Once upon a time in a land far, far away: Far and Away, a romance movie that stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. . . I saw these names and immediately stopped munching on my sour cream potato chips. This was a turn off. I could tell immediately what was in store for me as a hunched in disappointment. I could foretell that this American made movie would be some sort of attempt to provide some sort of crappy understanding of oppression in the beginning of America’s greatness by showing the hardships experienced by some sappy romantic couple. Geez my cynicism is disgusting.
Ron Howard did, however, show that oppression existed even in the Irish communities. The relationship between the Irish peasants such as the Donnellys and the privileged land owner, Stephen Chase played by Thomas Gibson, represented the power conflict that existed between the two classes. However, it was hard for me to look deeper to relate to the power struggle because the characters in the film are all white! This even got a little confusing. I began to lose confidence once again.
It was after the introduction of Shannon Christie that regained a little of my attention. Yes she was hot, but there was more. It was how she packed and saved her future lover from a high class gun fight, her ability to grow and prosper in a new environment in her determination for survival and to attain her dream of getting some of that Oklahoma territory. Intrigued, I gained more hope for a great movie experience.
It was when a bout of masculinity was displayed by the great, one and only, Tom Cruise that regained my demise. Though it was a Hollywood type movie, I couldn’t help but feel that great masculinity was glorified. The rippling of Tom Cruises muscles gleaming as his face jeered with power only left me with that same old feeling. With my own consumerist cynicism I couldn’t help but view this scene as a boost for Cruise’s star power. This, I thought, was a distraction. Howard, however, still did a decent job of showing how the oppressed oppress each other in order to climb the ladder. He also shows this in the beginning when Mr. McGuire fools a naïve Shannon by taking her prized spoons for his own prosperity and then in return, is shot to death by some of the desperate oppressed. Afterward, more oppressed people pick off almost all of Shannon’s valuables as she is turned upside down in the swarm of confusion.
The film, over all, did a mediocre job of expressing the hardships of Irish immigrants coming to America. Interactions changed only because of an identifiable community. Oppression still existed in the homeland but changed and formed when it came to the disparity of being placed in a new environment. But, uh-oh, that cynicism kicks back into gear when there is no noted diversity of oppressed peoples, when there is no memberable mention of how that dreamland was attained for the United States to get for free. I knew there was classism, but I was still confused on how there was racism if the people looked the same. Was it all about classism? The way they spoke? The stereotype of red hair?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Power of Ascribed Identities and Avowed Identities
The Power of Ascribed Identities and Avowed Identities
Ascribed Identity
Who was responsible?
Resistance
African-American/Black/Negro/Negroid
Society- Government-Peer
Ascribe other identities
Emphasize avowed identities
Student
Society- Government-University of Wisc River Falls-Peer
Ascribe other identities over time
Woman- Female
Society- Government-Peer
Ascribe other identities over gender binary
Emphasize avowed identities
Queer
Society-Peer
also Avowed identity
Ascribe other identities
Emphasize avowed identities
American Citizen- Wisconsin Citizen
Society- Government-Peer
Ascribe other identities through travel
Emphasize avowed identities
Atheist
Society-Peer
Ascribe other identities
Emphasized Avowed identities- communicating beliefs not related to Atheism
In the process of becoming who I am today, I have found that I use also consider ascribed identities in the process of reflecting and becoming who I am today. Though I don’t agree with the societal expectations that come with the identities, I have both subconsciously and consciously considered these identities. In the beginning my anger led me to believe that I was invincible from being labeled from anyone. I later learned that I not only could avoid being labeled by my peers and even avoid being labeled by myself.
There I was again folks, wallowing in my own identity crisis. The ascribed identities of being an African-American, a Student, Woman- Female, Queer, An American Citizen of Wisconsin, and ascribed to what the majority would consider “Atheist”. The folks giving me these roles exist fully in the context of our society. From then on they can be labeled as institutions, Government and University or grouped individuals, Peers.
The resistance to these given labels gives me a chance to strategize how I communicate with others and how I can enjoy my interactions by how I emphasize my own avowed identities. Ascribed Identities from governments and peers, correct or not, are enacted for the purpose of categorization and generalization. These ascribed identities are appearance based and can be both harmful and beneficial. Understanding the power of these labels, depending upon the individual, can allow for some kind of fun. Because these identities are appearance based I simply resist some of these identities by not appearing in public, in society, on normal terms.
I create my avowed identity based on my passions, my childhood, my heritages, the things I love in life and the entities I want to be. I express these avowed identities as best I can in the way I dress, the way I walk, and most importantly, the way I communicate with others. I have recently attributed my privilege to do this because, on societal terms, I am considered to be good looking. Mind the reader, it has greatly disgusted me to type those last 16 words. Appearance is what’s on the surface. A fact and a way of life many people seem to be steering away from. But who are they to blame? When one of the biggest powers in our society (e.g. Government) focuses on such a shallow perspective of who people are based on their appearance, why shouldn’t we expect our people to do the same.
This same importance is evident in the most oppressed communities that exist in this society. When we see children killing each other over FUBU jackets or Nike Air Jordans that’s when we should know that we have to look deeper. When people can’t get a job because the manager might risk “hiring an illegal” that’s when we know that we have to look deeper. When two loving people can’t adopt a child because they ways are seen different from the way the majority does it, that’s when we know that we have to look deeper. Even on a global level! When we see the mass genocide of other cultures and their way of life because some hire up would like to eat his ice cream with a golden spoon, that’s when we know!
People shan't be turned away because of different identities they cannot control. I type this with utmost passion and the utmost anger at our society. The government may have a lot of power, but what can we do that’s in our power to spread this message so that we can stop killing ourselves over such bullshit.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Chapter 4 "Quiz" Reflection
When first opening up the quiz, I was prepared to answer questions that pertained to chapter 3's reading assignment. I was blown to bits when I realized that it was a drill on what I knew about the history of different historical figures from different races. I felt stupid. As an advocate for "non-butterfly" diversity action, I felt as though I had failed. I had gone out of my way to crunch jargon of sociological concepts and theories without carrying one of the core necessities of understanding what it means to be socially aware. I had skimped on the history, the history of my foreign humanity.
My boyfriend nervously watched as I swore under my breath. I was embarrassed. This assignment has taught me to look at the surface as well as the depth. I began a full blown spree of researching who's who. I first got a list for the white men, piece of cake. I went onto the white women, which posed some sort of challenge. The black men were known from my bringing up as a black female, easy as pie! It wasn't until I ended my spree with the black females did all the rest of the races become difficult. Not only were my panicky research abilities lacking but the internet was full of irrelevant information of the cultures.
Not only have my googling skills taken a shot, but so had my dignity. After this experience I thought a little bit. My knowledge of other people was lacking because I simply hadn't had any experiences that had exposed me to such knowledge. Coming from a more individualistic society, the history stuff taught to the "average" students primarily consisted of white men, successful battles, and the beginning of America's greatness.
Still, this is no excuse. I have a duty to be an ethical citizen. I now have the privilege and the access to a world of information and resources. This assignment worked as reminder of how much I actually know and need to find out. A new flame for history has indeed been discovered.
My boyfriend nervously watched as I swore under my breath. I was embarrassed. This assignment has taught me to look at the surface as well as the depth. I began a full blown spree of researching who's who. I first got a list for the white men, piece of cake. I went onto the white women, which posed some sort of challenge. The black men were known from my bringing up as a black female, easy as pie! It wasn't until I ended my spree with the black females did all the rest of the races become difficult. Not only were my panicky research abilities lacking but the internet was full of irrelevant information of the cultures.
Not only have my googling skills taken a shot, but so had my dignity. After this experience I thought a little bit. My knowledge of other people was lacking because I simply hadn't had any experiences that had exposed me to such knowledge. Coming from a more individualistic society, the history stuff taught to the "average" students primarily consisted of white men, successful battles, and the beginning of America's greatness.
Still, this is no excuse. I have a duty to be an ethical citizen. I now have the privilege and the access to a world of information and resources. This assignment worked as reminder of how much I actually know and need to find out. A new flame for history has indeed been discovered.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
What's a "Myself"?
My ethnicity predominantly consists of African, European, and Native American descents. It is funny to see blacks grouped together as one race when in fact, blacks are comprised of many ethnicities. The ridiculousness of categorizing people by their skin color proves to be anti-productive in assuming ones ethnicity. It seems to prove the race system being used as more of a class system. My own biological information has collected from across the globe so for someone to assume that I’m all African based on the color of my skin concludes stupidity onto the spectator. My appearance affects who I am.
When described in more detailed political terms, I only know of my European and Native American descents. My European ancestry comes from Ireland and France. My Native American ancestry comes from the Choctaw and Cherokee natives. But because of certain laws and policies put in place, I am not legally ,therefore not socially, part of any of those groups. The historical segregation of these groups has affected my linguistics or my communication. The way I Communicate makes up who I am.
These laws and policies follow both the benefits and costs of the class system. The amount of access that one has to certain privileges depends on their race with little to no relevance of one’s ethnic background. My privilege of going to college will affect my occupation which will then affect how much money I have which will then lead to more opportunity to where I move in the class system. Up to my almost 20 years of life experience, I feel I can confidently say, that race plays more of role of who you are in society than ethnicity. It is race not ethnicity that has influenced me in becoming the person I am. It is race because, like a board game, it is the card that keeps you in the game. Whether you like it or not, you play or you die.
It is my black race that I share with my black parents that has brought me to experiences and opportunities that have developed who I am. Everything from florescent wind suits of the 90s to 24 hour videogame stints with my 3 brothers. “Myself” comes from daydreaming on cold playground swing sets, watching my mother struggle over bills, losing a dog, talks about sex, parades, experiencing divorce, cold cream of wheat, the list is endless folks. I always promised myself that everything I absolutely loved in my experiences and opportunities, I would become. From my Grandmother’s warm kisses to my elementary wrestling matches at recess with the boys. These experiences exist in social variables, such as: race, ability, class, gender, religion, media environment, and institution.
These social variables effect communication, occupation, and appearance; all of what make the essentials for a person’s class. But there’s a catch, only a small portion of these variables may be controlled, race, ability, and gender may not be changed. The less you can assimilate the more difficulty for achievement. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the next billionaire.
With these experiences, opportunities, and variables has given me my play on the board. The board consists of figures that dispense, receive, and carryout information to other bodies, all for the movement of energy fueled by desires and survival. When someone encounters me they assume I’m black, which means nothing but African. No. Some get confused because “The way I talk is so proper.” Or they think I have some sort of accent. In today’s society the importance of ethnicity is as valuable as a fire place knick-knack. It won’t be until the importance of self relativism when all human effectively strategize to let our people truly prosper.
When described in more detailed political terms, I only know of my European and Native American descents. My European ancestry comes from Ireland and France. My Native American ancestry comes from the Choctaw and Cherokee natives. But because of certain laws and policies put in place, I am not legally ,therefore not socially, part of any of those groups. The historical segregation of these groups has affected my linguistics or my communication. The way I Communicate makes up who I am.
These laws and policies follow both the benefits and costs of the class system. The amount of access that one has to certain privileges depends on their race with little to no relevance of one’s ethnic background. My privilege of going to college will affect my occupation which will then affect how much money I have which will then lead to more opportunity to where I move in the class system. Up to my almost 20 years of life experience, I feel I can confidently say, that race plays more of role of who you are in society than ethnicity. It is race not ethnicity that has influenced me in becoming the person I am. It is race because, like a board game, it is the card that keeps you in the game. Whether you like it or not, you play or you die.
It is my black race that I share with my black parents that has brought me to experiences and opportunities that have developed who I am. Everything from florescent wind suits of the 90s to 24 hour videogame stints with my 3 brothers. “Myself” comes from daydreaming on cold playground swing sets, watching my mother struggle over bills, losing a dog, talks about sex, parades, experiencing divorce, cold cream of wheat, the list is endless folks. I always promised myself that everything I absolutely loved in my experiences and opportunities, I would become. From my Grandmother’s warm kisses to my elementary wrestling matches at recess with the boys. These experiences exist in social variables, such as: race, ability, class, gender, religion, media environment, and institution.
These social variables effect communication, occupation, and appearance; all of what make the essentials for a person’s class. But there’s a catch, only a small portion of these variables may be controlled, race, ability, and gender may not be changed. The less you can assimilate the more difficulty for achievement. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the next billionaire.
With these experiences, opportunities, and variables has given me my play on the board. The board consists of figures that dispense, receive, and carryout information to other bodies, all for the movement of energy fueled by desires and survival. When someone encounters me they assume I’m black, which means nothing but African. No. Some get confused because “The way I talk is so proper.” Or they think I have some sort of accent. In today’s society the importance of ethnicity is as valuable as a fire place knick-knack. It won’t be until the importance of self relativism when all human effectively strategize to let our people truly prosper.
Holiday Graduation
It is to my understanding that this assignment is meant to be created from a situation that is filled with context where we, UWRF students, have little to no experience in communicating. Then we are to list social rules that can be described in the situation. I have chosen a place that I have been before because my current access to a “unique” situation is quite limited in River Falls, WI. As a minority, I believe that this situation is still appropriate because it is an experience that allowed me to be the predominant culture and analyze both myself and the other culture in that position.
Even though I've always enjoyed watching human communication, whether it was at the Mall of America or in my own mother's kitchen, it is funny to know that others have observed similar situations. They are the social linguists, the anthropologists, communication specialists, etc. In their power they have been able to gift me with actual words and concepts. The ability to articulate these interactions, however, brings to me the ethical concern of over simplifying the human condition. I realized this ethical dilemma by observing human communication through the lens of social science. I began the journey of what would be described in the context I was in, as a creeper, to observe human interactions at my little brother's graduation party.
I looked for signs of anxiety and uncertainty according to the anxiety uncertainty management theory of William Gudykunst. The theory is based on strategies people use when they encounter a situation that brings up uncertainty and therefore anxiety. When you’re in an environment that exposes your “minority” culture fully to the initial predominant culture, you best believe that there will be anxiety.The environment consisted of a boisterous family and close friends. The context is located in a small, cramped, suburban townhome. There is a dance floor that is directly in the middle of the living room. Generalized, there are two primary cultures: the “Afrocentric” culture and what could be described as the “Eurocentric” culture. The rules that exist in these cultures are both different, and therefore some interesting observations can be made.
The first group, the group that could be described as the “Eurocentric” culture, shared close distance zones with their peers. The bodies faced toward each other and away from the context that would bring them uncertainty, and therefore anxiety. The Eagan High School students formed a tight circle around the living room dance floor where the “Afrocentrics” predominantly resided in the context. For this day, in America, we were the context and someone else didn’t know what to do.
It was humorous to watch my auntie and my big brother’s stepmother try to involve all the partygoers and watch the non-participatory audience walk away shyly. There were rules in both cultures in the context of the party. The “Afrocentric” culture required participants to actively participate in actions that could be described as overly-enthusiastic or were perhaps too involved. This would include, close distance zones with others, loud talking and laughing, and affectionate touches. The “Eurocentric” culture had distance zones with more space, softer talking, and more conservative body movements.
I felt bilingual in the "unique" situation of outgoing, overly enthusiastic, blacks in a room with awkward, white, suburban, teens because of my close experience in both worlds. I felt a sense of ethnocentrism when I came across the lost audience. They don’t know how to have fun, I thought. I stopped immediately and realized what I had done. I had just stumbled over what could be the beginning of my own irrational hate. To assume that my cultures way of doing things was better over another’s is part that beginning. I had forgotten where I came from. I forgotten my own “Eurocentric” characteristics of going to college, speaking “articulately”, and the unique qualities that my person possesses. I embraced my “afrocentricity” and used it for my own glorification. I began to feel biracial in the situation and immediately began to help my brother’s overly affectionate stepmother and crazy auntie unite the two groups. I wanted to bring people together. It is not wrong to have pride in your culture, but it is wrong to assume that one’s culture is superior to another’s.
Question for assgn #2: Could it be true that the conversational constraints theory could be described as being more appropriate for large scale cultural differences where the anxiety uncertainty Management theory would be more for analyzing enclaves that existed for more than 200 years (ex: black and whites)?
Even though I've always enjoyed watching human communication, whether it was at the Mall of America or in my own mother's kitchen, it is funny to know that others have observed similar situations. They are the social linguists, the anthropologists, communication specialists, etc. In their power they have been able to gift me with actual words and concepts. The ability to articulate these interactions, however, brings to me the ethical concern of over simplifying the human condition. I realized this ethical dilemma by observing human communication through the lens of social science. I began the journey of what would be described in the context I was in, as a creeper, to observe human interactions at my little brother's graduation party.
I looked for signs of anxiety and uncertainty according to the anxiety uncertainty management theory of William Gudykunst. The theory is based on strategies people use when they encounter a situation that brings up uncertainty and therefore anxiety. When you’re in an environment that exposes your “minority” culture fully to the initial predominant culture, you best believe that there will be anxiety.The environment consisted of a boisterous family and close friends. The context is located in a small, cramped, suburban townhome. There is a dance floor that is directly in the middle of the living room. Generalized, there are two primary cultures: the “Afrocentric” culture and what could be described as the “Eurocentric” culture. The rules that exist in these cultures are both different, and therefore some interesting observations can be made.
The first group, the group that could be described as the “Eurocentric” culture, shared close distance zones with their peers. The bodies faced toward each other and away from the context that would bring them uncertainty, and therefore anxiety. The Eagan High School students formed a tight circle around the living room dance floor where the “Afrocentrics” predominantly resided in the context. For this day, in America, we were the context and someone else didn’t know what to do.
It was humorous to watch my auntie and my big brother’s stepmother try to involve all the partygoers and watch the non-participatory audience walk away shyly. There were rules in both cultures in the context of the party. The “Afrocentric” culture required participants to actively participate in actions that could be described as overly-enthusiastic or were perhaps too involved. This would include, close distance zones with others, loud talking and laughing, and affectionate touches. The “Eurocentric” culture had distance zones with more space, softer talking, and more conservative body movements.
I felt bilingual in the "unique" situation of outgoing, overly enthusiastic, blacks in a room with awkward, white, suburban, teens because of my close experience in both worlds. I felt a sense of ethnocentrism when I came across the lost audience. They don’t know how to have fun, I thought. I stopped immediately and realized what I had done. I had just stumbled over what could be the beginning of my own irrational hate. To assume that my cultures way of doing things was better over another’s is part that beginning. I had forgotten where I came from. I forgotten my own “Eurocentric” characteristics of going to college, speaking “articulately”, and the unique qualities that my person possesses. I embraced my “afrocentricity” and used it for my own glorification. I began to feel biracial in the situation and immediately began to help my brother’s overly affectionate stepmother and crazy auntie unite the two groups. I wanted to bring people together. It is not wrong to have pride in your culture, but it is wrong to assume that one’s culture is superior to another’s.
Question for assgn #2: Could it be true that the conversational constraints theory could be described as being more appropriate for large scale cultural differences where the anxiety uncertainty Management theory would be more for analyzing enclaves that existed for more than 200 years (ex: black and whites)?
Monday, May 24, 2010
Lauren Evans: Two Truths One Lie
Hello Everyone!
My name is Lauren Evans. I am a marketing communications major here at UW-River Falls. I am living in River Falls for the summer and looking for a chance to keep my mind stimulated. Here is a contribution to today's game "Two Truths and a Lie": I was born in Minneapolis, I grew up with a dog in my house and I graduated from Eagan Highschool. Haha Enjoy!
My name is Lauren Evans. I am a marketing communications major here at UW-River Falls. I am living in River Falls for the summer and looking for a chance to keep my mind stimulated. Here is a contribution to today's game "Two Truths and a Lie": I was born in Minneapolis, I grew up with a dog in my house and I graduated from Eagan Highschool. Haha Enjoy!
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