Monday, September 23, 2013
Phenomenology and Feminist Theory
Interesting points were brought up in this essay about how gender sometimes translates into a historical idea rather than a natural species. We learn that history has always been recorded visually. Hunters and gatherers would paint on cave walls about hunting strategies or even the anatomy of different animals. Eventually it went on to writing symbols and so on, but basically history has always been recorded visually. Male and female bodies are like sculptures and alot of what we know about them is what we see, but majority of it is what we've been told to see in these particular sculptures.
Judith also mentions that gender is a constitution. I think these two ideas go well together because a constitution is a historical document. What was said about these sculptures, the rules and regulations, are what have melted into societies norm today.
Judith also mentions that gender is a constitution. I think these two ideas go well together because a constitution is a historical document. What was said about these sculptures, the rules and regulations, are what have melted into societies norm today.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Neither Black or White
I think a great analogy to describe some of Angelo N. Ancheta's reading would be a classroom. Most times teachers are focused on either the top students or the ones who perform poorly. It's hard to invest your attention much to the middle because they tend to be able to handle themselves well enough to get along, or they don't draw as much attention to themselves as maybe the other extremes.
She mentions how historically there's been a lack of acknowledgement of Asian Americans as their own category of people. Instead a tendancy to try and place them to either the black or white race has ensued.
In a democratic world though, where majority rules, or rather those who speak out more rule. It therefore becomes difficult to address anyone who is not too outspoken. Similar to what US is going through now where latino Americans are becoming more of a threat to the white society because their population is increasing. Is it fair to decide that what the majority wants is what should be done?
Color of fear
I found it very interesting that there were only male characters discussing the issues of race. A few things that were mentioned that sparked my interest were,'only whites have the right to be American' I feel like that is a huge problem right now with race in general. The deserving aspect of it. Some people feel like foreigners dont deserve to enjoy what Americans fought for. Freedom wasn't free for them, why should it be for you. And so people who look like they're not from America/ look like foreigners/ people who are not white fall into the category of not having the right to be American.
Another interesting point is that America has no ethnicity. It goes back to the topic of optional ethnicity. White Americans, having the choice to decide whether they can just be American, or mention some kind of Irish ancestry. It doesnt affect them much, while other Americans end up having to acknowledge their ethnicity, otherwise they are labeled as rejecting where they come from.
The choices that white Ameicans have are so abundant that it makes it difficult to realize their privilege. They can chose to just be American, be human and not white, to acknowledge only the US as America.
It's a complicated chain to break when you are brought into this world ontop. I feel like the best solution is just as mentioned in the film. Those that can see it should work to try and have others become aware and more sensitive to the issues we face as a multiracial community.
Another interesting point is that America has no ethnicity. It goes back to the topic of optional ethnicity. White Americans, having the choice to decide whether they can just be American, or mention some kind of Irish ancestry. It doesnt affect them much, while other Americans end up having to acknowledge their ethnicity, otherwise they are labeled as rejecting where they come from.
The choices that white Ameicans have are so abundant that it makes it difficult to realize their privilege. They can chose to just be American, be human and not white, to acknowledge only the US as America.
It's a complicated chain to break when you are brought into this world ontop. I feel like the best solution is just as mentioned in the film. Those that can see it should work to try and have others become aware and more sensitive to the issues we face as a multiracial community.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Daily Effects of white privilege
Last night me and my friend were walking to my bandmates house for his birthday party. We got lost for a moment and we couldn't ask anyone for directions. Two black men walking up to you, "Excuse me, blah blah..." You get back in your house and lock it.
It was natural for us to avoid peoples porches or cars just so we don't alarm anyone. The effects of white privilege reminded me of that experience. We grow up to accept alot of things and sometimes its more of learning to tolerate what others think of you. It makes me wonder if white people learn to take in and accept, psychologically, that they are 'superior'. Are we accountable for accepting to tolerate others opinions? Or should we consistently attempt to understand others and constantly reinvent ourselves to be more fair and equal to others.
It was natural for us to avoid peoples porches or cars just so we don't alarm anyone. The effects of white privilege reminded me of that experience. We grow up to accept alot of things and sometimes its more of learning to tolerate what others think of you. It makes me wonder if white people learn to take in and accept, psychologically, that they are 'superior'. Are we accountable for accepting to tolerate others opinions? Or should we consistently attempt to understand others and constantly reinvent ourselves to be more fair and equal to others.
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