Tim Wise writer of “White like me” talks about the advantages of being white. The race itself from history has proven that out of any other race that the benefits in being white are more valuable then any other race could offer. This being stated I believe that each race comes with mutual benefits depending on what side of the spectrum your standing on. I myself coming from Spanish and Native American decent have experience benefits base on just the color of my skin and the race I belong to. One of the easiest things of any race to benefit from is speaking the language. Going to many Mexican restaurants with my family I have notice that when my dad speaks Spanish to the waiter that service is a bit more friendly and speedy, of course this could just be all in my head but noticing the white family ordering in English and pronouncing all the dishes names wrong the food and service does seem to slow down. Now on the other half of my racial heritage having Native American Cherokee blood is seen to a lot of people somewhat special. This I suppose is not a bad thing but to be looked at to people as rare or have someone tell you that I thought there were no more of you guys is something ignorant to say. Being aware of what the history books say you wouldn’t say that to any other race that suffered from racism like the African slaves that got shipped to America or the Jews that got sent to concentration camps. The benefits of race depend again on what side of the spectrum you’re on. Tim Wise talks about that even though he grew up somewhat white privilege that when being surrounded by a different race and him being the minority changes things. White privilege doesn’t go far without people that share the same beliefs.
White privilege… and by white I mean the color that holds all the colors in the spectrums.4/25/2014
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The Internet is probably the last place that offers equality and gives so many people a soap box to stand up and voice the opinions on whatever issues they choose. This week how every seem to prove other wise when Fame TV comedian/Reporter suffered the backlash of the internet….more specifically Twitter. Twitter is a social media that allows you to connect with people and gives you the option to share your voice with 140 characters. When hearing about Daniel Stinter owner of the Washington Red Skins charity called "The Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation" (Which some have called a way to win over Native Americans Because It only uses the name Redskins once) Stephen Colbert twitted in response to this news "I am willing to show Asian Community I care by introducing The Ching Chong Ding Dong Foundation for sensitivity to Orientals or whatever " Obviously mocking Stinter foundation. Colbert does agree that with out further content of what he is speaking about that does seem racist (But 140 character is a bit of a stretch to make yourself clear…..) When going viral The Hashtag #CancelColbert starting trending and has made this whole joke become way out of control. When looking at the work of Stephen Colbert its not that hard to seperate the man from the character but still some people find it hard to do so….was it a funny joke, YES not knowing Colbert or the context could it be seen as racist, YES. but before gathering an angry mob…..People let do our homework. Lets educate our selfs and hear both sides of the story. If racism is ignorants and prosecuting a man without knowing the full story is ignorants, then lets not be racist or ignorant or which ever one you choose the both one in the same.
Abandonment
The thought of leaving something and never coming back for it is a really strong thing. Abandonment can be difficult to deal with and understand. People can have all kinds of reasons for abandoning something or in Reyna Grande’s case someone. Reyna Grande’s book “The Distance Between Us” deals with Reyna’s early childhood and having to deal with abandonment and make sense of all these feelings. Reyna is sent to live with her Grandmother when her father and mother go to The United States in search of better work opportunity so they can give the children the life they always wanted to give them. The feeling of Abandonment is hard on Reyna and her two siblings. She finds it hard to understand why her Mother and Father would leave the kids and feels sadness and resentment towards them. Looking at both sides of the abandonment taking place I could see the parents side of making this sacrifices to better the families future, well at the same time understand a child but not just a child anyone one who is the victim of abandonment way of thinking. Thinking that your parents left you because you were only second best or were not good enough. I was very fortunate too never go through the experiences that Reyna Grande has went through but I have dealt with my own feelings of abandonment. Being born a twin I always had someone to depend on and go too weather I was feeling happiness or sadness. This bond was made since birth. My parents not wanting us to become co-dependent on each other decided that we should spend one summer apart. This was the way of having us learn and find our individuality. That summer was one of the longest summers of my life. Living with my cousin’s family that summer I was enlisted in a summer program for children who wanted to be active or do activates. I was a very shy boy growing up and when it came to making friends I was often approach by people I was never one to venture off and make the first conversation. I would be friendly and say hi but I when spoken too but I could never quite be myself. I felt like my parents were punishing me because of some weird idea in the head that made them think this was helping me. Slowly I did eventually make friends and ended up have a great some full of stories to tell my parents and my brother. I can see now what my parents were trying to do and understand the mindset they wanted me to develop but as a child I just found it hard to see and grasp the bigger picture. When it came time for me to return back home I was met with lots of questions like how was your summer, did you enjoy yourself, and the obvious one did you miss your brother? Which of course I did but to be honest I also missed my time over there. This was a great learning experience and life lesson. Where I'm From" Discourse Communities piece
I am from Phyllis and Joe who put everything they got into the family I am from Stacey, Krystal, Kristeena, Casandra, and Savanah, Five sisters who all have independent minds of what a woman should be From only one twin brother Joseph who is so similar to me and yet sees the world in a total different view I am from authentic Mexican food I am from home cooking From a place that some people would say isn’t the best place to grow up From a city that is known for its diversity, culture, and glamor The place that promises fame and fortune. The place where palm trees bow the head as you drive down the road and the word Animal style is know as a topping. From a place I sometimes hate From a place where people are tan, either by nature or spray on The place I talked up and defended the honor of living in The golden state that is worth its weight in gold. From the alps, the east coast, the taj mahal, and Greece I never think of them as I think of you From Los Angeles the city of Angeles. I am from laughing till you cry I am from empathy from finding Solace in your life I am from staying quiet and not seen From concealing and not feeling deeper emotions From a place that allows you to have dreams I am from a religious background that makes you feel guilt for what you done. From Sundays in church and football in the afternoon I am from ecstatic, miserable, furious, and not caring all at the same time I am from a love of old movies Where everything is black and white and everyone is set to a higher stander. I am from the good guy always wins From a strange love for Audrey Hepburn From tragedy to triumph From a love of what art can bring to the world wheatear a painting, a picture, a movie, or a song. I am from the belief that the world is a canvas From a idea that change the world I am from showing expressions by more then your feelings. I am from music being my radar from the songs of The Beatles changing my life forever She loves you Yeah YeAH Yeah!!! to and in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make. From playing guitar to pick up girls to playing guitar as a way to escape reality I am from wild mood swings from song to song from record shopping every weekend from building a collection of thousands of vinyl’s, CDs, Tapes, and MP3s From listing to music with my head and heart I am from a time where education is such a hard thing to obtain From the strange idea of people paying either by loan or out of pocket for a fighting chance to make it in this world with the use of knowledge. I am from Who you know Not what you know From a place that has no promise of jobs All these things I take in a count and count on myself to over come them. I am from strange attractions and awkward conversations from not knowing what to say or knowing what to say but ten minutes later I am from making joke after joke and laughing at my own jokes I am from living my life like a out dated cliché from a era where manners seem rarer then a winning lottery ticket to saving pennies for a rainy day and spending a penny to listen to a thought I am from finding absolute harmony from looking for the perfect moment Soft lighting and different angles From something in the air and the quiet murmur of the city Life is simple Life is clear Life is simple Life is clear life is simple life is clear From the top of the world to down in the dumps I am from trying to understand peoples perspective I am from trying to figure out peoples way of thinking I am from not changing minds but influence minds to change. I am from __________ When growing up we are taught to mine or imitate to learn lessons. Although I don’t remember this Im sure that one of the first things I was taught was to say “Ma ma or Da da” with my parents looking at me and repeating the phrase over and over again till I got it right. It was through imitating them that I gain the ability to speak and share ideas. As a child I was also taught to do stuff that I didn’t agree with. One example would be the fact of me being born a twin. My parents would always dress me and my brother up the same…this would go on till the first grade when my parents finally agreed that this might not be the best way to promote ourselves and show our individuality. This week in my English 1A class I watch a TED talk video entitled “Who am I? Think Again” by Hetain Patel. The video talked about identity and the assumptions people make of you. Growing up with a Mexican side people who speak Spanish have always assumed I knew Spanish and then when I break the news that I was never taught it growing up They get upset at me. One time well at work I was asked something in Spanish by a costume and had to inform him I didn’t know what he was talking about he became outrage at me and said I was letting down my culture. I told him that growing up I never had the need for Spanish since in America English is the official language of the country so my parents decided that it was best to focus on that as my primary language. Hetain Patel also talks about the idea of challenging people to look deeper then someone’s gender, race, or class to decide what kind of person they are. I think around a certain age you start noticing the different assumption people make of you. Buying your daughter an easy bake oven could be innocent but also enforce the idea of a woman’s place is in the kitchen; this also goes to the idea of men being into automobiles. I myself know nothing about cars or ever had a passion for learning the mechanics of them. But I have had many people talk to me about them and I have to inform them I have no Idea what they are talking about. But I know I’m not the only innocent one here. I too as a flawed person make my assumptions. One year for Christmas I got my niece a Barbie doll with a matching play house set. I seen the look on her face as confuse because not only did she not like the toy but also had no idea who she was. I asked my aunt what her interest were and she told me that she is really into “Dora the Explorer” and likes to pretend she is going on adventures seeking treasure and what not. I have learn from this mistake and try everyday not to assume anything by anyone’s gender, race, or class.
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