Reading reflection #10

The article form the burlington free press that deals with hate crimes, was a little shocking to me; mostly because it happened in Vermont, which in my minds is one of the most liberal and accepting place in the united states. I was alost shocked by the fact that the crime commited towars the gay couple was dotn so by two women, normally when i think of a hate crime i think of two guys going and beating up some gay guy or some white rednecks ebating up a black guy, this is defiently not the case. And although hate crime legislation is a good idea, i feel that in practice it is an in effective tool to stop hate crimes from occuring. I also feel that they are in place mostly to make people feel good about themselves and to make it seem like they are making an effort to make a difference, when in fact there are other things that they could be doing that would educate the public about other races and sexes. If you teach kids from a young age that discrimination is wrong, and that it is ok to be different and to accept people for their differences and continue to do so through young adulthood this would do much more than simply making it a law. Also free speach could be an issue with this type of law and there are to many gray areas.

observation post #5

Earlier today I decided to go to a shooting range to zero in my rifle for deer season. When i got there, there were a good number of "rednecks" there shooting, and talking to one another. One or two of them were repeatedly say ratial and derogatory slurs. I found it very annoying and somewhat distracting. I dont understand how someone in todays society can really think negatively on another person just because of their race or sexual orientation. Luckily they were not there much longer after i had arrived so i did no have to listen to them for very long.

Reading reflection #9

When reading chapter 9, much of it was about how people no longer want to see a distinction between sex, gender, race, and social class. And although this is a novel idea, i think it is totally impractical and completely pointless. If everyone is viewed as exactly the same, we would no longer be ourselves. It is the differences between us that makes us who we are and guides our everyday decisions. I agree with the idea that someone should not be discriminated or held ot a higher standard just beause of their sex, race, or social class; but at the same time it is important to notice these differences. With out differences nothing in the world would change, no advances would be made, and everyone would simply become a drone.