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.

Chapter 8 Reflection

While reading chapter 9, it was the very first section that got most of my attention. I was not happy on how the author used the quote "The bottom line, whatever the casualties, is that immigrants are goign to continue to join because they have to, They want to life better" (quoted in Davey, 2004). It was used to show how the government forces lower class/minorities to join the military. No one is forced to do sign up for the military. The military is an excellent way to get out of a lower class system, pay for college and gain experience that can help in later life. Being from an uppor middleclass town, i know alot of individuals who have gone into the military, ones that did not have to for economic reasons. Just because there are more minorities in the military that does not make it a bad thing.

Observation Journal #4

Over this past weekend i spent most of my time in Castleton, and while i was down there i realized how different it actually was from burlington. When i walk through downtown burlington all i see are different posters protesting things with extremely liberal statements, and lots of hippies. Then when down in castleton...none of those things...infact it was almost the exact opposite. Most people held more conservative views, with few protests about the governemnt and the way it is being run.
I knew that rural vermont was more conservative than burlington, but i never really knew how much untill i actually met multiple people from those areas.

Chapter 5 reading reflection

Chapter 5 discusses stereostypes and how they can affect individuals. Everyone at some point in their life has either applied a stero type to someome or has been viewed as stereotypical for their race, gender, or ethnicity.

I know that for myself growing up in a primarly white upper middleclass town, most people that viewed us believed that everyone was exactly the same, stuckup and rich. How ever this is not true, the majority of the families were normal people who went to work everyday and worked hard to provide for their family.

Although i foudn it very annoying to be grouped in witht he typic opper class white male, i am also guilty of applying stereotypes. The best example i can give is the stereotype of of an African american who enjoys eating fried chicken, watermelon, drinking coolaid, and is extremely loud when at the movies. My first year of college was spent at SUNY Canton, where a large portion of the student population is made up of african americans, and sure enough a good chunk of the population fit that stereotype, almost exactly. It was very interesting (and a little annoying at times), but i was also aware of the fact that they were not all like that, and that some were very quite and reserved.

Chapter 4 reading reflection

The example give about the parents who did all that they could raise their children in a genderless society was possibly the worst idea i have ever heard. Attempting to raise raise someone in a society where everything is exactly the same will not allow the children to experience different things and know what is best for them. Limiting a child to activities that are not gender specific is in my mind just as bad as forcing gender roles on them. I know when i was little growing up, I mostly did stuff with my dad and we now have the same interests. I also know that we have many differences as well and that growing up he never forced any gender specific roles on me. I would just try something, and if i liked it, i would keep doing it. Personally i enjoy hunting, driving cars/working on them, camping, hiking, and sports i was never forced to engage in these activities, i was simply given the opportunity to try them and liked them. At the same time i also enjoy cooking, and have no problem helping pick up around the house, which according to a gender specific role is not what a guy should be doing.
In conclusion i feel that it is extremely important for people to embrace both who and what they are. Race, gender, sexual orientation and anything else that makes someone who they are. With out these everyone one in the world would be exactly the same and no change would ever occur.