Final Post

Throughout the semester I have changed the way I think about certain things. I am very Sociological Mindful now and I never would've known how to be mindful until this class. I still have the same goals in life and that is to become a Special Education teacher later down the road. At the beginning of this semester I didn't know where I would be going to school in the Fall, now I know I'm going to Bradley University and that is where I wanted to go to pursue my higher educational goals. My mom is still my biggest influence because she has always motivated me to do my best and that's all she expects from me. I think she has taught me in some ways to be Sociological Mindful as well.

Race Panel

This week in Sociology we had a race panel come to talk to us. The panel was made up of students at Stevenson who are all different races. They each had a different story to tell our class about how being a different race can effect your everyday life. For some of them it works in positive ways but for others it works negatively. It was interesting to hear all of their stories. Some of the people were born in other countries and they had to adapt to the American lifestyle which they said was difficult at times. I also learned that within all of these different races there are different traditions and customs.

Crash

This week in sociology, we watched a movie called Crash. It was all about racial and social tensions that is prevalent in modern day. I thought that this movie did a great job of depicting a clear and accurate representation of this. An example of this was a conversion between Jean and Rick:
"Jean: I would like the locks changed again in the morning. And you know what, you might mention that next time we'd appreciate it if they didn't send a gang member... 
Rick: A gang member? 
Jean: Yes, yes. 
Rick: What do you mean? That kid in there? 
Jean: Yes. The guy in there with the shaved head, the pants around his ass, the prison tattoos. 
Rick: Those are not prison tattoos. 
Jean: [Interrupting] Oh really? And he's not gonna go sell our key to one of his gang banger friends the moment he is out our door?" 

The movie related back to what we discussed in class about how race is not something you are born with, but more of social construction. I really liked this movie and believed it showed the reality of how race affects many individuals, regardless of their social class.

Community Service

Over the course of the semester I did a lot of Community Service. The hours that I'm counting are from a Best Buddies Friendship Walk and Project Dance. I was at the Best Buddies walk from 8:30-2:30 (including driving time). I went with my buddy and we participated in the walk and then did some activities once it was over. While I was there I felt like I was making a difference because I knew my buddy was having a good time. She wanted to do all of the fun activities and encouraged me to join in with her. For my other four service hours, I did project dance. I've done Project Dance every year that I've been at Stevenson. Each year it is more rewarding because we raise more and more money each year. When I was a Freshman I didn't know what Project Dance really did, I just thought it was a big dance party with all of my friends. But by Sophomore year once I got involved more I  realized what it was really about. My community service goes together a little bit, I was helping Intellectually and Developmentally disabled people but in complete opposite ways.

30 Days

We watched a movie by Morgan Spurlock. It was about Morgan his fiance, Alex, leaving rich lifestyles behind to see what it's like to live paycheck to paycheck in Ohio. Morgan and Alex worked at multiple minimum wage jobs for 30 days earning only $5.15 per hour. They get to experience first hand the struggles minimum wage earning families face and the grueling reality behind it. It was sad to really see what it's like for people who literally run out of money. By seeing this it makes me what to help. I know what it's like to work hard and just not have enough money, but nothing like these people. My parents still support me financially, but not for my social life- that I have to use my own money for. There are so many organizations out there to help people in poverty, and I believe it's important to help. Now that I know more about this cause, I will do what I can to help those in poverty.

People Like Us

This week in sociology we watched a video called "People Like Is'" which related to the idea of hierarchy is social class. There was a family who told their story going back to this theme in the movie. It was about a family being raised by a woman named Tammy, who lives in Ohio. They lived in a house that could definitely use some repairs. Tammy said something while she was telling her story that stuck out to me, "it's not my fault I'm poor, I was raised poor." That just goes to show how where you grow up impacts you for the rest of your life. However, I admire her ambition to try to, not necessarily change social classes, although that is what her son would like, but to make her life better. Instead of collecting welfare, she walks 10.5 miles to work at Burger King. That is admirable, in my opinion. Where I grow up and in my family, education is extremely important. It's expected of me to go to college, without question. In Tammy's society, it's not "frowned" upon if you don't put education first. Or even if you don't graduate high school. Where you grow up, will constitute the actions you make.