Racism, discrimination and Culture boxes

Alright everyone... I feel full-blow, like a helium balloon about to explode with so much to do and so little time! So this week in Social Justice...

I wasn't in class Monday but as I heard from the conversations on what "worked" and what "didn't work" activity I got the impression that it got pretty intense.  In class I have noticed that topics get pretty hot sometimes but I have learned to try to keep my emotions away and not necessarily take in offense because I personally am very subjective.  I try to look at the whole picture and I try to catch myself in the moment of anger or frustration to see someone else's point of view.  Racism is definitely something that is very true.  It is around just like I had said before, because as children many people of a certain race grow up with mostly their own race leaving room for curiosity and potential prejudice about other races foreign to them.  It's a touchy subject because I myself do feel like I am racist even to my own race sometimes.  I guess it's good to have awareness that you do go through very natural human issues just like anyone else, except as a social worker I want to be able to be aware but also try to not be so prone to those negative thoughts.


About the culture boxes.  I really enjoyed every single box that everyone had to present.  I enjoyed seeing the different ways people see each other and how they think other people see them.  In a way this was a chance to get to know my classmates a bit more personal.  I really appreciated how people went up there to present many things that are important to them and some that was truly significant in their lives. I liked how everyone got to share their ideas and that no one judged anyone when presenting.  This is one of the many great things about this class.  I feel like the readings can get a bit overwhelming but when we all get to share our ideas and be able to express ourselves makes the class seem just right.

The articles for affirmative action were very interesting and I like how Shirley put some of the ideas about affirmative action into perspective.  Like Shirley I also agree that a student should not be chosen to be accepted to a college because of race or gender solely.  I think that character and grades and other aspects of the individual should be taken in\to consideration.  I think that it is a good think to want to keep a diverse environment in schools, so in a way I don't know that we are able to keep a diverse school environment if race is not taken in consideration when accepting a student.  So in a way I am kind of stuck in between.  I feel like if a school accepts students on gpa, scholastics,  and achievements then we might end up having a homogeneous population.


Any thoughts...