SOCIO Reflection

Reflection Essay

Intro to sociology explained what sociology is with its concepts and theories of individuals, individuals within society and their interactions with each other. I found this course help enhance personal opinions, multiple perspectives and analyzing skills.

This course taught me how to further my ability in analyzing situations within society while also having me to solve the issue with a multi perspective attitude. I found this course very useful with the journal responses to the articles, videos, and social justice textbook because it allowed me to practice what was taught in class such as debunking. This was especially when I found myself using such methods of solving and analyzing with personal issues between friends and was able to help them. The reading methods for the journal blogs (affective, periphrastic and dialectic), which I thought was helpful. The reading methods taught me how to analyze the text and not just read it like a story novel, while also having me question and solve each aspect I could find of that particular issue.

An open mind and a multiple perspective of an issue can be an important ability when dealing with social issues. While the social justice text book’s subjects were of general issues and problems, such as racism, terrorism, and sexuality, the text book supplied some other areas and perspectives of issues that I have not approached before. For example with the issue of homelessness in the United States, I was not aware of the struggles or inequality in the treatment towards the homeless or in the ideas of pace usage.  The idea that social issues are neither black nor white was a repetitive theme when solving for a solution, especially when giving an opinion. When the class discussions appeared, individuals would take in and then add on or give an opposing opinion to the idea. This is to develop ideas and additional perspectives while coming to the best conclusion as possible as a group or individual that will include all parties of the issue.

During this sociology course I became more particularly opinioned on certain subjects and also creating new ones, such as on ‘race’ or racism. Before we approached this issue in class, although I had never liked the thought of classifying individuals into different categories, I would never think much on the idea of ‘race’. What I am aware of and believe now is that, I feel almost uncomfortable with the issue and would strongly rather address these differences as ethnicity, and that amongst individuals there is only one race, that being the human race. A new opinion created would be on the idea that racism still exists within society. Although many would claim that racism doesn’t exist, it does; maybe not as obvious as it was before in society, but still existing, hidden and unnoticed. Racism still exist amongst individuals because humans  will naturally hold some sort of prejudice feelings towards another or groups, which would therefore mean that racism cannot disappear from society but only be ignored by individuals within society. These ideas greatly changed my views, while also having me create a stronger view of race and racism, contrasted from before where I would neither be as aware of the existence nor be as opinionated on race and racism.

This sociology course has taught and allowed me to develop many new and stronger opinions of social issues, while also enhancing my ability to analyze and approach situations with a multiple perspective.  With the readings, and journal blogs, I was able to analyze social issues, such as with homelessness and racism, and also apply similar methods of analyzing to personal or everyday situations.  When attending this course, multiple perspectives are encouraged to allow students to develop possible solutions that would benefit all parties. Overall, this sociology class has enhanced my personal opinions, multiple perspectives and analyzing skills

Some New Thoughts of Ghana

Observational Social Justice Essay–

This event was to show some awareness and describe the field trip to rural Ghana, Africa in what individuals can do or what they can expect there. Past students who had attended this field trip showed presentations which shared their first hand experiences, and what the trip did for them with their perspective in how they see the world around them. Each of the presentations had similar themes, such as the learning experience, the improvements as a developing country, and the stereotypes and culture of Ghana.

This Ghana field trip is to give individuals the opportunity to learn how to open up to new cultures and lifestyles. The learning experience involved the students to interact with the local people volunteering, such as in a human rights centre, or a private security firm. During these jobs, the students were forced to learn how to view a situation from all possible points, since many of the jobs they were given was completely new to them. The work they were given was definitely not something they were used to dealing with, or that it was done quite differently than what it would be in Canada. I thought that this experience is a great way to have students think ‘outside the box’ and solve for solutions or practice theories; which is praxis because the environment they were in allowed them to combine practice and theory as they worked. These students learned was how to appreciate the luxuries that individuals in western countries take for granted and  also appreciate time, to slow down to open up and see the things around you within the moment instead of stressing out, and worrying over the little things in the future.

Rural Ghana or Ghana in general, is still trying to develop and achieve the same privileges many have in western countries. Some human rights privileges do not yet exist in Ghana, which surprised some students because it was farther behind than what was expected, or visible mismanagement with corruption, while some people did not have access to certain knowledge, such as preventing unwanted pregnancies. Although this issue places Ghana as a disadvantaged group, there are improvements that give the Ghanaian people an advantage. There is a private school that was created for all Ghanaian children regardless if they have enough money or none at all. This school allows children there to have the chance to be educated and potentially create a better future for them. So although they may still be behind with rights and issues in certain areas of the country, they are developing and improving.

A big assumption people make of Africa are their stereotypes like how the people and cultural lifestyle they live in is poor and depressed, but that isn’t necessarily true. Yes there is a poor, disadvantaged group of people there, but there is also the extreme contrast of wealthy individuals. As a student had described, there were expensive, luxury cars with poverty children standing on the same street beside them. Many times the student’s described the Ghana trip as a culture shock, because of the many cultural differences in their lifestyles and customs. They were especially surprised to see that Ghanaians were really relaxed, always smiling and welcoming, even though they may be an underprivileged group than in western countries. They advised those who are planning to go on the Ghana trip to keep an open mind.

With these presentations, it brought awareness and appreciation of the people of Ghana to me and to many future students who plan on attending this trip. If one does consider traveling to Ghana or to any other foreign country open mindedness is a key to understanding the individuals who live there. This trip bring many opportunities to students to expose themselves to situation that they are not accustomed to and have them think in multi perspectives and practice their theories. This event also taught me and others that Ghana is not just the stereotypical poor and depresses African country but that it is a developing country with a very unique culture and welcoming people.

video clip: Social Constructs

Affective

Social Constructs

This YouTube clip explained what social constructs are and how they are used in society every day. As a key concept of sociology, social constructs are symbols with collectively held beliefs such as words, letters or names. They are created by society and are always changing with society. Language is an important social construct of society because it allows people to communicate with each other without misunderstandings. For example if one were to look at a specific animal, like a cat, people would all agree that this animal is called a ‘cat’, not an elephant or some made up word. If people started calling animals or objects anything they wanted to, then there would obviously be confusion and no actual understanding between people. Certain colors associated to gender, certain foods eaten at a specific time are also social constructs. Social constructs are dependent on culture, since different cultures have different acceptations of what is appropriate.

Social constructs can be very useful and very important. If in another country, one could ask the time even if they did not understand the language simply by pointing at the back of their wrist to signify a watch and generally most people will understand. Social construction is so important that if there are none society would eventually fail; people would be misunderstanding each other with no connection in communication, or would there be no laws, since they are norms that are created by the people of the area, agreeing on what is considered right or wrong. Having no social construction means that the basic structures that hold society together to function properly are nonexistent.  Social construction is also powerful that it can define how people are expected to be, such as feminine and masculine with their stereotypes. These types of social constructs with stereotypes create problems in how individuals treat each other within society. On can identify this when gentler or weaker men are judged as not being as a ‘real’ man or a female being judged as an improper woman because she may be more physically built or boyish attitude. Social constructions are not only a key concept of sociology but a necessity for society to function and are nearly impossible to avoid creating.

Video Clip: ‘Face the Rear’

Affective

‘Face the Rear’

This video clip showed an experiment placed in a public or social environment to test and see the influence one can create towards an individual by actions conducted by a group of people. ‘Face the Rear’ was conducted in an elevator which involved a small handful of actors (around three of four) with one individual that was the test subject. When the individual entered the elevator, the actors followed in after him, but all facing the rear of the elevator. By this action, the individual would feel socially uncomfortable, and would eventually follow accordingly and copy the actors around him/her facing the rear.

The video clip shows how behaviour is influenced by society, but in an amusing and entertaining way. The situation the individuals are placed in is an example to how society has influenced the way a person would present themselves or act amongst society. Personally, one would automatically think that he or she would not follow and face the rear of the elevator, but in reality, they would. Society has shaped us to want to fit in with others. If one would go against the considered norm, or the mainstream of those around them, then they could be unaccepted. Humans are subconsciously afraid of being shunned, so they naturally adapt to situations and become as part of the mainstream instead of going against the considered norm. Although, ‘Face the Rear’ expresses this in a calmer way, it still creates an uncomfortable environment for the individuals experimented on, and cause them to follow this ‘norm’, no matter how awkward or ridiculous the situation may be at the time.

‘The Phantom of the Race: The Myth of Race and the Reality of Racism’ by Charles Quist-Adade

Paraphrastic Reading Method

If we are to refer each person by a race, it would only be the human race. It is not possible to classify humans into different groups; there may be different ethnicities and cultures amongst humans, but not race. ‘Race’ has been socially created by humans that were caused by egocentrism. Inventions were created to attempt separation in ranking between the different ethnicities and culture. Skin color or prominent features had distinguished a person’s ‘race’, while ‘race’ had determined a person’s intellect and status. Racism has changed from being obvious to identify to being hidden because it has been so socialized into culture. Thus people deny ever being a participant of it, and also making it difficult to erase from society. People must understand the history and the present changing reality of racism to prevent these racist thoughts. Although racism may not be intended, humans naturally have some prejudice thoughts.

 [Paraphrastic segment]

Pure race does not exist.  Society has always been intermixing with different cultures, especially the Europeans and the Americans. Through history, countries would constantly take over neighbouring nations and occupy them. During these events, the different cultures were intermixed.

This indicates how ridiculous people are for creating ‘race’.  It is not possible to be of one ethnicity. Nations were created by various societies, branching out and occupying new lands. People only have different features because of adapting to the environment, and also because of people in different cultures intermixing constantly. People have only inherited the different and dominant biological features of our ancestors.  Racism has become so damaging to society, yet the meaning in ‘race is pointless since we are all essentially the same: human.

‘Negotiation, Not Retribution’ by Charles Quist-Adade

Paraphrastic Reading Method

This reading emphasizes on the thought that people are not learning from history as they should be, when innocent victims are targeted in terrorism. Specifically in the United States, they are attempting to prevent and potentially stop future events like the attack of September 11. Time and money has been spent on open-ended attacks in global terrorism when there should be more focus on the widening gap between the rich and poor, within other nations and their own. The States have problems of their own, yet they seem to refuse to acknowledge them, thus creating more consequences to be dealt with. People are not considering the past as lessons that could be applied to today’s society. Especially when Osama bin Laden planned the 7/11 attack and was then considered as the devil’s incarnate, yet Nelson Mandela was labelled as a terrorist by western countries, but now considered as an icon. If people were learning from the past, then the states would have resorted to negotiations instead of retribution.

[Paraphrastic segment]

There are many cases that can be referred to concerning ‘evil’ crimes around the world. An example of one would be the Democratic republic of Congo. The United States should be more focused to the growing gaps between the rich and the poorer people within countries, including their own, instead of open-ended tactics trying to prevent global terrorism. Ignoring these problems could consequently cause more devastating issues for their country to solve. Within politics there only seems to be interests in permanent standings rather than potential friendships.

True it is essential to prepare and do what can be done to protect people but it is it not also important protecting to help the needy and poor who are suffering first? Starvation and poverty, along with child labour, and mistreating people is such a larger issue than global terrorism.

People have become so focused on the ‘what’s to come’ thought and are forgetting to look at their past to identify the real issue, or the hypocrisy in their actions. Ignorance can cause some to see the hypocrisy, affecting the image of the nation or thoughts of where their standing point is which will then effect their decisions, although it is easier to notice these flaws through an outsider’s perspective.

“Forgiveness is not Part of the Lesson Learned” by Charles Quist-Adade

Affective Reading Method

This article claims that the former President George W Bush has shown no justice as there is no forgiveness, instead of people turning towards peaceful movements and forgiveness. They seek out a justification in their mind that somehow is appropriate to the violation. But this justice is the same as a child would to revenge for his toy being stolen and broken. Bush had not sought out a form of peace, but instead he started a war with Iraq on impulse to justify the events of 9/11. Forgiving and forgetting accomplishes much more and benefits better for his country and his life.

 

I definitely believe that bush is not capable of forgiving and forgetting. It is more like he wants so much for his country, and so prideful of it, he is blinded and feels obligated to justify the action by violence, even if it is shown as revenge or unreasonable.

The United States are very egoist and nationalist when it comes to themselves and their country. With these actions Bush has set a bad image for his country. There are still troops in Iraq, trying to improve the conditions there, but not all citizens seem to approve of this, they do not want them there.

I doubt that Bush was able to see the injustice of his decision at the time. What he did, could be considered as a crime, since he is the cause of many deaths of Iraqis citizens. Just because an organization from Iraq caused so much grief does not mean he has the justification to start a war with the country.