Izabel is the name, RCG is the game

[i-zabel-blog]

How Should Income be Distributed in the United States?

This questions has no clear black and white answer and that is something I have struggled with. There is no ideal way to distribute the money in the United States because there will always be a party unhappy with the decision. One thing I find absurd is that: According to the video, Inequality in America (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM), “the top 1% has more of the countries wealth than 9 out of 10 Americans. I think there comes to the point where certain wealth is unnecessary. It is just ridiculous that a handful of people could be hoarding that much money. Everyone thrives to be successful and make money, but at want point does it become unnecessary greed. I think wealth comes to a point where it is completely idiotic. “The Waltons have more wealth than 42% of American families combined” (http://walmart1percent.org/family/). There is no need for one single family to be holding that much wealth. I think the problem in our economy are these individuals who have way more money than needed. I believe there should be a cut off figure where is a certain person makes over that amount it should be distributed among the less fortunate, but not directly. Personally I don't think the money should go to the government because I don't believe they would use it towards the right things. I think the people with the money should aq part in the decision of where the money goes. For example to public schools, rescue missions ect. I don't think messing with the distribution of wealth between the middle class, lower class, and upper class will help anything. I think it would cause more chaos and and any way we try to divide it would make someone angry. Although this might make that 1% angry, they truly dont need that much money and have no excuse to have more money than almost half our population. 

[i-zabel-blog]

The Segregated Classrooms of a Proudly Diverse School

In the book, Race, Class, and Gender in the United States by Paula Rothenberg, we come across this chapter, that at first glance we seem to understand the problem. In this chapter we learn about this situation that took place at Columbia High School, where we learn that they have a high diversity of students, but are largely segregated. We learn that lower level classes are mostly filled with black students, and higher level classes are majority white students. 

We start off by thinking the victims here are the black students, as they're  being put into lower level classes out of discrimination. On the contrary, White students are only being put into honors and AP classes because of their wealth and skin color. This begins the issue where the black students believe they are being set up with lower expectations and smaller chances to succeed. This situation has many complications though and cannot be seen as a simple black and white situation.

The other side to this argument is that what if these students are placed in these classes because it is truly where they belong. By assuming that the color of ones skin and the class that they're in play the main factor in class placement, you are perpetuating that stereotype. If the school was to switch things up in order to please students and placed students in classes they are not ready for it would only hurt them. Students should not lose motivation because they are placed in a lower class, that is just an excuse. If it is really important for a student to succeed, they would push themselves and break the boundaries the teachers have built for them. Making the excuse that you are set up with lower expectations is just that, an excuse. 

This article is filled with multiple perspectives that contribute to this multidimensional situation that cannot be easily solved. The issue here has so many sides to it and is up for debate on how it could be fixed. At this point, one cannot simple solve this issue, we must debate and take all arguments into account. In my opinion, any outcome will leave one group unhappy. It would be hard to find an outcome that would please both parties, but it is worth the try.

[i-zabel-blog]

Oppression toward Women

I have always hated the idea that women and men from birth are categorized into so many different thing. For example, the term “like a girl” has become a description for doing something bad and weak. While the term “like a man” exemplifies dominance and strength. The brand “Always” created an add campaign called “like a girl” which showed that sadly this is a reality, but then argues how wrong it is.(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs)   From the moment we are born we are wrapped in rather a pink blanket, or a blue one. We are born into these stereotypical thoughts of gender, and this is something that has always bothered me. Sadly, women have been stuck in more negative stereotypes as men. The article “Oppression” by Marilyn Frye brings up many topics of how women are treated differently and all about these separating roles, that i just love oh so much (hope you could tell thats sarcasm).

For example the article says “If [women] are found insensitive, we may fear we  have no redeeming traits at all and perhaps are not real women”. The fact that women are known to be sensitive and are seen differently if they are not should not exist. I think its truly sad that women have to be viewed like this. 

Another thing that I disagree with that was brought up in this article was that when men open the door for women it is considered a “dominant act” or a “form of mockery”. We are now living in the 21st century and I hold open the door for people on the daily without putting thought into it. With no intention of belittling them, just doing it as an act of kindness and respect. 

Overall I just think this idea that gender has to determine who you are and why you do certain acts should be expelled. Target agrees with me and recently has made their kids toys section gender neutral. While looking for an article or video that positively talks about Targets great change, most articles bashed it! Fox news seems to not like the idea and says things like “they're going gender neutral, whatever that means”. Hopefully one day gender will only be seen as the sex and organs you are born with, or choose to identify with, without certain words and ideas attached.

[i-zabel-blog]

What does being different really mean?

As humans we are constantly noticing differences weather we are aware or not. The word different has modernized into this negative connotation relating to an outcast or a minority. We can tell ourselves we aren't racist and believe in equality, but will unconsciously act discriminatory. The thing I have realized about difference lately is that we ourselves as humans have invented the idea ostracizing. Heterosexuality was originally thought of as liking both genders until Homosexuality became its own category. Being attracted to the opposite sex became this evil wrong doing because certain people grouped it into its own thing and categorized it this way.

Another idea of difference that I have come across is the idea that if every single person is different, but is united because of their social hierarchy, then no one is really different at all. This is because of the idea that every single person belongs in their own category of lifestyle. It is extremely difficult to try and explain this concept of difference and place it in a box because there are so many components. If we are just generally discriminating people on race, ethnicity, religion, and gender then it is easy to spot the differences. Although if we get more deeply into a single persons differences such as attitude, personality, clothes..ect. This would make it impossible to categorize because there will be too much diversity.

A category of racism I never realized until reading Unit one of “Race Class and Gender in the United States” is the idea of getting privileges because of your social standings. White privilege is the idea that just because of your skin tone you have a better chance at being more successful in life. This gives whites a head start at the race that is life, the problem here though is what are the privileged supposed to do with this. You might argue that it is not fair certain people get a head start because of the family and body they were born into. But is it fair for them to take steps back so we could all start at the same line?

I have asks myself many questions like this lately and contemplated the ideas of differences, but still cant come to a simple definition. Difference is such a complex word with so many mini categories. To sum it up I believe that there is no such thing as difference until we create it. Sadly it is impossible to disregard the discriminations we have created or stop from creating anymore. There will always be this unconscious grouping in our heads, and no one will be willing to take few steps back in order give a fair start to the others.