The first activity, keeping eye contact, was much easier than the rest. I started by having a conversation with a good friend of mine. She was sitting on a chair and I was on a couch but they were close together. It was about the middle of our conversation when I decided to keep eye contact with her. I could tell within the first thirty seconds that she was a little uncomfortable and kept looking away for just a second, then looking back at me. I tired hard not to lose her eye contact but when she would look away I would still look at her eyes but couldn't keep contact because of how we were seated. I usually have good eye contact with this friend but I think she was a little nervous that I wouldn't take a break from looking at her.
The second activity was really hard for me. I am so used to keeping eye contact with everyone I speak with that it was difficult. A few minutes later I tried having no eye contact with this same friend, at first it was easy, I looked at the floor and at other people around the room while we were talking. As the conversation went on I wanted to look at her so bad because I felt so awkward that I started laughing after about a minute and a half. I didn't tell her why I was laughing I just kept the conversation going. She just stated laughing with me. After the two minutes were over I waited about 5 minutes and then told her what I was doing. She was surprised and said she kinda noticed but she wasn't really worried about our conversation because there was so much other stuff going on in the room.
The third activity was really awkward. I was talking to my brother on our deck and I kept inching closer and closer to him. He didn't notice at first but after I had been doing it for a little bit he put his hands in front of him and made a weird face. That was when I decided to tell him what I had been doing. He thought it was interesting and he was super confused why I had been getting closer to him because usually I stay far away. I thought this was a really interesting activity because it shows how people need their own space. The second you are in someones "bubble" they get really awkward and uncomfortable. I know if someone did that to me I would probably run away. I am so used to our society giving people personal space, when it does happen you know something is wrong.
How would you react if someone were to try any of these activities on you? Do you think you would notice?
Monday, May 31, 2010
Activity #6 Language in the United States
I thought this was a really interesting idea. When I took the first quiz called "American Varieties," I only got one correct. I already knew how some parts of the United States sounded, but this really showed me that you need to listen to someone for more than one sentence before you can assume where they are from. I liked the first quiz but I thought it was difficult to determine where everyone was from. People move all the time throughout the United States and one person cannot assume where they are from by hearing a person speak one sentence. Someone may have a southern accent but live in Maine. This quiz shows that our diverse nation speaks differently all over the country, not one region speaks exactly the same.
The second game "Do you speak American?" was a little easier. Although I only got one right, I was really close on two others. I could hardly understand what people were saying. I had to listen to them each a couple times before I had even a little understanding of what the answer might be. The two answers I was really close to getting right, I was only off by a vowel. That was the purpose of this quiz, to show people use vowels differently in different parts of the United States.
The United States is a very diverse country, one should not assume where someone is from when meeting them for the first time. If someone has an accent they may speak more than one language or have moved from a different part of the U.S. or a different country. People get made fun of because of their accents, that person could be a lot like you but their accent may make it difficult for people to be open minded about relating with that person. I think people have stereotypes when it comes to accents. They are so quick to assume something about someone with an accent instead of getting to know that person for who they are. The U.S. is a very diverse nation people need to be more open to those of different cultures and nationalities.
Which quiz was most difficult for you? Why do you think that one was more difficult?
The second game "Do you speak American?" was a little easier. Although I only got one right, I was really close on two others. I could hardly understand what people were saying. I had to listen to them each a couple times before I had even a little understanding of what the answer might be. The two answers I was really close to getting right, I was only off by a vowel. That was the purpose of this quiz, to show people use vowels differently in different parts of the United States.
The United States is a very diverse country, one should not assume where someone is from when meeting them for the first time. If someone has an accent they may speak more than one language or have moved from a different part of the U.S. or a different country. People get made fun of because of their accents, that person could be a lot like you but their accent may make it difficult for people to be open minded about relating with that person. I think people have stereotypes when it comes to accents. They are so quick to assume something about someone with an accent instead of getting to know that person for who they are. The U.S. is a very diverse nation people need to be more open to those of different cultures and nationalities.
Which quiz was most difficult for you? Why do you think that one was more difficult?
Activity #5 Avowed and Ascribed Identities
Avowed
Hard working
Passionate
Ascribed
Gender
Age
Someones identity is a very important part of who they are. The identities that you cannot change are things like gender and age. I think gender is a big part of who someone is. Men and women are treated very differently and have different views on ways things should be done. As a women I think we should be treated the same as men. I think my family has had a huge impact on this. My father is very hard working and is always pushing me to do what I want while doing my best. He is always there to help me get to where I want to be and tells me not to let anything stop me. I know I can finish what I start even if there is something trying to keep me from doing so. My mother is a stay at home mom but has always been there to help me with anything I have needed and given me support. I think women are able to do anything men can do. Gender is something that a person is born with and you can resist it but I choose to accept my gender. Although I don't want someone telling me I can't do something because I am a women, if I want to do something I will.
Another ascribed identity is age. I am 22, most people would assume I drink a lot and very irresponsible because of my age. When people assume this I quickly correct them. I live with my parents still and do not party like most college students. I don't like that with every age there is a stereotype about you. I want someone to know me before assuming how I spend my time. I think my family has helped with this because my immediate family drinks but is never drunk and has always expected a lot out of me. I don't want someone telling me I should be doing something else at the age I am at. I want to be doing whatever I want to do as long as I think it is right for me.
The media has had a huge impact on both gender and age. They show you that college students drink and that girls stay home with the children, but that is not always the case. People watch tv and try to act like the people they see on tv. Others watch tv and assume things about different genders and ages that they may not assume if the media didn't portray it that way. People should act how they feel not how they are told to act.
Ascribed Identity Who was responsible Actions to resist
Gender Family, community, media Do want you think is right for you
Age Family, community, media Don't let people tell you how to act
Do people assume something about you because of your age? If so, what do they assume?
Hard working
Passionate
Ascribed
Gender
Age
Someones identity is a very important part of who they are. The identities that you cannot change are things like gender and age. I think gender is a big part of who someone is. Men and women are treated very differently and have different views on ways things should be done. As a women I think we should be treated the same as men. I think my family has had a huge impact on this. My father is very hard working and is always pushing me to do what I want while doing my best. He is always there to help me get to where I want to be and tells me not to let anything stop me. I know I can finish what I start even if there is something trying to keep me from doing so. My mother is a stay at home mom but has always been there to help me with anything I have needed and given me support. I think women are able to do anything men can do. Gender is something that a person is born with and you can resist it but I choose to accept my gender. Although I don't want someone telling me I can't do something because I am a women, if I want to do something I will.
Another ascribed identity is age. I am 22, most people would assume I drink a lot and very irresponsible because of my age. When people assume this I quickly correct them. I live with my parents still and do not party like most college students. I don't like that with every age there is a stereotype about you. I want someone to know me before assuming how I spend my time. I think my family has helped with this because my immediate family drinks but is never drunk and has always expected a lot out of me. I don't want someone telling me I should be doing something else at the age I am at. I want to be doing whatever I want to do as long as I think it is right for me.
The media has had a huge impact on both gender and age. They show you that college students drink and that girls stay home with the children, but that is not always the case. People watch tv and try to act like the people they see on tv. Others watch tv and assume things about different genders and ages that they may not assume if the media didn't portray it that way. People should act how they feel not how they are told to act.
Ascribed Identity Who was responsible Actions to resist
Gender Family, community, media Do want you think is right for you
Age Family, community, media Don't let people tell you how to act
Do people assume something about you because of your age? If so, what do they assume?
Friday, May 28, 2010
Activity #4 Quiz on Ethnic Groups
This quiz really took me by surprise. I was ready to take a quiz on what we had learned so far and it was probably a lot harder then that would have been. I am already not very good with celebrities and politicians names so this was very tricky. When I took the quiz the first time I was able to fill out most of the white and about half of the white women, but it was still difficult.
I thought the white people and the African American people were the easiest to answer, then the rest went in order of the quiz, Latino, Middle Eastern and Chinese. The easiest gender was always men. I was really curious before I took the quiz a second time because I wanted to know what I could find on the Internet about people in these cultures. It was very difficult. It was easy looking up information about white and African American people but it was so difficult from there on out. I had a really hard time finding Middle Eastern people and Chinese people. I searched and searched and found hardly any. The media really only shows people what them to see.
American history is very one sided. It shows people what they want them to know, not what actually happened. It was easiest for me to think of white people because that is who American History talks about. I read so much about African slaves in the 1600's but couldn't find one African name from that time period. Many groups are not talked about in the American history and I don't know why. Maybe it is because of white privilege and only white men became known. Most groups are not talked about in American history, Chinese, Middle Easterner's are but not always in a good way.
I thought this quiz was very interesting. I couldn't believe how hard of a time I had, I see people of those ethnicities all the time but didn't know anyone for the decades. It is really depressing that our country is very mixed but our history isn't.
Why do you think other ethnic groups are left out? Is it because of "white privilege"?
I thought the white people and the African American people were the easiest to answer, then the rest went in order of the quiz, Latino, Middle Eastern and Chinese. The easiest gender was always men. I was really curious before I took the quiz a second time because I wanted to know what I could find on the Internet about people in these cultures. It was very difficult. It was easy looking up information about white and African American people but it was so difficult from there on out. I had a really hard time finding Middle Eastern people and Chinese people. I searched and searched and found hardly any. The media really only shows people what them to see.
American history is very one sided. It shows people what they want them to know, not what actually happened. It was easiest for me to think of white people because that is who American History talks about. I read so much about African slaves in the 1600's but couldn't find one African name from that time period. Many groups are not talked about in the American history and I don't know why. Maybe it is because of white privilege and only white men became known. Most groups are not talked about in American history, Chinese, Middle Easterner's are but not always in a good way.
I thought this quiz was very interesting. I couldn't believe how hard of a time I had, I see people of those ethnicities all the time but didn't know anyone for the decades. It is really depressing that our country is very mixed but our history isn't.
Why do you think other ethnic groups are left out? Is it because of "white privilege"?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Activity #3 Ethnicity and Communication
When talking to my parents about this assignment over dinner this evening I found out that I am German, English, and Austrian. I started to ask my parents about our ethnicity and whether it has had an effect on our family. Neither of them could come up with anything. I don't think my ethnicity has had much influence on who I am. My family was talking a lot about this over dinner and both of my parents said that our ancestors came over to America so long ago that they never knew much about them. I don't think they effected my life very much.
I think what has influence my life is my families values, my community, church, school, and the media. I think my families values has a lot to do with my own values today. The way I was raised influences the person I am and my own beliefs. My community has influenced my life because I see how society acts around me and as I grew up I started to act the same way. Church also has an influence on who I am. I grew up going to church and it showed me how to behave and treat others. School helped me to get ready for life, it socialized me. The media has also been a big part of who I am, from the music I listen to, to the movies and television I watch. I think at one point my ethnicity became less important to my ancestors as they became assimilated to American culture. Many things have influenced who I am, but my ethnicity isn't a big part of that.
I think most people are aware of my ethnic background by looking at me. I am a Caucasian with blonde hair, I think most people would assume I am from European dissent. I think this influences the way people communicate with me. It depends on what nationality that person is and the stereotypes they have with my ethnicity. Another Caucasian may treat me like they would any other Caucasian but someone of another ethnicity may treat me differently. Personally I have never noticed anyone that I didn't know being rude to me but someone may have been and I didn't notice.
I think there many things in life that shape all of us. Some people are shaped by their ethnicity and some are shaped by other things. My life was shaped by things such as my family, and the media. I think people communicate with others based on what has influenced them and any preconceived notions one may have about an ethnicity.
Have you ever been treated differently because of your ethnicity? Have you ever treated someone differently because of their ethnicity?
I think what has influence my life is my families values, my community, church, school, and the media. I think my families values has a lot to do with my own values today. The way I was raised influences the person I am and my own beliefs. My community has influenced my life because I see how society acts around me and as I grew up I started to act the same way. Church also has an influence on who I am. I grew up going to church and it showed me how to behave and treat others. School helped me to get ready for life, it socialized me. The media has also been a big part of who I am, from the music I listen to, to the movies and television I watch. I think at one point my ethnicity became less important to my ancestors as they became assimilated to American culture. Many things have influenced who I am, but my ethnicity isn't a big part of that.
I think most people are aware of my ethnic background by looking at me. I am a Caucasian with blonde hair, I think most people would assume I am from European dissent. I think this influences the way people communicate with me. It depends on what nationality that person is and the stereotypes they have with my ethnicity. Another Caucasian may treat me like they would any other Caucasian but someone of another ethnicity may treat me differently. Personally I have never noticed anyone that I didn't know being rude to me but someone may have been and I didn't notice.
I think there many things in life that shape all of us. Some people are shaped by their ethnicity and some are shaped by other things. My life was shaped by things such as my family, and the media. I think people communicate with others based on what has influenced them and any preconceived notions one may have about an ethnicity.
Have you ever been treated differently because of your ethnicity? Have you ever treated someone differently because of their ethnicity?
Activity #2 Public Observation
Today I went to Woodbury's Central Park, it is an inside park where there are always lots of people. I do go there sometimes but I do not people watch, I usually have to much work to do. I sat outside of the library where I could see into the library and out at the park. Everyone was either walking from place to place or sitting at a table working on a computer. I noticed many unwritten rules that I have never noticed before watching people in the park.
People walking by me usually didn't make eye contact or look in my direction. If someone did look in my direction, they only made eye contact for a short time before looking away. I tired to keep their eye contact or at least look at them so they had an opportunity to make eye contact with me. One man I made eye contact with started to walk back near me like he wanted to talk to me, then turned around and went on his way. That was strange because I just looked at him, and didn't necessarily want to talk.
Many people were walking through the park with their family or friends, most people were standing about 7 inches apart and speaking quietly so others could not hear them. There was one young woman that came into the park talking on her cell phone really loudly. It was so different from the way all of the other people were acting. I could hear her whole conversation and there were so many people around working, you would think she would distract them. When she walked in everyone stopped and looked at her, just for a second then went back to work.
In the library people would stand about 5 feet away from each other while looking at books. I thought that was a normal distance so if you want a book near them you would wait for them to move. At the library tables people wouldn't sit at a table near anyone else. They would find a new table further away.
Another thing I found really interesting was the people walking would always have their hands close to their body. Their hands were either at their sides, folded, or holding something. I thought that was interesting because they weren't bothering anyone if they were to do something different, but they didn't want to attract attention to themselves. There was one man who was swinging a bag from side to side while he was walking, he didn't bother anyone but I was thinking what is making him swing his bag when no one else is moving their arms.
I saw many distinct unwritten rules while observing in the park. One that people speak quietly, and they walk with their arms close to their body. If someone were to come to the park and not follow the rules, nothing would happen to them, they may just feel out of place and people around may look at them for a minute then go back to what they were doing. I think most people in society don't want to attract attention to themselves so they stay away from others and blend in. I know when I saw the couple people not exactly following the rules I looked at them and wondered what they were doing.
Are the unwritten rules you observed ones that you follow? How would you feel if you didn't know the rules and people were staring at you?
People walking by me usually didn't make eye contact or look in my direction. If someone did look in my direction, they only made eye contact for a short time before looking away. I tired to keep their eye contact or at least look at them so they had an opportunity to make eye contact with me. One man I made eye contact with started to walk back near me like he wanted to talk to me, then turned around and went on his way. That was strange because I just looked at him, and didn't necessarily want to talk.
Many people were walking through the park with their family or friends, most people were standing about 7 inches apart and speaking quietly so others could not hear them. There was one young woman that came into the park talking on her cell phone really loudly. It was so different from the way all of the other people were acting. I could hear her whole conversation and there were so many people around working, you would think she would distract them. When she walked in everyone stopped and looked at her, just for a second then went back to work.
In the library people would stand about 5 feet away from each other while looking at books. I thought that was a normal distance so if you want a book near them you would wait for them to move. At the library tables people wouldn't sit at a table near anyone else. They would find a new table further away.
Another thing I found really interesting was the people walking would always have their hands close to their body. Their hands were either at their sides, folded, or holding something. I thought that was interesting because they weren't bothering anyone if they were to do something different, but they didn't want to attract attention to themselves. There was one man who was swinging a bag from side to side while he was walking, he didn't bother anyone but I was thinking what is making him swing his bag when no one else is moving their arms.
I saw many distinct unwritten rules while observing in the park. One that people speak quietly, and they walk with their arms close to their body. If someone were to come to the park and not follow the rules, nothing would happen to them, they may just feel out of place and people around may look at them for a minute then go back to what they were doing. I think most people in society don't want to attract attention to themselves so they stay away from others and blend in. I know when I saw the couple people not exactly following the rules I looked at them and wondered what they were doing.
Are the unwritten rules you observed ones that you follow? How would you feel if you didn't know the rules and people were staring at you?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Activity #1 "Far and Away"
"Far and Away" is a love story about two people who are from different worlds. They came together to find new land in The United States. Shannon a wealthy Irish woman meets Joseph, a poor Irish man, when he comes to her home trying to murder her father. Shannon was held captive in her home because her mother would not let her have a life of her own. Joseph wanted to kill Shannon's father because he took his land back and burned down his fathers house. Shannon and Joseph came together and started on their way to the free land in The United States.
When Shannon and Joseph arrive in The United States they faced many challenges. Right when they arrived in The United States people did not want to be near them because they were Irish. The person they met on the boat was killed the second they hit dry land. He had all of Shannon's antique spoons and they were stolen when he was killed. Shannon was going to use the money from the spoons to get a horse and go to Oklahoma to the free land, but they had no money since the spoons were stolen. Joseph was barred because he did not win a fight so the whole town shut their doors on them. The men also took all of his money and Shannon and Joseph were unable to eat for days. They asked people if they could work for them but they all said no because they didn't want Irish to work for them. Many of the challenges they faced were because they were Irish and people were untrustworthy.
Joseph and Shannon reacted to these challenges by taking them in and working around them. They would be upset and frustrated at first but they always pulled through. They each did what they had to do to make things work. Joseph fought to earn money and get out stress, while Shannon worked hard at a job she hated. Their experience was horrible. They had to go through a lot to unpleasant situations filled with violence and fear to get where they wanted to be.
I think the immigrant experience would have been very disheartening. To know people don't like you because of your nationality and never get to know the real you. I think the experience is an eye opener because it is easy to see that these people are selfish when they won't help someone that needs medical attention. I believe this experience helps many people look at their own lives and want to be a more compassionate person, to help others when they have a hard time.
What do you think would have happened to Shannon and Joseph if they split up after they got off the boat? Do you think they would have been able to make it on their own?
When Shannon and Joseph arrive in The United States they faced many challenges. Right when they arrived in The United States people did not want to be near them because they were Irish. The person they met on the boat was killed the second they hit dry land. He had all of Shannon's antique spoons and they were stolen when he was killed. Shannon was going to use the money from the spoons to get a horse and go to Oklahoma to the free land, but they had no money since the spoons were stolen. Joseph was barred because he did not win a fight so the whole town shut their doors on them. The men also took all of his money and Shannon and Joseph were unable to eat for days. They asked people if they could work for them but they all said no because they didn't want Irish to work for them. Many of the challenges they faced were because they were Irish and people were untrustworthy.
Joseph and Shannon reacted to these challenges by taking them in and working around them. They would be upset and frustrated at first but they always pulled through. They each did what they had to do to make things work. Joseph fought to earn money and get out stress, while Shannon worked hard at a job she hated. Their experience was horrible. They had to go through a lot to unpleasant situations filled with violence and fear to get where they wanted to be.
I think the immigrant experience would have been very disheartening. To know people don't like you because of your nationality and never get to know the real you. I think the experience is an eye opener because it is easy to see that these people are selfish when they won't help someone that needs medical attention. I believe this experience helps many people look at their own lives and want to be a more compassionate person, to help others when they have a hard time.
What do you think would have happened to Shannon and Joseph if they split up after they got off the boat? Do you think they would have been able to make it on their own?
Saturday, May 22, 2010
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