SeeItThisWay

Just a girl sharing her view.

[diversethis-blog]

Acknowledging Knowledge

The documentary, “Precious Knowledge: Revolutionary Education,” described the situation of the education system in a city in Arizona. There was a concern with the high drop-out rates amongst the Latino student, and the solution was to create an Ethnic Studies Department that will allow them to learn about their culture. There was a massive increase in grades for the students. However, the senator of Arizona felt the program was “anti-American” because the were learning about a culture that was not American. The students and teachers in the program fought against them. However, it was unsuccessful. But the documentary ended with more hope and drive for the students to fight for generations to come to learn about their culture.

The documentary talked about the topics that are the issues within society that are not taken as seriously as they need to be. Education is power; it’s precious. And should be treated as so, with all education open to all students. When the students learned about their history, they figured out they were not what everyone else told them they were going to be. Latino culture ignites perseverance, strength, and confidence for all that learn about the culture.  Understanding more than one culture and acknowledging there is more is intellectual power that should be protected by the government, not taken away. By allowing cultures to continue to be suppressed the United States is taking away the founding fundamentals of this country. By saying "If you want to learn another culture, then go there," is not embracing the freedom this country was founded on.

"Precious Knowledge" relates to the topic of xenophobia because the reasons of the senator saying that program should no longer exist were as if he had a fear of the Latino community becoming stronger. Once a race has the ability to educate themselves, that allows a more inclusive environment and intellectual conversation. Ethnic studies was a program that was opened to all students and even those who were not hispanic were taking the courses. However, it was predominantly latinos and Latino professors, so it was seen as an issue. When a person learns about their culture, it gives them the power to fight for themselves. You cannot un-educate the educated. By the government taking away this program, they are igniting a bigger fight that is yet to come.

[diversethis-blog]

Stereotypical

In sixth grade, I did not understand stereotyping. I knew I was different with my curly hair because no one else had it, but I didn’t know it was part of who I am.

For most people, if I ask what they think my nationality is, they answer a mix of black and white. I did not know how to react, so I just smile and tell them what I am, a mix of Honduran and Puerto Rican. And they would say, "Oh wow! Fully Hispanic. So you speak Spanish?" And then I would answer, "No, my parents never taught me." And then the conversation with awkwardly come to an end.

One month, in middle school, it was heritage month, and all the kids were separated into groups. Hispanics, Blacks, White, Indian, and mixed. And my teacher didn’t ask for my race, and she just pushed me with the group of Hispanics. I was okay with it because I didn’t know what else to expect, but then I looked around and saw that there was about 10 Hispanics in a crowd of about 120 people. Everyone seemed content with the group they categorized to be in, but I didn’t know anyone in mine.

The assembly began, and they played music that was supposed to represent each heritage. And when I think about it now, they played Mexican music to represent all Latinos.

And the end of the assembly we were all told to go back to our classroom and as I was walking back. And this tall girl came and shoved me slightly and said, “Why don’t you swim back to your country?” I just stopped and stared, but she kept moving like she did not say anything rude or insulting to me. I didn’t say anything to anyone because, at the time, it seemed pointless to address the issue.

My grandparents did everything they could think of so the generations that came after them would have a better life than those that came before them. My family did not swim to get here.

Yes, I don't feel connected to my heritage and all the traditions that come with it. But it does not give someone the right to assume my family came here by swimming or some other illegal way.

[strangersinadarkparadise]

[diversethis-blog]

Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation is part of identity within a person that talks about the attraction to another being. Some definitions say sexual orientation can be broken down into categories such as homosexual, heterosexual, or bisexual.

This image shows that it is not simple to analyze what millions of people are attracted to into just three categories. Sexual orientation is the part of an identity that can change throughout a person’s lifetime and doesn’t need to fit into a category. The image breaks down from a female perspective or a male perspective or other views and allows people to understand it is not easy.

Sexual orientation is not a choice made by a person, but what they feel and what their mind allows them to attract to other beings. Some males have an attraction to men, males and females, or females who feel they were supposed to men but yet still attracted to other males. It is a complicated and touchy issue but one that should be understood by society.

People are going to try to be with others who make them happy and who they feel comfortable with in their environment. Sexual orientation is finding love in something deeper than a category. These groups are created to help people narrow down what is going on inside their head. It allows a person to realize other people have the same interest as he or she does.

[diversethis-blog]

White Privilege

My job consist of serving people food and cleaning the tables throughout my shift. Sometimes it is my job to make sure there is always food out so people can serve themselves. And throughout my shifts, I have taken a few observations that completely shock me in the college realm. 

Many (predominantly white) people serve themselves, make a mess, and then not even look and just walk away. Whether it be because they think “someone will clean it” or “it’s someone’s job to clean up after me” or a probable “i didn’t even notice,” the amount times this occurred was appalling. I noticed that hispanics or blacks were able to serve themselves and be more polite than fair skin people. Also I have observed that they do not take their dishes after they have completed their meal and leave it for the workers to clean it up, all though that is not how it works in any other dining commons on campus. This is very frustrating because I have heard people say that do it because management will not allow them to bring trays and so this is their form of rebellion. 

Although this photo is from McDonalds, the tables look almost identical after one dinner. People leave their place and cups all over, spill drinks and just leave them there, do not push in their chairs, rearrange the chairs to their liking and then leave them as so. 

“Others, like the privilege to ignore less powerful people, distort the humanity of the holders as well as the ignored groups” (McIntosh). Although McIntosh is talking about society at a greater perspective than cleaning up after people. But it could be taken from this situation too.  They ignored that the workers are actually people and not here to wait on them hand and foot.

[culturenlifestyle]

Stunning Mixed Media Landscapes by Stev’nn Hall

Ontario-based artist Stev’nn Hall composes stunning landscape pieces, which explore the beauty and the depth of photography’s union with the paintbrush. Inspired by sceneries from rural Ontario and his childhood, the nostalgic nature passages are a sequence of ethereal, yet bold dreamscapes.  

Keep reading

[diversethis-blog]

Age, Culture, Difference

All my life I’ve had my parents by my side. They told me they wanted me to grow and be able to take care of myself and take on new obstacles that will turn into adventures. Recently, I have come across an opportunity to study abroad and go to New Zealand, which would absolutely be incredible. So I told my parents the news and my father said, “No, you’re too young and too small.” I was shocked. My age and my height are not things that I can control yet they would be stopping me from an amazing opportunity. Age is not just explained by the number of years I’ve been on this earth, it’s the number of experiences that allowed me to become who I am and think for myself and make my own decisions. 

Donald Trump is now the president of the United States. That sentence alone brings up feelings across the spectrum for the citizens of America and the world. Quotes saying, “He’s not my president” go around and riots are now starting. But what is the damage of this to our culture. America is all about being free and accepting, yet people start riots to try to protest what they cannot change. I’m not saying that we should praise our new president or that I support what he believes. But if we cannot support our country, what does our culture look like to other countries. Culture is supposed to be the way we “do” things, so are we saying that when something happens we start rioting and protesting and having no respect for others? Or is it we are free to speak we think and that’s what makes America what is is. My culture is to respect all, regardless of what they say. I don’t have to like them, I just have to treat them with decency.

My grandparents were the first generation to come to the United States to make a living for themselves and their children. My mom was the first to move to a different state. And now here I am, a Latina, first generation going to a well-known university. I feel this unbelievable pressure to be special, to be different from the classmates sitting next to me. Difference is what separate two entities. I still don’t know what makes me different. I’m Latina and going to a university, yea that’s cool, but so are thousands of other woman. I’m smart and have a job, and so do others. I never learned to speak Spanish, so all I have his a Latina face and curly hair. So what’s supposed to make me different? 

[kylejengman]

Hwy 26, Mt Hood National Forest, Oregon

[bemusedbibliophile]

Knowledge emerges only through invention and re-invention, through the restless, impatient, continuing, hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world, and with each other.

Paulo Freire (via bemusedbibliophile)

[steveinaspeedo]