Together we are a thousand folds strong

[sociologythoughts-blog]

Education and Young Girl’s Health

At once I read this article, I immediately thought of the class reading “Gabi, a Girl in Pieces”. A couple of Noble Network of Charter Schools in Chicago policies force young girls not use any sanitary pads for their menstrual cycle periods - their education is suffering.The policies allegedly disciplines the young girls to bleed through their pants while waiting for a bathroom break. 

https://www.vox.com/2018/5/4/17311168/noble-network-charter-schools-dress-codes-periods-chicago-menstruation

In Quintero’s book, Gabi as a young girl question her identity - also methods of coping with her friend Cindy’s pregnancy, and her father’s meth habits. She addresses important issues in life, sex and consent and developing bodies and habits. Charter schools in Chicago expectations of young girls menstrual cycle is truly unethical as it creates a taboo-like message for them. Similarly, Gabi has difficulties growing up with a single mother whose expectations of her were to be well-behave, abstinent, and stay-at-home daughter with motives to not explore the world. In both cases, i found that these young girls were limited to their choices and therefore, had limited options for learning about their sexual and psychological health. Education is important, but only enough to cover the basic English, math and reading skill. Sex and development are not topics that both Noble Network Charter Schools of Chicago and Gabi’s mother hold importantly - certainly the young girls are left to question their bodies and identities. 

Works Cited:

Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi, a girl in pieces. Cinco Puntos Press.

[sociologythoughts-blog]

Black Unemployment Trends

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/2/2/16964458/trump-black-unemployment-january

Common hypothesis among studies show that disproportionate amount of Black and Hispanic unemployment are relatively higher than to White due to discrimination. Tests shows support for segregation and disadvantages for these groups. Findings of the studies also shows the effects of segregation between metropolitan areas and suburban areas - racial segregation has restricted Blacks to the central city jobs while opportunities and growth occur in suburban areas. Similar to the discussion of Sociology class about redlining and racial segregation when it comes to renting and buying homes. Furthermore, lower rates of car ownership was apparent for the two groups. Among the metro areas in 1980s, about 34% Black home owners have no car ownership compared to 11% of White home owners who have no car ownership. (U.S. Bureau of Census, 1983a 68-69)

Donald Trump took his credit for a sudden drop in Black unemployment record rate low of 6.8 per cent just in December 2017. However, records show that it jumped back up to 7.7 per cent in the beginning of this year. This seems to be a case of white privilege and entitlement - the president taking credit for decreasing minority unemployment while it’s been recorded that it has been steadily decreasing since the beginning of Obama administration. Thanks Obama.

Works Cited:

Farley, J. E. (1987). Disproportionate black and hispanic unemployment in US metropolitan areas: The roles of racial inequality, segregation and discrimination in male joblessness. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 46(2), 129-150.

[sociologythoughts-blog]

Entitlement to Marches

On February 4th, 2018 a 19-year old pulled triggers on students in Stone Douglas High School, making it one of the most recent mass school shootings. Nikolas Cruz was charged with 17 counts of attempted and sought out murder.

https://www.vox.com/2018/3/24/17159442/march-for-our-lives-rally-photos

How is the Stone Douglas High School shooting different from other school shootings? 

Thousands of high school students steadfast rallied in Washington D.C. and across the country to stand against gun violence in schools that started in Parkland, Floria. Specifically, the banned act of National Riffle Association (NRA) holds credible amounts of influence of politics. For the first time, students march against long-time debates on gun control and political power enabling people to have easy access to purchase guns. However, just three weeks earlier a 15-year-old pulled out a gun with 18 injured and 2 dead. This only evoked the usual response - tragic news coverage and nothing more. 

In the age of #MeToo, countless Americans would gather up courage to speak in public places. According to Lareau, children in the middle-class grow up with private lessons and organized activities. Parents provide means for their children to be able to deal with adults of their same statuses. However, this gives children a sense of entitlement that they have control and inputs to add to their lives. This was made possible by students with this expressive sense that gathered enough momentum to have thousands of students march from all over the country. 

Consequences of entitlement as Lareau puts it is; 

“They felt they had a right to weigh in with an opinion, to make special requests, to pass judgment on others, and to offer advice to adults. They expected to receive attention and to be taken very seriously.“

Ultimately, the lead for the March of Our Lives rallies at Stone Douglas High School begin with middle class values and teachings in children.

Works Cited:

Lareau, A. (2011). Unequal childhoods: Class, race, and family life. Univ of California Press.

[sociologythoughts-blog]

Peggy McIntosh’s Privilege

Based off Peggy McIntosh’s article, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, this is my list of certain privileges that entails my day to day life.

(Image: https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/04/19/524571669/model-minority-myth-again-used-as-a-racial-wedge-between-asians-and-blacks)

1. I can use the restroom of the gender that I am assigned to at birth and identify with, without any alarms raising.

2. Traveling and passing through TSA will not be a problem for me. There is no fear of questioning my identity or the fear of deportation.

3. I can drive through the streets without the likelihood of getting pulled over because of racial profiling.

4. I am able to walk up the stairs and open public center doors without harm or trouble.

5. I never worry about where my next meal with come from.

6. I can walk down the streets and hold hands with my significant other without fear of criticism or threats.

7. When I shop for foundation and makeup, I can find most shades in my color without much difficulty.

8. I never have to worry about my family members having the potential of being deported.

9. Basic home and a bed to sleep on at night will always be there for me - because I don’t have to worry about where to spend the next few nights.

10. I can walk into a bank without security officers being alarm of my presence.

11. I do not worry about my access of internet and cell phone calls in cases of emergencies.

12. I have the potential to work-out and attain a healthy life due to ease of exercise and nutrition. 

13. I am able to watch the news without any fears about my status of citizenship.

14. As an able-body Asian American, I am statistically more likely to earn more than Hispanic and African Americans in the coming job market.

15. I have the choices of what kind of food I want to eat.

16. I do not have any disabilities while in academia - no need for help from resource centers and aid to test taking.

17. I am able to go to college and graduate without any massive amounts of student loans.

18. I speak English without being criticized or made fun of my accent.

19. I can find clothes that will fit me easily.

20. I have the choice of moving to another location based on preferences, and not for better living conditions.

Reflection:

Intersectionality is the cause for my list of privileges. Although I am a Asian American, some privileges I hold are mostly heterosexual, able-body, citizen, educated, and cisgendered. These statuses allowed me to get by day-to-day living without much if any difficulties. Even as a woman, it is not apparent for me to experience oppressions as women in other groups of Black, or Hispanic. Furthermore, I am a woman studying in the field of business administration and accounting. Typical sexist roles deemed for woman are nurturing, caretakers, and protective - not suited for roles of leadership and innovation. 

Work Cited:

McIntosh, P. (1989, July). White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. Peace and Freedom Magazine

[sociologythoughts-blog]

Diving Deeper: Where are you really from?

It’s a simple question that gets asks every single day. Harmless intentions can be quite be a bit personal because it makes people getting asked feeling like they don’t belong. This notion lies on centuries of institutional racial bias, and appropriating on categorizing person’s appearance and origin.

https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/08/opinion/where-im-really-from/ 

Institutional bias of people of color are automatically put into groups that defines people of their place of origin. Often times there are differences in where people identify themselves of their home versus their ethnicity. In retrospect, the rather most appropriate question would be, “what is your ethnicity?” However, this simple question is common for people that differs from “whiteness” and people of color - paralleling a persons ethnicity and place they call home. 

Often times a place we call home does not coincide with the “place of origin”. DeLyser, stated that “you may fail to notice pertinent questions or issues because of inability to step back from a situation and fully access the circumstances” (2001). When a particular social issue comes into mind, researchers find topics close to their hearts and may compel them to be the insider. However, those persons that identify with other geographical locations are deemed to be the other or not a citizen. Alongside with physical appearance that distinguished people of color and white people, another factor to consider is the persons sense of belonging. 

A common hypothetical conversation: 

Person: By the way, where are you from? 

Color Person: I’m from Albuquerque!

Person: Oh I know.. but where are you really from?

Color Person: I was born and raised here in the states, but my parents are from Vietnam. So I guess Vietnam.

Cheryan, Sapna, et al. (2005) reiterated among five studies that tests dives into the idea of identity denial - a situation where a person does not feel they belong or are recognized as a a member of an important in-group. In the first study, they found that Asian Americans are less seen as Americans than other Americans. However, they report that they do not feel less American than any groups, especially White Americans. 

Works Cited:

Cheryan, S., & Monin, B. (2005). Where are you really from?: Asian Americans and identity denial. Journal of personality and social psychology, 89(5), 717.

DeLyser, D. (2001). “Do you really live here?” Thoughts on insider research. Geographical Review, 91(1‐2), 441-453.