Blog 3 3/27/12

We had Fireside chats earlier this week, and it brought up a multitude of different aspects of the Black struggles in America. I thought about all the different ones, from education to jobs. I found I feel that false media representation has the most detrimental effect on Blacks. They are born into a society that likes to mold. A society that splits people into cliques, racial groups, likes and dislikes. The media gives an assumption of what Blacks should be. They grow up expected to be that of My Wife and Kids, or even Meet the Browns. From great-grandparents to now, they are suffering from an expectation, and the media helps it continue. 

Black American children tend to suffer more from self identity then the average white person, due to the reason of not knowing what is considered 'normal' for a Black American. They are not able to be considered as another human being with a personality and feelings, they are considered a character, a puppet to the media assumptions. Until the media brings back positive roles like The Cosby Show and The Color of Friendship, Black children will be stuck in a constant cycle of a self identity crisis, and will not have the chance of growing into their own version of what they are, instead of the media version.

Perception Changes, Values Do Not

So far in Multicultural Studies we have studied Native American's and Black Americans, along with having a real life experience in clashing of cultures in the ELL students. I love how we are challenged every day to look at a different perspective, and dive head first into understanding the pain and tribulations of what these different cultures went through.

Group discussions for the readings we are to read pick through every question and most debates that are out there. For the Native American's, we were asked to write down the first thoughts that came to mind, and I had originally put down "Squanto and the mass death where they were forced to move to reservations." The answer I would give that question is now completely different. I am excited to finally be learning modern day information, rather then being stuck in the mindset of our history books, which have been written for years. I had no idea Native Americans controlled many casino's, and that they were still dealing with frustrations of assimilating into America. A lot of information we are covering is completely new to me, which has me feeling like an ignorant fool for not realizing how naming a college, or mascot, can be offensive. It was an incredible eye opener to see the Native American perspective in the 21st century.

We are not yet finished learning about Black American's, but the more I am finding out, the sicker I feel on how they were treated, and how truly destructive stereotypes can be. I cannot wait for all the other cultures we discuss, debate, and become educated on. For once I can say I know what is going on in the world and America today, and it is a bittersweet feeling finding out more.