Responce to “Fix the shading on the children's faces!”

“Fix the shading on the children's faces!” is a poem that caused me to think directly back to the Mamie and Kenneth Clark Doll Test. Though this poem may not have been written in reflection to that particular test their foundations are the same. For me what is saddening is the fact that when it comes to children they are already able to see the difference with the shades of colors in people skins, and due to the images shown in the media, they are already associating positive or negative connotations with the different shades. I feel that this poem is well written and is one that any future educator should read, analyze and reflect on.

Responce to “We Cannot But Chuse To Hear”

“We Cannot But Chuse To Hear” is a poem that I feel all should read for it seems to bring to light the effect this oil spill is having on the animals. My take on this poem is that the effect and problems of the oil spill are being told through an animal’s suffering. Too often, when disastrous events occur the animals are often the ones last thought of? Unless their voice is brought to life by another, people forget about the effect such events will have on the life and survival of the animal habitants of the affected area. I liked this poems descriptive words for it allowed the poems point to come across as well as allow me to draw a mental picture of this tragedies effect on the animal life.

Quiz Number Ten

Quiz Number Ten

Reflection Thirteen

Prior to reading this article I had read immensely on race and racism; what they are and the role they have played in our society as well as the society of others. Of the many aspects that fall into both categories I always found it interesting how this country’s, in particular, foundation is build upon it. To think of how and why this country came about and the fact that its inhabitants with their proceeding generations spent much time demoralizing others due to a different ion of race is rather disturbing. Through my literature classes, along with a bit of historical review, this country came about when citizens of the European countries left to have religious freedom among several other freedoms. Upon their arrival here they, in considerable time, abolished the majority of the lands original habitants. Consequent to this slavery came about in this country which not only divided the country but was just the beginning of many years of turmoil for another minority race. To this day, certain racisms and race related issues remain.

Of all that I have read, both through these articles and from past readings, what I find the most interesting is that fact that, one, race is a term that is so fauve that it should not even exist; and two it how the term race has led to the division of human beings. For example the classification of “minorities” in comparison to what is seen as the “majority”. Personally, after reading all that I have on the subject, I feel that it is the creation of terms such as these, and the emphasis that is placed on them that divides society. Though as for the reasoning behind it all I am not informed enough to make a definite theory, however with reading articles such as these I have been able to conclude that the reasoning behind such grouping is due to the way human beings, as a whole, view the world. With respect to society as a whole, I feel that people, majority of the time, need things to be organized and labeled and categorized. Not only does it all allow for things to be organized but it allows humans to solace them self in a self-fulfilling hierarchy.

Overall, reading these articles and using it to link to other related articles really allowed for me to enforce my previously held position on race and racism. Though I feel that both terms should not exist I find it ironic how the very term that has caused so much turmoil in this country is what primarily caused the first flow of European immigrants. It all makes you wonder, is the golden ruling a truly effective rule?

Reflection Number Fourteen

Upon my conclusion of this article I found myself slightly enraged; for this topic of discourse in this article is one that “hits home” due to my being of Haitian descent. Though I believe that those of Cuban descent should be allots all their already given rights and privileges, I strongly feel that the Haitians that came during the “Cuban-Haitian Entrants Lift” should be allotted that same privileges. This fact, that Haitians are treated differently than that of the Cuban culture could be seen as grounds for a charge of institutional racism. For why it is the black and ancestral African islanders not be permitted the wet feet/dry feet accessibility as permits.

Though prior to reading this article I have some knowledge of the Cuban history with the United States, reading this article introduced me to some new information. For example, I was unaware that over 00,000 Cubans immigrated to the United States during the revolutionary government movement. Through reading this article I was also able to learn a vast amount of information of the beginning of Castro reign. I learned of the various changes he made upon being appointed into political power and office. Through this gain of information I was able to realize why there are many who have dealt with turmoil in the country and why the inhabitant of Cuba would want to leave. Even though I do acknowledge that those of Cuban heritage have been through its governmental, social, and economical struggles, I believe that the past and current struggle in Haiti is one that is a more intense level. My belief is so because when one compares Haiti to Cuba it is evident that Haiti is in a more distraught state. The country has gone through a detrimental hurricane and recently a horrendous earthquake that has turned the country upside down. When looking at the history of the two countries, it is blatant to see that Haiti has dealt with more corruption in both its governmental and social construction. For these reasons, and several more, I hold a strong belief that the people from Haiti should have the same permission from the United States to enter the country.

All in all this article, though of sensitive content, was informative and brought light to some areas of the history that I was unaware of previously. Though I was able to learn an immense amount of information, my feelings towards the treatment of Haitians verse Cubans remains and the injustice that is being placed upon the Haitians is grounds for a case to built on the charges of institutional racism.

Quiz Nine

Quiz Nine

Reflection fifteen

Prior to reading this article I held a well established view on the topic of homosexuality. I have always felt that though, I do not quite understand the mindset of a person who is homosexual or the reasoning behind it, I respect all those who choose that as their sexual preference as long as they respect me. I don’t feel that because someone has a different sexual preference than I, that they should be treated any differently. They are a human being same as I and they are entitled to their likings and life choices. Upon my conclusion of this article, my views on the topic of homosexuality did not and have not changed from its previous standing. Though, through reading this passage I did learn some new information on the different subcategories that fall under homosexuality and the elements that each category composes. For example, I learned that the gender rolling, a topic that heterosexuality often enforces, is one that has and continues to identify power and dominance with the men species only; this mind set is different for those who take a homosexual liking and preference. In these relationships, the personality characteristics of power and dominance are one that can be taken on by a man or a woman.

As far as the cause of homosexuality, I have felt and still feel after reading this article that there is not a clear “cause”. The way I see it, the same way people can pose the question of why people choose to be in and have a preference for heterosexual relationships is the same question that is asked for those of a homosexual relationship. Who determines what the correct choice and preference is and what makes that person qualified to make such a decision? Those I know many times people refer to their religion as the response and grounds for the answer to this question, but what about those who do no abide by a particular region? What about those who choose to abide by a more spiritual path? What about those who do abide by a particular religion but interpret their book of scriptures differently? Who says that there is one interpretation of that book? All these questions and so many more can be posed when it comes to determining the “cause” of homosexuality and, in my opinion as well as found in many published articles, the definite answer to them has yet to be said.

Though my personal feelings towards homosexuality are one that stands as being against it, I am not a person that will treat other human beings cruelly because of their choices. As a pre-professional educator I feel it is my duty to hold an objective mindset for I will be dealing with a variety of people on a daily basis- a variety that will have different mindsets than I. Therefore I feel that subject such a homosexuality is ones that my previously held notion will not change.