America is NOT the "big dog." Allow me to preface this list by saying that I love this country deeply, but I really hate the idea that "we're the best." We aren't.
Reasons why we kinda suck:
1) The Christian Right
2) The Regular Right
3) The Tea Party
4) Sarah Palin
5) Starbucks...everywhere.
6) Obesity (I'm one to talk, but still)
7) Supersizing
8) Corporations
9) Mortgage Foreclosures
10) Liberty University
11) The first amendment
12) The second amendment
13) All the deaths because of #s 11 and 12.
14) "Spiedi"
15) Ryan Seacrest
16) The fact that more people voted for American idol than for PRESIDENT.
17) Outsourcing
18) The show "Outsourced"
19) Madonna
20) Rap Music made by people like Vanilla Ice
21) Vanilla Ice
22) The South
23) Over-representation of rural, toothless podunks.
24) Our obsession with porn
25) People who don't like porn
26) Our lack of gay marriage
27) Our lack of health care
28) Our overabundance of unwinable wars
29) Larry the Cable Guy is the top earning comic of 2010
30) The fact that no more Kennedys are in government
31) We invaded an Island to control it only to lose control of it (Cuba)
32) Vietnam
33) Hippies
34) Fake tanning
35) The Jersey Shore
36) Hemp stuff...just any of it
37) Really, really cheap beer
38) We didn't kill the guy who thought "New Coke" was brilliant
39) McDonald's Happy Meals
40) Health insurance that pays for Viagra but not glasses
41) BOB DOLE endorses Viagra
42) BOB DOLE'S wife is still pissed off...how?
43) Tiger Woods gets more news coverage than dead soldiers
44) Live soldiers get no news coverage
45) The Westboro Baptist Church
46) The history of violence and destruction
47) The Trail of Tears
48) Everything the South currently stands for...
49) Everything the South used to stand for
50) Last but not least...Mel Gibson
Monday, May 9, 2011
Canada, eh?
Yes....Canada. Their national health care, their clean air, their scenic beauty that has yet to be ravaged by the tyranny of big oil companies, their law that makes Fox News illegal, their laws against hate speech, their gun control, their subsequent lack of gun deaths, their Tim Horton's, their utilization of old English spelling (i.e. honour.), their full-flavored beer, their calmer drivers, their delicious and highly alcoholic concoction that is the sweet nectar of "ice wine," their lack of litter, their mounties, their Queen!, their mild climate, their Niagara Falls being so much better than ours, their wildlife, their glaciers, their Labbatt Blue Light commercials, their national sport, their Michael J. Fox, their maple syrup, their Toronto-based band RUSH!!, their ability to allow us to watch Drake get shot and spend time in a wheelchair, their mounties, their bacon, their fishing, their crystal clear lakes/rivers/streams, their wild salmon, their banishment of Fred Phelps, and last but not least...plaid flannel.
After all of these wonderful things, I think we can forgive Justin Bieber.
After all of these wonderful things, I think we can forgive Justin Bieber.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
What crosses the line?
I missed the class that we discussed the assassination of Bin Laden. But I did learn about people's feelings from facebook.
Pretty much all week there has been a slew of serious, semi serious and mockery statuses. I've already read a couple of posts concerning the views on this.
I never see the death of a human being to be a cause for celebration. Though he was an internationally wanted terrorist, I can see where people are coming from. I also understand the atrocities he committed were disgusting and awful. Having said that, no matter how awful the crime and how completely abhorrent he was the human race, reacting with praise and high fives makes us at fault as well (CERTAINLY not to the same extent, but still). I have a similar attitude towards the death penalty. Fighting murder with murder just doesn't seem right to me.
Having said that, Erin made a very valid point that Bin Laden's death might start a new era of higher acceptance for Muslims in the US who have been the subject of MUCH stereotyping and racism since 2001.
Pretty much all week there has been a slew of serious, semi serious and mockery statuses. I've already read a couple of posts concerning the views on this.
I never see the death of a human being to be a cause for celebration. Though he was an internationally wanted terrorist, I can see where people are coming from. I also understand the atrocities he committed were disgusting and awful. Having said that, no matter how awful the crime and how completely abhorrent he was the human race, reacting with praise and high fives makes us at fault as well (CERTAINLY not to the same extent, but still). I have a similar attitude towards the death penalty. Fighting murder with murder just doesn't seem right to me.
Having said that, Erin made a very valid point that Bin Laden's death might start a new era of higher acceptance for Muslims in the US who have been the subject of MUCH stereotyping and racism since 2001.
Diversity Meeting
Since this class began, I've been super fired up about racial/sexual/orientation related discrimination on this campus.
I mean I was fired up before, but this class awakened this intense desire in me to fix things.
I attended the diversity meeting with president on Wednesday evening. The room was almost completely full. The stories that people told were incredibly alarming. We got through 2 hours of stories and there was still more than a handful of people waiting to speak.
I am skeptical to the actual progress that it's going to make. The president did very little to assure us that action would be taken. I think that based off the blatant racism, sexism and homophobia apparent on campus, action needs to be taken immediately.
It is incredibly unjust that people on this campus have been fundamentally disrespected on the deepest level. We need to be able to feel like equals and human beings.
I am hoping that my final project will tackle this issue and will yield some results.
I mean I was fired up before, but this class awakened this intense desire in me to fix things.
I attended the diversity meeting with president on Wednesday evening. The room was almost completely full. The stories that people told were incredibly alarming. We got through 2 hours of stories and there was still more than a handful of people waiting to speak.
I am skeptical to the actual progress that it's going to make. The president did very little to assure us that action would be taken. I think that based off the blatant racism, sexism and homophobia apparent on campus, action needs to be taken immediately.
It is incredibly unjust that people on this campus have been fundamentally disrespected on the deepest level. We need to be able to feel like equals and human beings.
I am hoping that my final project will tackle this issue and will yield some results.
National Anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meLpuF9UMvk
Everyone makes fun of Canada but everyone knows at least the first line to their anthem. They take pride in their anthem, they sing it at the top of their lungs to it. I wish we did this, sure sometimes we sing along and mumble the words, but this country the singer stops so the crowd can continue. I would love to join in on this, I want Americans to begin to do this. I have been to sporting events where I get an evil eye for singing along. I am sorry I take pride in my country but there is no reason why I can not sing along. I get it, its an honor for the person singing and its "their" moment but why should our country's song be a one persons song. To me it sounds better in a big group anyways. Everyone should sing along to the national anthem, as well as Canada's.
Everyone makes fun of Canada but everyone knows at least the first line to their anthem. They take pride in their anthem, they sing it at the top of their lungs to it. I wish we did this, sure sometimes we sing along and mumble the words, but this country the singer stops so the crowd can continue. I would love to join in on this, I want Americans to begin to do this. I have been to sporting events where I get an evil eye for singing along. I am sorry I take pride in my country but there is no reason why I can not sing along. I get it, its an honor for the person singing and its "their" moment but why should our country's song be a one persons song. To me it sounds better in a big group anyways. Everyone should sing along to the national anthem, as well as Canada's.
Post 24: What we have learned.
Well, another semester has ended, and we have learned quite a bit, whether about race, sexuality, or just ourselves. I'm certain that for the most part, this class has bettered us, and has made all of us more open to viewing certain actions in a different light, and are not looking to just better the world whether through simple means or maybe even manners more complex. This class have been a joy to take part in, and hope to continue learning as college, and life continues.
Post 23: Oh Canada
Well, this week was most certainly interesting with all that we discussed about Canada, but honestly I think Canada has started to take the proper first steps, that we are long over due from attempting. I don't remeber there being a full open apology from the US government to the native american people. By being willing to apologize they are definitely opening up to possibilities for true change, instead of the same issues over and over again.
2003 Blackout
Whenever we talk about the hate for Canada all I think of is the blackout of 2003. We were young when this happened so we probably do not remember everything about what happened. In 2003 most of the power was off in most of the east coast. I remember two things about this day, one Canada got all of the blame. When I was little EVERYONE blamed Canada for what happened. It made them the butt of every joke around my area. Something fails? It is Canada's fault. This and South Park are the reasons around me had a negative thought of Canada. The other item I remember about the Blackout is that it was the lowest crime day in 25 years. I remember hearing this fact and it shocking me. Knowing the human race and how we can go crazy in certain situations. The whole situation reminds me of the Dark Knight and the ferry part and how the human race is not completely awful.
Friday, May 6, 2011
goodbye osama..
We were asked in class if we were at all bothered by the celebrations of Osama's death. I have mixed opinions about it. When I found out he was dead, I woke up my ex-boyfriend to tell him. He proceeded to give me a high-five. That didn't sit well with me. I don't feel that was an appropriate sentiment. I also don't find it appropriate that people were celebrating at Ground Zero. In my mind, I feel that's a sacred place. It doesn't seem to be the place to celebrate, even if it was celebrating the death of the person who planned the attack there. I also feel that excessive celebrating will eventually bite us in the ass later on. However I do feel rejoicing is acceptable for those who were affected by 9/11 and other terrorist attacks he orchestrated. For them this will help in the healing process and have more sense of closure. His death won't necessarily make up for their loss, but knowing that justice was in some way finally served makes some celebrating. Even though he was a mass-murder, a death is still a death and celebrating it puts us on a similar level to him.
"we're just waiting for some people to die"
"We're just waiting for some people to die." That quote has stuck with me since it is unfortunatly the truth. Some people will never be capable of not being racist it seems. All the knowledge and proof can't seem to shake people from their viewpoints. On some level, I can understand the racism of the older generation since that was the time period they grew up in. Their whole life they were exposed to these racist ideals so it's natural they would continue to hold them now. I wish that once that generation is gone, they'll take their racism with them. If they themselves only held these ideals then they would. Unfortunatly many of these are passing along their racist ideas to the younger generation. I've witnessed this myself, watching my parents pass along their racist ideas to my younger brother. Somehow these are sticking in him. I was raised in the same household, lived in the same neighborhood, and went to the same schools. How did I escape these ideas yet he's absorbing them? Hopefully further exposure to the world will have him realize that my parents don't have the right idea at all.
andrea burns
andrea burns
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Canada
I would consider myself French Canadian. My great grandma was born in Canada, moved to South Africa where she had my grandmother and then many years later moved back to Canada. Once my grandmother was old enough, she moved to New York where she met my grandfather and they lived here for several years. About ten years ago, my grandmother moved back to Canada to take care of her mother and she has lived their ever since. I had gone to visit her in Vancouver Island a few times and I was blown away by how beautiful the place was. I loved all entire atmosphere of the place. And I noticed that in Vancouver they were really racial and ethnically diverse. I saw almost every race and ethnicity that you could think of. Even on the island, on me grandma's street there were several children my age of all different backgrounds. I don't have that kind of exposure here in Fredonia. So, to me, I think Canada is much more diverse and I wish that I saw that more in our country.
Meeting on divertsity and racism
I was able to attend the meeting yesterday for about an hour and I'm really glad I went. I wasn't aware of how many outright acts of racism that have occurred on the campus. We've discussed how racism has, in modern times, become institutionalized and hidden in the wrinkles of society. But it isn't always the case. The acts of physical, direct, and purposeful racism need to be reported and properly dealt with on campus--they cannot be quietly ignored.
I think meetings like that shouldn't just happen when concerns arise. There should be a constant and open dialogue on campus about issues of race and diversity. I also think that education is extremely important in discussing these issues. When freshman are first received on the campus, they should have a mandatory meeting informing them of the various issues on campus and to let them know that acts of intolerance on campus will not be tolerated.
The responsibility to educate and facilitate discussion of diversity should not be placed solely on students' shoulders--it is the administration's responsibility to ensure that all students feel safe and accepted.
I think meetings like that shouldn't just happen when concerns arise. There should be a constant and open dialogue on campus about issues of race and diversity. I also think that education is extremely important in discussing these issues. When freshman are first received on the campus, they should have a mandatory meeting informing them of the various issues on campus and to let them know that acts of intolerance on campus will not be tolerated.
The responsibility to educate and facilitate discussion of diversity should not be placed solely on students' shoulders--it is the administration's responsibility to ensure that all students feel safe and accepted.
Taking a look back on the semester
Erin Goldberg, Post 24
I used to believe that I was pretty well versed in issues surrounding race and ethnicity. I work in the Center for Multicultural Affairs, I have a multiracial family, and I myself am part of minority group. However, as this semester has shown me, there is always room to learn. This class has help to reinforce to me that is important for us as people to constantly be having dialogs about race. It is the only way that we can hope to understand each others perspectives and the only way for potential positive change to come about. I loved that I could come to class everyday and expect to have an intelligent conversation with my peers about the issues that impact our lives daily. It certainly made me a better, smarter person. I know we talked about the potential of this class becoming a CCC, and while I'm not sure how plausible of an idea that is, I agree that so many people on this campus would benefit from taking a course like this. Diversity is important and in order to achieve this, education is essential.
I used to believe that I was pretty well versed in issues surrounding race and ethnicity. I work in the Center for Multicultural Affairs, I have a multiracial family, and I myself am part of minority group. However, as this semester has shown me, there is always room to learn. This class has help to reinforce to me that is important for us as people to constantly be having dialogs about race. It is the only way that we can hope to understand each others perspectives and the only way for potential positive change to come about. I loved that I could come to class everyday and expect to have an intelligent conversation with my peers about the issues that impact our lives daily. It certainly made me a better, smarter person. I know we talked about the potential of this class becoming a CCC, and while I'm not sure how plausible of an idea that is, I agree that so many people on this campus would benefit from taking a course like this. Diversity is important and in order to achieve this, education is essential.
How Osama bin Laden's death impacts our views of the Arab World
Erin Goldberg, Post 23
The death of Osama bin Laden is being hailed throughout the world as a positive event. Although many individuals are struggling with the feeling of being happy over the death of another human being, not many will deny that his death only can have positive ramifications for the rest of the world. I believe that the people who will benefit the most from his demise are the majority of Muslims in the world who practice the true form of Islam: one that does not promote Jihad and murder, but instead preaches unity and harmony. The people who practice this peaceful form of Islam have been under a dark cloud since the events of 9/11, which presented the face of Islam to many Americans as being a radical practice of murdering innocent lives. This is not what Islam is about, as those true followers of Islam will tell you. And now with the face of radical Islam dead, Americans and the rest of the world might finally start to see that.
The death of Osama bin Laden is being hailed throughout the world as a positive event. Although many individuals are struggling with the feeling of being happy over the death of another human being, not many will deny that his death only can have positive ramifications for the rest of the world. I believe that the people who will benefit the most from his demise are the majority of Muslims in the world who practice the true form of Islam: one that does not promote Jihad and murder, but instead preaches unity and harmony. The people who practice this peaceful form of Islam have been under a dark cloud since the events of 9/11, which presented the face of Islam to many Americans as being a radical practice of murdering innocent lives. This is not what Islam is about, as those true followers of Islam will tell you. And now with the face of radical Islam dead, Americans and the rest of the world might finally start to see that.
Race & Ethnicity (25)
This class has taught me that race is a very serious concept. Its both real and imaginative but the consequences of how it is applied its ascribed to people, can have a very detrimental effect. Race is the kind of subject matter that is hard to discuss, its even more intense to internally digest on your own terms. We as human being all have developed our own thoughts and feelings concerning race and ethnicity, its our words, actions and intent that has the real power over making this social construct of race bare the most meaning. Disputes over race has had very bad turn outs throughout history such as; wars, genocides and discrimination race hatred is just like poison. This class taught me how to open my mind, and think about things from other peoples perspective and realize that these issues of race and diversity in general is all over the world, not just in America. I know in order to make things better I have to start with me. I have to be sure that I approach each individual with the same respect I would want them to have for me. I don't know what the future of race relations will be, but I know I have hope that it can get better. This class has taught me that through educating people, (people who want to learn) about the issues things can get better. I have enjoyed this class thank you all for sharing with me in this learning experience. Best of luck to you all.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Love you all....
Dear Jeff & Classmates,
I have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have spent together learning and sharing. I will miss each and every one of you. With that, I also want to wish each of you the best in all your endeavors. You are bright, wonderful, and deep; I love that! Please continue to have probing minds and open hearts. I know without a doubt wherever you go and whoever you come in contact with; their lives and the world around us will be a better place because you've touched it!
Peace & Blessings Always,
Sheila Concepcione Ramos
I have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have spent together learning and sharing. I will miss each and every one of you. With that, I also want to wish each of you the best in all your endeavors. You are bright, wonderful, and deep; I love that! Please continue to have probing minds and open hearts. I know without a doubt wherever you go and whoever you come in contact with; their lives and the world around us will be a better place because you've touched it!
Peace & Blessings Always,
Sheila Concepcione Ramos
Marger (Chapter 16)
I am one of those people that love God and all of His children so much that I feel overwhelmingly helpless when I hear, see, and learn of mass suffering, hatred, and destruction. I often have to turn away from news programs or put down the newspapers. I know that the horror doesn’t really go away when I do that, but it sort of helps me to cope.
As I read this chapter I relived the heartbreak of the first times I learned of the Rwandan Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing in Bosnia. It creates a ripple effect reminding me of so many other atrocities. I could hardly bear it! I stopped reading, closed, and put the book down.
As I read this chapter I relived the heartbreak of the first times I learned of the Rwandan Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing in Bosnia. It creates a ripple effect reminding me of so many other atrocities. I could hardly bear it! I stopped reading, closed, and put the book down.
I feel bad....
After our discussion on Canada yesterday, I felt kind of bad. Honestly... I never thought about Canada, with the exception of my sister saying if Bush was re-elected she would move to canada. I feel bad because I always thought of Canada as just being there. I never hear of them doing anything and I honestly don't know what kind of "culture" they are. I'm not even sure if I would consider Canada as the US twin brother. Maybe it's because I live here, but I believe what happens in the US that's platered all over the media, towers over other country events and such. Or maybe the US is just showing us what they want us to see and hear.
Dear Classmates......
I sincerely apologize for being absent on the day of my presentation (Indian Residential Schools in Canada). I have not been well. So, in an effort to avoid cutting in on the next scheduled presenters; I have listed my video shorts here to view at your leisure. I will pose my questions in class.
1) YouTube – Video Clips:
a) Witness to murder at Indian Residential School
b) Residential school witness: the murder of a sister (audio only)
c) Jack Layton: Apology to the survivors of residential schools
d) Book Trailer – ‘Broken Circle’ By Theodore Fontaine
e) Canadian Holocaust - Try Not To Cry.
S. Ramos
1) YouTube – Video Clips:
a) Witness to murder at Indian Residential School
b) Residential school witness: the murder of a sister (audio only)
c) Jack Layton: Apology to the survivors of residential schools
d) Book Trailer – ‘Broken Circle’ By Theodore Fontaine
e) Canadian Holocaust - Try Not To Cry.
S. Ramos
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
errr, uhh, what????
Excuse me folks, but this has gotten on my last nerve!!! Textbooks that contradict its own information. This time, check out page 451 in Marger. It states:
‘For First Nations people who migrate to the cities, a social pattern has developed that is similar to that of American urban Indians – high unemployment, high criminality, and high alcoholism (Frideres, 1993; Statistics Canada, 1993).’
Just a paragraph down it states:
‘Aboriginal people who have moved to urban areas have exhibited especially noticeable improvements in socioeconomic status in the past two decades (Siggner and Costa, 2005).’
The last time I checked, the past two decades included 1993 and 2005. So, for the new urbanites, was the pattern developing or improving? Do you think Marger should have compared and confirmed those guy’s info before publishing…and on the same page no less?!
S. Ramos, Post #26
‘For First Nations people who migrate to the cities, a social pattern has developed that is similar to that of American urban Indians – high unemployment, high criminality, and high alcoholism (Frideres, 1993; Statistics Canada, 1993).’
Just a paragraph down it states:
‘Aboriginal people who have moved to urban areas have exhibited especially noticeable improvements in socioeconomic status in the past two decades (Siggner and Costa, 2005).’
The last time I checked, the past two decades included 1993 and 2005. So, for the new urbanites, was the pattern developing or improving? Do you think Marger should have compared and confirmed those guy’s info before publishing…and on the same page no less?!
S. Ramos, Post #26
Monday, May 2, 2011
What???
On page 433 of Marger it states:
‘Whereas the United States has, for most of its history, been committed to an assimilationist approach (at least for those groups of European origin), the Canadian philosophy has traditionally been more pluralistic, and thus more tolerant of the continued expression of cultural differences among diverse groups.’
On page 434:
‘The underlying objective of this move was the eventual assimilation of the French into the English colonial society. To bring about this end, discriminatory measures were enacted assuring Anglo dominance.’
On page 435:
‘English control of Quebec’s commerce and finance produced an English-speaking business elite, assuring that higher-status positions would remain the reserve of Anglophones.
Also ‘……Francophones were forced to use English in dealings with the Anglo Quebecers, but the reverse was not the case.’
Did I miss something?
S. Ramos, Post #25
‘Whereas the United States has, for most of its history, been committed to an assimilationist approach (at least for those groups of European origin), the Canadian philosophy has traditionally been more pluralistic, and thus more tolerant of the continued expression of cultural differences among diverse groups.’
On page 434:
‘The underlying objective of this move was the eventual assimilation of the French into the English colonial society. To bring about this end, discriminatory measures were enacted assuring Anglo dominance.’
On page 435:
‘English control of Quebec’s commerce and finance produced an English-speaking business elite, assuring that higher-status positions would remain the reserve of Anglophones.
Also ‘……Francophones were forced to use English in dealings with the Anglo Quebecers, but the reverse was not the case.’
Did I miss something?
S. Ramos, Post #25
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Brazil and race, Marcus Anderson Post 28
Here's a little video dealing with race in Brazil that I found interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBNUOsrIiAs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBNUOsrIiAs
Slavery is slavery bottom line!, Marcus Anderson Post 27
When reading the chapter on Brazil, I was so annoyed when I was reading the segment of The Brazilian and American Slave System. Marger tells us about Gilberto Freyre, a Brazilian historian who made claims that the Portuguese when they came to Brazil were more tolerant to African slaves. He claims that the slavery was more 'humane' in Brazil than North America. I have a few opinions about this theory. I believe that slavery is slavery regardless of how you slice it. I cant understand how slavery could be more or less harsh. Even if this was the case, I do not think that it should be on the record for the majority of Africans who were in slavery. I believe there might have been a small percent who had it more 'humane' but not the whole. My other concern with Freyre's thoughts are that he is taking away from the moral principle of slavery, that it was wrong. I could be that I have strong opinions about these ideas but wrong is wrong, and I feel that every slave or even the majority were treated as 'humane' as Freyre displays.
Foundational Curse, Marcus Anderson Post 26
In the Brazil chapter in Marger, One thing that I found interesting to me was the segment on the introduction of Africans. In this section in the chapter, Marger discusses the origins of slavery in Brazil. He reference to the Indian population begins substituted by Africans as slaves to work on the sugar plantations of the Portuguese. After reading this segment I began to think about how this happening in the 16th century is carrying over into today in the times that we live in. I think that it is just crazy how the racism, discrimination, and hatred that was felt in the 16th century is very present in our society today concerning people of different races. I believe there has to become a point in which the world will have to confront these ' foundational curses' as I like to call them. We can't change what is in the past, but we can look toward the future and make changes no matter how big or small. Lets get out of the 16th century thinking and treat each other with equality.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Music is Music, People are People and Everyone could be classify as being the same and/or different
I do not remember how we got into this discussion about what counts as real music. But Alaysia made an interesting point that made me think about what really counts as music. We were talking about Lady Gaga and how people think that she is not all there, but if you watch her interviews and documentaries you notice that everything she does has a purpose to it. And whether if she is singing about sleeping with other women or Gay Rights, it is still music and it all has a meaning and/or is a reflection of that artist. This made me think about how society associate different behaviors and attributes to different diverse/ethnic groups to classify them.
I came to a realization that at the end of the day, people are people. What makes you Black is the make-up of your DNA, and the same goes for all ethnic groups. And in a way, everybody is the same and/or different and can be associate with all diverse/ethnic groups because no one is just made up of one trait/attribute/characteristic, we all have a little bit of something in us. More than we could probably ever know.
I came to a realization that at the end of the day, people are people. What makes you Black is the make-up of your DNA, and the same goes for all ethnic groups. And in a way, everybody is the same and/or different and can be associate with all diverse/ethnic groups because no one is just made up of one trait/attribute/characteristic, we all have a little bit of something in us. More than we could probably ever know.
MEETING AGAINST RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION With The President (Wednesday at 5pm, location TBD)
I truly love attending this class. There are many issues that are present in this world dealing with discrimination of different ethnic and diverse groups. Again, I believe before we start to change these issues in the world we need to start with ourselves and with this campus. So last class I announced that there was going to be a meeting last friday with the President of the college, Dennis Hefner, where students and faculty were going to tell him how they felt about racism and discrimination on this campus and what they expect to be done about it. Well, this meeting was postponed until this Wednesday @ 5pm location is TBD (once they book the room I will be more than happy to let you all know). I encourage you all to go, if you can. This will be a great way to start change on this campus and make it better for everyone!
Again the meeting with the President will be WEDNESDAY (May 2, 2011) at 5pm location TBD.
Again the meeting with the President will be WEDNESDAY (May 2, 2011) at 5pm location TBD.
Pst 22: Westboro Baptisy Church
It looks like in response to the Supreme Courts ruling on the 'church's' right has led to some bold new actions. A bill is currently entering the senate that will create it much harder for protest groups to protest outside of funerals. The bulk of this bill seems to be about expanding the buffer zones between funerals and protesters. Fingers crossed that it goes through.
post# 22: Changing the world????
I think this chapter kind of proved something. We always talk about how we are different and if we were the same then there wouldn’t be any problems. However, it is human nature to separate ourselves. If we were all the same race, religion, and spoke the same language there would always be something that would separate us. As humans we look for things that separate us from the next person and to find what is similar. Knowing this, how is it possible for everyone to get along? People from the same family don’t always get along. So how is it possible for the whole world to get along? What do we do? What should we do?
Post #21: Trump = Racist?
Well it looks like we aren't the only ones who thing Trump might have had a bit of racist motivations with his "birther" stance. Apparently "Meet the Press" thinks the same. Here is the link to the article.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20058072-503544.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20058072-503544.html
post#21: Media = Reality?
Something that stood out to me was one of the videos Kimmy showed. The father couldn’t believe that only was her partner a woman and Jewish but also black. It made me think, whether or not people really think this way. Does race play a bigger part in everything? Does the fact that her partner was black top everything? I wonder if race adds extra into everything. In the first video they began arguing about religion and ended up arguing over race. I know this is just film but I doubt that the media is making all of the scenarios up. In fact I think there are plenty of instances where people are shocked by interracial dating. Often times it makes us think different about the people we know. Why is that?
South Africa and Brazil (24)
I believe that South Africa, Brazil and the US all have very unique qualities when it comes to race and its past. For South Africa the Apartheid was a cruel system that was set up by the white Boer farmers but it wasn't as harsh as the American slave system in the US south. In Brazil however you have the European immigrants with the Portuguese on top of the ethnic hierarchy then you throw in the Indigenous people and the African slaves and have tons of intermarriage you get Brazil. Brazil has a somewhat different approach when it comes to racism. They have a system called Hypo-descent, which is that if you have a mixed ethnicity then you take that of the lower ethnic class and that is what group in which you belong. I believe the US slave system in the South is harsher then both of the systems in South Africa and Brazil.
Pass or Fail (23)
During our class we discussed the issue of passing and whether or not if its alright to do if you can. I believe there is a time and place where passing is acceptable and when passing is not. I think its alright to try to pass yourself off as white or black if it will help you or your family. I believe once it gets too a point were you don't know who are as a person when its unacceptable. When you try to pass yourself off as another race you always should know who you really are and be true to yourself in that way.
Western Gender Roles
This is an interesting video on how children in Western culture view gender roles. Maybe we haven't come as far as we have thought, because many of the children in this video adhere to the same standards of gender that are still common in countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The fact that children still associate certain genders with certain roles, forms of dress, and profession is interesting to me. I don't think gender roles are a particularly good thing and I think children should be free to express themselves in any way they wish to, so long is it doesn't harm someone else.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWc1e3Nbc2g
Erin Goldberg, Post 22
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWc1e3Nbc2g
Erin Goldberg, Post 22
Gender expectations in certain cultures.
So I know that in most Western societies that gender roles and gender expectations have been mostly "evened out" so to speak and that women and men are much more equal in many respects. However, many societies still have certain unspoke (and in some case spoke) gender roles that women and men are expected to fill roles. I'm thinking Middle Eastern countries specifically, where the role of women is often thought of as less than that of men. Culture and religion are the primary reasons for this structuring of gender, and it makes me wonder if this means that gender roles and expectations can ever be completely eliminated from these places?
Erin Goldberg, Post 21
Erin Goldberg, Post 21
Race…..
Merriam Webster’s definition = a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits.
Isn’t it interesting that we can actually share certain distinctive physical traits yet be of a different race?! That’s because the definition, like all other labels, changes according to the whims of the all-powerful dominant group, plain and simple! Marger has covered that throughout the text.
Isn’t it also interesting that race can be determined by social class, such as in Brazil where the rule of decent is not operative? Popular Brazilian expressions “money whitens, a rich negro is a white man, a poor white man is a negro.” As people improve their class status, they are perceived as lighter racially. (page 408)
S. Ramos, Post #24
Isn’t it interesting that we can actually share certain distinctive physical traits yet be of a different race?! That’s because the definition, like all other labels, changes according to the whims of the all-powerful dominant group, plain and simple! Marger has covered that throughout the text.
Isn’t it also interesting that race can be determined by social class, such as in Brazil where the rule of decent is not operative? Popular Brazilian expressions “money whitens, a rich negro is a white man, a poor white man is a negro.” As people improve their class status, they are perceived as lighter racially. (page 408)
S. Ramos, Post #24
Friday, April 29, 2011
Issues in Fredonia
I went to the meeting there was suppose to be with President Hefner today. The president came in and explained he had a prior engagement so he was only able to stay for ten minutes. He said however, that he was working very hard to make Fredonia's campus more diverse and would like to hear every one's opinion at a different date. Being in the room it was obvious many students wanted to hear from President Hefner and also be heard. Everyone agreed that the rescheduled date should be as soon as possible (it was rescheduled for next Wednesday at 5pm). I am looking forward to going to this meeting and hearing all of my fellow students express their concern to the president. I am also very anxious to hear what the president will have to say about this and see if it sounds like he truly is trying to make this campus diverse.
Ashley Allen, Post 22
Ashley Allen, Post 22
Passing, okay or not?
The other day in class we discussed the concept of passing. I think it is very important to remember where you came from and stand up for yourself. However, because of today's society,I can see why some people would try to pass. I feel that things that exists in our society such as white privilege may push people from certain minority groups to try to pass as white. In cases like these I can understand that people are trying to pass in order to gain more benefits for themselves. I hope that our society can move forward to a day where people do not feel the need to pass. When our society gets to a point where everyone no matter race, ethnicity,sexual orientation, etc. can share the same benefits, I feel people will no longer find it necessary to try and pass.
Ashley Allen, Post 21
Ashley Allen, Post 21
Identity, Marcus Anderson Post 25
In Caucasia, Birdie struggles with her identity. In the beginning the book Birdie identifies herself with Cole. Throughout the novel, Birdie associates herself with different racial identities. I believe that this is due to the society in which she lived in. Many people even in our society today get 'lost' due to the expectations and standards that society sets for us. I dislike that our society is like this, but it is what it is. Many people dont even really know who they are as people because they are too busy trying to fit in with the majority. Identity is a very personal important thing to have because it shapes us into the people that we are. The beauty of it is that everyone identity is different if we really seek for our true selves.
Whats the worth?, Marcus Anderson Post 24
In our tuesdays class we were discussing on our POV about passing. There were many different views that came out of this. Here is my opinion on it. I feel that if a person was to pass, there should be a reason necessary to do so. I believe in the idea of sticking to who you are and standing for whats right, but in the same breath If society is dealing me a rough hand and times are becomeming troubling, there is more to concider than standing up for my own personal beliefs. I believe that family is the number one concideration when making a move such as passing. If there is an opportunity for my family to have a better life politically, economically, and socially through my actions, then that would have to be strongly considered. I dont think that people in society whatever the race just wake up and say hey I want to be black, white, asian, and so on just because today! Everything comes back to reason at the end of the day. So I think when it comes to passing, there is always reason and theirs a whole biggger picture to concider when making a move just as this. Everyones situations are different in society so who am I to judge a person as a sellout when I dont even know why they are doing what they did?!
Funeral protesting
How could you live with yourself after protesting at a funeral? Honestly? It makes you wonder if any member of Westboro Baptist has ever buried someone they cared about. What a traumatic experience for someone to go through, I know from experience what it means to put to rest someone that you can't picture living without. I don't understand how anyone could possibly think it was their right to disturb something so important to people.
I think about my younger sister who attended the funeral that was protested in Jamestown recently. My sister, who at the time was dating a marine, went to support him in his time of a lost friend. What a memory to keep. How can she be expected to attend another funeral. What memory does she keep? As if the memory of burying someone isn't enough to make you uncomfortable sometimes.
Do these men, women, and children have no heart? Do they care about anything? Authorities need to realize the kind of hate that people like this spread. The U.S. as a whole it too far left or too far right if you ask me. Until people open their eyes, ears, minds, hearts; there will be no change that will last and translate in every persons mind. We need a nation that believes in equality, not one that preaches for it while ignoring the very things that keep it a simple hope.
I think about my younger sister who attended the funeral that was protested in Jamestown recently. My sister, who at the time was dating a marine, went to support him in his time of a lost friend. What a memory to keep. How can she be expected to attend another funeral. What memory does she keep? As if the memory of burying someone isn't enough to make you uncomfortable sometimes.
Do these men, women, and children have no heart? Do they care about anything? Authorities need to realize the kind of hate that people like this spread. The U.S. as a whole it too far left or too far right if you ask me. Until people open their eyes, ears, minds, hearts; there will be no change that will last and translate in every persons mind. We need a nation that believes in equality, not one that preaches for it while ignoring the very things that keep it a simple hope.
Language Marcus Anderson Post 23
Reflecting from the Caucasia book I thought it was interesting how Birdie at the dinner table the one night asked her mom to pass the 'Butta.' This was by far one of my most favorite parts of the book. Even still today in our society, we see people doing the same thing just as Birdie just to fit in or have an identity of some sort. When I think about that segment in to book I just reflect on how people in society do this all the time. There are times when people talk a certain way depending on the crowd that they are in. I just think that everyone should be themselves and not try to mask themselves in an identity that they dont even know. I dont think that this is somthing that will ever change but if your trying hard to fit in with a crowd and changing yourself, then its somthing that is worth examination.
The Westboro Baptist Church
I know we kinda beat it to death in class today, but I'm just gonna blog about the Phelps family. This country really makes me angry. There is celebration and pride in the ideals of the country. But those ideals have yet to hatch into reality. I mean come on...freedom and equality for all? Sike. That hasn't happened yet. Obviously. If it was reality, out class wouldn't exist. I believe in equality for everyone, except for the Phelps family. I think as long as they preach hate the way they do, they should not be allowed to reproduce, to worship the way they do, or to have the freedom of speech. What they do is evil and very "un-American." And even more idiotically, ironically, and disgustingly, very un-Christian. Just because someone claims Christianity and wears a cross around their neck doesn't mean they are truly embodying the religion. Christians strive to be Christ-like. I don't remember Jesus walking through the streets of Jerusalem saying "my dad hates gay people."
I don't dislike many people, and hate even fewer, but I hate Fred Phelps and his family. But if I hate them, am I any better?
I don't dislike many people, and hate even fewer, but I hate Fred Phelps and his family. But if I hate them, am I any better?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Brazilian wax! (25)
After reading Chapter 14 about Brazil I began to think about the novel Caucasia and Why Deck thought that Brazil was going to be a better place for him and his daughter. Why Deck believed that Brazil had better race relations going on in Brazil as opposed to in America during the 1970's. He quickly found out he was wrong. He probably believed it because its a multi-ethnic society/culture rich with all shades of brown people living together. I think Deck was expecting it to not have the same racial tensions or even a the same internal group conflicts and divisions based on race. But what he discovered was the same racism and colorism, that was happening in America. And That is what made him realized that race is a social construct that changes constantly the based on the society where you are; how they perceive you. If their was a race of blue people and within this race the deep dark sades of blue like indigo and navy blue was consider the most attractive then all the sky blue and pastel blue people would be discriminated against. So Deck gained a new perspective about race by going to Brazil.
Oh yeah I almost forgot...Brazilian Wax!
Oh yeah I almost forgot...Brazilian Wax!
Try passing as REAL! (24)
I want to say I love this class, But these last few week's this class has been getting progressively harder for me to digest. On the subject of passing I was blown away at the class responses overall as a whole. I believe it because I am a very passionate person. I feel like there is never any excuse to deny who you are; least of all for financial gain or career purposes. I really just amazed me that in 2011 people still haven't recognized the sacrifice that others have made for the in order for them to be able to have more opportunities for career advancements, and financial success.
I really think their is no honor in intentionally passing as another race. Its living a lie, its not doing any of the other persons of your race or family members any justice. And the internal struggle can cause so much mental anguish. I could only imagine how that would further affect the individual and those around them. Anything that person ever accomplishes they will have to wonder was it only accomplished because of who they are pretending to be or is it on their on merit. Words to live by: "Its always better to be real then to be fake." Like Margaret Cho said "I'd rather succeed as myself, then fail as someone else." this is so relative to how I feel concerning the subject of passing for another race.
I really think their is no honor in intentionally passing as another race. Its living a lie, its not doing any of the other persons of your race or family members any justice. And the internal struggle can cause so much mental anguish. I could only imagine how that would further affect the individual and those around them. Anything that person ever accomplishes they will have to wonder was it only accomplished because of who they are pretending to be or is it on their on merit. Words to live by: "Its always better to be real then to be fake." Like Margaret Cho said "I'd rather succeed as myself, then fail as someone else." this is so relative to how I feel concerning the subject of passing for another race.
A-f-r-i-k-a-n-e-r
A very long time ago I saw the word ‘Afrikaner’ written somewhere (don’t remember), and thought it was a misspelling of Africa. It was something that I just happen to have glanced at. Well, so much for skimming! I entirely missed a lesson in history.
Who would have thought that more than some 30 or so years later I’d learn that it wasn’t a misspelling of a word at all, but a miss-direction, miss-handling, miss-shaping, missed everything……of a continent and its original peoples!
S. Ramos, Post #23
Who would have thought that more than some 30 or so years later I’d learn that it wasn’t a misspelling of a word at all, but a miss-direction, miss-handling, miss-shaping, missed everything……of a continent and its original peoples!
S. Ramos, Post #23
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Help within each race
Sometimes we talk about how there is a feeling of racism on campus. Whether it has to do with the interaction between teachers and students or just among the student body. I've heard stories from my friends of teachers who would point them out in class because they want a "different POV." They assume a different POV because of the way they look or if they have an accent, thinking they're from a different country. Now we always hear of issues along these lines where different races are picking on each other, but do we ever stop to think about people within the same race working against each other? Like hearing the saying "Black on black crime," and things along those lines. I personally don't support the BSU on this campus. I supported it in high school and I'm sure to try it somewhere else, but the people who work for the BSU have values that are different from mine. The point of BSU is to bring all types of people together to celebrate a culture and its accomplishments, but there is so much drama and bias people working within, it doesn't make me want to be a part of it. The point of me saying this is because we need to fix more than just the racism on this campus. We need to fix how we support each other because we are all trying to make it out of here so we can do our own thing. The only way we can fix that is if we take a real good look at ourselves.
What I'd prefer...
Last class, Pilar asked a good question along the lines of do we choose who we want to be with because we look for "something" in their face? Meaning we find familiarity in the face of the person we want to be with. I never really thought about it that way. Part of the reason being that I didn't know of Racial Fantasies before this class, but I always thought it was just me being attracted to someone. But in essence that can be the reason that you choose to be with someone. I thought that this was interesting to think about as we go on with our lives and meeting new people. Finding that comfort and familiarity in people's faces can be part of the reason why we hang out and interact with others.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Change needs to happen on campus
I just want it to be made clear that I love this class, I learn so much from taking this class. I do agree that we need to be more diversity in the United States so people can take the time to get to know each other to clear up any stereotypes or assumptions about different people from different backgrounds But in order to do that we need to start with ourselves. I think that some of the adminstration needs to start promoting diversity more and stop leaving it up to groups and organizations like pride alliance, BSU and the CMA to do it. There should be more people of diverse backgrounds on campus. In postions as staff, students, RAs, etc. I just think that adminstration can try harder or aleast make it easier for us to accomplish this goal.
Racial Fantasies
In class we talked about racial fantasies, I believe racial fantasies are part of the reason why racism and white privilege still exists today. Racial fantasies in a way can be said to be like the racial "social norms" of society. Due to stereotypes of different ethnic groups that we all see in the media, we have these racial fantasies of how a specific group should act like which contributes to the problems we have today of discrimination of different races. It will be great to see a change to this, but I do not if it can be change completely. I wise person once said. " You have to want change for it to happen," and I just do not think enough people want change.
questions
Sandy and Cole have a typical relationship. Every mother and daughter produce some kind of harsh tension between one another, especially as they get older. It definitely is difficult for Sandy to rase Cole. Society frowned upon interracial relationships. The difficulty of having to go through this added some strain to their relationship. Birdie is white and looks like her mother. The fact that both the daughters are different skin colors makes it hard for Sandy. I feel that Sandy treats Cole a little harsher for that reason.
I would view Sandy as more of a hero. She’s had to raise two children and deal with these vast problems with race and sexual orientation. I would say that her inner motivations and self determination has led her to lead a life political activism. Seeing the differences in race and having dealt with these problems, I feel she wants to be active in trying to change societal perceptions.
I do agree with Deck and the statement that race is a complete illusion. You make the decision whether or not you want include people appearance into your perceptions of them. In order to eliminate stereotyping and racism, you have to be able to look past that and see everyone as a human being. I feel that it is very arrogant to base views of people of their appearance. I feel that Birdie and Cole see their skin color as more of a costume. They are related, just because their skin is different doesn’t separate them. I think it has made them really find what their true identity is and has allowed for them to grow.
I see where Deck is going with the assumption that mulattos are canaries in a coal mine, but I do not feel the same way. I don’t care what the color of your skin is and I’m not trying to seek out if you are mixed race or not. It doesn’t make a difference in my views of people. I feel that Birdie is another human being put under the spotlight of society because Birdie looks different.
The significance of Cole having a name is that Cole is white. Birdie is black and the lack of having a set name plays into the characters image. Birdie is looking to be accepted into society for having black skin. Her lack of a name aids in the depletion of her identity. She can not truly be accepted in this time period because she is black.
Knowing where you come from is definitely a defining factor in your perception of your own identity. Knowing where you came from can make one feel like they have some sort of purpose or direction. Knowing what struggles have been dealt with in order to be where you are know is important for some people. Those who don’t know where they are from tend to struggle with their identity more. They tend to not know where they belong or fit in. I feel that knowing your heritage puts pride into people. Being told the stories of ones ancestors and relatives contributes more to ones own identity. Being told the struggles of people on a personal level motivates people more than generic generalized stories.
I would view Sandy as more of a hero. She’s had to raise two children and deal with these vast problems with race and sexual orientation. I would say that her inner motivations and self determination has led her to lead a life political activism. Seeing the differences in race and having dealt with these problems, I feel she wants to be active in trying to change societal perceptions.
I do agree with Deck and the statement that race is a complete illusion. You make the decision whether or not you want include people appearance into your perceptions of them. In order to eliminate stereotyping and racism, you have to be able to look past that and see everyone as a human being. I feel that it is very arrogant to base views of people of their appearance. I feel that Birdie and Cole see their skin color as more of a costume. They are related, just because their skin is different doesn’t separate them. I think it has made them really find what their true identity is and has allowed for them to grow.
I see where Deck is going with the assumption that mulattos are canaries in a coal mine, but I do not feel the same way. I don’t care what the color of your skin is and I’m not trying to seek out if you are mixed race or not. It doesn’t make a difference in my views of people. I feel that Birdie is another human being put under the spotlight of society because Birdie looks different.
The significance of Cole having a name is that Cole is white. Birdie is black and the lack of having a set name plays into the characters image. Birdie is looking to be accepted into society for having black skin. Her lack of a name aids in the depletion of her identity. She can not truly be accepted in this time period because she is black.
Knowing where you come from is definitely a defining factor in your perception of your own identity. Knowing where you came from can make one feel like they have some sort of purpose or direction. Knowing what struggles have been dealt with in order to be where you are know is important for some people. Those who don’t know where they are from tend to struggle with their identity more. They tend to not know where they belong or fit in. I feel that knowing your heritage puts pride into people. Being told the stories of ones ancestors and relatives contributes more to ones own identity. Being told the struggles of people on a personal level motivates people more than generic generalized stories.
Kimmy is right
Kimmy brings up a really good point for me. It is only a part of her, as is race. It isn't all of her. Her sexual orientation, just like mine, isn't what makes me us the way we are. My attitude, my habits, what I do for fun; none of it is because I am straight or because I am white. Why do we dwell on things we can not change?
Identitfying with what you are is important, don't get me wrong. Especially in cases like Kimmys, where being vocal may help to lead to changes that should have already been made. But it shouldn't be what is most important to her or anyone else.
I just wish issues of sexually, race, gender, were not as categorical as they are. Why do these attributes divide us? Why can't we accept the differences we all have and move foward, together, in acceptance.
Identitfying with what you are is important, don't get me wrong. Especially in cases like Kimmys, where being vocal may help to lead to changes that should have already been made. But it shouldn't be what is most important to her or anyone else.
I just wish issues of sexually, race, gender, were not as categorical as they are. Why do these attributes divide us? Why can't we accept the differences we all have and move foward, together, in acceptance.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
I'm a gay woman, it's not the most interesting thing about me...
Let's be real, I'm hilarious. I am a hoot and a half. It has nothing to do with my sexuality or the fact that I'm a woman (aside from some wonderful opportunities for a good gay or women's rights joke, here or there).
I have many interesting qualities and hobbies. I write screenplays. I sing in an acappella group. I enjoy hard boiled eggs (t'is the season). My hair was once platinum blonde (in retrospect, bad idea).
My sexuality is only a piece of me. Erin's post really got me thinking about that. It made a lot of sense to me. Why do we have to constantly debate about race and ethnicity and how this affects us as individuals? We all come from such diverse backgrounds, why can't we just celebrate it?
Having said that, in today's political climate we HAVE to identify as what we are. Identifying yourself as a member of an ethnic, racial or social community is probably one of the most political things you can do. For example, gay rights are still largely unfulfilled. We can't get married in any state, we can't get the same benefits, people can still be fired for being gay or transsexual, there aren't hate crime protection laws in every state. THAT is why I'm so vocal about my sexuality. It's not the most interesting thing about me, this is true. But, it's something for me that has to be known, because I want to incite change. When you identify yourself, you become a part of the community and a part of the fight. We put a human face on the "issue." Sometimes we just HAVE to be loud.
But I do understand that for some people, coming out is not an option. There are many hostile climates out there that are not conducive to the LGBT community. But that is exactly why those of us who can, have to fight about it. I do it for them. This is why we have to debate these things and talk about these things. They may not be ALL of who we are; that's a common misconception the world sees. But it has to be something we embrace, so we can usher in change and make it better for those who have no options left but to hide.
I have many interesting qualities and hobbies. I write screenplays. I sing in an acappella group. I enjoy hard boiled eggs (t'is the season). My hair was once platinum blonde (in retrospect, bad idea).
My sexuality is only a piece of me. Erin's post really got me thinking about that. It made a lot of sense to me. Why do we have to constantly debate about race and ethnicity and how this affects us as individuals? We all come from such diverse backgrounds, why can't we just celebrate it?
Having said that, in today's political climate we HAVE to identify as what we are. Identifying yourself as a member of an ethnic, racial or social community is probably one of the most political things you can do. For example, gay rights are still largely unfulfilled. We can't get married in any state, we can't get the same benefits, people can still be fired for being gay or transsexual, there aren't hate crime protection laws in every state. THAT is why I'm so vocal about my sexuality. It's not the most interesting thing about me, this is true. But, it's something for me that has to be known, because I want to incite change. When you identify yourself, you become a part of the community and a part of the fight. We put a human face on the "issue." Sometimes we just HAVE to be loud.
But I do understand that for some people, coming out is not an option. There are many hostile climates out there that are not conducive to the LGBT community. But that is exactly why those of us who can, have to fight about it. I do it for them. This is why we have to debate these things and talk about these things. They may not be ALL of who we are; that's a common misconception the world sees. But it has to be something we embrace, so we can usher in change and make it better for those who have no options left but to hide.
Power in Numbers
This is a response to a post that Shawna made on Thursday. She made a valid point about how certain social groups and types flock together.
It's true, most social groups stick to people who look like them or have similar interests and struggles as them.
I know that for me, being in a group like Pride Alliance gives me a nice sense of solidarity. I can be with people who are similar to me in my sexuality and my ideals and activist drive. I got lonely in high school, because I didn't know very many people of the LGBT community, so it was awesome to come here and be with people who are like me and can understand where I've come from.
Having said that, can't we all relate to each other in the sense that we're human beings? As a class, I'm sure that the majority of us have at least ONE similar experience in common. Perhaps we can't all relate on levels of racism, sexism or homophobia but as long as you know and accept these things as being wrong and taking actions to fight them, then you can be a part of these diverse communities.
Groups like Women's Student Union, Pride Alliance or Black Student Union are great to have in the sense that it provides a community for similar people facing similar struggles. It's awesome to belong somewhere. Having said that, we NEED allies to help us fight back on things like racism, homophobia or sexism. The Women's Student Union NEEDS men who support their causes. Pride Alliance NEEDS straight allies to help us advocate for the LGBT community. The Black Student Union NEEDS people of other races to help combat racism and promote equality. We all NEED each other to make it through this century.
We can take the time to celebrate our diversity, but we shouldn't isolate. We need to appreciate!
It's true, most social groups stick to people who look like them or have similar interests and struggles as them.
I know that for me, being in a group like Pride Alliance gives me a nice sense of solidarity. I can be with people who are similar to me in my sexuality and my ideals and activist drive. I got lonely in high school, because I didn't know very many people of the LGBT community, so it was awesome to come here and be with people who are like me and can understand where I've come from.
Having said that, can't we all relate to each other in the sense that we're human beings? As a class, I'm sure that the majority of us have at least ONE similar experience in common. Perhaps we can't all relate on levels of racism, sexism or homophobia but as long as you know and accept these things as being wrong and taking actions to fight them, then you can be a part of these diverse communities.
Groups like Women's Student Union, Pride Alliance or Black Student Union are great to have in the sense that it provides a community for similar people facing similar struggles. It's awesome to belong somewhere. Having said that, we NEED allies to help us fight back on things like racism, homophobia or sexism. The Women's Student Union NEEDS men who support their causes. Pride Alliance NEEDS straight allies to help us advocate for the LGBT community. The Black Student Union NEEDS people of other races to help combat racism and promote equality. We all NEED each other to make it through this century.
We can take the time to celebrate our diversity, but we shouldn't isolate. We need to appreciate!
Mr. & Ms. Lee; The hypocrites. (23)
Both Deck And Sandy although they had different visions on how to make change we both know that they were dedicated to the cause. They were dedicated to not being hypocrites but in the process they failed. They failed at their marriage and they couldn't keep their family together due to the very same hing they were fighting against: Racism. Even Birdie in the end could still see how much similar they were to each other. Maybe that's why they couldn't get along. "I smiled slightly to myself, thinking how alike my parents still were." (p.397)
They both were intellectuals. Deck was a little less rateable then Sandy because of he was more of a overly-enthused scholar then she was. Sandy was a bleeding heart, more free, more spontaneous. This can be seen even from how they met. She was unsure of her life, Deck was attending Harvard. And they both feared becoming the antithesis of everything they hated, everything about themselves that they wanted to reject they found in each other. And when that wasn't enough they both sought to be transformed to be somehow reinvented. This is who and what the character of Redbone was symbolic of: reinventing, disappearing, reappearing somehow being transformed. this is seen in hid and Decks first encounter in the book. When Deck says angrily "This ain't no brother. Where did this fool come from, anyway? Can someone tell me that? He showed up a month ago actin' like he been a revolutionary all his life, But no one knows where you came from, Red, do they?" This for shadowed Birdies plight and both her and her mother's constant movement. their transformations along the way. Who knows who the real Redbone was. If her was Fed or revolutionary. Or even if he was passing? This is why he was so interested in Birdie throughout the book. She fascinated him, he saw something in her. Maybe he was like Sandy Lee on the run from himself, something trying to transform himself into something authentic. Deck longed to be made authentic. He longed to e seen as a real Black man. Not just another overly intelligent Negro who doesn't really know how to fight the real cause or racism. Hims somehow having a white wife and mixed children along with being Harvard educated, made him feel he was had to prove his blackness. This is why he liked going to the black diners and speaking slang, why he dated Carmen, why he felt he had to keep attempting a bad Afro. He wanted to gain authenticity. Redbone probably wanted the same thing by being apart of the "revolution." In my opinion is that both Sandy and Deck in the process of trying to be transformed they because what they hated the most. Sandy feared becoming a blue-blood elitist wasp. By the end that exactly who she became. Living in New Hampshire with Jim she some how showed more of that side of herself that her own mother who have wanted her to be. Sandy got by out their by using her white privilege. "She was White, she was clearly educated, and most important, the children seem to e tamed by her very presence." (p.137) then she adapted the same characteristics of "How to spot a WASP list" and she used them to her advantages. Birdie Say's this about her moms changes: " I wonder if something in her blue-blood upbringing spared her shame, made her feel slightly superior to the people around us. Whatever the case some of her nonchalance rubbed off on me when I was with her," (p.172)
Then Deck always talked about how he wanted to not be a non active black man talking about change and writing "same old, same old" theories on race in America. Yet he has become so obsessed with race relations in America and writing his book all about it for several years to the extent that her has Lost Cole, didn't have time to look for Birdie, lost Carmen and lives like a shut-in. "Birdie do you understand what I am telling you? These over educated pompous Negro fools in the academy, have everything, and still want to feel like victims. They're addicted to racism, because once you got money and the approval of the white academy, you need something to remind you that you're not a total sellout." (p.396) This is exactly who Deck has become. And they both felt like they had something to prove with the way they educated and raised their children. But I feel like the irony of both these flawed characters was to remind us as he readers that "we often become what we despise the most" or is it "we are who we are?" or could it be, "You cant run from yourself?" All I know is the hypocrisy of these two characters is a goes hand in hand with the ideal of Identity and how we Identify ourselves. Its all very objective.
They both were intellectuals. Deck was a little less rateable then Sandy because of he was more of a overly-enthused scholar then she was. Sandy was a bleeding heart, more free, more spontaneous. This can be seen even from how they met. She was unsure of her life, Deck was attending Harvard. And they both feared becoming the antithesis of everything they hated, everything about themselves that they wanted to reject they found in each other. And when that wasn't enough they both sought to be transformed to be somehow reinvented. This is who and what the character of Redbone was symbolic of: reinventing, disappearing, reappearing somehow being transformed. this is seen in hid and Decks first encounter in the book. When Deck says angrily "This ain't no brother. Where did this fool come from, anyway? Can someone tell me that? He showed up a month ago actin' like he been a revolutionary all his life, But no one knows where you came from, Red, do they?" This for shadowed Birdies plight and both her and her mother's constant movement. their transformations along the way. Who knows who the real Redbone was. If her was Fed or revolutionary. Or even if he was passing? This is why he was so interested in Birdie throughout the book. She fascinated him, he saw something in her. Maybe he was like Sandy Lee on the run from himself, something trying to transform himself into something authentic. Deck longed to be made authentic. He longed to e seen as a real Black man. Not just another overly intelligent Negro who doesn't really know how to fight the real cause or racism. Hims somehow having a white wife and mixed children along with being Harvard educated, made him feel he was had to prove his blackness. This is why he liked going to the black diners and speaking slang, why he dated Carmen, why he felt he had to keep attempting a bad Afro. He wanted to gain authenticity. Redbone probably wanted the same thing by being apart of the "revolution." In my opinion is that both Sandy and Deck in the process of trying to be transformed they because what they hated the most. Sandy feared becoming a blue-blood elitist wasp. By the end that exactly who she became. Living in New Hampshire with Jim she some how showed more of that side of herself that her own mother who have wanted her to be. Sandy got by out their by using her white privilege. "She was White, she was clearly educated, and most important, the children seem to e tamed by her very presence." (p.137) then she adapted the same characteristics of "How to spot a WASP list" and she used them to her advantages. Birdie Say's this about her moms changes: " I wonder if something in her blue-blood upbringing spared her shame, made her feel slightly superior to the people around us. Whatever the case some of her nonchalance rubbed off on me when I was with her," (p.172)
Then Deck always talked about how he wanted to not be a non active black man talking about change and writing "same old, same old" theories on race in America. Yet he has become so obsessed with race relations in America and writing his book all about it for several years to the extent that her has Lost Cole, didn't have time to look for Birdie, lost Carmen and lives like a shut-in. "Birdie do you understand what I am telling you? These over educated pompous Negro fools in the academy, have everything, and still want to feel like victims. They're addicted to racism, because once you got money and the approval of the white academy, you need something to remind you that you're not a total sellout." (p.396) This is exactly who Deck has become. And they both felt like they had something to prove with the way they educated and raised their children. But I feel like the irony of both these flawed characters was to remind us as he readers that "we often become what we despise the most" or is it "we are who we are?" or could it be, "You cant run from yourself?" All I know is the hypocrisy of these two characters is a goes hand in hand with the ideal of Identity and how we Identify ourselves. Its all very objective.
Disappearing
I have this tendency to read books twice in a row, once just to find out what happens in the end and another to truely absorb what happened throughout the book. At the beginning, I discovered a quote a found to be significant: "The Elemenos could turn deep green in the bushes, beige in the sand, or blank white in the snow, and their power lay precisely in their ability to disappear into any surrounding. As she spoke, a new question-a doubt- flashed through my mind. Something didn't make sense. What was the point of surviving if you had to disappear?" Knowing how the story goes, I found this quote to be extremely ironic. Though as a child she believes there's no point to survive if you disappear, her life follows a different story. To survive, she does make her disappear into the background as to not draw attention to herself. She disappears in whatever way is best suited in each situation by blending in, exactly as the Elemenos did. Its interesting Cole brought that into the story. Knowing the ending, its a great way to foreshadow the rest of the story.
Talking about race all the time...a good or bad thing?
Erin Goldberg, Post 19
I can't decide if constantly debating about race and ethnicity is a positive thing. Don't get me wrong, for the purpose of this class, I think it is merited (and it's exactly what we signed up to do). However, it everyday society, is it good for us to always be debating race and ethnicity. I made a small mental list of the pros and cons:
Pros
Like I said, I'm extremely conflicted about how I feel about this subject. Talking about race is absolutely important, but it shouldn't become the main point of a person's life. Then you become more of a cause and less of a person.
I can't decide if constantly debating about race and ethnicity is a positive thing. Don't get me wrong, for the purpose of this class, I think it is merited (and it's exactly what we signed up to do). However, it everyday society, is it good for us to always be debating race and ethnicity. I made a small mental list of the pros and cons:
Pros
- Acknowledges that unique differences in each of us and allows us to highlight these differences in a positive light.
- Brings attention to problems arising from racial and ethnic tensions
- Constantly makes note of the differences between certain groups of people, possibly making it more difficult to allow these groups to find common ground (ex.standards of living, general income, occupations, education, etc.)
- Acknowledging race is to acknowledge that their is inequality. This is important, however, are we able as a society to move past the talking phase and move towards action. It seems like every time society fixes one problem with social or racial inequality, two more spring up.
Like I said, I'm extremely conflicted about how I feel about this subject. Talking about race is absolutely important, but it shouldn't become the main point of a person's life. Then you become more of a cause and less of a person.
National Geographic Article
Erin Goldberg, Post 18
So my family has been subscribing to National Geographic for years now. And I remember reading an article not too long ago about research done with people from NYC. With America being seen as the Great Melting Pot, the test was to see if National Geographic could sample 1000 people from NYC and see if they could encompass all the ethnicity and race from every corner of the global. I tried to find the article online and haven't been successful, however from what I remember the people they took DNA from encompassed 99% of the racial groups (I know that's not the term for it, but the real words the article used escape me) recorded in the world. And this is just in NYC. I thought that was extremely cool.
So my family has been subscribing to National Geographic for years now. And I remember reading an article not too long ago about research done with people from NYC. With America being seen as the Great Melting Pot, the test was to see if National Geographic could sample 1000 people from NYC and see if they could encompass all the ethnicity and race from every corner of the global. I tried to find the article online and haven't been successful, however from what I remember the people they took DNA from encompassed 99% of the racial groups (I know that's not the term for it, but the real words the article used escape me) recorded in the world. And this is just in NYC. I thought that was extremely cool.
post#21: Pushed into a mold
Throughout the story was merely a reflection of others. She talked about this as adapting. By adapting she would fit in and get along with others. Yet if she did not adapt, she would stand out and be picked on. This reminded me of many discussions I’ve had in psychology classes. We talk about how human behavior is learned behavior. Our beliefs, values, attitudes, and judgments are nothing but a reflection of our upbringing and the people around us. It makes you wonder whether you believe in something or feel a certain way about something because you truly do or because someone told you to. For instance, why did we attend college? Because you wanted to? Or is it because our society says in order to be a productive member of society you have to have an education beyond high school? When deciding to go to college, did you thing about people who didn’t go to college and have lived a successful life? What about other countries where a college education is always valued? Did you think about a career you wanted and determined that college was the only way possible to get it? Did you think about all the people in that career that does not have a college education? There are too many questions to list about why people make the choice to go to college. However, the ultimate answer is you have to get a college education because without it you will go nowhere. Why? Well, there is no way someone who shelled out thousands of dollars for a college education, would give you a job without a degree; whether you are capable of doing the job or not. You will not be rewarded for going outside of the box. It is either fit in or stay out! If we were to sit and think about all the times we have been oppressed like birdie, we would all be have an asthma attack
Deck (22)
I feel like Deck hasn't been the best father either, first by getting separated from one of his daughters and secondly and most importantly, Deck did not even try to find Birdie after coming to the States many years earlier. Both of Birdie's parents did not do a good job when it came to raising their children. Sandy was on the run and hiding from no one really and took Birdie along with her. When Birdie finally tracks down her father he was in Oakland and wasn't excited to see her. Deck seemed to care more about his book then Birdie or anything else.
Sandy (21)
In Caucasia, I feel like Sandy is not the best parent in the world. First she hides the fact that Birdie's sister Cole and father are back in the States looking for them. Birdie looks through Sandy's stuff to find a letter saying Cole and her father have been back and looking for Birdie and Sandy. Sandy chooses to not tell Birdie this and then Sandy proceeds to tell Jim her boyfriend about their true identity. I feel like this wasn't completely fair to Birdie and I feel Sandy has been getting worse and worse throughout the novel.
Remembering your roots
In Caucasia it seemed that no matter how long Birdie pretended to be Jesse Goldman she never forgot where she came from. Throughout the story whenever someone made a comment about a black person it seemed to really bother Birdie. The one instance that really stood out was on the way back from New York City and Mona had made a comment about the black teenagers. Birdie punched Mona in response to the comment. I feel this really shows that although she may be acting as somone else she still remembers who she truly is.
Ashley Allen, Post 20
Ashley Allen, Post 20
Too quick to judge
In Caucasia I thought it was interesting when the Marsh's were discussing Sandy and the comment was made that she was their "kind of person". I felt this was interesting because although Sandy did come from a wealthy family, she is not like the Marsh's at all. However, after taking one look at Sandy the Marsh's made this judgement. I thought this was a perfect example of people being so quick to judge and proves that we can't always do so because we may be wrong.
Ashley Allen, Post 19
Ashley Allen, Post 19
America the beautiful; In need of plastic surgery? (22)
I see most people envision the image of America as White men with a beer and a ford truck, White woman a blond beauty with blue eyes, And with an old style 1950's charm, a suburbia. We all have agreed that although this isn't true this is how we envision America. So this is a racial fantasy we have created in our own minds even as Americans we are aware that this isn't so. Yet and still we cant break away from these images. Why is that? So if we wanted to change this image where would we start? Would we start with the media or is this a individual internal thing we need to do on our own? I don't know but whatever it is we need to do to change this we should. I believe America should be see as she is, not as she is imagined to be. I think this should have been easier for us to do as American living her and actually know the truth, that America is a image of many diverse people who come in all shades, that America is a mixture of all cultures. Heck White people didn't even found this country so why is it so hard to erase this image? I think what we could do to stop this is give America a mental nip and tuck try to envision yourself when you see America, then go on to envision your neighbors, your friends whom are all very different as American. The way they wear their hair, the way they cook their foods, even the religious holidays they celebrate should be considered American. (Not all countries have these freedoms/right that we take for granted.)Not just the stereotypical mainstream version of white culture as being "The all American" but everything I just mentioned, Because what make America Beautiful is the freedoms. The freedoms that we have to live collectively, with people from all different diverse back grounds. This is what Set's America apart democracy, and freedom. Its the freedoms that make it beautiful Not one race or another.
Stripped Clean…
I thought it interesting on pages 142 & 143 when Birdie described their van as now having no color at all “…the color of something stripped clean for the sake of starting over.”
It was also what her mother had done to the two of them. Stripped them clean of their identity, names, religion, but not really for the sake of starting over; to continue to run and hide. The van had become a colorless moving vehicle; just like them!
S. Ramos, Post #22
It was also what her mother had done to the two of them. Stripped them clean of their identity, names, religion, but not really for the sake of starting over; to continue to run and hide. The van had become a colorless moving vehicle; just like them!
S. Ramos, Post #22
Negrobilia…
Although the few objects in the box would remain sentimental to Birdie simply because they were from her father and sister; I felt disappointed and sad for her. She was perceptive enough to recognize that they must have thrown the collection together at the last minute before leaving. However, it is that fact (leaving), which prompted my disappointment for her. Birdie and Cole believed it was last minute only because their parents hadn’t let them in on the plans.
I would have thought that since Dek was so philosophical in his determination to be and do all things black; that he would have taken the time and put more thought into what pieces of himself he wanted to leave with his daughter…as well as what he hoped she would know was a part of herself too.
S. Ramos, Post #21
I would have thought that since Dek was so philosophical in his determination to be and do all things black; that he would have taken the time and put more thought into what pieces of himself he wanted to leave with his daughter…as well as what he hoped she would know was a part of herself too.
S. Ramos, Post #21
Friday, April 22, 2011
The End?
The ending to Caucasia really bothered me. I felt it left so much unresolved. I mean she found her family, leaving one aspect resolved, however it left a lot open-ended. It doesn't explain what happens next. To me, it left the story unfinished. What becomes with her relationships with her family? What specifically was her mother involved in? Does she ever come out of hiding? What became of her relationship with her father? What becomes of Birdie's identity? What part of herself does she embrace? Or does she continue to possess whatever features work best for her in the situation? Does Cole ever see her mother again? Does Birdie? Overall I enjoyed the conflict and tension in the book, but I wish more answers would have been given at the end of the story.
Terica Post#20: have we opened our eyes yet?
It’s true that image of America is usually set by the media. However, media image is based on the public. This idea brings to mind the question, what came first the chicken or the egg? I would have to say that neither did in this case, the media and the public takes turns in influencing each other. Anyone who power has the ability to produce the image they want in the media. However, if the public does not accept the image, the media will have to revise it to the public’s wants. At the same time, the media produces image based on society. People in society would rather blame the media as the culprit than realize the image is just a reflection of them. When thinking of the American image, a lot of people blame the media for whatever image they have. However, this person is not forced to believe in this image by the media. For example, when ever people talk about the image of America, I think of old Hollywood, back to Fred Astaire, Shirley temple, and frank Sinatra. However, when I think about America today, I think lady gaga, beyonce, and those picture posted everywhere of multiracial children holding hands. Growing up in New York City, I’ve been exposed to nothing but diversity. There are people from everywhere and there is a blend of different cultures throughout the city. For example, you can now buy Mexican foods from Chinese restaurants. So, is the way I view America every day, yet when asked the question of what is the image of America? I always give the answer that I believe everyone else thinks; Old Hollywood, two parents, children, a house and a car. Why is it that we don’t challenge these images? Are we really upset by it or do we truly believe in it?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
RE: For anyone who has attended another college...
In response to Erin's blog post earlier:
I was born and raised in Fredonia and SUNY Fredonia is the only college I have really ever been to. I guess you can say I have not been exposed to much racial diversity. Going to Fredonia High school their was only one biracial kid that went to my school. So coming to the college campus I thought I was really being exposed to a diverse group. In my circumstance (and in Erin's), I believe we are "more exposed" to racial diversity on this campus because we are always in the CMA office so we get to interact with individuals of multiple races and ethnicities. However, I don't think that other people on this campus are as exposed to as much of this diversity as we are. The more and more I learn in this class, the more my eyes are open to the community around me. Yes, we have a diverse and open community on this campus, but sometimes I feel like only certain groups of people hangout with other certain groups of people. I wish I saw more straight people wanting to get involved in Pride. Or men wanting to get involved in WSU. Or white people wanting to get involved in Black Student Union. Maybe I am just being pessimistic. I would like to know what other people think.
Face of America
I know the might seem so narrow minded. But hopefully I do not offend anyone. When people ask me what I think of when I think of America: this picture pretty much sums it up. Strong, southern, cowboy men, driving big trucks, drinking a beer (no light beer) and listening to patriotic country music. I know that I shouldn't think this is your "typical" American, but I just can't get this image out! The funny thing is that my step dad is exactly like this type of man. In December he will be serving is second year in Afghanistan. Even though I think he is a great guy, I disagree with almost everything he says or believes. He is extremely narrow minded and believes we should stand by anything and everything the country decides to do. You would think that because I don't believe this is the image America should have that I would change it. Trust me, I want to, but it's just really hard. The instant you say America: this is what I think. I hope one day, the image of being "American" will change.
Tyler Perry Presents: Destruction of Progress
Is "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" a good thing? Was the Tyler Perry (and Oprah) produced drama "Precious" a good thing? Yes, sitcoms have habitually excluded African Americans not named Cosby or ones who grew up in West Philadelphia, but these Tyler Perry produced shows are just awful. First things first, they aren't funny. I have had the misfortune of sitting through "Meet the Browns" and found myself distraught that I couldn't carry alcohol on the plane due to FCC regulations. It was awful! I wanted to reach through the screen and punch the idiot who was the main character. I don't feel as though proper grammar is too much to ask, but not screaming for the entire episode should be required by law. "House of Payne" is just as bad. While they may touch upon sensitive issues such as rape and racism, they perpetuate misogyny and racism! The commercial for the friggin show is Curtis, the main character, screaming for his wife to bring him a beer and the remote control.
"Precious" is another issue entirely. The entire movie was a giant stereotype. Was it sad? Yes. Did it make you angry? Yes! Was it a reason for aid? Yes! However, it was a horrible representation of the black community. That's all I'll say about that.
This door swings both ways. Shows like "My Name is Earl" and movies like "Joe Dirt" portray a bunch of idiotic white rednecks. Can't we have more shows like "Scrubs?"
"Precious" is another issue entirely. The entire movie was a giant stereotype. Was it sad? Yes. Did it make you angry? Yes! Was it a reason for aid? Yes! However, it was a horrible representation of the black community. That's all I'll say about that.
This door swings both ways. Shows like "My Name is Earl" and movies like "Joe Dirt" portray a bunch of idiotic white rednecks. Can't we have more shows like "Scrubs?"
The Definition of American
My definition of America is slightly different, but I disagree with some of the other assessments. We DID elect a black man as our chief diplomat, so it appears that the nation was at least somewhat united in who they thought should represent America. While the image of the Ford truck, rumbling through the rocky mountains, only to have the driver (in Levi's) getting our and cracking open a nice tall Coors' banquet beer (made only with the freshest high country barley), we neglect to show the inner-city America that so many people are a product of. The old black men playing checkers or a black barbershop are just as indicative of the American ideal that we should wish to portray.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Caucasia Discussion Questions
Please answer a minimum of SIX of the following questions on Danzy Senna's novel Caucasia. Use specific examples from the novel to support your answers. For the sake of clarity please post your responses as a comment to this post. Your responses will be due by this Sunday (April 24th) at midnight. Please let me know if you have any questions.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Caucasia begins with Birdie's recollection: "A long time ago I disappeared. One day I was here, the next I was gone." Why does Birdie come to think of herself as having "disappeared" when living as Jesse Goldman? Is her ability to disappear a blessing or a curse? Is Birdie "passing" when she calls herself black, or when she calls herself white? When is she not passing?
2. Cole and Birdie speak Elemeno, a language named after their favorite letters in the alphabet, "with no verb tenses, no pronouns, just words floating outside time and space, without owner or direction" (p. 6). How does Elemeno reflect the sisters' positions in their family and in the world? Why does Elemeno continue to be so important to Birdie throughout the novel?
3. In what ways is the tension between Sandy and Cole typical of that between any mother and daughter, and in what ways is it specific to an interracial family? Do you agree with Cole's statement: "Mum doesn't know anything about raising a black child" (p. 44)? Does Sandy treat her two daughters differently based on their appearances?
4. Why do you think Deck treats Birdie with a "cheerful disinterest-never hostility or ill will, but with a kind of impatient amusement" (p. 47)? Do you think he loves Birdie? How do Birdie and Cole respond differently to Deck's teachings on race? Who internalizes his vision of America more? By the end of the novel, have Cole and Birdie embraced or rejected their parents' philosophies about the world? Which sister seems to have become more like Deck, and which more like Sandy?
5. Officially, Birdie has no name. Her birth certificate "still reads 'Baby Lee,' like the gravestone of some stillborn child" (p. 17). Her sister's name, meanwhile, was originally Colette after the French novelist, but was later shortened to Cole. Discuss the significance of the sisters' names.
6. Sandy and Deck are initially drawn together by a quote by the French existentialist writer, Camus, who wrote: "Do you drink coffee at night?" What does this initial encounter tell you about their compatibility, or incompatibility? Why does their relationship eventually sour? Do you believe they were torn apart because of external pressures, or internal ones? Do you think they would have stayed together had they lived in a less racially divided city or in another country altogether? By the end of the novel, does Birdie believe that her parents really loved each other? Do you believe that they did?
7. Birdie refers to the time she spends on the run with Sandy, while "the lie of our false identities seemed irrelevant" (p. 116), as "dreamlike." Despite a sense of loneliness, Birdie says she felt "comfort in that state of incompletion" (p. 116). Do you feel that this experience weighed more positively or negatively in Birdie's development? By the end of the novel, has she found "completion"-or will she continue to live in this state of incompletion?
8. How did Sandy and Birdie's stay at Aurora affect Birdie's emerging sexual identity? How do her sexual experiences with Alexis compare to her later sexual experiences with Nicholas in New Hampshire? Does Birdie's emerging sexuality in any way parallel her search for racial identity?
9. Redbone lurks in the background of the novel as a sinister figure. Why does he initially take such an interest in Birdie? Why does he take her photograph in the playground? Do you believe he is in part responsible for the troubles that befall the family? Ultimately, who or what do you feel is to blame for Cole and Birdie's separation?
10. Birdie often seeks her reflection in other women's faces. What parts of herself does she see mirrored in Cole? Sandy? Maria? Samantha? Dot? Penelope? Mona? Others? What are the potential advantages and disadvantages to being a chameleon?
11. Birdie holds on to a fantasy of helping Deck's research by spying on white people while "passing." How does she fail or succeed in her study? What does she find out? Does she become Jesse Goldman, or is she able to remain Birdie in disguise? Are her fantasies about Deck shattered or fulfilled when she encounters him at the novel's conclusion?
12. At some point in New Hampshire, Birdie starts to add items to her box of "negrobilia." Discuss the significance of the various "artifacts" Birdie keeps in her box. Do they succeed in helping her remember Cole and Deck?
13. In the woods one night in New Hampshire, Samantha says to Birdie: " 'I'm black. Like you' " (p. 242). Do you think Samantha has been aware of Birdie's racial heritage all along, or is Birdie mishearing her? What or who gives Birdie the courage to finally leave New Hampshire?
14. Birdie sees her mother as "a long-lost daughter of Mayflower histories, forever in motion, running from or toward an utterable hideaway" (p. 286). In your opinion, is Sandy more "a hero, a madwoman, or a fool" (p. 332)? What motivated her to take up a life of political activism? What has she sacrificed in the process?
15. Do you agree with Deck that race is "a complete illusion... a costume" (p. 334)? Does Birdie and Cole's experience prove that racial identity is simply a costume, or something deeper?
16. In the novel's conclusion, Birdie says to her sister: " 'They say you don't have to choose. But... there are consequences if you don't.'" Cole replies: " 'Yeah, and there are consequences if you do.'" What are the consequences of choosing and not choosing? Have Birdie and Cole chosen one part of their racial heritage over the other by the novel's conclusion?
17. Birdie writes, "While there seemed to be remnants of my mother's family everywhere-history books, PBS specials, plaques in Harvard Square-my father's family was a mystery. It was as if my father and Dot had arisen out of thin air." Does her mother's white family's written history shape her identity more than her black imagined one? How does knowing or not knowing one's history contribute to one's sense of identity? Does what we learn about ourselves through oral or written histories give us a different understanding of ourselves?
18. Do you agree with Deck's theory about mulattos in America functioning as canaries in the coal mine? Is Birdie a canary in the coal mine? What do you imagine her fate will be?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Caucasia begins with Birdie's recollection: "A long time ago I disappeared. One day I was here, the next I was gone." Why does Birdie come to think of herself as having "disappeared" when living as Jesse Goldman? Is her ability to disappear a blessing or a curse? Is Birdie "passing" when she calls herself black, or when she calls herself white? When is she not passing?
2. Cole and Birdie speak Elemeno, a language named after their favorite letters in the alphabet, "with no verb tenses, no pronouns, just words floating outside time and space, without owner or direction" (p. 6). How does Elemeno reflect the sisters' positions in their family and in the world? Why does Elemeno continue to be so important to Birdie throughout the novel?
3. In what ways is the tension between Sandy and Cole typical of that between any mother and daughter, and in what ways is it specific to an interracial family? Do you agree with Cole's statement: "Mum doesn't know anything about raising a black child" (p. 44)? Does Sandy treat her two daughters differently based on their appearances?
4. Why do you think Deck treats Birdie with a "cheerful disinterest-never hostility or ill will, but with a kind of impatient amusement" (p. 47)? Do you think he loves Birdie? How do Birdie and Cole respond differently to Deck's teachings on race? Who internalizes his vision of America more? By the end of the novel, have Cole and Birdie embraced or rejected their parents' philosophies about the world? Which sister seems to have become more like Deck, and which more like Sandy?
5. Officially, Birdie has no name. Her birth certificate "still reads 'Baby Lee,' like the gravestone of some stillborn child" (p. 17). Her sister's name, meanwhile, was originally Colette after the French novelist, but was later shortened to Cole. Discuss the significance of the sisters' names.
6. Sandy and Deck are initially drawn together by a quote by the French existentialist writer, Camus, who wrote: "Do you drink coffee at night?" What does this initial encounter tell you about their compatibility, or incompatibility? Why does their relationship eventually sour? Do you believe they were torn apart because of external pressures, or internal ones? Do you think they would have stayed together had they lived in a less racially divided city or in another country altogether? By the end of the novel, does Birdie believe that her parents really loved each other? Do you believe that they did?
7. Birdie refers to the time she spends on the run with Sandy, while "the lie of our false identities seemed irrelevant" (p. 116), as "dreamlike." Despite a sense of loneliness, Birdie says she felt "comfort in that state of incompletion" (p. 116). Do you feel that this experience weighed more positively or negatively in Birdie's development? By the end of the novel, has she found "completion"-or will she continue to live in this state of incompletion?
8. How did Sandy and Birdie's stay at Aurora affect Birdie's emerging sexual identity? How do her sexual experiences with Alexis compare to her later sexual experiences with Nicholas in New Hampshire? Does Birdie's emerging sexuality in any way parallel her search for racial identity?
9. Redbone lurks in the background of the novel as a sinister figure. Why does he initially take such an interest in Birdie? Why does he take her photograph in the playground? Do you believe he is in part responsible for the troubles that befall the family? Ultimately, who or what do you feel is to blame for Cole and Birdie's separation?
10. Birdie often seeks her reflection in other women's faces. What parts of herself does she see mirrored in Cole? Sandy? Maria? Samantha? Dot? Penelope? Mona? Others? What are the potential advantages and disadvantages to being a chameleon?
11. Birdie holds on to a fantasy of helping Deck's research by spying on white people while "passing." How does she fail or succeed in her study? What does she find out? Does she become Jesse Goldman, or is she able to remain Birdie in disguise? Are her fantasies about Deck shattered or fulfilled when she encounters him at the novel's conclusion?
12. At some point in New Hampshire, Birdie starts to add items to her box of "negrobilia." Discuss the significance of the various "artifacts" Birdie keeps in her box. Do they succeed in helping her remember Cole and Deck?
13. In the woods one night in New Hampshire, Samantha says to Birdie: " 'I'm black. Like you' " (p. 242). Do you think Samantha has been aware of Birdie's racial heritage all along, or is Birdie mishearing her? What or who gives Birdie the courage to finally leave New Hampshire?
14. Birdie sees her mother as "a long-lost daughter of Mayflower histories, forever in motion, running from or toward an utterable hideaway" (p. 286). In your opinion, is Sandy more "a hero, a madwoman, or a fool" (p. 332)? What motivated her to take up a life of political activism? What has she sacrificed in the process?
15. Do you agree with Deck that race is "a complete illusion... a costume" (p. 334)? Does Birdie and Cole's experience prove that racial identity is simply a costume, or something deeper?
16. In the novel's conclusion, Birdie says to her sister: " 'They say you don't have to choose. But... there are consequences if you don't.'" Cole replies: " 'Yeah, and there are consequences if you do.'" What are the consequences of choosing and not choosing? Have Birdie and Cole chosen one part of their racial heritage over the other by the novel's conclusion?
17. Birdie writes, "While there seemed to be remnants of my mother's family everywhere-history books, PBS specials, plaques in Harvard Square-my father's family was a mystery. It was as if my father and Dot had arisen out of thin air." Does her mother's white family's written history shape her identity more than her black imagined one? How does knowing or not knowing one's history contribute to one's sense of identity? Does what we learn about ourselves through oral or written histories give us a different understanding of ourselves?
18. Do you agree with Deck's theory about mulattos in America functioning as canaries in the coal mine? Is Birdie a canary in the coal mine? What do you imagine her fate will be?
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