Blog Post 5: Feb 7, 2011

The reading revealed to me the need to respect the “differences” with greater sensitivity. I guess for me, the reading made me realize that I need to be more accepting to the idea that society is (or can) be leaning towards greater respect for culture, and races. My family has faced a lot when it comes to cultural differences and prejudices, and it’s challenging.

As I was reading the essays, the word “melting pot” popped into my head. I’m not sure that term is coined correctly if we’re speaking about the U.S. and it’s great cauldron of a melting pot society. Cultures don’t seem to be melting; races don’t seem to be melting together. Rather, my sister and I have coined the U.S. as a stir-fried society. We’re all in the same wok, but everyone is still classified into ingredients, into classes, into genders, into races. Let’s start with a cheesy beginning of classifications: When my Chinese mother gave birth to me in good ol’ Kansas, the nurses had great difficulty finding a Chinese baby and her Chinese husband in the hospital. Who knew that 20 years ago, a Chinese woman could be married to a New Yorker? Or that a Chinese woman could give birth to a daughter that looked more European than a “European?” Clearly, the nurses didn’t. This scenario repeats continuously, and still even.

So I guess, the term “melting pot” gives off the connotation that everything is “OK.” But, cultural prejudices my mother and her family faces as they have immigrated and established a “home” here from Taiwan, makes me think differently. Cultural prejudices have continually frustrated my siblings and I. We’re labeled as “biracial,” who “aren’t white, but aren’t Chinese.” It’s interesting, but many people have had difficulty “classifying” us, or “dealing” with us. In Chinese Language School, the Chinese society didn’t know how to deal with “half Asians” that weren’t entirely white. And the dominantly white public school made sure we knew we had an Asian mother (In good ways, and not so good ways). But, my frustration has been: Why does it matter?

The reading helped me understand that there are cultural prejudices, but there is (or can be) movement for something greater, or hopefully so. 

5

The reading today allowed me to step into the shoes of people who have experienced a very different upbringing than I did myself. Many things I was able to relate to very well. Including a lot of things Judith Cofer wrote about herself. I was laughed at because my name was funny, I was picked last in sports up until junior high and I wore thick glasses in elementary school. Everybody is different in one way or another. I had the “appropriate” skin color for where I lived, but I did not have the “appropriate” athletic ability, eyesight or family given name that it seemed everyone else had at that time. Come to think of it, I wasn’t really good at anything… I think that these experiences are important because they shape who we are. I only occasionally wear glasses today, I have an athletic build and people tell me that my name is cool and unique. That’s not how it used to be… Because of this, I am more sensitive to people who are picked on for their “unfortunate” differences.

I used to work at an elementary school. During gym time, I always divided the kids into teams myself. The older kids were picked last. It would be easier for those 5-12 year olds to just take care of it themselves, but I don’t want to make anybody feel bad about being last. This may or may not be a good thing, because by doing so I don’t give any of those kids the chance to become more like me. The kids who aren’t athletic just go on their way and jump around the gym, oblivious to the rules of the games. Who’s to tell them they are doing it wrong if they’re having fun? I have realized that by trying to create an environment of bliss for the next generation, we are not allowing children to have the important life shaping experiences we had as children. When I look back at my childhood, I see experiences that I was able to learn from at a young age. When I was cut from my 8^th grade basketball team, I didn’t take it too hard, because it was something I was used to. But when I finally got on the team my sophomore year, I was ecstatic.

I do not mean to say that anyone who has had a rough upbringing is having a huge favor done for them, because they’re not. I am saying that the things we learn through our experiences shape us and give us invaluable knowledge to pass on to younger generations within our sphere of influence.

Blog Post 4

How does the reading inform your understanding of respect for difference? How can we make work that is personal, authentic, and true to ourselves that also respects others?

The reading talked a lot about differences. Not only differences in race or nationality, but also in gender. Many people cannot accept differences because they do not understand or care to understand people or things that are different from them. This is because it is outside of their comfort zones. However, this is a major issue. In my opinion, close-mindedness is one of the most frustrating and aggravating personality traits that a person can have. I guess in a way though, this is judgmental of me to judge others that have developed different ideologies than I have due to different life experiences. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, so I have experienced a lot of diversity through out my life. I have experienced diversity with race, sexuality, and upbringing such as manners and interaction. I believe that being exposed to so much diversity from such a young age has really made me more open-minded and accepting of diversity. It is difficult to embrace and appreciate diversity, but I think it is a wonderful and beautiful thing.

The reading makes it clear that respect of diversity is essential. This is because it is differences that makes life interesting. If everyone were the same, then the world that we live in would be a straight line as opposed to a masterpiece. Critical judgment not only stunts relationships but it stunts possibility. Differences allow people to grow and become well-rounded. However, I understand how difficult it can be to accept the unknown. It is important to be comfortable and genuine. So how does one do this if they are not comfortable with differences? It is important to stay true to yourself but it is also important not to disrespect others. The key is to treat others the way you would like to be treated. Also, you cannot put yourself on a pedestal. Often times people look at others and see difference. But these people do not stop and think that in the eyes of others, they are also different. People need to learn how to work together and love each other no matter how similar or different they are from one another. It is possible to be true to ones self and still love other people regardless of the differences. Many times people count the differences and fail to see that the similarities often outweigh the differences.

What it comes down to is everyone is important. Everyone is special in their own ways for numerous reasons. Everyone is not the same, but everyone is special. All people have meaningful things to contribute to society and to each other. If we allow differences to come between us, we are only hurting ourselves. Differences are what makes the world such a wonderful place and seeing that is something that some people need to work on and would benefit greatly by doing so. Love and respect holds more merit than the color of a persons skin, a person's gender, or his or her sexuality. If we can strip away all of our walls and stereotypical judgments, the world would be a happier, more peaceful, loving place to live and interact with everyone.

Post 5 - Differences

People are inherently different. I don't need any reading to tell me that. It is well and good that everyone is different. God made us this way, after all. The problem comes when we assume that differences mean that one trait is the "best" trait. People are inherently competitive, and it can be detrimental to peers.
It is really very scary to read about racial, social and class abuse. I know it is always out there, but I shudder at the idea that someone would bully another because of the color of their skin, or their clothes or ethnicity. To be honest, I am sometimes confused when people are described using their skin color or ethnicity. I don't really think of people in that context, for some reason. Stereotypes serve a purpose in allowing us to simplify the world around us and categorize it in easy ways, but it is vital that we don't let this tendency spread to our treatment of our fellow man.
The one that stereotype that bugs the most is that of the current standard of beauty for women. I hate it when a girl doesn't believe that she is beautiful. And I don't use the word "hate" lightly. A girl's self-image is a powerful thing. I don't blame this self esteem issue on the girl, but the society around her that tells her that she needs to be something other than what she is.
In a lot of ways, I think that the best way to be authentic in our work is to largely ignore these stereotypes. It is important that we know they are there, and avoid slipping into the trap of playing to the stereotypes. But the same ill effect can come the other way around; I believe that when we are overly conscious of being "politically correct" we lose our deeper meaning. We let our work be what it will be, and shortcomings can be forgiven.
Now, I have over generalized. I realize that the issue of handling differences sensitively is not an easy subject. It really is important to keep people's feelings in mind with political correctness. But isn't it possible that we may think a little too much about the issue inherent with differences as a society? Really, we should celebrate what we have in common with one another, and accept what diversifies us. But this is too much to ask of society as a whole. These are just my thoughts.

Week 5: Differences

This week while reading Seeing and Writing, it really made me think how I've viewed those who are different from me. It seemed like something that I don't think about very often because it usually doesn't direct how I feel. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, I am probably far too careless about sensitive things or take silly, perhaps even offensive, things for granted because I don't think about others differences. On the other side, however, I feel that because I don't think about it, differences don't really bother me that much. Reading the material today made me realize how much I actually appreciate the difference that is around me. I enjoy learning from what others have to teach me based on their culture or background. True I may not understand all of the things that they enjoy, but I definitely appreciate those differences.

With that said, I feel that far too often we worry about offending because we are far too prone to take offense. I believe we must respect one another's differences, but we also have to realize that differences create tension and at times stupid things are said. We have to learn to be comfortable with who we are and not let those things get to us. As a media creator, if I worry that every little thing I make might give offense, I can really shut down my creativity. Yet on the other side I must respect others' differences. For me, the line is drawn when what I say is meant as an attack. If what I say might be construed as such, well I can't always prevent that...nor would I want to. Some things must be said. When it comes down to it, it is up to us individually to learn when to fight and when to let something pass by. All three passages we read from Seeing and Writing scared me a little. Not because of what the passages fought against, but because of the insecurity of the subjects. Whether it was worrying about personal beauty or personal status, it made me sad to think that we rely so much on others opinions. I guess in the end I feel that instead of trying to fight the makers of beauty products or striving to eliminate the class system, it feels more important to work towards helping individuals understand that their self-worth is dependent on only themselves, and that those differences they have make them who they are. After all, a world full of only the high class and the beautiful would be a boring world to live in.

Blog 5

We live in an area with a very specific overwhelming demographic. There's nothing wrong with this (though many would like to say it is so). I, like many here at BYU, grew up outside of Utah. Yet, unlike my fellow “foreigners” I happen to love it here. Because we're Mormon, we take for granted how rare and different we really are. Putting us all together doesn't make us boring or provincial. China isn't any less of a place simply because its full of Chinese people.

I loved “The Story of My Body,” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. Yet its the fact that her childhood was so different from mine that makes it all so beautiful to me. I'd like to think that if I were to write a similar story of my own upbringing that she would be just as fascinated. Her interactions with her fellow students say a lot about what she had to go through for being unique no matter where she went. As children we can be cruel, but its simply out of ignorance. I had plenty of Japanese friends growing up in Seattle and I remember asking them what was wrong with their eyes. They never knew what to say, so I told them to ask their parents in hopes that they'd know the answer. Our inability to understand or appreciate people that are different comes from our ignorance, even as adults.

As an adult, I'd like to think that I understand what being different really means and that I don't have to ignore it to be respectful. In “A Touchy Subject,” Paul Fussell argues the point that many people like to think that classes in America don't exist. They like to pretend the subject is moot so that they don't have to deal with it. How often do we do that when someone is different in other ways? This certainly cannot be viewed as respect. We have to understand the world around us, as Mrs. Cofer did when she wrote her story. If we cannot understand difference in others than we will never be able to appreciate the authenticity in ourselves.

Blog Post 5 - I Thought Respect was Only Earned?

In reading Paul Fussell’s thoughts on social class I felt disconnected to his main amusement. He constantly relies on the middle class’ open uneasiness to the idea of social classification because they are constantly teetering into subjection. I have needs and wants but rarely do I consider the way in which others look upon my social standing. If people so universally fret and toil over their ranking why does this essay feel so foreign to me?

I eventually realized what he was talking about by allowing myself to reference this idea of social standings through the subject of cars. People tend to have nicer cars in relations to where they live. If you live in a condo or apartment why do you drive a 25,000 to 50,000 dollar SUV? I remember I use to think trucks were cheap, I mean they rarely fit more than two people comfortably and yet they cost just as much as a sports luxury car! People do not care how much they are paying to ride these monstrosities because they worry very deeply about their social standings. No one sees you in your two-bedroom home, everyone sees you in your decked out car.

From time to time my wife who is a convert to the church complains about having to wear a dress for Sunday Sabbath. I encourage her to wear some nice pants but she refuses. She wants to wear pants, but the fear of what the other women will think keeps her from doing so. Is she just being silly, or are these women truly retro Satanists hiding behind plastered smiles? Do we dress nice for ‘God’ or are we really just putting on a show for those around us?

Am I clearly showing respect for difference? Of course not. I think it is important to have a clear understanding of difference…but respect? Life is about duality. The Book of Mormon teaches us to be peaceful. The Book of Mormon also teaches us to give brief warning and then proceed to sever, chop, and slice the needed body parts of those who appose us.

I try to respect social boundaries by attacking the core problem. Someone is never wrong because of age, race, religion or sexuality. Instead they are wrong because of a deeper belief and action upon me. Are you honestly doing anything artistically good if you aren’t pissing someone off? What great evil thing did Joseph Smith do to gain so much hatred and anti literature? My words are dangerous, but I believe in their duality.