Sociology Readings and Class Discussions

There were a few similarities between the four readings even though they might not have been obvious. All four readings discussed how the people in one’s surrounding environment judge a person based only by how they identify that person and the stereotypes associated with that person’s categorized identity. In reading 18, the author was not certain what his true identity was because he was always seen differently depending upon where he was. In reading 20, the author discussed some of the controversial aspects of immigration and how people can be solely judged based off of their ethnicity. In reading 49, the reader learned how the government in California wanted to put a prison and toxic waste incinerator close to a Mexican-American community primarily because the government thought that this community would not effectively voice their dissent to the proposals. However, the reader discovered that the community united together and helped protect their land and quality of life. In reading 50, the reader discovers that women in white separatists movements are just supposed to raise children and stay in the house.
All of these readings discuss people or groups that are usually negatively stereotyped in their societies. However, it becomes apparent that many times, the people being stereotyped rarely speak up for themselves and defend their identity. They allow their society to change and mold their identities, letting other people only see a part of who they are. It is true that one’s surroundings shape our identity development but it is also true that we have power over ourselves to influence who we become, by choosing who we hang out with and where, what we think and say, and especially how we act. All of these factors influence our identity and how others might think of us. Therefore, actively participating in issues that directly affect us is crucial if we want to do something worthwhile, meaningful, and important.
Relating this concept to our class discussions is very crucial. Everyone should have the ability and power to voice their opinions, concerns, ideas, and thoughts in a polite, courteous, and respectful manner. However, this has not been the case so far, possibly because we are used to living in a society where only a few people actually have the voice and power to make decisions that directly influence other people. A new method for effectively voicing one’s opinions in class needs to be established because currently the ways in which the discussions are handled leads to frustration, anger, disgust, fear, and worst of all, apathy. This new method may not totally work and may need several amendments, but I think the hardest part will be trying to find this method and coming to a compromise where most people will be able to agree to it and abide by its rules.
Finding this new method most likely requires thinking “outside the box”, referring to something totally new. I think that more time is needed to make the decisions, probably longer than the designated class time that we currently have. I think that if the class wants to work on this project, it should abandon the readings and tests that we have, engaging their time in sociology class solely on the project’s progress. However, I believe that an anonymous vote should happen first to decide that matter. Other considerations might be to have short two or three minute breaks in between the discussions to talk among one’s group outside of the classroom to reestablish one’s opinions and get support and feedback from one’s own group. I think that we should invite members from the Siena community and local government officials to the class to observe our discussions and give us their thoughts and opinions. I believe that the best outcome will be if everyone has had a chance to have their voices heard and respected. However, it is difficult to think outside the box. More thought and time will be needed to discover the best method.