Final Reflective Essay

There were many interesting concepts and ideas that I have learned in Sociology 1125, in my first year at Kwantlen, but the main concept I found the most interesting was that human beings develop socially by interacting with their surrounding and the individuals who reside in their particular environment. We took a great deal of class time exploring and expanding upon this theory. I feel that this was the main concept of the class. Several sociological as well as psychological theories state this claim, that society develops human, to be the way they are. For example Cooley’s looking glass self theory depicts how people develop through interactions with others, and how others perspectives mold the affected individual‘s perception of themselves. Mill’s sociological imagination theory states how people interact and influence one another (such as by other’s actions). Symbolic interactionism theorized by Thomas, which is based on work done by Cooley, states how people are shaped by the result of their consequences. As for Webber’s theological image theory, it explains as to how a God figure, manipulates the way human beings perceive their surroundings.

            We learned that all these theories explain as to why individuals do the things they do in a particular environment. In Cooley’s theory, it takes into consideration the people closest to the affected individual and how people’s perceptions are the result of the perceptions of others. Basically, if an individual is labelled as the “nerdy” kid by their closest friends, then that individual will believe that is true and in part become that. In Mill’s theory humans are influenced by their peers’ actions. For example, if a child sees a friend stealing, then they is more likely to steal due to the overwhelming influence another human being causes. Thomas’ theory takes Cooley’s theory and expands it by explaining how a person’s actions cause consequences and these consequences then influence those around them. So if a child is caught stealing, the consequence is the punishment, which would make the child’s friends unlikely to steal. Webber had another perspective, which a God figure shapes the actions an individual commits. So if the teaching of a God depict of harmonious living and no killing, the individual will be more likely to follow those teachings in fear of going against an authoritative figure. Again, these all explain as to why people grow up to be the way that they are.
              All in all, these sociological theories are main ideas of how the environment and the people residing in the according society, evolves the human’s perception, character, morals, which are the basis of any persons personality. Learning these theories and concepts, in my opinion, by far were the most intriguing part of the class. This is because we were able to then understand why, through these theories, why we are the way we are, and why people act certain ways, according to their up brings or surroundings.

Social Justice Event

The Social Justice Event I attended was about a group of students and instructors from Kwantlen, who took a 24 day trip to Ghana. This group was comprised of 15 students and 2 instructors. They had the opportunity to see a new culture first hand and make new friends. Here they developed a different view of the world, then they previously had. All of the people involved had varying experiences, such as, Natalie (who was placed in an elementary school), Jena (who worked at a HR resource center) and Gurp (who was placed in various working environments.)

The story and experience I found the most interesting was that of Natalie’s. She was placed in an elementary school, with children aged 4 – 12. This particular school was called “Anani Memorial School for French and English.” This school gives the opportunity of education to underprivileged and poor children, from all over Africa. The teachers here don’t have set pay, and continue to teach and work, for the sake of the children. The children here, use different methods and resources to accomplish things, ie. sharpening a pencil with a razor blade. Natalie shared with the school her skills, time and resources. She provided the children with pencils, and taught them songs like old mcdonald. The things she learned and gained from the school was, knowledge, friendships and memories.

All of the speakers here seemed to have changed their minds, in how they think of Ghana. They all stated in different words that they found this experience eye opening and life changing. If I have the opportunity to travel to an African country, especially Ghana, I think now I would most likely want to go there and experience it first hand, from seeing all these positive experiences.

Video: Blue Eyes

This video is about racism in Canada towards natives and how white people are seen as superior. In this intervention of sorts, documentary style video, white people and natives switch positions. The “blue eyes” experience what the natives go through on a day to day basis. The leader of this group trys to show the whites what it is like to be “brown.” The white people are shown disrespect and neglect, just like the natives are shown everyday. Though this video does make a good point, I think for racism towards natives in Canada to vanish we all have to accept that we are all the same, no matter our heritage or skin colour.

Video: Race the Power of Illusion

This documentary tries to explore the meaning of race in the western world. There is a belief that race is biologically “real”, when it is actually just an idea and not scientifically true. In this video we learn that every race is very similar, and there is no biological distinctions from one race to the next. Race is just physical differences or social differences. Every human has the same 3500 genes, with varying mutations of skin tone and melanin. Under our skin we are all biologically the same. Race is a social and historical idea and mind set. Although, all of this is true, “race” still determines our quality of life and life styles.

Video: Chimamanda Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story

This video we watched, “Chimamanda Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story”, is about a girl and her realization that people have to be more open to different view points and “stories.” She grew up at an University Campus in Eastern Nigeria. She started reading at the age of 4 and began writing at the age of 7. The books she read were British and American children’s books, about white children, therefore when she started to write, she wrote about white children. This is because she was only taught a single story. She tells us not to take everything we are told or see as factual. Some interesting quotes from her speech are, “Stories can break dignity of people, but they can also repair their dignity”, and “When we realize that there is never a single story about a place, we regain a kind of paradise.” This video was very eye opening and thought provoking.

The Phantom of the Race: The Myth of Race and the Reality of Racism – by: Charles Quist-Adade (Affective)

- What is the reading about? - This reading is about how the concept of race is false but the concept of racism is true. This is because we are all part of the same race, no matter our skin colour, and this has been scientifically proven. Though we are all part of the same race/ species the majority of people tend to be “racist” towards others who are not of the same skin colour as they are. Since we were all young we have unconsciously adopted the pre-conceived stereo types towards fellow humans of the same skin colour. Sadly, the majority of people tend to be discriminatory towards people that do not resemble their looks.

- How do WE FEEL about the reading WE just finished? – “We“ feel that this reading made good overall points about the mis-conceived notion that people of a different skin colour are part of an entirely different race. Also, that we shouldn’t judge any other person based on their skin colouring or accents.

- What do WE THINK about the reading WE just finished? – “We” think that this reading has a good message and it is sad how people still believe in race and  therefore are more prone to the idea of racism.

- What do WE BELIEVE about the reading WE just finished? – “We” believe all aspects of this essay, it has a good all around message and clearly states its points. It is unfortunate that the world in 2011, is still not fully educated about the different of race and racism and how one is completely false.

Who Will Liberate Liberia? – by: Charles Quist-Adade (Affective)

- What is the reading about? – This reading is about how that spending $4 billion a month to defeat terrorism is considered acceptable by  the majority of citizens in the United States. Also, that this money could be used to provide basic health care to half the world population and how it is not necessary for the US to be controlling Iraq. That the claim, that Iraq cannot liberate them self, is a cover up in the pursuit over the control of their oil.

- How do WE FEEL about the reading WE just finished? – “We” feel that this reading addressed the taboo topic of how “the war on terrorism” is a potential cover up, in order for the United States to gain control of oil and other goods in the middle east.

- What do WE THINK about the reading WE just finished? – “We” think that it is important to talk openly about the how the United States could have better handled the war on terror, and that this essay addresses important topics related to the aftermath of 9/11.

- What do WE BELIEVE about the reading WE just finished? – “We” believe and agree with the topics and reasonings developed in this essay. That the main reason the United States is still in Iraq is because of there wealth of oil and that they do not need Americans to “liberate” them.