Post 5: Family History and Final Week

While it has been a busy final week, I think it prepared us to continue considering the variety of ethnic cultures in our world, and what it means to an individual in a minority.

First off, we can now see that the idea of racism can linger in the mind of an individual with minority status, and create psychological reasoning for why or why not they may not fit in. It also allows them to "feel inferior or different because they have come to believe, or internalized, the dominate society's message that they are different and do not belong."  Internalized racism can also make people question their own opinions on racism.  It is important to think about this new understanding of racism, for racism is not only in the hands of a powerful majority, but it is also a psychological problem that can make the holder feel victimized. 

This week has also led us to understand the individual advantages of being the majority in our own towns and communities.  For instance, I, a white male, live in Sandusky, Ohio.  I go to a school where I am part of a majority color.  I live in a neighborhood that is mostly made up of middle to upper class white individuals.  Where I live is not known as the "bad" part of town.  I could probably steal something and it wouldn't reflect back on my entire race, etc.  I may be advantaged because where my parents have gotten me, who are also working white individuals.

Regardless, we can now see these advantages, some commonly known as white privilege.    

The family history project was also a major part of our "class wrap up."  I truly admire this project because it makes us consider not only world and U.S. events in the past, but also how the cultural progression in society has affected my family on an individual basis.  It also makes us consider how people such as our parents were subject to racism in our communities.  For instance,  my mother attended k-8 private school, then went to a public high school. Her public school had many black and hispanic students.  Never before had she learned in their presence, or thought she would ever have to.  It's just because she never knew anything different.  

I guess I would like to end this post on a special note.  I think it is important that each of us take away from this class a few certain things.    First off, we now understand in greater depths how differently cultured individuals have made their way to present day society, and the struggles that are still present with equality based issues.   Also, hopefully we now understand that we were not all just placed here, on this land of America.  Rather, someone fought to come here, to settle here, and create a family in the hopes of prosperity on this land.   We are all the product of their efforts, struggles, and losses.  Lastly, while we are all created equal, perceptive  differences have gone from plain hindsight to something we "don't talk about anymore."  It is important not to forget the history of people on this land, and why some over others still hold unmentioned privileges.