ONE BIT OF INFORMATION YOU REMEMBER WELL FROM THE FIRST CLASS.
In "comments" below, tell your classmates about one detail from the first meeting that made a particular impression on you and stayed with your after class. It could be a rule (no phones, no late assignments,) or the word "tribe," or the let's-clear-the-air discussion on stereotypes, or anything, ANYTHING else, that you happened to think about after you left the classroom.
First, you should write your own comment without looking at what other people have written before you (make an effort, be honest.)
Second: Read your classmates' comments and leave your comments to them. Did your classmates choose something you didn't notice, or something that registered with you? Return as often as you want to add more comments.
Something I can honestly say stood with me after class was the word tribe. It was the first time I heard the word used in that context. The reason it stuck with me is because I always thought grouping people in to categories was very ambiguous especially race. I thought the term was also fitting because in a political science class I took I was trying to give a general name for oppressed groups in America such as women, racial and ethnic minorities, homosexuals, and the working class. I even asked a friend later that day what they thought their tribe was later that day.
ReplyDeleteSame here, the term tribe sums it all up!
DeleteSomething that really stuck with me after our meeting on thursday is lack of "belonging" to a certain tribe. There are a lot of people who are mixed from different tribes. I myself would like to say I am an Italian American, but I also have Irish/Scottish roots. There is a lack of placement for people who hold identities from multiple tribes. This mixed ethnicity concept is only very popular in the United States, but I still wonder how others who are mixed identify themselves.
ReplyDeleteAlways thought of this, but honestly most people that have several ethnic backgrounds tend to consider themselves of only those that sound exotic.
DeleteLike for instance, both of my parents grew up in Albania however their parents were from Greece and Austria, so I consider myself an Austrian Greek.
You make a really good point Agron
DeleteOne thing that stuck with me and made me think about during and after class was when the professor said you will get a higher position if you have a college degree in the work field than someone who doesn't earn one. In nowadays this is true, but in some cases it's not always true. For example my friend's father dropped out of sophomore year of high school, never earned a high school diploma, and started his own Italian food business. By doing this, it makes him the owner or "the boss" of that individual work place. I do understand that if he had to apply for a job somewhere, the employer would hire someone with a college degree over him. But since he didn't even earn his high school diploma, he made the decision to open his own business, and is still successful today.
ReplyDeleteThis is also, I'm assuming many years ago. Not disagreeing with what you said but in this day in age, the chance of that happening is slim to none. Unfortunately .
DeleteWhen I left the class, the concept of stereotypes really stuck to me. I found it interesting because although most of us don't like stereotyping, we find ourselves doing it all the time subconsciously. We label groups of people with characteristics based on observation or experience. I feel that stereotypes often express our ignorance and exposure to different creeds, nationalities, genders and etc. We're conditioned to believe them if they reoccur multiple times, so some of us might not see anything wrong with saying Italians eat a lot of pasta, or that Americans are generally lazy.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that will stick with me is the mentioning of Ferguson due to the disturbing events that have taken place there since the death of Mike Brown and also even before Brown had ever been killed. The unfortunate thing is that Ferguson is everyday for blacks and Hispanics in the United States and that is a truth that many had yet to examine prior to those events. Mike Brown was not the first or even the last since August 9 to be killed by a cop; there is a man who was killed a little over a week later by cops 15 minutes from Ferguson. The reason this sticks to me personally is because as a future social studies teacher I feel that students should examine events such as this one and have discussions similar to the one professor Carasi had with us in class about stereotypes. Mike Brown may very well have robbed cigars, but in no way does that justify being shot at least six times, and of course killed. Ferguson is a microcosm of the problems faced by the countries minorities and in effect is a problem facing the country as a whole. I would like to end with a piece from the former secretary of labor under Bill Clinton, Robert Reich, who wrote the following
ReplyDeleteIn a few days, a higher portion of America’s black children will begin school in classrooms without any white children than before the Supreme Court’s historic “Brown v. Board of Education” decision. The reason isn’t official segregation by race but unofficial residential segregation by income. Since poor kids are disproportionately black and brown, and America’s poor now live in vast geographic concentrations of poverty, their schoolmates are also likely to be black and brown. And due to the concentration of poverty, the local tax bases whose revenues supply those schools with 40% of their funding are shrinking -- with the result that they’ll start school in overcrowded classrooms with inexperienced teachers and inadequate materials. As the Warren court unanimously held in 1954, separate is not equal. It still isn’t.
A shooting in Ferguson, Mo. triggers a national discussion about police and race. Important as that is, we're not talking about the even more fundamental outrage of schools and race. Why?
You could not have said this any better!!!! I agree with everything you wrote!
DeleteI certainly agree!
DeleteI didn't read this earlier but I totally agree. A major reason why I am going to become a social studies teacher is because these disparities.
DeleteI can say what stood with me after class was stereotypes. It's amazing how every race or we can say tribe has it's own stereotypes. My family from Puerto Rico so I consider myself Puerto Rican. However we have been stereotyped for being Mexican which I have no clue how that started. Also that all we eat is "Rice and beans" which we do it but not everyday"
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that stood with me was how the stereotypes think Italian American are the "Jersey shore". Which was crazy to me to hear that in class. I guess in our society it's the norm to stereotype everyone else around you.
Syeda Jafri
DeleteI would have to agree with this thought. I felt the same way leaving class and realizing that no one is stereotype free. Everybody get's labeled with a certain streotype depending on which background there from.
One thing that stood out to me was the term "tribe" and discussing of stereotypes. Using the term "tribe" made sense to me by categorizing a group of similar people in a proper manner rather then pin pointing others in a rude or stereotypical way. Stereotypes are used constantly among people because of their race, ethnicity, gender, appearance, etc. Although most of the time they may not be true and offensive to others. A person shouldn't be judged based on a stereotypes. Just like the saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." I am a mix of different tribes, sometimes I laugh at the different stereotypes because of how silly they sound and other times I become bothered when hearing them. I try not to listen to the stereotypes I hear and point them at other tribes as well.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that stood out to me was talking quickly abut what is happening right now in Ferguson. This is something that should be spoken about in classrooms all over the United States but I highly doubt most teachers and educators are doing so.
ReplyDeleteA senator from a state I do not remember said in an interview that this shooting was not related to any other police brutality attack in the US. He said it was just one single incident and is not connected to something bigger. Let me just say this guy is running for president the next upcoming election. To me, his statements are very ignorant because these kinds are cases like Ferguson is connected to something much bigger than the police.
I think if people started to acknowledged what is going on, just like what we did in class about "tribes" and the stereotypes we place on people, we could start making a difference.
It's interesting to see that for the most students stereotype subject was the most memorable from the first day in class. I was just sitting there wondering, why did we even talk about it? For me the most memorable thing was the announcement of the course being hybrid and I will have to come only once a week. That gave me an opportunity to register for the last course I needed in order to graduate this December!
ReplyDeleteThe word "tribe" is what hit me most. Honestly, when I hear the word tribe I immediately think of Native American Indians, and in a somewhat indirect way, I ironically stereotype by thinking that. In short, me thinking "tribe" is only meant for a Native American culture thing, is sort of stereotypical to me, but at the same time, taking this course will help me not stereotype like this and further understand the true meaning of the word tribe, as our first meeting already has me feeling differently about the word as it pertains to my thoughts. To end my commentary, despite what "tribe" makes me think of, after meeting for the first class, the word tribe now means something different to me. I see it as pride, strength and unity now when I think about it. We are all in tribes. Italians, Germans, Asians, New Yorkers, Brooklynites, etc. Its a beautiful thing.
ReplyDeleteThe Word that stood up to me was the word "Tribe". Until that class i never really consider myself to be part of a tribe now that i think about it i kind of am from a tribe. As Mattaliano stated " when i hear the word tribe i immediately think of Native American culture thing". seriously that's what i thought because nowadays people do not usually say that i am from a tribe it was most likely used long time ago by the Indians or African people. now people change the word TRIBE to something else country, city, states well that is how i think they change it but i think the word tribe have more meaning than just a place. Moreover, the stereotypes i was shocked by some of these stereotypes i heard i started to think that i had it good compare to some of the stereotypes i heard in the class last Thursday. they were really some hurtful stuff to say about some people.
ReplyDeleteThe topic of stereotypes definitely stood out to me. I enjoyed writing and listening to my classmates ideas and submissions. At the same time, it was an eye opening lesson. It was surreal to hear that any culture mentioned had a negative stereotype to go along with it. I personally choose to live my life without judging my peers. One of the main reasons I wanted to attend Brooklyn College was because I knew that it was one of the most culturally diverse colleges in the country.
ReplyDeleteIt was also unfortunate to hear so many negative stereotypes about Italian Americans. I am an Italian American and hopefully this class will provide some positive aspects to my culture.
I really enjoyed the topic on stereotypes as some of it was new information for me. I thought it was interesting to see how many there were per "Tribe" and mostly negative and false. I hope people realize not to judge others based off of them. I try myself to not believe everything i hear especially if it's from a culture I'm not from.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that stuck with me from our first meeting was how a stereotype is used to catergorize a group of people. People don't understand that type of person, so they put them into classifications, thinking that everyone who is that needs to be like that, or anyone who acts like their classifications is one. It defines all people of a certain belief into a mostly negative category that may only reflect a selected few of the racial demographics. It is a label given to a person, a prequisite judgement. It goes hand in hand with bias, prejudice, and discrimination. It has become a perception of a person or thing that applies those attributes most commonly associated with the group that such person or thing belongs to, regardless of whether that perception is true. This word has gained a negative connotation. People who stereotype need a reality check and should grow up. Everyone is equal.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, this society is so segregated I feel like we made it so far but still stuck at the same time. Equality should be enforced more, so everybody can feel like they mean something. No race should be higher than the other.
DeleteI liked how stereotypes were discussed very clearly and honestly without offending anyone. Also the discussion made me thing of smaller tribes than I didn't pay attention to from before.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100% the discussion we had on stereotypes was very honest and we did it in away so that no one would get offended.
DeleteI agree I think the discussion was more fun and I felt comfortable discussing my ideas. I have experienced awkward discussions in other classes and this class was not uncomfortable at all.
DeleteYes, I too agree! Loved how it was done
DeleteThe thing that resonated the most with me was finding out, that the class is going to be hybrid. At first, I thought it was great. I then I realized, that I'll now have nearly a 4 hour break on Tuesdays. Suffice it to say, I wasn't bursting with joy. But this class seems cool, so, I'm not too heartbroken.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you there! You aren't the only one with a 4 hour gap on Tuesday. . But overall the class is interesting I would like to learn more.
DeleteI don't think anyone saw this coming, listen use it to your advantage you'll never know it may become the perfect time to catch up on assignments.
DeleteYup so true!
DeleteWhat stuck with me after class was the fact that we had a interesting discussion on stereotypes for not only our culture or tribe but stereotypes for Italian-Americans. I like that we can have a honest discussion and do it in a manner in which no one is offended.
ReplyDeleteI honestly did not expect that for class on the first day, but I guess youve got to make everyone uncomfortable to really open up.
DeleteWhat stuck with me most after class was our discussion about tribes. I've taken culture classes before and I have never considered using the word tribe. It was something new and I was not used it hearing. Another thing that stuck with me was how comfortable everyone was talking about stereotypes. It wasn't awkward , which I have experienced in other classes, it was more of a fun conversation.
ReplyDeleteTrue usually the first class is very quiet and awkward, hopefully this means this class should be fun!
DeleteI agree with you I think it's unfair to generalize a certain culture and assume everyone is the same way. I think the students in our class made the discussion more of a fun rather than serious one.
ReplyDeleteWhat stuck in my head from our last class is the fact that everyone was able to open up and have a great laugh about their "tribe" and stereotypes that come along with it, I saw how many people come from diverse backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteFor the first day of class it was interesting. I was amazed to hear about the different "tribes" some belong to and about the stereotypes that come along with it. This class should be fun.
ReplyDeleteI did not feel like this was the first class because everyone was talking freely about races and stereotypes. It was interesting to hear the names that some races were called. This class should be fun.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get to meet you guys yet but I am so excited to hear everybody viewpoints on races and ethnicities, because when it come to talking or discussing a issue this is my thing. Reading you guys comments I can tell this is going to be such a fun and interesting class! Cant wait!
ReplyDeleteSyeda Jafri
ReplyDeleteThe first day of class had to thinking about all the stereotypes people of different backgrounds get. Some of them i heard of before but some i was not aware of. It made me realize that even though we live in a society were we meet people from different ethnic backgrounds, their are certain people out there that judge people based on their ethnicity.
The first day of class was a very interesting and unorthodox learning experience to say the least. The discussion about stereotypes was very lax and much more comfortable than I had anticipated it to be. Usually, many individuals are hesitant to discuss and explore stereotypes about other individuals and groups of people and it was a great experience to see everyone share their honest opinions about the topic.
ReplyDeleteThe first day of class was very different from what i had expected. This was also the first time I had heard the term "tribe" used in a way to describe a group of people that associate with one another, rather than the archaic definition of a group of "primitive" people. This was a welcome interpretation and also one that I had never applied to myself given my personal disassociation with any single group. However, it was interesting to hear where other people felt they had the strongest connection in terms of identifying with one particular tribe.
ReplyDelete