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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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?

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.