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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.