Action Plan Presentations
I would just like to mention that I was thoroughly impressed with everyone's Action Plan presentations. Everyone had outstanding ideas and I enjoyed every single one of them. I think reading Tatum's novel for Titan Orientation is an excellent idea and will have a huge impact on campus.
Having more multi-cultural nights that are more heavily advertised is a good idea as well. I know I hear about them on campus but am never really sure what it is or who goes to it, so it would be interesting to have new experiences such as that.
The "Not in Our School" plan was very creative and very applicable especially after watching the video last week. I know in my homeroom in high school we just sat there for announcements and normally had at least 10 minutes to just sit and do nothing, so engaging in dialogue about diversity and doing fun activities is a great idea. It starts education at an earlier age, of which I mentioned should be done in my Affirmative Action blog. It is a developmental program that increases knowledge throughout the high school years. If the activities given can keep students interested, engaged, and postive about the topic it would really have a significant impact, including increasing education about the issue.
I highly anticipate to see what comes out of MLK day next year. I think it is a great idea. I know I have complained in the past that public universities get the day off and we do not, but if we go to class anyways, doing activities around class or in classes would be neat.
I walk past the Davidson room every day on my way from Pfeiffer to Saga. I always read the little facts that people post and find it a warm and welcoming hallway to walk through when it is decorated. Having a "moving walkway" concept education people with statistics would be something new and enjoyable for me, in my opinion.
I look forward to seeing if any action plans go through, along with developing any videos from my action plan to help other action plans be implemented :)
Having more multi-cultural nights that are more heavily advertised is a good idea as well. I know I hear about them on campus but am never really sure what it is or who goes to it, so it would be interesting to have new experiences such as that.
The "Not in Our School" plan was very creative and very applicable especially after watching the video last week. I know in my homeroom in high school we just sat there for announcements and normally had at least 10 minutes to just sit and do nothing, so engaging in dialogue about diversity and doing fun activities is a great idea. It starts education at an earlier age, of which I mentioned should be done in my Affirmative Action blog. It is a developmental program that increases knowledge throughout the high school years. If the activities given can keep students interested, engaged, and postive about the topic it would really have a significant impact, including increasing education about the issue.
I highly anticipate to see what comes out of MLK day next year. I think it is a great idea. I know I have complained in the past that public universities get the day off and we do not, but if we go to class anyways, doing activities around class or in classes would be neat.
I walk past the Davidson room every day on my way from Pfeiffer to Saga. I always read the little facts that people post and find it a warm and welcoming hallway to walk through when it is decorated. Having a "moving walkway" concept education people with statistics would be something new and enjoyable for me, in my opinion.
I look forward to seeing if any action plans go through, along with developing any videos from my action plan to help other action plans be implemented :)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Building Coalitions
Conciatore and Rodriguez discuss that it is a necessity for people of color to form an alliance. If this is formed, the climb upwards will be faster. The article opens with a Black labor leader commenting how Latinos are "pimping off the civil rights struggle...they can't benefit from our fight". I think Latinos have went through their own, seperate struggles to fight for where they are going. They enter this country and take low-wage, undesirable jobs. There is the Chicanos and their land getting annexed after the Mexican War. There are the exiles and refugees from Cuba.
We do not learn about their history and struggle as much as we learn about the slaves, and they deserve a strive for equality just as much as blacks, and I do agree that forming together with other people, not necessarily of their same ethnicity, will accelerate the strive. Brady also discusses how it must be a combined effort to help discard pervasive racism.
Just like whites and groups consisting of people of color that need to work together and be equal, different people of color need to bond together as well, such as Hispanics and Blacks as mentioned in the articles.
I like what Lorde mentions about how "it is the responsibility of the oppressed to teach the oppressors their mistakes". Firsthand experiences are always the most influential in my opinion. After reading the articles, I think that building coalitions and overcoming differences will have a huge effect and help move society forward.
We do not learn about their history and struggle as much as we learn about the slaves, and they deserve a strive for equality just as much as blacks, and I do agree that forming together with other people, not necessarily of their same ethnicity, will accelerate the strive. Brady also discusses how it must be a combined effort to help discard pervasive racism.
Just like whites and groups consisting of people of color that need to work together and be equal, different people of color need to bond together as well, such as Hispanics and Blacks as mentioned in the articles.
I like what Lorde mentions about how "it is the responsibility of the oppressed to teach the oppressors their mistakes". Firsthand experiences are always the most influential in my opinion. After reading the articles, I think that building coalitions and overcoming differences will have a huge effect and help move society forward.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Affirmative Action
I really enjoyed writing my reflection paper on Affirmative Action. However, I have more to say after listening and observing other people's conversations while in class.
First, I would like to start with a story. It was when I was in high school. One of my close friends is bi-racial, half white and half black. Her sister, also bi-racial, was a senior in high school and applying to colleges. She got accepted into Yale. People started spreading rumors that she only got in because she was half-black. However, on her application, she did not put black as her ethnicity because, according to her, she did not want to get into Yale solely on the basis of her race. I was reminded of this story while reading Steele's article, who says in her introduction that "their society now tells them that if they will only designate themselves as black on their college applications, they will likely do better in the college lottery"
For this reason, I think that the reality of Affirmative Action should be more widely educated to high school students. It is causing reverse effects for some students.
I still stand on my position that action needs to be taken earlier. They need to develop a mentality that they can do it while growing up, not have it be thrown at them. People need to develop the skills necessary, such as writing and reading strategies, to be successful in college. I know that if I was a poor reader and writer and then was fortunate enough to be able to enroll in a better school system that I grew up with, it would be a huge shock almost and take a strong mentality to push through it.
Something relative happened to me in the workforce. I was thrown into a stage manager position. I had no previous experience and I am just starting out in the event industry. I was given a 3 sentence verbal instruction and had to ensure the concert was successful. It was very stressful but had I not had a strong mentality and goals and a passion for the event industry, I knew I would not have been able to be successful. I think it relates to the college experience. It is completely different from highschool and overwhelming for students who were even privileged before going into college.
First, I would like to start with a story. It was when I was in high school. One of my close friends is bi-racial, half white and half black. Her sister, also bi-racial, was a senior in high school and applying to colleges. She got accepted into Yale. People started spreading rumors that she only got in because she was half-black. However, on her application, she did not put black as her ethnicity because, according to her, she did not want to get into Yale solely on the basis of her race. I was reminded of this story while reading Steele's article, who says in her introduction that "their society now tells them that if they will only designate themselves as black on their college applications, they will likely do better in the college lottery"
For this reason, I think that the reality of Affirmative Action should be more widely educated to high school students. It is causing reverse effects for some students.
I still stand on my position that action needs to be taken earlier. They need to develop a mentality that they can do it while growing up, not have it be thrown at them. People need to develop the skills necessary, such as writing and reading strategies, to be successful in college. I know that if I was a poor reader and writer and then was fortunate enough to be able to enroll in a better school system that I grew up with, it would be a huge shock almost and take a strong mentality to push through it.
Something relative happened to me in the workforce. I was thrown into a stage manager position. I had no previous experience and I am just starting out in the event industry. I was given a 3 sentence verbal instruction and had to ensure the concert was successful. It was very stressful but had I not had a strong mentality and goals and a passion for the event industry, I knew I would not have been able to be successful. I think it relates to the college experience. It is completely different from highschool and overwhelming for students who were even privileged before going into college.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Shelton/Richeson article
I enjoyed reading about Shelton and Richesons experiment and results. I began thinking about what the results would be on our campus, and what I would have done had I been in any of the experiments. I blogged a few weeks ago about how greek life segregates this campus in a large matter. I feel that my results on whether I would make intergroup contact would be based on people's "cliques" instead of race.
Kindred often comes and sits at my table and have a couple minute chat. My best friend is dating a black man and I know of a lot of his friends, so when it comes in terms of race in Saga, for example, inter-racial contact is not a problem for me. However, there are certain cliques or fraternities or sororities I would not want to come into contact with. It is all based on membership. It sounds funny and ridiculous, but I feel that out-group and intergroup contact would not be on a basis race. I think this is just another example proving how the state of dialogue is on campus. I may have a biased opinion because I choose not to be in greek life.
I agree with Tatum when she concludes chapter 10 saying that words alone are insufficient, but meaningful dialogue has lead to effective action. I think that with the atmosphere this school has developed in would be a harder challenge. I have yet to think of anything that could even lead to possible remedies to strive to break the barriers and increase dialogue on campus...
Kindred often comes and sits at my table and have a couple minute chat. My best friend is dating a black man and I know of a lot of his friends, so when it comes in terms of race in Saga, for example, inter-racial contact is not a problem for me. However, there are certain cliques or fraternities or sororities I would not want to come into contact with. It is all based on membership. It sounds funny and ridiculous, but I feel that out-group and intergroup contact would not be on a basis race. I think this is just another example proving how the state of dialogue is on campus. I may have a biased opinion because I choose not to be in greek life.
I agree with Tatum when she concludes chapter 10 saying that words alone are insufficient, but meaningful dialogue has lead to effective action. I think that with the atmosphere this school has developed in would be a harder challenge. I have yet to think of anything that could even lead to possible remedies to strive to break the barriers and increase dialogue on campus...
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Hogan's article
I just wanted to go more into my thoughts on diversity education, with Hogan's article in mind.
Hogan mentions in his abstract that "diversity courses in higher education were effective in improving students' intergroup tolerance". I agree and disagree with this. I am currently enrolled in Multiculturalism and its Critics. It is for an analysis of values gen ed. It may be because it is a political science course and I have no interest in political theories and views whatsoever, but with no exaggeration it has been my least favorite class at Wesleyan thus far. Hogan mentions implementing multicultural curriculum requirements. If that class was one of the requirements, I would hate the topic. If I was not simultaneously enrolled in this course, I would probably completely loathe the topic. The readings and books he chooses are not very appealing to me, and how the class is structured, only 2 or 3 students, who are political science majors, talk and discuss. While they may be getting a great experience, it hinders it for everyone else because not everyone has as much background knowledge in poli-sci as they do. Diversity and multi-culturalism is a very touchy subject, and in order to have a positive effect, the classes need to be structured in such a way. I am not the only person with this opinion in the class, I have talked to 5 or 6 other students and they find it just as awful as I do. I do believe that diversity education is a good thing and could have huge effects, but I think it would take a lot of work, screening of classes and content, and teaching style of certain professors to have a positive accomplisment.
In class we mentioned how business majors lack diversity education for this major. During the break I had a short discussion with Sandy about this and wanted to expand further. After this semester, there is only one more class I need to take to complete my business major, so I feel I can legitimately talk about the lack of diveristy in business education. I think that it should be stressed more since most business fields, such as retail, will have a rather diverse workforce. If I had not taken this class, the only thing I would know about it is one chapter's worth in my organization and management class, which is a total of 21 pages, consisting of a lot of pictures and diagrams. I did not get the full effect or learn anything memorable in that chapter. The only other thing I recall was racism in terms of Human Resources Management and company policies. Brittany did mention that there is a diversity in the workforce class that exists here, but from everytime I looked at business courses to take, I do not recall seeing it offered, because I know I would have wanted to take it. That still does not discuss diversity in the workforce including peers or subordinates. I think everyone should experience it first hand and that it is not something you can learn from a textbook.
Education majors have to observe classroom settings. I think that the same should be done in businesses. Over the past 2 summers I have been a supervisor at Chicago Special Events (street and music festivals in the city). I was the supervisor of up to 50 temporary workers picking up some extra cash in the summer. Temp positions pull a VERY diverse amount of people. I really appreciated that experience and I firmly believe it will help me in the future while working in management positions.
Hogan mentions in his abstract that "diversity courses in higher education were effective in improving students' intergroup tolerance". I agree and disagree with this. I am currently enrolled in Multiculturalism and its Critics. It is for an analysis of values gen ed. It may be because it is a political science course and I have no interest in political theories and views whatsoever, but with no exaggeration it has been my least favorite class at Wesleyan thus far. Hogan mentions implementing multicultural curriculum requirements. If that class was one of the requirements, I would hate the topic. If I was not simultaneously enrolled in this course, I would probably completely loathe the topic. The readings and books he chooses are not very appealing to me, and how the class is structured, only 2 or 3 students, who are political science majors, talk and discuss. While they may be getting a great experience, it hinders it for everyone else because not everyone has as much background knowledge in poli-sci as they do. Diversity and multi-culturalism is a very touchy subject, and in order to have a positive effect, the classes need to be structured in such a way. I am not the only person with this opinion in the class, I have talked to 5 or 6 other students and they find it just as awful as I do. I do believe that diversity education is a good thing and could have huge effects, but I think it would take a lot of work, screening of classes and content, and teaching style of certain professors to have a positive accomplisment.
In class we mentioned how business majors lack diversity education for this major. During the break I had a short discussion with Sandy about this and wanted to expand further. After this semester, there is only one more class I need to take to complete my business major, so I feel I can legitimately talk about the lack of diveristy in business education. I think that it should be stressed more since most business fields, such as retail, will have a rather diverse workforce. If I had not taken this class, the only thing I would know about it is one chapter's worth in my organization and management class, which is a total of 21 pages, consisting of a lot of pictures and diagrams. I did not get the full effect or learn anything memorable in that chapter. The only other thing I recall was racism in terms of Human Resources Management and company policies. Brittany did mention that there is a diversity in the workforce class that exists here, but from everytime I looked at business courses to take, I do not recall seeing it offered, because I know I would have wanted to take it. That still does not discuss diversity in the workforce including peers or subordinates. I think everyone should experience it first hand and that it is not something you can learn from a textbook.
Education majors have to observe classroom settings. I think that the same should be done in businesses. Over the past 2 summers I have been a supervisor at Chicago Special Events (street and music festivals in the city). I was the supervisor of up to 50 temporary workers picking up some extra cash in the summer. Temp positions pull a VERY diverse amount of people. I really appreciated that experience and I firmly believe it will help me in the future while working in management positions.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
State of Dialogue
I just wanted to add some further comments to our state of dialogue on campus now that I have heard further input from other students.
I think one big factor that hinders this is the greek life. In my opinion, having greek life on such a small campus is asking for cliques. Freshman year before Rush, I had a very diversified experience through titan orientation and other people that lived on my floor and building. I got to know a great new body of people. Even if the campus was mainly white, I did converse with a few people of color. Everyone just kind of hung out together and talked and it was a great experience. However, this quickly changed after everyone pledge for their respective greek houses. Everyone then became segregated. They mainly just hung out with the people in their sorority or fraternity houses. Friendships started floating away since I chose not to join the greek life on campus. I feel as if having greek housing sets a border or boundary. In my opinion, I believe that the state of dialogue would be much higher if there was no greek life.
I have a friend who goes to St. Ambrose in Iowa. The school is a similar size to IWU, yet there is no greek life. I've visited there a few times and the atmosphere is completely different. They do not have as many cliques and it seemed that everyone knew each other. I enjoyed my experiences there and wish IWU was more similar to that.
I think one big factor that hinders this is the greek life. In my opinion, having greek life on such a small campus is asking for cliques. Freshman year before Rush, I had a very diversified experience through titan orientation and other people that lived on my floor and building. I got to know a great new body of people. Even if the campus was mainly white, I did converse with a few people of color. Everyone just kind of hung out together and talked and it was a great experience. However, this quickly changed after everyone pledge for their respective greek houses. Everyone then became segregated. They mainly just hung out with the people in their sorority or fraternity houses. Friendships started floating away since I chose not to join the greek life on campus. I feel as if having greek housing sets a border or boundary. In my opinion, I believe that the state of dialogue would be much higher if there was no greek life.
I have a friend who goes to St. Ambrose in Iowa. The school is a similar size to IWU, yet there is no greek life. I've visited there a few times and the atmosphere is completely different. They do not have as many cliques and it seemed that everyone knew each other. I enjoyed my experiences there and wish IWU was more similar to that.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
More Disney
I am spending Spring Break in Disney World. After the Disney analysis, I decided to see if the rides and shows at the parks had aspects of racism in them as well.
A lot of rides have you watch a short video clip before you enter, including Tower of Terror, Dinosaur, Rock N' Roller Coaster, or the American Idol Experience. Of all these short video clips, there was only one person of color (the mom from The Cosby Show is in the opening clip of Dinosaur).
In rides such as Figment's Imagination, Escape from Earth, and Honey I shrunk the Audience, all of the figurines and people in the ride are white. The only ride I recall there being people of color was Pirates of Carribbean, which is obviously not a very good depiction of them.
I have come to the conclusion that the only diversity that exists in Disney World is at Epcot, in their tour around the world. They have different countries. However, in all of the countries there is only one ride, and the tour around the world is not appealing to small children. So many parents do not bring their children there and they do not get a diversified experience. The tour of the countries is also not depicted as very child-friendly anymore. There are beer tents everywhere and it mainly consists of an atmosphere of adults walking around and drinking. Parents may not want to bring their child into this atmosphere as well. However, it is very cool to go into all the countries and is a very unique experience, and I believe more people, including children, should be able to enjoy it.
A lot of rides have you watch a short video clip before you enter, including Tower of Terror, Dinosaur, Rock N' Roller Coaster, or the American Idol Experience. Of all these short video clips, there was only one person of color (the mom from The Cosby Show is in the opening clip of Dinosaur).
In rides such as Figment's Imagination, Escape from Earth, and Honey I shrunk the Audience, all of the figurines and people in the ride are white. The only ride I recall there being people of color was Pirates of Carribbean, which is obviously not a very good depiction of them.
I have come to the conclusion that the only diversity that exists in Disney World is at Epcot, in their tour around the world. They have different countries. However, in all of the countries there is only one ride, and the tour around the world is not appealing to small children. So many parents do not bring their children there and they do not get a diversified experience. The tour of the countries is also not depicted as very child-friendly anymore. There are beer tents everywhere and it mainly consists of an atmosphere of adults walking around and drinking. Parents may not want to bring their child into this atmosphere as well. However, it is very cool to go into all the countries and is a very unique experience, and I believe more people, including children, should be able to enjoy it.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Racism in the Media
After seeing all the media presentations this week, I began to analyze my favorite shows more in depth. Shows I didn't really think had aspects of racism in them before, but do now.
I have been on a CSI:Las Vegas binge all semester. There is one African American actor on it, whose character was Warrick Brown. In the first season, his character had a gambling addiction. He did not follow the rules at work, and was doing side jobs in return for favors from the judge. None of the other character developments had any issues in the season. Also, in later seasons, their technical investigator in the lab is Asian. He did all of the computer work and analyzing for the crimes. All of the heads in the department are white.
In season 8, Warrick Brown was killed in the show, leaving an all white cast. Halfway through season nine, a new actor was brought on the show who is African American.
Also, we discussed Celebrity dating shows. I began to think of Rock of Love Tour Bus currently on TV right now. There was one black female. The whole time she was on the show though, all of the girls targeted her, calling her a man and thinking she was a transvestite for the whole show. A large part of one episode was based on the other girls thoughts on this. The only other person of color on the show has her cheeks pierced and tattoos all down her arms. The only 2 people of color on the show are not presented in a very appealing way.
Last, another show I have been watching is NCIS. The entire main cast is white. This show is based on solving crimes involving the marines or the navy. I have been paying attention while watching the seasons and only recall them showing 3 or 4 Marines of color.
After the media lesson I have been looking and analyzing shows very differently.
I have been on a CSI:Las Vegas binge all semester. There is one African American actor on it, whose character was Warrick Brown. In the first season, his character had a gambling addiction. He did not follow the rules at work, and was doing side jobs in return for favors from the judge. None of the other character developments had any issues in the season. Also, in later seasons, their technical investigator in the lab is Asian. He did all of the computer work and analyzing for the crimes. All of the heads in the department are white.
In season 8, Warrick Brown was killed in the show, leaving an all white cast. Halfway through season nine, a new actor was brought on the show who is African American.
Also, we discussed Celebrity dating shows. I began to think of Rock of Love Tour Bus currently on TV right now. There was one black female. The whole time she was on the show though, all of the girls targeted her, calling her a man and thinking she was a transvestite for the whole show. A large part of one episode was based on the other girls thoughts on this. The only other person of color on the show has her cheeks pierced and tattoos all down her arms. The only 2 people of color on the show are not presented in a very appealing way.
Last, another show I have been watching is NCIS. The entire main cast is white. This show is based on solving crimes involving the marines or the navy. I have been paying attention while watching the seasons and only recall them showing 3 or 4 Marines of color.
After the media lesson I have been looking and analyzing shows very differently.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
FML
I've blogged about a similar thing story on this site before. Fmylife.com. I came across this story:
Today, my mother was re-enrolling me in school so she was required to fill out some paper work. Later, she asks me, "What does Caucasian mean?". I ask, "Why?". Apparently she didn't recognize the word so she checked "other" and wrote in "white". FML
I remember us talking about this in class. I distinctly remember taking a standardized test in elementary school where we had to fill out that information. "white" was not on there and since there was maybe only 1 or 2 people of color, pretty much all of the 2nd graders did not know what to put. The teacher had to announce to put "caucasian". I only know of that word and use it in terms of standardized testing. Even though this web site is meant to be taken as humorous, I think it shows the ignorance that still exists today.
Today, my mother was re-enrolling me in school so she was required to fill out some paper work. Later, she asks me, "What does Caucasian mean?". I ask, "Why?". Apparently she didn't recognize the word so she checked "other" and wrote in "white". FML
I remember us talking about this in class. I distinctly remember taking a standardized test in elementary school where we had to fill out that information. "white" was not on there and since there was maybe only 1 or 2 people of color, pretty much all of the 2nd graders did not know what to put. The teacher had to announce to put "caucasian". I only know of that word and use it in terms of standardized testing. Even though this web site is meant to be taken as humorous, I think it shows the ignorance that still exists today.
Racist Bugs Bunny clips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVuR-F1fQRc
Thats the link to the video I was talking about today in class in my presentation. Watching it, my jaw completely dropped. I could not believe anything like that could be created, and a cartoon character that depicted such wrong things is still so well known in our society today. I made my room mate watch it and she had the same reaction. Let me know if you watch it and what your initial reaction was :)
Thats the link to the video I was talking about today in class in my presentation. Watching it, my jaw completely dropped. I could not believe anything like that could be created, and a cartoon character that depicted such wrong things is still so well known in our society today. I made my room mate watch it and she had the same reaction. Let me know if you watch it and what your initial reaction was :)
Monday, February 23, 2009
My new favorite website has been Fmylife.com. I came across this entry:
Today, after class I was chatting with my teacher, a really cool and stylish old black guy. I tell him he reminds me of one of those soul dudes from those 70s movies, right down to the pimp-walk. He tells me he walks that way because he was beaten for drinking out of the wrong fountain as a kid. FML.
This just shows the indirect effects and things we still may not be aware of. I'm glad I got to read Spring's book because it gave me a more historical based understanding for a lot of the things that went on. There are people still out there who experienced a detrimental youth.
Today, after class I was chatting with my teacher, a really cool and stylish old black guy. I tell him he reminds me of one of those soul dudes from those 70s movies, right down to the pimp-walk. He tells me he walks that way because he was beaten for drinking out of the wrong fountain as a kid. FML.
This just shows the indirect effects and things we still may not be aware of. I'm glad I got to read Spring's book because it gave me a more historical based understanding for a lot of the things that went on. There are people still out there who experienced a detrimental youth.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Commercials
Since this class started, I have been more aware of and noticing racism or lack thereof in commericals or anything else I watch. I have blogged about some examples in the past. One I particularly remember, and might do my media presentation on is a Safe Auto Insurance commercial. If I recall correctly from when I saw it on tv, it was a cop pulling over cars asking if they had insurance and the people smiling and saying they had that particular type of insurance. They had 3 different cars, and each driver was a different race. One white, one black, and one hispanic I believe. Prior to taking this class, I would have thought nothing of it. But now I am analyzing more and more. The company is obviously trying to be multi-racial in their advertisements and not just predominantly white. It could also show that all races could get that type of insurance and not just feature whites.
Since we had our images lecture this week, I began paying more attention to commericals and examples while watching tv to see what other companies have other races besides white.
Since we had our images lecture this week, I began paying more attention to commericals and examples while watching tv to see what other companies have other races besides white.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
ICMS
While abroad in Sydney, I went to the International College of Management. Now that I have taken this class and look back on it, I don't recall seeing one black person that went to my school. In total, I think I saw about 4 or 5 total walking around Sydney that were tourists throughout the 4 months I was there. Our school had a lot of Asians, especially in the hospitality program. I only met a handful of Hispanics, and 1 Middle Eastern. The rest were from Europe, the States, or Australia. I find this very interesting and am surprised I never really realized it until now. I don't notice that there isn't a particular race present, I just notice if a specific person I know of isn't present.
While in Australia, I met so many different cultures and immigrants from around the world. I think I met more non-Australians than Aussies. But now I question why there are so few black people in Australia, and if there is something in their history that I am unaware of.
While in Australia, I met so many different cultures and immigrants from around the world. I think I met more non-Australians than Aussies. But now I question why there are so few black people in Australia, and if there is something in their history that I am unaware of.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Aversive Racism
In class tonight we discussed how Eberhardt and Fiske brought up aversive racism. I took Human Resources Management and we studied a lot of cases that pertained to this topic. In was all relevant to rules and business practices. For example, a hospital policy was that all male employees had to be cleanly shaved and no facial hair was allowed. A black person took his employer to court because whenever he shaved closely, his face broke out (something that is common for their race, I don't remember exactly what it's called). The company claimed it was aversive racism and they were not aware that their policy was racist. It came down to the fact if it was a "business necessity". Will people only use the company's services if everyone was clean shaved and didn't have facial hair? Will fewer people use their services if employees had facial hair? Courts claimed that it was not a business necessity. They then changed their policy that employees had to be neatly shaved if they wanted facial hair, and facial hair could only be so long.
In class people were afraid that they may always be racist, but in this case in the work force, the company did not intend to be racist and target black workers in ways it would cause them problems. There are just issues and things we are not aware of unless it personally affects us in a significant way.
In class people were afraid that they may always be racist, but in this case in the work force, the company did not intend to be racist and target black workers in ways it would cause them problems. There are just issues and things we are not aware of unless it personally affects us in a significant way.
Monday, February 2, 2009
True Life
So, I was watching True Life on MTV. They featured this one bi-racial woman who despised the black half of her race. She had a confederate flag hanging proudly from her house was wanted nothing to do with half of her race. In the show, she started going to black neighborhoods and talking to black people to understand who she was and her race. This woman basically just pissed me off so much and made me so angry and confused I had to change the channel. Granted, MTV doesn't always have the best shows and its superior editing skills changes things around, but there was no way editing could change what she was saying and what she displayed in her house. How can someone be half black and not accept it and hate against your own race? It just made zero sense to me.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Reality TV
So, I'm a sucker for VH1 shows. My new favorite because it is just plain humorous is Tool Academy. Which is about girlfriends who bring their "tool" boyfriends to get shaped up into being real, true boyfriends instead of tools. On the previous episode that aired on Sunday, the show made a big deal about one of the girlfriends. Her current boyfriend has some sort of asian descent it appears, but the previous guys she slept with were all black. She has not slept with this boyfriend yet, and the show made a big deal of it because he wasn't black and that might be the reason why. It kind of bothered me. WHO CARES! I have never seen interracial relationships that big of a deal. If you like someone for who they are, then date whoever makes you happy. My best friend is in an interracial relationship. They're happy together, so what's the big deal. In reality, we are all of the same race...the human race.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
In class yesterday after our activity, the discussion about hispanics being landscapers arose. I have to admit, I was the one that wrote it on the piece of paper of how they mow lawns. I live in an all white subdivision of my neighborhood, Elk Grove Village. My neighbors always hired hispanics to mow their lawns every week. As a child, that's all I saw hispanics doing. In fact, I was rather annoyed because they would always wake me up at 7 am when they were mowing my neighbor's lawns.
My dad is Vice President of a packaging company. In the warehouse, it is predominantly hispanics. My dad is more conservative, and doesn't give them much respect. Some he hired were illegal, and many others didn't even get paid minimum wage. My mom and I always had issues with this. 2 summers ago I didn't have a "real" summer job. I was just doing temp work here and there. There was a project in the warehouse my dad needed extra help on, and it would have been cheaper hiring me and some friends to make cash then bringing in temp workers. I was the only white person in this large warehouse. I took 5 years of Spanish, so I knew how to vaguely communicate with them. The warehouse was not air-conditioned, and in the hot summer months it was rather unbearable. All the workers were acting kind of weird towards me, one because my dad is a complete asshole in the workplace, and two because they felt if I had a bad impression of them, there goes their job. It was a rather unique experience. After a few weeks they realized I was just a nice, down to earth girl working just as hard as them to make some money. When my dad saw how miserable I was working in the warehouse in the heat, he made a $20,000 investment installing huge gigantic fans in the ceiling to cool the place off a little bit. It kind of sucked that my dad only did that because I started working there, but the hundreds of other employees in the warehouse greatly appreciated it! All in all, it was an interesting work experience I have on my resume and I was able to see first hand how low income families work in the workplace, and I was put in the position working right along next to them.
My dad is Vice President of a packaging company. In the warehouse, it is predominantly hispanics. My dad is more conservative, and doesn't give them much respect. Some he hired were illegal, and many others didn't even get paid minimum wage. My mom and I always had issues with this. 2 summers ago I didn't have a "real" summer job. I was just doing temp work here and there. There was a project in the warehouse my dad needed extra help on, and it would have been cheaper hiring me and some friends to make cash then bringing in temp workers. I was the only white person in this large warehouse. I took 5 years of Spanish, so I knew how to vaguely communicate with them. The warehouse was not air-conditioned, and in the hot summer months it was rather unbearable. All the workers were acting kind of weird towards me, one because my dad is a complete asshole in the workplace, and two because they felt if I had a bad impression of them, there goes their job. It was a rather unique experience. After a few weeks they realized I was just a nice, down to earth girl working just as hard as them to make some money. When my dad saw how miserable I was working in the warehouse in the heat, he made a $20,000 investment installing huge gigantic fans in the ceiling to cool the place off a little bit. It kind of sucked that my dad only did that because I started working there, but the hundreds of other employees in the warehouse greatly appreciated it! All in all, it was an interesting work experience I have on my resume and I was able to see first hand how low income families work in the workplace, and I was put in the position working right along next to them.
Fantasia
My friends and I recently booked a trip to Disney World over Spring Break to celebrate my 21st. We're all Disney nerds and I told them about my Disney analysis paper and we could all watch the Disney movie together to get psyched up even more for our trip. My friend Leianne knew about this article when I brought up the paper:
http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Disney/Sunflower.html
It's about a scene in the original Fantasia from the 40's that they had to take out when they re-released it in later decades. The scene involved 2 centaurs, one that was tall, white, and blonde, and the other one was black, had big lips, and nappy hair, who was the white centaur's personal assistant. When they deleted this scene, the music that went along with it was off time wise. Also, the article mentions how Disney denied such characters ever existed. I found it pretty interesting, and the cartoon depictions went along the lines of the video we watched in class this week.
http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Disney/Sunflower.html
It's about a scene in the original Fantasia from the 40's that they had to take out when they re-released it in later decades. The scene involved 2 centaurs, one that was tall, white, and blonde, and the other one was black, had big lips, and nappy hair, who was the white centaur's personal assistant. When they deleted this scene, the music that went along with it was off time wise. Also, the article mentions how Disney denied such characters ever existed. I found it pretty interesting, and the cartoon depictions went along the lines of the video we watched in class this week.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I just remembered this practical joke my mom and I played on my dad. My dad is rather conservative and doesn't believe in interracial relationships. My senior year of high school, I started dating my boyfriend. My mom is more liberal and doesn't mind interracial relationships, but knew it was a topic that irked my father. My boyfriend is white, but my mom came up with this idea to tell my dad that my new boyfriend was black. He was rather bothered and frustrated with the situation. He never said I wasn't allowed to date him, but you can tell in his eyes that he wasn't happy about the situation. My mom told me the joke she was playing on my father and asked me to go along with it. I did and when he asked me if my boyfriend was black it was quite humorous to see how pissed he was about it but was holding it in. About 2 weeks later, he finally met my boyfriend, and realized what my mom and I had been doing.
It's very interesting how people see these issues differently and can get so bothered. I don't have a problem with interracial relationships, and I don't really understand why people do. It is part of the reason I am in this course, to help me better understand things like this.
It's very interesting how people see these issues differently and can get so bothered. I don't have a problem with interracial relationships, and I don't really understand why people do. It is part of the reason I am in this course, to help me better understand things like this.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Growing up
As a child, my parents never taught me about different races or who was "good" and who was "bad". Therefore, I grew up seeing everyone the same as I was in elementary school. I didn't learn about different races and the controversies until my history classes. Even though I did attend a predominantly white elementary school, there were still a handful of color. I didn't treat them different. I don't even recall other students blantently calling out other students on their race or anything of that nature. Kivel mentioned the store with the black Barbie doll at show and tell, but I don't recall any of that in elementary school.
Growing up, the handful of people of color at elementary school and junior high had the most character in my opinion. They were rather popular because they were the class clowns and just fun to be around. I was in orchestra in junior high and there was another black student that sat near me. He was very popular. Everyone wanted to be his friend, and I even remember several girls having a crush on him.
I think it was very interesting growing up and being taught about all of these cases of racism but not from my parents, but through school. It makes me more intrigued to learn more about the topic since I never had those thoughts or feelings towards another race.
Growing up, the handful of people of color at elementary school and junior high had the most character in my opinion. They were rather popular because they were the class clowns and just fun to be around. I was in orchestra in junior high and there was another black student that sat near me. He was very popular. Everyone wanted to be his friend, and I even remember several girls having a crush on him.
I think it was very interesting growing up and being taught about all of these cases of racism but not from my parents, but through school. It makes me more intrigued to learn more about the topic since I never had those thoughts or feelings towards another race.
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