24)#102-6. This Party Stinks + SAVE US!!!

My weekly update:

On Monday, we were assigned to read “A Party Down at the Square” by Ralph Ellison. Though the discussion wasn’t very smooth, I managed to pick up a few important points. The one that struck me the most was the dehumanization of the African American man. The way the author described him had irked me before, but when it was pointed out that it was intended to be that way, I was bewildered. The narrator thought of a barbecued hog when he saw that man on fire! How careless can you be??? I need to admit though. He brilliantly got his message across by being careless. You can definitely understand how African American people were treated at the time if you read “A Party Down at the Square.” That’s why it was really hard for me to digest what I read…

Wednesday’s class was probably the most beneficial yet. As if Sonja knew my questions about the APA format all along, I received a lot of answers that will come in handy while I’ll be writing my research paper. In addition, we, group blue, are to make a presentation next week and with the midterms and the TLL paper, all I can say is: GOD, SAVE US!

23)#102-5. "I Have a Dream..We're Gonna Work It Out, Out, Out"

Because English courses are related to sociology topics at SU, we had the chance to discuss many important issues like gender and race. Last class in particular was quite important for me because we were assigned to read a Martin Luther King text. Ever since we started discussing the theme of identity, Martin Luther King started to stand out for me day by day. I think I began to understand what he had to overcome at those times a bit better than I used to. I wish we had more time to talk about him..

Since King is famous for his 'I Have a Dream' speech, I'd like to share a song that was dedicated to him and this particular speech. It is rap song produced by Common and Will.i.am for the film Freedom Writers whose main star is Hilary Swank (Freedom Writers is a film that deals with heavy issues such as; gang violence, racism, poverty, love etc. Overall, in my opinion, the film is average. The issues could have been explored with more depth but what makes it important for me is the message. That is why if you get a chance, please watch the film. The world is not the same for everybody.. Keep that in mind before watching Freedom Writers). Anyways, the song also features Martin Luther King's voice. Some of you might have heard it already, but I still want to share it since there is great meaning, in my opinion, behind those words.

[Chorus - Will.i.am and Martin Luther King]

(I am happy...I Have a Dream) I got a Dream

(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out out out

(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out out out

(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out

(I Have a Dream) I got a Dream

(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out out out

(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out out out

(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out

(I Have a Dream) I got a Dream

(That One Day) That one day

(That One Day) I'ma look deep within myself

(I Have a Dream) I gotta find a way...

My Dream Is To Be Free My Dream Is To Be

My Dream Is To Be My Dream Is To Be Free

[Verse 1] In search of brighter days, I ride through the maze of the madness,

Struggle is my address, where pain and crack lives,

Gunshots comin' from sounds of Blackness,

Given this game with no time to practice,

Born on the Black list, told I'm below average,

A life with no cabbage,

That's no money if you from where I'm from,

Funny, I just want some of your sun Dark clouds seem to follow me,

Alcohol that my pops swallowed bottled me,

No apology, I walk with a boulder on my shoulder,

It's a Cold War - I'm a colder soldier,

Hold the same fight that made Martin Luther the King,

I ain't usin' it for the right thing,

In between Lean and the fiens, hustle and the schemes, I put together pieces of a Dream

I still have one

[Chorus]

[Verse 2] The world's seen me lookin' in the mirror,

Images of me, gettin' much clearer,

Dear Self, I wrote a letter just to better my soul,

If I don't express it then forever

I'll hold, inside I'm from a side where we out of control,

Rap music in the 'hood played a fatherly role,

My story's like yours, yo it gotta be told,

Tryna make it from a gangsta to a godlier role,

Read scrolls and stow slaves,

And Jewish people in cold cage,

Hate has no color or age, flip the page,

Now my rage became freedom,

Writin' dreams in the dark, they far but I can see 'em,

I believe in Heaven more than Hell,

Blessings more than jail, In the ghetto let love prevail,

With a story to tell, my eyes see the glory and well,

The world waitin' for me to yell "I Have a Dream"

[Chorus]

Image: 'martin-luther-king-smile' by Nelson Piedra (Nopiedra) under CC Attribuition Non-Commercial No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic

22)#102-4. “WHO is bullying WHOM?” The question I pose to humanity..

Since I am on medical leave, I have to study all by myself, but anyways, I am determined to make the best out of this unexpected break of mine =)

I thought that this sociology article was quite interesting; therefore, there are a few points that I’d like to discuss in this post.

*I had always wondered why Asian Americans were called ‘yellow.’ I mean they are not yellow. Their skin color is just as white as someone of Caucasian origin. In this text, I found my answer. Apparently, it is because they are white-r. I am sorry but that is --------------! (Feel free to fill in the space yourself.)

*This article made me understand that race is nothing but a social weapon that some people use against each other in order to have just a bigger share of the pie. In Turkey, schools do not emphasize this part really. Most people assume that race is biologically constructed. It couldn’t be more wrong. It is a social concept that needs help ASAP. We should value personality- not race.

*As I read more about what a dominant group is, I realized that they are just like the bullies that made my life miserable when I was in middle school. It is pathetic to see that. I guess people don’t mature with age either…

* The part that struck me the most on a personal level was the gender stereotypes. Unfortunately, in my country, this stereotype is considered ‘normal.’ You can hear many men saying, “A women can’t do this… can’t do that..”, “Women always block the traffic.” and “Women should just be a housewife.” AAAAAAARGH! I cannot stand it when I hear comments like that. The other day I was taking to my friend, and she told me about this guy who kept stalking her. She mentioned that he kept saying things like “A girl can never beat me..A girl can never be as smart(as me)..” I swear if he said that to me, I would have given him a taste of what it feels like to be in hell!!!! It is disappointing to see that guys like that are at a university like this. Why can’t it be someone who is better rather than a girl/boy being better than a boy/girl?

*Stereotype interchangeability was also an interesting read. There are a lot of people who are unemployed in this country so I’ve never thought of blaming them for it. Being poor because of laziness..that does not sound applicable in Turkey. At least, that is what I think.

*On page 323 of this article, there is an example which features a Chinese American couple. I think it presents the discrimination-prejudice relationship in a completely different light. Honestly, I was quite surprised when I read it. Make sure that you read it too.
Finally, I’ll end my post with an open-ended question. I think you will understand my point when you read it.
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WHY CAN’T WE JUST GET ALONG?

21)#102-3. Combining My Interest and Curiosity- Topic Selection p(*＾-＾*)q

I certainly channeled my inner-nerd this weekend. After searching a lot of databases and collecting seemingly useful articles, I went through all of them to sort out the unnecessary ones and make a list of prized articles =) After re-evaluating them, I decided on my topic. I want to write my research paper on the stereotypes of Asian Americans which is option two. However, here comes the tricky part, I plan to feature adolescents. Adolescence is option three, but with this paper, I do not plan on examining adolescents’ identity formation in a detailed manner as stated in the description of that option. My main focus will still be stereotypes of this particular group. Basically, I want to include a bit of option three in option two. Now, doesn’t that sound intriguing Sonja? ;)

Why would I be interested in this topic? I reckon this question will pop in a lot of people’s minds. Well, for those who do not know me that much, I guess I should put it out there. I am quite-no, actually a lot- interested in Asia. I listen to K-pop and J-pop and watch Asian dramas. If SPS would ever give me a break, I’d love to read the works of Haruki Murakami, but that prospect does not seem promising (=_=) Anyways, in order to expand my knowledge, I want to see how Asian people who are now identified with another geography are really like. Asian Americans are always pictured as smart, hardworking and quiet. I really doubt this notion, so I want to investigate it. Stereotypes no matter how positive they might seem hinder people, so I’m looking forward to the truth behind them. Research paper, here I come---!

o(^^o)(o^^)o わくわく

Image: 'PB160002' by rcmaclean under CC Attribution 2.0 Generic License