Closing Ceremonies....

Wow, ok so my first blog was pretty boring. It basically was a listing of random facts about me. All about the activities that I do that define me. But since taking Soc. I've learned that I am a straight up product of my society. I'm involved in extra- curriculars, I'm taking four AP's, I have a part time after school job. Like, that is all because my environment fosters that type of behavior, that is what is expected of me. If I had grown up in another district or town or state or whatever, my life, the things that defined me could've been totally different. I mean I don't know how I would change my answer, I certainly don't want to define myself as a upper- middle class white girl, but at the same time I know that is what driving what I do describe myself with. Through this class I have learned what a HUGE role society plays in my life, and how it won't be easy but I could help change that. I could change that by being deviant and more open to the constraints we are taught from the day we're born. I learned that some things, like your race aren't set in stone, that if I wanted to I could go to a court house and get it changed. I learned that men and women don't have to act a certain way, they are just expected to because that is what society tells them to do/ say. I've learned a lot from this class, It wasn't math, it wasn't science, it was better. I learned things I can use in the real world, things I can use to make our world better and more open and understanding to all of the individuals out there being told No by just an idea. Thanks Sal for a really great semester!

Well this is uncomfortable.......

*This picture is of Ludacris from the concert!!!*
Race is such a tricky subject to deal with, this is now my third attempt at starting a blog on race because honestly I don't want to offend anyone. Everyone gets so testy when it comes to race, on statement and you're a racist. And really no one wants to be racist, but seriously everyone is a little (yes my heart started to race a little when I typed that). It's not their fault, it's just the society that we're all brought up in, you are taught to be a little weary around african- americans and totally comfortable around whites, although I'm sure whites are just as equally as likely to jump you and anyone else from another race. But the thing is, although people tip-toe around the subject of race, they really don't have much of an impact or are really doing it in the right way, everyone keeps categorizing the other. For example, I recently went to a Ludacris concert (he was in Crash which on a side note was AMAZING!!!!). Between one of his songs he randomly yelled "Where my white people at?" at which the white people went crazyy yelling, the other people of different races just kind of stood there. He then yelled "Where my black people at?" to which the black people went crazy, every other race just kind of stood there. First off there are two problems- what about the other races anddd why do we have to be categorized like that why not "Where all my fans at?" I mean that would be so much better. We've come a long way in equalizing this country with race, but we still have a long way to go.

Race

I found this unit to be really interesting because it was really eye opening. I never really thought as race as something that could be changed because I think I just associated it with skin color. I mean when you think of the different races they are usually associate with how they look. But I think it's really cool how your race can change with just a plane ride. I'm basically a "mutt" when it comes to nationality so I've never really identified with a "race" or ethnicity. I guess I'm mostly Scandinavian but I don't look it at all- In fact I'm the opposite- green eyes and dark brown hair...nice. So, the fact that it can change when I don't really feel as though I have one is totally awesome.

I find it really interesting how race is such a big deal and yet it seems to be kind of a taboo subject. I think race is important because it helps people identify themselves as much as heritage, class and religion, but it also seems that it can be kind of a sensitive subject for some people. I don't know why, perhaps because of America's rocky relationship with different "races", but it shouldn't be such a big deal. I mean it can change, so why do people cling to it so tightly.

I thought this unit was really interesting because it kind of revealed how race isn't something you're bound to for your entire life and that it really isn't the big deal that everyone makes it out to be. I wish everyone knew that.

Here is a really cool book, Race (The reality of Human Differences) that was written about race and the complexities it entails, I only had the chance to read the first couple of paragraphs but it seems like a good supplement to what we've been discussing,

High School Never Ends......

4 Years you think for sure
That's all you've got to endure
All the (total *****)
All the Stuck-up Chicks
So superficial, so immature

Then When you graduate,
Ya take a look around and you say "Hey Wait!"
This is the same as where I just came from,
I thought it was over, Aw that's just great.

These are lyrics from Bowling For Soups "High School Never Ends". And I think it's totally appropriate for this blog. I've always heard that life is just like High School. In school you've got the athletes, the rich kids, the brainiacs, the goths, the druggies, the loners etc. etc. In the work force you still have some of those groups- it's all still very cliquey and you can't really stop it. Our school is so big that there really isn't a "popular group" but there are definite cliques. You can still look at a group and say they're athletic, they're rich, they're druggies. I think there is just a lot more groups within each category so no one group can prevail. I think high school is where you learn your place and I don't mean that in a rigid way, but I think that's where you gain your sense of self. People that are, for lack of better term, the "hotshots" are going to go into the workforce with that kind of cocky confidence that will probably get them quickly promoted and on their way to success. But the kid that's sort of socially awkward, that doesn't really have too many friends, will be more passive, have less confidence when walking into a job and will probably be overlooked. It's just the sad reality, that starts in high school. Think back to the Beavis and Barbie- who's going to get the passing grade- Barbie because she is nice, smart, pretty, comes from a good family, etc. She's not that way on accident, that is something that is affected by class.

I don't think moving up in class would bother me as much as moving down would. I mean we are always looking up, so it is obvious and I'm pretty sure I speak for almost everyone when I say I wouldn't mind moving up in class. But moving down, that would bother me for sure. I have an example too. I work 12-18 hours a week and I've always loved making and having my own money to spend. I had a pretty good amount of money but after the holidays my bank account took a hit and I haven't really been able to recover. I was so used to spending my money without a care, but now I think twice before I go out to eat with friends or before I go shopping or whatever. And yes I know, I have the cushy comfort of my family behind me so I'm really not going down in class, but not having as much money as you once have is difficult, you have to change some of the choices you make.

Class isn't going away, yes everyone says it's against the American Way, but is it really? I don't really think so, I think being elite is the American way, so isn't that basically what Class is. It's one group that is more "elite" then the other. Class in the real world and class in high schools isn't going to change- high school is only the beginning.

Your Social Class is what you eat......

So as I type this, I type this from my pretty Mac laptop computer. I'm listening to my nationally recognized teachers talk about the AP Government test I will be taking tomorrow in my own room surrounded by all my stuff. Yeah, I'm apart of upper middle class. Everything I do and say reflects the class I'm in, I'm not afraid to say it. Do I wish it was different, yes, but it's true. Now I don't really want to get into specifics about what my family owns and how that represents ( I don't really want to cross a line and reveal too much) but I can tell you the places we eat, the cars we drive and the decor of our house reflects our status. Our cars a pretty modern, when we eat out we go to sit down restaurants and we may or may not have a flat screen... or two. Sal said you can tell a lot about a person about the bread they eat. I guess I could see how that is true. Here's something exciting for all you reading my blog, I eat Ultra thin 100% whole wheat bread, it costs roughly $4.50 per pack. Yeah kinda expensive, but it's good for you. And my family is willing and able to pay a little more for healthy food. I can't remember what class it was, I think it was soc. where the family had to sacrifice their health for food. I remember we were watching Food Inc. in AP Environmental Science, and this family could only afford Burger King, and now the children were overweight and the father had type two diabetes. So i totally think it's true, the bread you eat does reflect what class your in. They were lower class and they ate fatty, greasy hamburger buns. I, apart of upper middle class, eats 100% whole wheat bread. The little things are the biggest indicators.