SOCI 3422 Blog

This class is really an eye opener for me growing up in a lower middle class home. I love how we learn about the struggles that don't get talked about a lot. Usually we hear about Afr-Am and the "oppression" that they ALL had. We now know that they weren't all slaves and that many of them gained their freedom and owned land and had jobs even during slavery. I remember growing up all the Afr-Ams would say that I did that to their family and put them through the rough times and it's all the white people's fault. But I learned here that the "white people" were generally WASPs and not myself who was not even alive during the time plus I'm mostly Belgian so I couldn't do anything to them if their family ever was in slavery. We learned so much about the contributions that the Jewish, Mexican, Italian, Native, Chinese, and African Americans did for this country that was (and probably still is) full of snobbish Anglo-Saxons who think they're better than everyone else. I finally get to speak what I believe about racial equality and against the racism that Afr-Ams say only happens to them but happens to me on a daily basis by them. One thing I wish most people would understand is that two wrongs don't make a right. Don't insult my race just because someone insulted you. You should stand up for yourself and not give in to the way that people insult each others' cultures and be proud if who you are. People should be independent and instead of transmitting the hate onto someone else of the group that insulted them they should act as a buffer and stop the insults altogether. Sorry I know this rant was wrong but I could write multiple pages about this topic.

This has definitely been my most eye opening class of the semester. It was interesting to find out so many of the facts about immigration and colonization into the United States. Of course, I knew that immigrants were treated poorly and unfairly given stereotypes, but I had no idea the injustice that they faced once they reached land. I think the presenters did an excellent job of portraying what life was like for these different minority groups. I especially enjoyed the presentation on Mexican Americans. The skit was great and they did an excellent job of engaging the class while still remaining fun and informative at the same time. While I don't agree wih everything Dr Warren had taught us thus far, I will say that I have a new respect for those in such minority groups and appreciate the things that I have been blessed with.

Class has been quite interesting learning about all the ethnic groups and their contributions, struggles, culture, how they arrived in America. What was the push pull element that contributed to their arrival. Each culture brings with it such unique creativity, talents and capabilities. Each brought their own culture values, traditions and rituals. It was such a shame in the magnitude of exploitation, abuse and dehumanization of all the non white racial and ethnic groups.

I learned several new things about each group from the presentations and Mrs. Warren. Each had to fight significantly for the freedom that we have today. However, I feel that our generation has forgot about the struggle, marching, abuse, and discrimination the generations before us endured so that we can simply work for pay or get an education. We do not even believe in voting. To make a difference, to change the world. Generations before us fought so that would could have the opportunity to vote. Weather we realize it or not our entire generation gets discriminated against, because people feel that we "do nothing" but want everything fast and now. Many of us would rather sit at home instead of work at Mc Donald's or any other fast food chain because many feel that it is degrading. I would rather get a paycheck than nothing at all. We forget that the generations before us worked for pennies and dimes a day to support their families and we do even want 7.50 an hour plus benefits at many jobs. Has technology really ruined us?

I presented about Italian Americans, but for another class I presented on Illegal Immigration and Mexican history in the United States. Much of what the book tells us was news to me. It's amazing that no matter what our viewpoint is about illegal immigration, we all support it from an economic standpoint by purchasing various food products and fast food. It was also an interesting fact to point out that Mexicans are not alone in illegal immigration, but maybe because they have a history of being hated and discriminated against, it is easier to target them even though they help our economy so much. For example, Canadians can immigrate illegally as well, it's just not in large numbers, and the media does not show that, so our attention is not on it. One last thing, Mexicans who have been here all their lives may want to distance themselves from other Mexicans, i.e., if they have more Spanish blood and can "pass" they may want to assimilate themselves into the power structure. This may be sad, but many are just grouped together with illegal immigrants who are always stigmatized in the media.