The two videos we were assigned to watch were "Mirrors of Privilege" and "A Class Room Divided." In the first video "Mirrors of Privilege" It mostly showed testimonies of different people and their experiences and issues of race. A lot of stories had to do with what they were raised to believe about white or black and stereotypes that what just embarrass others. My thoughts on these issues was that how could people be that mean and heartless to someone else just because they look different. One story that caught my attention was the guy who told the story about how a police chief actually said they were going to stop every black person in a ragout car, because he knows that there up to no good or their going to cause some trouble. That story caught my eye because that still goes on today. A lot of cops pull people over just because the color of their skin. It happens in my hometown as well as my teammates hometown's, and I don't think that will ever stop. I also not only think that racism exists but some deep parts in the south their is slavery, in some type of form, still going on as well. I think this is true because in today's society people are not only crazy, but cruel as well. They have no regard for others and some think they can do as they please. Another part of the movie that caught my attention was when a lady was talking about her Asian friend I believe. They were doing a play and the director was trying to get her to say french fries, but the way she wanted was like a " flinch flies" type of pronunciation. When the girl just said french fries the director repeatedly told her no, "flinch flies" and the girl ended up storming off. This was a very terrible stereotype to me and it reminded me of the book American Born Chinese in many ways.
The second video was "A Classroom Divided," which was a third grade experiment on racism. The variables were eye colors in place of the skin color. I thought it was very interesting how the aftermath of grouping brown, blue etc... eyes together the result was mean things said to one another, crying, as well as fights breaking out just because someones eye color was different ten their own. The lesson in effect was whether they could handle being black or a color where they weren't accepted by others. My thoughts on both movies was that if I put myself into a situation where I was raised to hate other races and to discriminate against people, how would I end up as a person? Would I end up not only being a racist but, would I actually try to hurt someone else just because they look different than myself. I know that it is a choice whether you want to be racist or not , but if this way of thinking is stoned into you at since you were a child, how do you get out of that way of thinking? That is something to really think about especially when you are faulting others.
The first story you mentioned about the cops pulling over certain people actually stuck with me too. It's not right how police discriminate against people. I see it happening all the time. The story about the girls doing the play really caught my attention too. It really did make me angry. How could a teacher do that. We are supposed to be able to look up to our teachers and be able to go to them for help, not be singled out like this teacher did.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of your post was how you related your own reaction to being put in the same situation as a Class Divided. As I was watching this video...I did the same thing. I can't imagine being as young as some of the children in that video and being taught how cruel the world can be.
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