The Danger of a Single Story (ESJ)

 

The Danger of a Single Story

Chimamanda Adichie

Affective Reading

 

            This video describes the significance in the dangers of one story, and how important it is to not stereotype.  We often stereotype and make assumptions based on previous knowledge without stopping to think of how that knowledge was attained, or if it was a reliable source.  It is easy to get lost in these pre assumptions and we often forget that we have these when we meet people, until they defy these pre judgements by not living up to that “stereotype” that we assumed they would.  I feel that it is important for us as a society to begin to tear down these stereotypes, and start really looking at a person with no pre judgement upon meeting them, and seeing how much we learn.  I believe that everyone deserves to have a clean slate when meeting someone new, and that we should not have any type of pre conceived notion of why we believe that because they are from a certain place they may act a certain way.  while it may prove true that people of similar backgrounds act similarly, I know it is not what defines them as who they are.  We should be able to let them show us who they are through seeing with our own eyes, before making any kind of judgment.  I think that stereotypes are a form of ignorance in the way that it does not let people actually learn about different cultures.  With stereotypes formed we believe that we know enough about certain places and people, and we do not take any steps forward in learning about different cultures on our own, and through our own eyes, and are instead looking through the stereotypical views which are often incorrect. 

The Standford Prison Experiment (ESJ)

The Social Construction of Reality

“The Stanford Prison Experiment”

Affective Reading 

 

In this video, they presented an experiment and re created the environment of a prison, only they were in control of who were the prisoners and who were the guards.   All of the people were part of an experiment and had to embody their role as a guard, or as a prisoner.  After being in there for so long, surprisingly the prisoners, who were merely students began to act out, and the guards who were also students used their power to their full extent.  I feel that the experiment was done very well, and proved to emphasize the point on the influence our environment has on us.  I believe that many people would have acted in similar ways, but I also believe it depends on the mindset of the person.   I know that it would not be an easy situation to be in as a prisoner, “stripped” of your power and freedom, and to be confined would have its toll on any person mentally.  I think that this experiment was very successful in displaying the significance of environment and its impact on society as a whole.

The Danger of a Single Story (ESJ)

 

The Danger of a Single Story

Chimamanda Adichie

Affective Reading

 

            This video describes the significance in the dangers of one story, and how important it is to not stereotype.  We often stereotype and make assumptions based on previous knowledge without stopping to think of how that knowledge was attained, or if it was a reliable source.  It is easy to get lost in these pre assumptions and we often forget that we have these when we meet people, until they defy these pre judgements by not living up to that “stereotype” that we assumed they would.  I feel that it is important for us as a society to begin to tear down these stereotypes, and start really looking at a person with no pre judgement upon meeting them, and seeing how much we learn.  I believe that everyone deserves to have a clean slate when meeting someone new, and that we should not have any type of pre conceived notion of why we believe that because they are from a certain place they may act a certain way.  while it may prove true that people of similar backgrounds act similarly, I know it is not what defines them as who they are.  We should be able to let them show us who they are through seeing with our own eyes, before making any kind of judgment.  I think that stereotypes are a form of ignorance in the way that it does not let people actually learn about different cultures.  With stereotypes formed we believe that we know enough about certain places and people, and we do not take any steps forward in learning about different cultures on our own, and through our own eyes, and are instead looking through the stereotypical views which are often incorrect. 

Who Will Liberate Liberia? (ESJ)

Who will Liberate Liberia?

By Charles Quist-Adade

Affective Reading

 

This reading explores the reasons behind the wars still going on, and why they are still going on.  While the slogan may read ‘peace at all costs,’ what it isn’t saying is peace at any price.  That is the part that should matter, but of course it is the part that is left out.  Having a slogan focused on peace makes it look appealing, and makes it justified.  What is left out is that at times the cost of war is higher than the price of peace.  This money could be used towards something else of importance, like the starving children of the world.  The other part we don’t see is the selective part of this whole operation.  The reason of significance besides his whole ‘peace’ reasons in staying in Iraq is the means of oil.  Now I feel that as important as peace is, that if ‘fighting’ endlessly, years and years, and nothing is being changed, then it is a waste of money.  Money that could be spent elsewhere, soldiers lives that could be instead spared.  I think that there is truth in this article, and that the whole ‘peace’ thing may have truth as well to it, but I believe that it is more the “pretty cover,” an appearance to justify those actions.  I think that at first it was seen as justifiable, but after years of no change people began to question what the real reasons were behind this.  And I believe that there questions are justifiable, and that they cannot hide behind the excuse of finding peace anymore.

September 11: Forgiveness is Not Part of the Lessons (ESJ)

September 11: Forgiveness is Not Part of the Lessons

By Charles Quist-Adade

Dialectic Reading

 

“What question did the text/chapter raise?”

For me the question that arose while reading this was, what would have happened if we had chosen to forgive instead of search for justice in the devastating event?

 

 “How did the text answer this question?”

The text did not really answer this question, it instead talked about the importance of forgiveness, which I believe is significant, but not when we are talking about the deaths of thousands of people.  In a case like this where such devastating fatal consequences were in the picture, I believe in justice being served.  Maybe Bush looked for justice in the wrong way, but I believe that he would have been more wrong if he were to simply forgive, an act as devastating and un ethical as this one, is an act that does not deserve forgiveness.

 

 “How does the answer match our own ideas and experiences?”

Through my own experiences, I always try to find it in myself to forgive a person for their wrong doings, and I do not seek revenge,  I believe in karma and justice.   And that person will usually face the consequences in some ways.  With everyday problems it is easier to forgive those, whereas I have never been in the situation where the death of someone was clouding my judgment, but I believe that no one has the right to take anyone’s life from them, and the events occurring on September 11, 2001 took so much more than just one life, it devastated hundreds of families.  Violence may not be the answer, but having justice served was not a wrong doing.

 

Neogotiation, not Retribution (ESJ)

Negotiation, not Retribution

By Charles Quist-Adade

Affective Reading

 

            This reading talks about the effects of the events of September 11, 2001 and not only the direct results and of this event, but also the impact it left as a whole to many other countries.  Through global sociological imagination, we are all affected by this one event, no matter where we live.  I feel that as devastating as this event was, and the impact it had on everyone, there is no way to judge the follow up act that the United States made.  It was a difficult situation and solutions for something like this couldn’t just be produced out of thin air.  It is hard to for me to formulate an opinion simply based on this article, because I do not know of many significant details surrounding this event, I was young when it took place, and never fully researched the events; however I do believe that there was justice in the death of Osama Bin Laden, in the consequences for his actions.

Invalidation: Key to Inequality (ESJ)

Invalidation: Key to Inequality page 39

Dialectic Reading

What question did the text/chapter raise?

                The question that arose was now knowing the key to inequality defined as a problem, how do we as a society work to resolve this?

How did the text answer this question?

                The text did not specifically answer the question, but by know what invalidation is and the harm it does by creating inequality, society needs to stop invalidation to work towards seeing others as equals.

How does this answer match our own ideas and experiences?

                Invalidation is not the single key answer to inequality, but it is a step in the right direction.  Invalidation gives people that power to define others, and label them as inferior or lesser, not even starting with everyone as equals, and that is how come we see so much inequality around us.  What happened to us all being equals?  Because of this labelling, people are set apart and begin to simply play the part.  society is much bigger than all of us, and it is difficult for one person in a inferior position to prove that they are equal to those “above” them, when society already has this set in their head that they are lower; unequal.  People experience inequality every day and struggle to see themselves as equals when society does not.