Today we did a presentation in class and the assigned chapters that we had to do were Chapter 6 from Issues In Social Justice and Chapter 8 from Social Injustice in Local and Global Contexts. It was a great experience and the topics we had were very interesting. We taught the class about the social injustice that happens between norms and homeless people. We brought attention to the main points of Chapter 6 which were public space, homeless and the law. This chapter related to our chapters were related because they both discussed social injustice. Chapter 8 discussed the discrimination of immigrants and how their employment levels differ from Canadian borns. Also, we discussed about race and racism, as well as multiculturalism. Overall, it was fun and entertaining and we learnt a lot from these chapters and broadened our thoughts on social justice.
Reflective Essay =)
In this course, I have learned a lot of concepts and reality that I have been unaware of. I have learned that you basically shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and that there’s always different ways of perceiving things. I have learned basically the true meaning of Sociology. Before my understanding was Sociology means anything to do with society, but over the course of this time, I have learnt that there are many meanings of sociology. I have learned to think of the familiar in the unfamiliar and the unfamiliar in the familiar. This course has taught me how to think critically and outside the box.
I use to be very closed off and shy when it came to working with different people and interacting with them, but after taking this course, it helped break me out of my shell. Before, I use to fear speaking out loud and to the public, but now I have over come that. I feel as if after taking this course, my views on everything have become more clear and vivid. The concept that stood out to me the most was Critical Constructionism.
Critical Constructionism is a theoretical framework based on the assumption that the way social reality is constructed, perceived, and presented usually reflects the interests of society’s elite more than those of the mainstream. The main focus of critical constructionism if on the relationships between power and knowledge. Critical constructionism allows us to problematize, challenge, and disrupt embedded, naturalized and invisibilized oppressive social structures and practices such as patriarchy, sexism, racism, and heterosexism.
What this concept helps people to do is take a different approach at perceiving reality, questioning taken-for-granted assumptions and conventional or received truths and notions. Many people misunderstand things by interpreting different meanings of things. Thus the saying goes “ Think Critically”. By utilizing this concept, individuals think outside the box and obtain a broader understanding of society. This has helped me in a sense due to my lack of understanding the meaning of things and focuses on the smaller picture of situations rather than the whole picture.
Finally, I am ever so grateful of having the chance to be in this class for it has taught me a lot. I have furthered my understanding and education when it comes to society and the imbedded surroundings it provides. Now I know how to perceive society and the people in it. This course was exceptionally comprehensive and thoroughly outlined. I wish to take a course in he future similar to this one. Thank you !!!
(Video#3) The Danger of a Single Story-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Adichie explains how hearing a single story can cause misunderstanding. Adichi uses herself as an example when she explains how her roommate perceived her to be a black women who in fact couldn’t speak English. When her roommate encountered how beautifully Adichi could speak fluent English, she was surprised. She also explains how many individuals mistake Africa of being one country when in fact it is 55 different countries. What Adichie tries to portray is that there are many stereotypes in the world and stereotyping is the main thing that conflicts with judging people. For example, in the Sikh culture, many people always mistake Sikh people and fear them of having involvement in terrorism. For instance, after the tragic event 9/11 took place, many Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims were perceived differently. There was a lot of rumours that were spread that Sikhs with turbans were not peaceful people, but had involvement in terrorism. This is not true, and this is an example of how people become stereotypes and believe what they hear. Adichie also explains how people from developed countries like America, perceive people from Africa (third world countries) of suffering from poverty. The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Africans is poor health conditions, education losses, and poor nutrition, when that is not true at all. There are parts of Africa and the countries apart of Africa that suffer from poverty, but that doesn’t mean all of Africa is suffering as well. Many people from Africa are successful, have a great education, and have great nutrition and health. Even places in Africa are beautifully developed. So the real meaning that Adichie is trying to get across is that you should never judge a book by its cover and you should think outside the box by using critical thinking.
(Video#2) Canadian Culture
This video was about 2 men who are singing about Canadian culture and asking if everybody shares the culture or cares for it. They sing about how Canadian soldiers wont claim themselves as a soldier but an army guy and how the climate is cold. They also describe how our accent has a bit of a slur because were part French. This video is kind of funny because its 2 comedians that sing this song. They describe how they search for Canadian culture in beaver tales, beluga whales, and Eskimo sculptures. Basically this video describes how Canadian culture in imbedded within everything and everyone. For instance, animals, places, and even the weather and climate, describe Canada. They way we speak even, shows our accents and the main thing about Canada is how it’s a divers and multicultural country. Everywhere u look, you see different races and cultures. They describe how we’re a peaceful and unique country and they even say we have our own Molson Canadian Beer. So I guess in a way, they are trying to spread the word of our culture and how every little thing we see here in Canada for example, the clothes we even wear, illustrates us all as Canadians and a diverse society.
(Paraphrastic#3) Negotiation, Not Retribution By: Charles Quist-Adade
This article illustrates how millions and millions of innocent children, men, and women, in third world countries are dieing everyday. This is not due to the direct and indirect interventions by the US-led West, but also by the apathy, wastefulness and greed of people in the industrialized nations of the world. This article also discusses the many lives that were lost because of the 9/11 tragedy. It explains how everyone should take time out and commiserate with those who were affected by this tragedy or lost someone close to them. It is a wonderful thing that individuals do understand and feel sympathetic for those who lost their lives but what else comes to attention is they very many people that lose their lives in third world countries. For example, arms manufactured in the America, Russia, and many of the industrialized countries are sold as we speak. In addition, three million people have died in Congo alone since 1996 with the complicity of the western countries, particularly the USA.
5 sentence segment
As we do so, we also we should pause for a moment and, at least, ponder over the souls of tens of thousands of innocent children, women, and peasants in the developing world. Countless numbers of them have perished and continue to die everyday not only due to the direct and indirect interventions by the US-led West, but also by the apathy, wastefulness and greed of people in the industrialized nations of the world.
I chose this segment because it shows readers how we should recognize and realise that we should also acknowledge how innocent people are dieing around the world. The means of them dieing shouldn’t be recognized through a tragedy, but recognized through critical thinking. We should always remember and may be even take a moment out for silence to pray for their souls.
(Paraphrastic#2) September is Not Part of the Lessons Learned By- Charles Quist-Adade
What this article portrays is that Forgiving and forgetting should be understood by all individuals. Of all the lessons learned in the wake of September 11, forgiveness does not figure prominently in Bush country. What this means is that after all the tragic events that have taken place because of the US, such as the African Holocaust, the European Slave Trade, the colonization, the balkanization, and the pillage of the continents human and natural resources, the tragic event of the September 11 attack is the most unforgivable. This is an understatement because the US account for many more deaths and tragedies than their own. For the US, the word “forgiveness” appears to be a scarce commodity. Instead of forgiving and forgetting, the US prepare for retaliation. This article explains how Bush is basically cold hearted. He is perceived as being very snobby because he doesn’t understand how many lives of innocent children and families he has taken away. If he wasn’t so high maintenance on preparing for war and making amends and throwing in the towel, millions of innocent lives in Iraq would not be taken. Bush’s motto is “a body for a body” not “forgiving and forgetting”. All this being said, it is unfortunate that innocent lives were taken away on September 11, but that doesn’t mean more innocent lives deserve to die. In the struggle for power, innocent lives should not be dragged in between. Instead, maybe Bush and his enemy should consent in a battle, instead of taking away 100000 of innocent lives.
5 sentence segment
“If forgiveness was among the lesson learned, Bush and his team would not be seeking to go into another war- against Iraq in the shadows of the anniversary of 9/11. If forgives was among the lessons learned, the cries and moans of thousands of innocent Afghan men, women, children from their graves would temper Bush’s war-mongering rhetoric and intentions. He would ponder over the potential loss of innocent lives of Iraqi citizens when he attacks Saddam Hussein.”
I chose this segment of the article because it best describes the central premise. It explains the term forgiveness very well and how it is abided by some such as the US. Finally, wars should be stopped because there is no point in mass destruction because no one is getting anything from it. As the saying goes.. “2 wrongs don’t make a right.”
(Paraphrastic#1) Who Will Liberate Liberia? By: Dr. Charles Quist-Adade
This article illustrates how the US offered $50 million for the heads of Saddam Hussein and his sons and accepts a cost of $4 billion a month to win the “war and peace” in Iraq. As it is said “ In our world, and Global Jungle, a world where immorality means morality, where might is right. What this quote expresses is that it is okay to throw billions of dollars at the “axis of evil” while there’s millions of children around the world who are suffering from nourishment, education, garments, and health conditions. According to George W. Bush, if we want to live in a peaceful world, we have to prepare ourselves for war, disregarding the cost of the preparation. It doesn’t matter how much money is spent for war, but no one understands the concept of putting that money towards peace. Basically this article focuses on how the world is blind and cannot look outside the box.
5 Sentence Segment -
It makes perfect sense because, in the world according to George Bush, if we want peace we mush prepare for war, no matter the cost. It does not matter if the cost of war is higher than the price of peace. It does not matter if victory over Saddam Hussein turns out to be a pyrrhic victory. Peace at all costs! It does not matter if just one-tenth of the amount of the cost of war in Iraq would be enough to feel half the world’s starving children!
I chose this segment because it emphasizes the core of the article and illustrates how peace is underestimated by officials and war is focused on more. Individuals that are dieing, and suffering in the world aren’t took into consideration because war is focused on more. As a result people should realize that violence isn’t always the answer !
