Reflective Essay

I have learned many new things in our Social Justice class this semester. I came into this class with many ideas about what I might be learning, but I found myself very ignorant about many issues around the world. I soon learned that I was not a fair-minded thinker and that I needed to start thinking critically to understand the injustice that goes unnoticed.

A concept that has stuck with me since the beginning of the semester is sociological imagination. Charles had told us that this was going to be an important term this semester, and it sure was. Sociological imagination is defined as having the insight to see the world/ any give situation extends beyond the individual. This means we only consider external factors such as politics, economy, government and so forth, but most of us do not open our eyes or our minds to the many other factors that are affecting the world. My knowledge about globalization was that it was something that kept the world going and was exclusively beneficial to the power elite, and like social justice, was decided by the upper class members of society. After all it seems like common sense knowledge that those with power in our society determine what is considered right and wrong. Despite all the news we hear about the horrible effects of globalization on regular people like me. I believed social justice was keeping globalization in check. However, after realizing and understanding the concept of the sociological imagination I realize this is not necessarily so. In addition I realize that as much as I may think the world is unfair with one group of people profiting off capitalist ventures, which do harm to another person’s life, I realize it is an unfortunate zero sum game we all take part in.

 For instance, globalization generally involves the economic gain of a developed country by utilizing goods and services on a global scale . A good example of globalization comes from Charles his love for cocoa beans. He explained that people in Ghana work endlessly to collect cocoa beans which is turned into chocolate goods such as chocolate bars, hot chocolate and many others. We buy these chocolate goods and therefore the money earned from the cocoa beans helps support the community in Ghana from which it came. It was very interesting and special that Charles shared his history with cocoa beans with us. This made me look at all my local goods from a whole different perspective. A lot of times I have stopped and thought of the labour and hard work that has gone into the things I buy, even if it is just a bottle of water. I think to myself, this bottle was made by someone and assembled in a factory somewhere around the world. I can say that I have gained a lot of knowledge on the collective efforts of merchandise be it food or technology, not only through Charles’s story but many others. I appreciate little things like a bottle of water much more.

   I have always thought of social justice without thinking “outside the box”.  I always thought that if you were being subjected to it you must have done something wrong. But now I’ve come to see social justice is more about just right and wrong and how it protects me as an individual. It takes into consideration the wishes of a collective group of people and works to better serve those people. This concept has opened my eyes to new possibilities and has taught me to ask questions and seek alternatives because I understand now that there is always another way to do something and I shouldn’t be afraid to speak my mind. This class has truly made me a more fair-minded thinker.

Guest Speakers

Under the Sun Representatives

Affective Method

This was the most touching presentation of the semester. The speakers left a big impact on me because before the presentation I had no idea that such a hate crime was taking place in this world. Under the same sun is a group in surrey that is helping people in several different parts of Africa who suffer from albinism. They have banned together to bring awareness, education and protection to those with albinism and for people who do not fully understand what it is. I learned a lot about albinism and I can now say that I am informed of what has been happening to people who suffer from albinsim in Africa. It is very disturbing that people with albinism are believed to be ”creatures” and bring bad luck to others and therefore their body parts are dismembered and sold for money. I think that the courage these speakers have to come and speak about their albinism and raise awareness of what is going on around the world is very powerful. Their presentation left a powerful impact on me, and I hope that it continues to do so for others.

 

Children’s Charity Representative

Affective Method

Everyone wants to help the unfortunate in one way or another. The guest speaker for the chilren’s charity had a very touching organization that is going to make a difference in a lot of children’s lives. It was uplifting to hear him and his collegues were giving improvished children a chance to go to school. This reminded me of our fundraiser. It made me feel really proud of myslef that we were contributing to the same cause.  Many people want to help in their own way but simply do not know how or where to donate. Others do not realize how much of a difference one donation can make. There are a lot of choices out there, as the speaker mentioned. Also, when the speaker mentioned how one student did not get the chance to go to the program and started to cry. This shows how much of a difference one donation can make.

 

Debbie Mellenger

Affective Method

At the beginning of the semester Debbie Mellenger came to our class to teach us the basics of fundraising. Her support was very helpful because the process of fundraising was very new to a lot of us. At first the idea of raising such a large amount was quite intimidating. However, Debbie had a lot of helpful tips to guide us through the porcess. I know my group and I really appriciated her support, becuase we were very lost with ideas about what to do to raise funds. Personally, I have never asked money from strangers before, but Debbie gave some good advice on how not to be afraid to push a little to get people to donate. Also, I learned that people are more likely to donate if they know the money is going to a good cause. This being said, my group and I tried our hardest to let people know that their money was going to make a difference in a child’s life. Debbie’s presentation was very informative and gave us the courage to go forth with our fundraiser. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sociology of Human Rights and Social Justice

Paraphrastic Reading Method

This chapter was interesting and very informative about the different processes in human rights and social justice. There was a lot of information in this chapter that I have learned before about society, however, the information gave me a different insight as to what our society is based on. Socialization is the main process in what makes us who we are and who we want to become. This chapter states that there is a path we will go down based on how we have been socialized; either good or evil. I believe that how you are bought up in life greatly influences the path you decide to take. Our society is very fortunate to have basic human rights. We live in a country we have freedom of speach, gender equality and so forth. Different parts of the world do not have these freedoms and much more, to this day. There are many other types of justice that these coiuntries are deprived of. Therefore children growing up may not have the same socialization process as us, leading to difficult futures for them.

 

Social Justice and the Social Construction of Inequality and Difference

 

Dialectical Method 

What questions did the text raise?	How did the text answer this?	How does the answer match my personal beliefs/ideas?
Does society operate on an “us vs them” mentality?	Society does operate on an “us vs. them” mentality, through the process of aggregation and dichotomization. For example the separation and categorizing of people by various factors: race/gender etc)	I strongly agree that different socities around the world are based on an “us vs. them” mentality. Every culture or religon has its own beliefs and sometimes they may clash with other cultures and their beliefs. However, some cultures think that they are superior to every other culture and may not see things in the same way as other cultures.
How are societal inequalities perpetuated in society.	There are various methods of oppression in society the most subtle method used is enforcing “invalid ideologies” such as the idea of a superior gender by using pseudo-science.	There are many people in the world that believe and live by some of the invalid ideologies enforced in our society. It can be difficult for some people not to believe these ideolgies because they help them make sense of the world. However, some ideologies can be so far-fetched that its difficult to understand why some people believe them. I personally do not believe everythign I hear.
What, if any are the positive benefits of stereotyping?	On a small level stereotypes help keep order in the world and prevent people from being burdened by the ever large amount of information.	I do not agree or disagree with this passage. I think it depends on what kind of stereotype is being presented. Also, what is the meaning of large amounts of information? Is this information on different cultures around the world or just general information?

Social Reality Construction and Global Injustice

Dialectical Method 

What questions did the text raise?	How did the text answer this?	How does the answer match my personal beliefs/ideas?
What is reality?	Reality or social constructionism is based on us giving meaning to things that did not have meaning before. An example would be the concept of time. What being on time means for one society does not mean the same view will be shared in another society.	This is very true.  When I think of the different customs/norms of society I am reminded of this very chapter.For instance in our North American culture a thumbs up is an indication of a job well done. In certain countries like Italy for example it is the opposite.
Who is responsible for societal norms/social reality?	According to the Critical Constructionism theory the answer would be the power elite of society shapes their views/standards on us the minorities.	I agree wth this theory as it’s something I encounter every day. One obvious instance of this is how I give up my seat on the bus for women with babies or the elderly. I didn’t just wake up one day and think this is what I’m going to do it’s a standard of conduct that’s imposed by the lawmakers of society. Respecting the chain of priorities so to speak.
What is a social problem?	Although this question has a multi-faceted answer the book would say it’s what the power eliete choose to inform us about.	I whole-heartedly agree with this statement. The news is tailored to the interests of its consumers. In addition, they must also consider the wishes of its affiliates and sponsors, anything that would be damaging would most likely not be allowed to air.

Key Concepts and Recurring Themes

Affective Response

Realizing our interconnection on the global level is enlightening as it creates a sense of appreciation for little things we take for granted. We can easily become cuaght up in our lives and not think twice about what is going on in the rest of the world, and many of us do no make the effort to research what goes on in other parts of the world. The fact that our actions and inacions can affect people all around the worls is eye opening. Our acitons here in Canada can influence so many lives in somewhere like Ghana. For example, the fundraiser project in our class. We raised a lot of money for school supplies and scholarships for kids in Ghana, so that they can go to school and get the learning experience we get. Our actions will have influenced their lives dramatically. Without our help, who knows if some kids in Ghana could ever afford to get an education at all.

 

Issues in Social Justice: by Frank Tridico, Jacob Armstrong, David Barry.

Chapter 1: “Religion and Homosexuality”

Dialectic Response

 

What question did the text/chapter raise?	How did the text answer this question?	How does the answer match my own ideas and experiences?
How is it that Christians who have internalized strong religious beliefs that completely reject homosexuality come to terms with their same-sex desires?	There are gay-affirming and ex-gay groups which create a safe social place in which gays learn through social interaction the possibilities for their religious beliefs to be altered. These ideas allow them to integrate their Christian religious identity with their sexuality or maintain their Christian identity while reshaping their beliefs about homosexuality that reinforce and justify the struggle against homosexual desires.	I believe altering ones views or beliefs is a very difficult task. Dominant belief systems, such as Christianity, are difficult to alter or go against because they are so fundamental to the way people are socialized. People are raised with certain beliefs and morals which ultimately shape who they are and how they see the world. However, I do believe that homosexuals can work to become okay with their sexualities and religious beliefs because ultimately they should do what makes them happy. It puts them in a very tough spot because they must feel left out or excluded from their own religion because they were born a certain way, but acceptance can only come through time and understanding.