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
Showing posts with label S. Ramos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label S. Ramos. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
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.
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
Saturday, April 30, 2011
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
Thursday, April 28, 2011
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
Saturday, April 23, 2011
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
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Golliwog’s Revenge
As I read this chapter I wondered what it had to do with the title. That is, until I read page 113 and 114 and finally decided to look up the definition of golliwog (a grotesque black doll). I knew that it was a funny looking black doll, but I never thought of it as grotesque.
Anyway, I believe the revenge had to do with Birdie’s description of her mother’s appearance and behavior which began on page 113:
“When I turned, she appeared enormous to me. It struck me that she had been eating lately with a hurricane energy – with even more gusto than usual.”
“Meanwhile, my mother was whispering things to herself as she drove, her head at a crooked angle.”
“At Friendly’s she wolfed down her banana split, getting chocolate around her mouth and a little dot of whipped cream on the tip of her nose so that she looked clownish, like Golliwog.
“So, Miss Black is Beautiful doesn’t think you’re good enough, huh? You probably remind her of me, and that’s what they’re all trying to forget these days, you know – that they ever dabbled in the nitty gritty land of miscegenation.”
So, here was Sandy, a paranoid, under cover, activist; looking like a real life white golliwog. Then later, as the saying goes, the pot calling the kettle black!
Anyway, I believe the revenge had to do with Birdie’s description of her mother’s appearance and behavior which began on page 113:
“When I turned, she appeared enormous to me. It struck me that she had been eating lately with a hurricane energy – with even more gusto than usual.”
“Meanwhile, my mother was whispering things to herself as she drove, her head at a crooked angle.”
“At Friendly’s she wolfed down her banana split, getting chocolate around her mouth and a little dot of whipped cream on the tip of her nose so that she looked clownish, like Golliwog.
“So, Miss Black is Beautiful doesn’t think you’re good enough, huh? You probably remind her of me, and that’s what they’re all trying to forget these days, you know – that they ever dabbled in the nitty gritty land of miscegenation.”
So, here was Sandy, a paranoid, under cover, activist; looking like a real life white golliwog. Then later, as the saying goes, the pot calling the kettle black!
To be or not to be...ccc
We had a lively discussion about whether or not HIST 359 should be CCC (College Core Curriculum. However, a good deal of it was irrelevant! We took off on a tangent about size and unwilling participants. I take issue with many aspects of SUNY Fredonia and the SUNY system as a whole in how poorly some things are handled. However, I do tend to think that they can manage handling enrollment size without totally screwing up anyone’s life! As for uninterested students…why would I let their behavior limit my goals, my journey?
The real issue has to do with the purpose (mission), of the CCCs. Read the entire statement at http://www.fredonia.edu/department/gened/. Can you think of courses that you have been and/or will be forced to take that will not help you fulfill that mission? Can you think of the same for courses (HIST 359 included), that will, but are barely an afterthought?
Go to the following site, scroll down, and read the history:
http://www.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_id=327&CFID=5408694&CFTOKEN=23465999&jsessionid=9e30540dd032099abcf07e5335734d332d73.
Do you think the standards reviews are keeping up with the changing times referred to in the mission statement? No, they are not! In fact, it’s pretty much already antiquated. That’s not to say that there are no options. Depending on when an individual entered school he/she may have some power of choice. However, you have to go through hell just to be given an audience. More importantly, most folks don’t even know they have that right.
I’m reminded of a discussion between a talk show host and a panel of other notable folks. The topic was faith and religion. Quite naturally level of one’s participation was thrown in the mix. The host stated, and I quote “attending a church isn’t going to make me anymore faithful and religious than standing in a garage is going to turn me into a car.”
With that, taking courses that no longer fit CCC, isn’t going to make me anymore of a well-rounded individual than donning sports outfits is going to turn me into an olympic champion.
The real issue has to do with the purpose (mission), of the CCCs. Read the entire statement at http://www.fredonia.edu/department/gened/. Can you think of courses that you have been and/or will be forced to take that will not help you fulfill that mission? Can you think of the same for courses (HIST 359 included), that will, but are barely an afterthought?
Go to the following site, scroll down, and read the history:
http://www.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_id=327&CFID=5408694&CFTOKEN=23465999&jsessionid=9e30540dd032099abcf07e5335734d332d73.
Do you think the standards reviews are keeping up with the changing times referred to in the mission statement? No, they are not! In fact, it’s pretty much already antiquated. That’s not to say that there are no options. Depending on when an individual entered school he/she may have some power of choice. However, you have to go through hell just to be given an audience. More importantly, most folks don’t even know they have that right.
I’m reminded of a discussion between a talk show host and a panel of other notable folks. The topic was faith and religion. Quite naturally level of one’s participation was thrown in the mix. The host stated, and I quote “attending a church isn’t going to make me anymore faithful and religious than standing in a garage is going to turn me into a car.”
With that, taking courses that no longer fit CCC, isn’t going to make me anymore of a well-rounded individual than donning sports outfits is going to turn me into an olympic champion.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Lessons to throw away....
Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote these lyrics for the motion picture ‘South Pacific.’
You've got to be taught to hate and fear
You've got to be taught from year to year
It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught
You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made
And people whose skin is a different shade
You've got to be carefully taught
You've got to be taught before it's too late
Before you are six or seven or eight
To hate all the people your relatives hate
You've got to be carefully taught
You've got to be carefully taught
We are still growing up, what will we CHOOSE to do about changing all that we have been so carefully taught?
S. Ramos, Post #17
You've got to be taught to hate and fear
You've got to be taught from year to year
It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught
You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made
And people whose skin is a different shade
You've got to be carefully taught
You've got to be taught before it's too late
Before you are six or seven or eight
To hate all the people your relatives hate
You've got to be carefully taught
You've got to be carefully taught
We are still growing up, what will we CHOOSE to do about changing all that we have been so carefully taught?
S. Ramos, Post #17
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Choose.....
Peggy McIntosh stated “describing white privilege makes one newly accountable.” Does it really? No, it doesn’t. However, I’d like to think that we all understand what she meant. Because the real deal, is that we have the option to choose to be accountable, and that applies to everything. Just imagine, if you can, our society if just after each of our ‘ah hah’ moments we chose to become accountable and began to apply the new lesson…the new wisdom to our lives…we’d be slammin!!!
But, as we all know, there will always be those folks that, for whatever reasons they fear, will want to remain mired in severe ignorance! And guess who religiously depends on that cemented stupidity???? Yep, that’s right; you guessed it……THE HIERARCHY!!!!!
Yes, there will always be someone from that group crying out for a serious beat down, but we, HIST 359, won’t be the ones to get down and roll in the gutter with them. And that’s because the moment we decided to utilize our privilege and stay registered, we chose to become accountable!
S. Ramos, Post #16
But, as we all know, there will always be those folks that, for whatever reasons they fear, will want to remain mired in severe ignorance! And guess who religiously depends on that cemented stupidity???? Yep, that’s right; you guessed it……THE HIERARCHY!!!!!
Yes, there will always be someone from that group crying out for a serious beat down, but we, HIST 359, won’t be the ones to get down and roll in the gutter with them. And that’s because the moment we decided to utilize our privilege and stay registered, we chose to become accountable!
S. Ramos, Post #16
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
MSNBC News Article
I thought this would be interesting to share with the class.
NBC News Article:
New Milestone: 1 in 6 US residents is Hispanic
In forth coming Census Bureau release, racial and ethnic minorities are expected to make up 90 percent of total US growth since 2000.
In a surprising show of growth, Hispanics accounted for more than half of the US population increase over the last decade, exceeding estimates in most states. Also, pulled by migration to the Sun Belt, America’s population center edged westward on a historic path to leave the Midwest. The Census Bureau will release its first set of national-level findings from the 2010 count on race and migration, detailing a decade in which rapid minority growth, aging whites and increased suburbanization were the predominant story lines. Racial and ethnic minorities are expected to make up an unprecedented 90 percent of the total US growth since 2000, due to immigration and higher birth rates for Latinos. Currently the fastest growing group, Hispanics are on track to exceed 50 million, or roughly 1 in 6 Americans; among US children, Hispanics are now roughly 1 in 4. The final figures come as states in the coming months engage in the contentious process of redrawing political districts based on population and racial makeup, with changes that analysts believe will result in more Hispanic-majority districts. The population changes will result in a shift of 12 House seats and electoral votes affecting 18 states beginning in the 2012 elections. Most of the states picking up seats, which include Texas and Florida, are Republican-leaning, even as most of their growth is now being driven largely by Democratic-leaning Hispanics.
Here are some responses to the article:
- Perhaps it’s time for our nanny-state gov’t to stop paying poor urban minorities to squirt out babies they can’t/won’t take care of.
- Support LEGAL immigration only.
- What proportion of this growth was basically illegal?
- Seems to me that the Americans are now a minority. Does that mean our kids can go for minority scholarships now? We pay full price at our own colleges and universities while all the education money goes to foreigners. Totally not fair when you see numbers like this. Wake up America!
- Is that accounting the illegal Hispanic immigrants also? I think not.
- Way to go asswipes!
- And the worst part of this is that for most of these Hispanics, rather than becoming part of American society they set up a parallel society within America with it’s own language and customs. Here in the west that means that they are responsible for most of the gang and drug culture.
- But are they Americans?
- Big surprise! They breed like rabbits and then we have to pay the cost. When we finally wake up to the real issue, it’s going to be too late. They will have taken over the USA!
The article goes on to state:
More than half of the cities with the largest African-American concentrations showed black population declines in the last decade, including Chicago and Detroit. In contrast, the suburbs of growing southern metro areas like Atlanta, Dallas and Houston saw some of their highest gains.
**Then there was a video titled “Black populations dropping in big cities.” It begins with a photo of a very young looking (teen), black female holding a toddler on her lap while sitting in a church. The caption reads “New census data shows many black Americans leaving major cities in greater numbers in favor of warmer climates and suburban amenities.”
S. Ramos, Post #15
NBC News Article:
New Milestone: 1 in 6 US residents is Hispanic
In forth coming Census Bureau release, racial and ethnic minorities are expected to make up 90 percent of total US growth since 2000.
In a surprising show of growth, Hispanics accounted for more than half of the US population increase over the last decade, exceeding estimates in most states. Also, pulled by migration to the Sun Belt, America’s population center edged westward on a historic path to leave the Midwest. The Census Bureau will release its first set of national-level findings from the 2010 count on race and migration, detailing a decade in which rapid minority growth, aging whites and increased suburbanization were the predominant story lines. Racial and ethnic minorities are expected to make up an unprecedented 90 percent of the total US growth since 2000, due to immigration and higher birth rates for Latinos. Currently the fastest growing group, Hispanics are on track to exceed 50 million, or roughly 1 in 6 Americans; among US children, Hispanics are now roughly 1 in 4. The final figures come as states in the coming months engage in the contentious process of redrawing political districts based on population and racial makeup, with changes that analysts believe will result in more Hispanic-majority districts. The population changes will result in a shift of 12 House seats and electoral votes affecting 18 states beginning in the 2012 elections. Most of the states picking up seats, which include Texas and Florida, are Republican-leaning, even as most of their growth is now being driven largely by Democratic-leaning Hispanics.
Here are some responses to the article:
- Perhaps it’s time for our nanny-state gov’t to stop paying poor urban minorities to squirt out babies they can’t/won’t take care of.
- Support LEGAL immigration only.
- What proportion of this growth was basically illegal?
- Seems to me that the Americans are now a minority. Does that mean our kids can go for minority scholarships now? We pay full price at our own colleges and universities while all the education money goes to foreigners. Totally not fair when you see numbers like this. Wake up America!
- Is that accounting the illegal Hispanic immigrants also? I think not.
- Way to go asswipes!
- And the worst part of this is that for most of these Hispanics, rather than becoming part of American society they set up a parallel society within America with it’s own language and customs. Here in the west that means that they are responsible for most of the gang and drug culture.
- But are they Americans?
- Big surprise! They breed like rabbits and then we have to pay the cost. When we finally wake up to the real issue, it’s going to be too late. They will have taken over the USA!
The article goes on to state:
More than half of the cities with the largest African-American concentrations showed black population declines in the last decade, including Chicago and Detroit. In contrast, the suburbs of growing southern metro areas like Atlanta, Dallas and Houston saw some of their highest gains.
**Then there was a video titled “Black populations dropping in big cities.” It begins with a photo of a very young looking (teen), black female holding a toddler on her lap while sitting in a church. The caption reads “New census data shows many black Americans leaving major cities in greater numbers in favor of warmer climates and suburban amenities.”
S. Ramos, Post #15
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Cirque Du Drag: Extravaganza!!
Cirque Du Drag: Extravaganza!!
What great things can I possibly say about the show that hasn’t already been stated in the reviews? I had such a wonderful time. The atmosphere before, during, and after the show was just awesome! I love when folks of all genders, colors, and ages can come together and joyously entertain and move every single person present.
The queens were gorgeous and the kings were handsome! However, I do have to admit that some of the queens were so beautiful that I felt like a little ugly duckling. LOL
Our classmate Kim was cute as a button doing her skit! Thanks to both of our classmates for such a wonderful event and evening!
S. Ramos, Post #14
What great things can I possibly say about the show that hasn’t already been stated in the reviews? I had such a wonderful time. The atmosphere before, during, and after the show was just awesome! I love when folks of all genders, colors, and ages can come together and joyously entertain and move every single person present.
The queens were gorgeous and the kings were handsome! However, I do have to admit that some of the queens were so beautiful that I felt like a little ugly duckling. LOL
Our classmate Kim was cute as a button doing her skit! Thanks to both of our classmates for such a wonderful event and evening!
S. Ramos, Post #14
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Race & Ethnicity
As always, the class discussion on white ethnic Americans was very stimulating. I absolutely love that our class is such an open forum. In another course that I am taking the question was asked, why it may be uncomfortable to talk about racism in a classroom. Some responses were: you may not want to insult any specific person, you may be afraid to let your views be known, whether for or against, you may be targeted or threatened with violence, you may be laughed at, ignored, and so on.
I suggested that it depends on the boundaries originally set up between the instructor and the students. Quite naturally I boasted about our class. I pointed out that just because the course title is Ethnicity and Race doesn’t guarantee that none of the above issues would become a problem. Or for that matter, everyone will openly participate. However, if the instructor sets the tone from the very beginning about not only what will be covered, but what will be expected of every student. We are old enough and mature enough to decide for ourselves if the content is something we are open to learning about and openly discussing. I mentioned how respectfully and even comically we all share with one another, our personal views, thoughts, and questions.
Several students approached me to ask what is our instructor’s name and do I know if the course is offered next semester. I am so proud to be a part of our class. Thank you professor Iovannone and all my classmates!!!!!
S. Ramos,
I suggested that it depends on the boundaries originally set up between the instructor and the students. Quite naturally I boasted about our class. I pointed out that just because the course title is Ethnicity and Race doesn’t guarantee that none of the above issues would become a problem. Or for that matter, everyone will openly participate. However, if the instructor sets the tone from the very beginning about not only what will be covered, but what will be expected of every student. We are old enough and mature enough to decide for ourselves if the content is something we are open to learning about and openly discussing. I mentioned how respectfully and even comically we all share with one another, our personal views, thoughts, and questions.
Several students approached me to ask what is our instructor’s name and do I know if the course is offered next semester. I am so proud to be a part of our class. Thank you professor Iovannone and all my classmates!!!!!
S. Ramos,
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Ms. Cho
Margaret Cho
I’m not surprised at the struggle Ms.Cho endured to be recognized as American. It’s continued proof of power and pressure from the dominant group to stipulate what they want us to be and how we are to be labeled.
The text points out that the term Asian American is a misnomer. I argue the same for Hispanic American and African American. Our origin can be from anywhere in the world, but because we have similar physical features, color to our skin, possibly some ancestors from a particular region, the hierarchy demands that we be pointed out and counted separately. Not because they want to display a ‘beautiful mixed salad bowl’, if you will, but to keep track of those individuals that they want to maintain control over. As we continue to move about and mix with others, it sends them into a panic and they come up with new labels for us. A way to lump us into categories that will suit their purposes.
Who, in their right mind hires a native to teach a non-native how to be a native?
S. Ramos, Post #12
I’m not surprised at the struggle Ms.Cho endured to be recognized as American. It’s continued proof of power and pressure from the dominant group to stipulate what they want us to be and how we are to be labeled.
The text points out that the term Asian American is a misnomer. I argue the same for Hispanic American and African American. Our origin can be from anywhere in the world, but because we have similar physical features, color to our skin, possibly some ancestors from a particular region, the hierarchy demands that we be pointed out and counted separately. Not because they want to display a ‘beautiful mixed salad bowl’, if you will, but to keep track of those individuals that they want to maintain control over. As we continue to move about and mix with others, it sends them into a panic and they come up with new labels for us. A way to lump us into categories that will suit their purposes.
Who, in their right mind hires a native to teach a non-native how to be a native?
S. Ramos, Post #12
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Common sense
Marger, Chapter 9
I know of some very educated, very intelligent folks that insist Asians are superior to Americans in every way and will argue anyone into the ground about it. It’s rather comical just listening to them go on about their theories. To hear them talk, you would think that Asians were born with a special ‘smart’ gene or something. I often wonder how they managed to get so far in life without a lick of common sense! However, such ignorance pervades our western society’s idea of what is considered a well-rounded education.
Americans aren’t born with an ignorant gene. Asians aren’t born with a smart gene. There are no hidden secrets. No unsolvable mystery. What the Asians do possess over us, as do other nations, is good ole common sense and the forethought to actually apply it. Take a look at their educational system. Children at primary level are immersed in languages, math, and science. The US doesn’t require language until High School level. What’s wrong with that picture? How many times have you heard someone say “I had 3 or 4 years of blank language in HS and I don’t remember a thing?” That’s mostly because it is implemented at the worst possible time in our educational lives. Consider my personal dilemma: In the late 60’s my HS had 4 diploma programs (academic, commercial, general, & vocational). Depending on which program you were assigned you may be allowed to take a language. There was another catch; you also had to have been in honor classes throughout elementary and middle school. The outcome; only a handful of students were able to take a language. Their only choices though, were French, German, Italian, & Latin. If by chance Spanish was offered, it was Castilian.
So, I didn’t have a language in HS. Now, to graduate from SUNY Fredonia I’m required to have at least one semester of language. Tell me, what is wrong with that picture? How will that round out my education? Yes, it’s great to learn other languages for all the reasons that I’m certain you can come up with. But, in my case, how will forcing me to take one semester of a language going to help me in any way? My money will be better spent to invest in Rosetta Stone. This is exactly what I plan to do.
Another sad and neglected area of our educational system is money. Wasn’t the Lottery supposedly created to bolster educational cost? Well, we have created lots of millionaires while education continues to suffer and endure program cuts. Add to that, the fact that we still just cannot seem to get our curriculum priorities in order!
So, are Asians innately superior? Of course not! Are they innately more sensible? Most definitely!
S. Ramos, Post #11
I know of some very educated, very intelligent folks that insist Asians are superior to Americans in every way and will argue anyone into the ground about it. It’s rather comical just listening to them go on about their theories. To hear them talk, you would think that Asians were born with a special ‘smart’ gene or something. I often wonder how they managed to get so far in life without a lick of common sense! However, such ignorance pervades our western society’s idea of what is considered a well-rounded education.
Americans aren’t born with an ignorant gene. Asians aren’t born with a smart gene. There are no hidden secrets. No unsolvable mystery. What the Asians do possess over us, as do other nations, is good ole common sense and the forethought to actually apply it. Take a look at their educational system. Children at primary level are immersed in languages, math, and science. The US doesn’t require language until High School level. What’s wrong with that picture? How many times have you heard someone say “I had 3 or 4 years of blank language in HS and I don’t remember a thing?” That’s mostly because it is implemented at the worst possible time in our educational lives. Consider my personal dilemma: In the late 60’s my HS had 4 diploma programs (academic, commercial, general, & vocational). Depending on which program you were assigned you may be allowed to take a language. There was another catch; you also had to have been in honor classes throughout elementary and middle school. The outcome; only a handful of students were able to take a language. Their only choices though, were French, German, Italian, & Latin. If by chance Spanish was offered, it was Castilian.
So, I didn’t have a language in HS. Now, to graduate from SUNY Fredonia I’m required to have at least one semester of language. Tell me, what is wrong with that picture? How will that round out my education? Yes, it’s great to learn other languages for all the reasons that I’m certain you can come up with. But, in my case, how will forcing me to take one semester of a language going to help me in any way? My money will be better spent to invest in Rosetta Stone. This is exactly what I plan to do.
Another sad and neglected area of our educational system is money. Wasn’t the Lottery supposedly created to bolster educational cost? Well, we have created lots of millionaires while education continues to suffer and endure program cuts. Add to that, the fact that we still just cannot seem to get our curriculum priorities in order!
So, are Asians innately superior? Of course not! Are they innately more sensible? Most definitely!
S. Ramos, Post #11
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Residential segregation
Marger, Chapter 7
Residential segregation has always been an interesting concept to me. When we were small children growing up in a large city, many of us were aware of the stark differences in certain neighborhoods. However to us, it didn’t really mean much. In fact, neighborhoods with one and two family homes appeared to be boring. There was nothing in the world like the fun of being able to run up and down the hallways and to different floors whenever the weather was too extreme to go outdoors. And although our apartment buildings were about 4 to 6 stories high and adventurous, we dreamed of someday being able to live in the newer and taller project housing that was being erected all around us. We saw only the aesthetics. They were uniform, orderly, neatly designed grassy areas; some closed in by a rope of chain link fence others by chicken wire, onsite playgrounds with all sorts of cool looking cement and metal structures to climb on. Most inner city project housing was 10, 20, or more stories high. To obtain tenancy people had to meet very special requirements. Which were a mixture of the working low income and the poorest of the community. To the children, uniquely modern, sky-scraper type housing had come to town, concrete cities within the city!
Communities were bombarded with information about luxurious yet affordable housing in the heart of the city. Lists of conveniences were stated in such a way to make people think they would have to be fools to even consider leaving the city. The following were pointed out:
-Why let your children go out of the area to other parks when you can have access to state of the art playgrounds right on the premises.
-Why worry about the hassle of transferring schools and busing for your children when they can continue at their own neighborhood schools.
-Don’t buy a car. 24 hour bus and train service is available within walking distance to blank development.
-Why worry about costly moving expenses and higher rent neighborhoods when you can pay rent according to your income. Many units available for large families…and so on.
For many people those were very attractive amenities. However, when looking at the broader picture, it was nothing more than a way to keep poorer people, mostly black and Hispanic, corralled in the cities. Piled on top of each other in what became high rise ghettos. As the text pointed out, highly segregated and spatially isolated
S. Ramos, Post #10
Residential segregation has always been an interesting concept to me. When we were small children growing up in a large city, many of us were aware of the stark differences in certain neighborhoods. However to us, it didn’t really mean much. In fact, neighborhoods with one and two family homes appeared to be boring. There was nothing in the world like the fun of being able to run up and down the hallways and to different floors whenever the weather was too extreme to go outdoors. And although our apartment buildings were about 4 to 6 stories high and adventurous, we dreamed of someday being able to live in the newer and taller project housing that was being erected all around us. We saw only the aesthetics. They were uniform, orderly, neatly designed grassy areas; some closed in by a rope of chain link fence others by chicken wire, onsite playgrounds with all sorts of cool looking cement and metal structures to climb on. Most inner city project housing was 10, 20, or more stories high. To obtain tenancy people had to meet very special requirements. Which were a mixture of the working low income and the poorest of the community. To the children, uniquely modern, sky-scraper type housing had come to town, concrete cities within the city!
Communities were bombarded with information about luxurious yet affordable housing in the heart of the city. Lists of conveniences were stated in such a way to make people think they would have to be fools to even consider leaving the city. The following were pointed out:
-Why let your children go out of the area to other parks when you can have access to state of the art playgrounds right on the premises.
-Why worry about the hassle of transferring schools and busing for your children when they can continue at their own neighborhood schools.
-Don’t buy a car. 24 hour bus and train service is available within walking distance to blank development.
-Why worry about costly moving expenses and higher rent neighborhoods when you can pay rent according to your income. Many units available for large families…and so on.
For many people those were very attractive amenities. However, when looking at the broader picture, it was nothing more than a way to keep poorer people, mostly black and Hispanic, corralled in the cities. Piled on top of each other in what became high rise ghettos. As the text pointed out, highly segregated and spatially isolated
S. Ramos, Post #10
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Black beauty woke up and was killed.
Marger, Chapter 7
I can remember living in the heart of Brooklyn, New York City when ‘Black Power’ took root.
It was as if people suddenly realized, and then gave themselves permission, to speak out loud about the beauty of their uniqueness. In this chapter Harold Isaacs says of the well-known term ‘Black is Beautiful’…”In both its literal and its symbolic meanings, it became the password to a measure of self-acceptance by Black Americans that generations of earlier leaders and tribunes of the people had sought in vain to achieve.”
Measure is correct because that’s all it was for a time. Marger stresses this, but says it was due to the public being preoccupied with the Vietnam War. I agree, but only to an extent. The fact of the matter was, regardless to the war, black power, black pride, black autonomy, had to be killed.
What? A peoples that have been displaced, lied to, kept down, and starving for self-identity and finding a way to rise up and be heard. That wasn’t going to be tolerated! That awakened beauty had to be put back down. And so it was done, by what Marger refers to as the white power structure, but we all know as our illustrious government. The most courageous and visible leaders were eliminated. To cover the inflicted gaping wound a small band aid was offered in the form of small concessions to some communities. Specific and limited funds were increased for a few government programs and services.
What was sad is that so many people believed that the governments so called generosity were a direct achievement of the black power movement. The increase in black pride was the real achievement.
S. Ramos, Post #9
I can remember living in the heart of Brooklyn, New York City when ‘Black Power’ took root.
It was as if people suddenly realized, and then gave themselves permission, to speak out loud about the beauty of their uniqueness. In this chapter Harold Isaacs says of the well-known term ‘Black is Beautiful’…”In both its literal and its symbolic meanings, it became the password to a measure of self-acceptance by Black Americans that generations of earlier leaders and tribunes of the people had sought in vain to achieve.”
Measure is correct because that’s all it was for a time. Marger stresses this, but says it was due to the public being preoccupied with the Vietnam War. I agree, but only to an extent. The fact of the matter was, regardless to the war, black power, black pride, black autonomy, had to be killed.
What? A peoples that have been displaced, lied to, kept down, and starving for self-identity and finding a way to rise up and be heard. That wasn’t going to be tolerated! That awakened beauty had to be put back down. And so it was done, by what Marger refers to as the white power structure, but we all know as our illustrious government. The most courageous and visible leaders were eliminated. To cover the inflicted gaping wound a small band aid was offered in the form of small concessions to some communities. Specific and limited funds were increased for a few government programs and services.
What was sad is that so many people believed that the governments so called generosity were a direct achievement of the black power movement. The increase in black pride was the real achievement.
S. Ramos, Post #9
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