Ethnic Studies

Taking an ethnic studies class, opens your mind to different views on class, race, ethnicity, and this society in which we love. These beliefs and thoughts are inherited, or influenced by parents. That raises the question "How do we prepare, rather than repair, children to handle issues about race, class, and ethnicity?" For one, race is a social construct that only benefits the dominate, majority group. It is a problem because we have made it a problem. There is so much emphasis on "what we look like." When people ask me my race, I usually say human. For children, it is different. When they are brought up on the empty phrase "everyone is equal," and the failed "underneath our skin, we are all the same," problems will arise. Everyone is equal means nothing anymore. It is because of color blind racism. Treating everyone as "equal" is used to maintain an unequal status quo. As far as everything "underneath our skin" goes, it implies that there is a problem in the first place. It implies that there is something wrong with what is on the outside. Instead of sugar coating the topic of race, give children age appropriate facts. For class, teaching to envy those who have more, and pity those who have less is only going to backfire and does not benifit children. We should teach them to understand that there are people who have more than others and people who have less and that does not say anything about their character. Ethnicity depends on who raised someone. Whether you are Polish-American or Chinese-American should not matter, but it does. Teaching children to embrace these cultures will lead to creativity and new ideas. Culture is not something people should fear. Although we have come far, we have a long way to go. 

Hey, That's Rude

No matter how you speak your mind or share your opinion, people are going to hate you for it. That does not mean do not share. The ability to speak and think for oneself is so rare that people mistake it for being rude. The way you share your ideas also has something to do with it. However, as long as you share your voice you will be alright. I have noticed that being able to speak for myself has gotten me further than keeping thoughts to myself. Yes, not all comments need to be shared, but if they do come out, at least people know you're honest. Being honest or real can be mistaken for being rude, mean, or even worse-a bitch. People are going to be against what you think all of the time. That does not mean you should keep all thoughts to yourself. If someone does something unacceptable, tell him or her. Not saying anything will be an injustice to that person, not you.