Emerging issues in society

            I fully agree with the Dalai Lama when he says “I truly believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Since periods of change such as the present one come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world.” This effectively sums up the global concerns we have today in society: loss of culture, stratification, poverty, racism, and more.

            It is on an individual level that each of us can choose to make a difference, creating a large impact. Poverty strikes more than 30 million Americans each year (and who knows exactly how many more in other countries, especially the third world) and most of the rest of the collective 280 million Americans turn a blind eye. Yet it is estimated that $150 billion per year is necessary to eliminate world hunger and poverty; yes, world. If just the United States gave $5 per person per year, we would make that goal. That is it! Imagine if other industrialized nations chipped in such as Canada, England, or France – we are talking in the cents per year to eliminate starvation, death, and diseases – but we don’t do it because we are too focused on ourselves.

            Racism has had strong effects on the entire world, and while the days of American Civil War are behind us, the tensions between those who are different from each other still remain. Individually, we have the power to overcome and ignore prejudice by simply realizing that it’s not true. Yet we chose not to. We are too focused on stereotypical ideology rather than taking the time to get to know someone outside of our comfort zone.

            Cultural preservation can also be brought into play with renewed individuality. There has been an emerging trend in society towards media bias as well as a kind of pigeon-holing of expressions of self. We see people who don’t act like everyone else, dress like everyone else, or talk like everyone else and we instantly assume the worst because they’re different. Yet those people are the ones who go on to create and impact society is the largest ways. They are your Gates’, your Zuckerburgs’, your Bonos’, and your Obamas’.

            To make a long story become short: if we all think for ourselves and act for others, the world will be a much better place. We can hinder some of the emerging negative consequences of the society that we live in, rather than turning the clock back on racism, poverty, and the gap between the rich and the poor. We can do something – all of us together – but it starts with you, and it starts with me in the way we think and process the world around us. As a parting thought, I urge you to remember that being selfish never made the streets safer; nor did being a member of the gang.  

             

Culture

1--One scholarly journal, newspaper, or magazine article that best represents specific concepts or a theory that particularly interest you from that chapter (or a part of the chapter)
http://reason.com/archives/1999/04/01/all-culture-all-the-time
This article has to do with all things culture. It comes from REASON Magazine and goes through 4 rather lone pages about the cultural abundance in America today as prodded by the media. It’s a long read, but a good one at that.

2--One photograph, painting, drawing, or other visual illustration that best symbolizes the main theme of the chapter (or a part of the chapter that particularly interests you)

This picture is hilarious. It really gives you an idea of culture clash and how silly it can be sometimes.

3—One video clip that describes/explains a specific concept or theory from your chapter
This clip describes culture in depth. It's about 10 minutes and does a good job giving a history, definition and the effects of culture.


4--Two Internet sites (URL and two sentences describing the site) that provide useful information to the reader about the concepts in the chapter (or the part of the chapter that interests you)
Site 1: http://www.everyculture.com/
This site is great because it gives a look into the cultures of the world. Planning a trip? It’s important to know what’s taboo in Tahiti or wherever you’re headed! This site can do a lot to acquaint you to different ideas and norms in the world.
Site 2: http://www.worldwide.edu/travel_planner/culture_shock.html
I think this webpage does an incredible job describing culture shock. It gives you an insight into symptoms, treating it, history, and more. It’s essential to understand how to handle differences between culture when you’re not expecting them.

5--One poem, quote, or song lyrics that represent the feelings you had reading the chapter
The song I chose is by Switchfoot and is called Tune for the Paparazzi – Basically a quirky commentary on media culture today. I couldn’t help but have it pop in my head when the book was discussing current media.
Chorus:
tune
tune for the paparazzi
tune for the paparazzi

this is a tune the paparazzi
the who's who and the so and so's
this is a tune for the graven images of marilyn monroe
we saw your face on the magazine
we heard the song on the mp3

chorus

you're stuck in my head
stuck in my head
stuck in my head
you can close your ears and your eyes
but the pop will never leave you alone
tune for the paparazzi

leave me alone
with your social lingo
you try so hard to stay on top
leave me alone
with your little jingle
with your picture perfect pop
we read the article in seventeen
we saw the video on mtv

chorus

pop will never leave you alone
noooo

this is a tune for the late nirvana
the teen spirit rock and roll
this is a tune for the velvet elvis's
on the 90210

i thought my eyes were gonna get off clean
till i read your lips on the tv screen
you were busy saying what you didn't mean
now everyone is singing along with your ridiculous song

you got it stuck you
got it stuck in my head
stuck in my head
stuck in my head
you can close

6-At least two paragraphs that describe why you chose that chapter and the supporting materials

I chose culture as a chapter to do a blog entry on because it is so broad and important in everything else in the world and sociology. If you think about the conflicts that we face on an international scale, much of it has to do with cultural differences. Wars are fought because we think differently. Jobs are outsourced to save money because other nations allow a cultural of worker abuse and low wages where the USA does not. Further, in order to understand and tolerate others, you have to know that others are different and why. My favorite quote to describe this is that "Do not assume I share your prejudice."
It's very difficult to do anything without knowing culture. I think cultural understanding is important in realizing where we came from and where we are headed. You can tell alot about a society based upon the content of its television programming. For example, I find American news stations to be much more sensationalist that I do the World Service by the BBC. That's a difference in media culture. All in all culture means a lot to all of us!


7-A crossword puzzle or word search with at least 10 concepts (and definitions).

Across
4. asserts that language determines other aspects of culture because language provides the categories through which social reality is defined.
6. the channels of communication available to wide segments of the population
11. the idea that something can be understood and judged only in relationship to the cultural context in which it appears.
13. the beliefs, practices, and objects that are part of everyday traditions
14. the written set of guidelines that define right and wrong in society
15. behaviors that bring the most serious sanctions
16. the cultures of groups whose values and norms of behavior differ to some degree from those of the dominant culture.
17. the transmission of cultural elements from one society or cultural group to another.
18. the habit of only seeing things from the point of view of one's own group.
19. contends that the mass media reflect the values of the general population
Down
1. includes the norms, laws, customs, ideas, and beliefs of a group of people.
2. a set of symbols and rules that, put together in a meaningful way, provides a complex communication system.
3. the pervasice and excessive influence of one culture throughout society
5. things or behaviors to which people give meaning
7. the culture of the most powerful group in a society
8. the specific cultural expectations for how to behave in a given situation
9. the complex system of meaning and behavior that defines the way of life for a given group or society.
10. strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior
11. the cultural resources that are deemed worth and that give advantages to groups possessing such capital.
12. consists of the objects created in a given society

Race and Ethnicity

1--One scholarly journal, newspaper, or magazine article that best represents specific concepts or a theory that particularly interest you from that chapter (or a part of the chapter)

http://articles.cnn.com/2009-01-07/health/racism.study_1_psychology-new-study-black-people?_s=PM:HEALTH

This article from CNN describes how racism underlies a lot of people, even though they outwardly appear to be tolerant of others. The study it describes was published in the journal Science in 2009.


2--One photograph, painting, drawing, or other visual illustration that best symbolizes the main theme of the chapter (or a part of the chapter that particularly interests you)

3—One video clip that describes/explains a specific concept or theory from your chapter




American Anthropological Association as an introduction to race and where stigmas come from. It is a good start to understanding the racial problems we face today.


4--Two Internet sites (URL and two sentences describing the site) that provide useful information to the reader about the concepts in the chapter (or the part of the chapter that interests you)

Site 1: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/in.america/black.in.america/

This site is a follow up to the CNN series “Black In America” detailing some of what African-Americans have been through and how they currently live. Although this series has been criticized as being nearsighted, I believe it has legitimate points that show how ethnicity and race do play a role in enforcing the class structure as well as oppressing those who are simply different from others.

Site 2: http://www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002_04-background-02-01.htm

This site is from the PBS and details the origins of racial stigma. I think it is very important to understand the background of where racism and inequality is born to truly be able to handle it in the future.

5--One poem, quote, or song lyrics that represent the feelings you had reading the chapter

The chapter is a dark reality that racism and inequality due to ethnicity still exist today. Stereotypical media portrayals and ingrained racism lead the way for most of America today, even when we deny it as the CNN article suggested. The whole time reading this, I kept thinking, “This is stupid. It should matter? Who the hell cares if someone’s black or white?” Which, naturally, led me to the classic:


"Black Or White"

Michael Jackson


I Took My Baby

On A Saturday Bang

Boy Is That Girl With You

Yes We're One And The Same


Now I Believe In Miracles

And A Miracle

Has Happened Tonight


But, If

You're Thinkin'

About My Baby

It Don't Matter If You're

Black Or White


They Print My Message

In The Saturday Sun

I Had To Tell Them

I Ain't Second To None


And I Told About Equality

An It's True

Either You're Wrong

Or You're Right


But, If

You're Thinkin'

About My Baby

It Don't Matter If You're

Black Or White


I Am Tired Of This Devil

I Am Tired Of This Stuff

I Am Tired Of This Business

Sew When The

Going Gets Rough

I Ain't Scared Of

Your Brother

I Ain't Scared Of No Sheets

I Ain't Scare Of Nobody

Girl When The

Goin' Gets Mean


[L. T. B. Rap Performance]

Protection

For Gangs, Clubs

And Nations

Causing Grief In

Human Relations

It's A Turf War

On A Global Scale

I'd Rather Hear Both Sides

Of The Tale

See, It's Not About Races

Just Places

Faces

Where Your Blood

Comes From

Is Where Your Space Is

I've Seen The Bright

Get Duller

I'm Not Going To Spend

My Life Being A Color


[Michael]

Don't Tell Me You Agree With Me

When I Saw You Kicking Dirt In My Eye


But, If

You're Thinkin' About My Baby

It Don't Matter If You're Black Or White


I Said If

You're Thinkin' Of

Being My Baby

It Don't Matter If You're Black Or White


I Said If

You're Thinkin' Of

Being My Brother

It Don't Matter If You're

Black Or White


Ooh, Ooh

Yea, Yea, Yea Now

Ooh, Ooh

Yea, Yea, Yea Now


It's Black, It's White

It's Tough For You

To Get By

It's Black , It's White, Whoo


It's Black, It's White

It's Tough For You

To Get By

It's Black , It's White, Whoo


6-At least two paragraphs that describe why you chose that chapter and the specific supporting materials you included on your page
 I chose this chapter because of its relevancy. It's not that I feel other chapters in sociology aren't relevant, I just think that racism has been around for so long and has definitely made strides in overcoming itself from slavery, Japanese interments, Angel Island, etc. Yet in spite of all the challenges minority groups have overcome, they are still oppressed in many forms today, regardless of how many wars we have fought over it or how much blood has been spilled because of it.
Specifically, I chose the article from CNN because I believe it tells us all a little bit about ourselves that we choose to pretend doesn't exist and ignore. Placed in a similar situation as the study set up, would you do something about overt racism? What about aversive racism? The fact is, even if you're not a racist, it doesn't do any good to not be a racist but not to do anything when you have the chance to combat that racism. The video I chose is from the American Anthropological society and I picked it specifically because I think it is something everyone should see. It gives a good overview of what we have done to each other, our fellow man, in the name of being different. It is important for everyone to remember that history. The Picture was chosen because of the quote, again reminding us that racism is only going to be more harmful than any perceived good it would produce.


7-A crossword puzzle or word search with at least 10 concepts (and definitions).

Across

7. process by which a minority becomes socially, economically, and culturally absorbed within dominant society.

8. describes high levels of segregation or patterns of extreme segregation

11. a subtle, covert form of racism

Down

1. group that assigns a racial or ethnic group to subordinate status in a society

2. a social category of people who share common culture, language, religion, norms, customs, or history.

3. a program for racial change intended to reduce job and educational ineqaulity

4. is the process by which a group comes to be defined as a race

5. the belief that one's group is superior to all other groups

6. overt, obvious racism possibly consisting of physical violence

9. perception and treatment of a racial or ethnic group as intellectually, socially, or culturally inferior to one's own group

10. any distinct group in society that shares common group characteristics and is forced to occupy low status in society because of prejudice and discrimination.

12. institutional racism in the criminal justice system that assumes guilt based on race

13. process where some social category takes on what society perceives to be racial characteristics

Social Class and Stratification

1--One scholarly journal, newspaper, or magazine article that best represents specific concepts or a theory that particularly interest you from that chapter (or a part of the chapter)
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/03/earlyshow/living/money/main4068795.shtml
Because of the length of this article, I won’t post it in full here, but rather provide a link to it. The author discusses how the gap between the rich and poor, to no surprise, is widening and social stigma still exists.

2--One photograph, painting, drawing, or other visual illustration that best symbolizes the main theme of the chapter (or a part of the chapter that particularly interests you)

3—One video clip that describes/explains a specific concept or theory from your chapter
-- This video is great. It was made in the 50’s and describes 3 different individuals from three levels of society. The video does a great job describing the stigmas behind society and social mobility.



4--Two Internet sites (URL and two sentences describing the site) that provide useful information to the reader about the concepts in the chapter (or the part of the chapter that interests you)
Site 1: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/national/class/index.html
This site from the New York Times is a special section devoted to all the areas of social class and stratification, it is called “Class Matters” and is very helpful as an insight into areas such as Marriage, Religion, Education, etc…
Site 2: http://www.sociologyguide.com/social-mobility/types-of-mobility.php
This site does a good job describing social mobility and its different areas, something I didn’t feel the text did as good of a job at as it could have.

5--One poem, quote, or song lyrics that represent the feelings you had reading the chapter
Cream of Society by Paul Curtis
They say there the cream of society
Their arrogance makes me sick
They’re the cream of our society
Because they’re rich and thick

6-At least two paragraphs that describe why you chose that chapter and the specific supporting materials you included on your page
I chose the chapter about social class because I think it is something that is still highly relevant today. It is fascinating to me because, as the video from 60 years ago will attest, we’ve known about this problem of social division for a very, very long time. However we don’t do anything about it. The problems we face today are the problems we faced then and, if anything at all, they have only worsened as the gap between rich and poor has exceedingly become wider and wider.
The video was the best representation of how things haven’t changed a bit. The photo is a close second for my favorite piece of the page, however. It shows a clearly upper class man and boy next to three lower class children. The comparison is starkly apparent: the lower class boys have either short knickers or baggy pants and well worn shirts while the wealthy two are nothing less than perfect gentlemen. What really interested me in this photo was the way in which the lower class boys seem to stare at the richer two, almost in envy. Yet the two upper class people act almost as if the ones below them don’t exist at all.

7-A crossword puzzle or word search with at least 10 concepts (and definitions).

Across

1. the process by which different statuses develop in a group or society

5. stratification where power and property monopolized by the elite

8. process by which people end up in a given position in the stratification system

10. Temporary assistant for needy families

11. stratification by ascribed status given at birth

Down

2. the opportunities people have in common by virtue of belonging to a certain class

3. the value others assign to people and groups

4. a system in which status is based on merit

6. a system of structured social inequality

7. a person's movement over time from one class to another

9. Socially defined position in a group or society

Deviance

1--One scholarly journal, newspaper, or magazine article that best represents specific concepts or a theory that particularly interest you from that chapter (or a part of the chapter)

http://www.sociology.org.uk/pcfcri95.pdf

This article explains functionalist perspectives of deviance and gives a basic overview of Durkheim’s important ideas on the subject.

2--One photograph, painting, drawing, or other visual illustration that best symbolizes the main theme of the chapter (or a part of the chapter that particularly interests you)

 

3—One video clip that describes/explains a specific concept or theory from your chapter

4--Two Internet sites (URL and two sentences describing the site) that provide useful information to the reader about the concepts in the chapter (or the part of the chapter that interests you)

Site 1: http://www.positivedeviance.org/

This site is for an organization that promotes positive deviance, something that wasn’t as addressed in the chapter that I feel warranted at least a nod. I think positive deviance is very important because people who don’t fit the norm do just as many great things as other people who don’t fit social expectations to bad things, yet that fact is overlooked. The bad, no matter how infinitesimal compared to the good, always seems to garner the most attention.

Site 2: http://www.valdosta.edu/~klowney/devtheories.htm

This second site defines several theories that could be behind deviance. Keeping the theories straight can be hard because they are so numerous, but this site is helpful because it carefully organizes them, making them much easier to remember.

5--One poem, quote, or song lyrics that represent the feelings you had reading the chapter
The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.
Ayn Rand

6-At least two paragraphs that describe why you chose that chapter and the specific supporting materials you included on your page

   Deviance is a mode within society that is recognized as violating expected rules and norms. In some ways, deviance seems to me to be necessary to society, as it defines the boundaries of normal behavior. If we didn't have deviance from social norms, how would we know what norms actually were? Deviance defines society in contextual aspects.
    In this chapter, I found the aspects of what causes deviance to be most intriguing. Particularly labeling theory, which is why I chose the video that I did. It is interesting how self-fulfilling prophecy can really be an element in causing deviance and criminal behavior. Increasingly, that has become medicalized. We diagnose perceived problems as diseases to mitigate them, which is why I picked the cartoon that I did. The sites I listed are interesting because they give a break down of the major theories of deviance which are very helpful and also gives a nod to the better side of deviance. After all, there are people who act outside of norms to do good things, not just bad. 


 

7-A crossword puzzle or word search with at least 10 concepts (and definitions).

Deviance and Crime

Dayne Sorensen This is a crossword for the main sociological topics and theories in deviance and crime.

					1				2										3
							4
																	5
6
														7
				8
										9
	10
									11

Across 6. a theory suggesting that deviance occurs when social bonds between persons are weakened. 7. An attribute that is socially devalued and discredited; a disability as a master status for example. 8. Refers to the wrong doing of wealth individuals and organizations; "white collar crime." 10. The man behind the functionalist theory of deviance: "deviance is functional because it produces solidarity among society." 11. attributes behaviors to a "sick" state where the solution is a "cure."

Down 1. The process by which groups and individuals are brought into conformity with expectations. 2. behavior that is recognized as violating expected rules and norms. 3. A theory interpretting deviance as learned behavior. 4. A theory by Robert Merton that traces deviance to tension cause by gaps in cultural goals and the means people have to acheive said goals. 5. A theory that states labeling is the cause of deviant behavior; almost a self-fulfilling prophecy. 9. A form of deviance that violates established law.