CRASH

This week in class we saw a movie called Crash. It covered the topic of racism. Racism causes hatred, sadness, anger, and violence. For example, when the African American men in the movie went to a restaurant and came out, one was mad that he didn't well because of his race.  Another example, was when the white woman wanted to change the locks on the door after a Hispanic man installed them. She thought that he was going to rob her house, but really he is a kind man with a daughter and wife. The Hispanic man overheard the white woman and gave the extra keys to her, but he felt sad. This movie also gives out a lot of stereotypes, like in the beginning of the movie when there was a car accident between an Asian woman and a Hispanic woman.  The Asian woman was accused of bad driving because of her race.  There are a lot of racist stereotypes today that can hurt people, so we should decrease it.

Race

This week in class we talked about race and how it affects peoples descisions. At least everybody were asked what race they were. And at least everybody were shocked to hear that the race the person that they were wasn't really their race. For example some people say that I look mexican, I don't know why they say that, but they do. And then I say that I'm white. And the people were shocked to hear that. I also there are a lot of stereotypes, for what race you are. For example I saw in the airport that a white person went through the metal ditectors and wanst checked. But then I colored person went through the metal detectors and was checked. This shows that they believe that white people are harmless, and colored people are a more threat.

Jail

Last week in class, we watched a movie about a man who went to jail for 30 days by choice.  He wanted to learn how people act in jail towards each other and the guards.  He saw that the people acted nice to each other and were like each others families.  They didn't really care about the guards or react to them.  He did not feel comfortable on the first day because he was scared.  After the first day, he felt a little scared but more comfortable because he learned that the prisoners treated him like everyone else, like a family member.  He tried to help a prisoner by talking to him and telling him to not go back to jail after he gets out.  He learned that eventually the prisoner did get sent back to jail.  I think prisoners go back to jail because they like it there, they like the people, and were basically raised there.  They're not happy or sad about it, but it's like they're back home.  I think the prisoners are nice to each other because no one else is since they're scared of them.

Social Class

This week in class we talked about social class and how we judge others based on the way we live and our appearances. For example, if I were a cut off shirt, old pants and dirty shoes, then people would think that I am poor because they think you cannot afford good clothes. Another example is if you live in a very old moldy run down house then people would think that you are also poor. Or if I live in a big mansion, then people would think that you are very rich. People might take these judgments and choose who they want to hang out with. This could prevent you from meeting new people, hiring the right people for a job, or making friends.

Pennies

In class we played a game with pennies where you start with 3 pennies and you bet how many pennies you want out of the 3. Whoever won goes to the next person who also won. Whoever lost, lost their pennies. The more successful people were the ones who had more pennies. The game was easier for the people who had more pennies. In real life people who have more money have more stuff and more opportunities, than people with less money. People with more money have options for college which leads to better jobs. Not everyone in our society has equal opportunities.

Volunteer 3

On Saturday I volunteered at Feed My Starving Children in Schaumburg. It takes me about an hour to get there. But once I get there we have to put on hair nets, and go to the warehouse. We all choose different jobs. I for example Labeled bags. Theres like six different jobs. You get a bag, put rice, chicken and soy in it. Then you seal it. Then you put it in a bag. There can fit around 36 bags in a box. Once you get all 36 you do this shout, where people can here you and they can take your box away. Before everything we watched a movie about it that a lot of kids die from starvation each day. Before I came in I felt nervous of what my job will be. There were all sorts of people. There were young kids with their parents, grown-ups, I even saw a baby in their with their parents. The person who was incharge of the whole thing was Alan Loeb. And after everything was done I felt very good inside, like I made a difference to kids in the world who need food. Anyone over the age of 5 can volunteer. I left my house around 11 A.M. and came back around 2 P.M.

Deviance

This week in class we have been talking about deviance. An example in class was when we watched Seinfeld. When Jerry was scratching his nose, it looked to the model like he was picking it. This was socially wrong because it's gross and bad hygiene. Another example from class, could be a man wearing a dress. People would look at it like it was weird and not normal to the society because it goes again a "manly" stereotype. Those people are bullied because of them acting like a girl. The people who are bullied sometimes cause school shootings. They are getting revenge for those people who made fun of them and bullied them. People don't realize that a lot of things they say can affect people. People need to be more aware of what they say and make people feel more socially accepted. Even the smallest positive thing you can think of, could really make a difference in someone's day.

Volunteer 2

Two weeks ago I volunteered at Feed My Starving Children. It took me a while to get there again, but it was fun. And it was very different, different people this time, and different jobs. I for example I was labeling bags 2 weeks ago and last week I was boxing the food. And after we box the food each group had to shout out this cheer, so that people can take the boxes away from the station. I left on Friday afternoon at 5 P.M. and came back at 7 P.M.

Volanteer

On saturday I volunteered at Feed My Starving Children. It was in Schamborg, so it took a while to get there. When I got there Music was playing everybody was freindly and helpfull to eath other. Everyone were teamed up into groups, and everybody had a different job theres putting the food in the bag, sealing the bag, and putting the bag into a box. And there were like 18 bags in each box. It was a different, and interesting place.

Media

This week in class we talked about genders and how media influences society. Media influences girls and boys differently and structures their role in society. For example  boys are expected to be tough, and they are not supposed to cry. And girls are taught from a young age that they should be sexy. People behind advertisements are very educated, and they know how to afefect the way you think. Advertisements that you watch have an impact your life and you don't even realize it. Today, boys are going to jail, killing other people, abusing womem. And girls see themselves as ugly and fat, so they get an eating diorder, or commit sucide.

Nurter Nature

This week we talked about Nature and Nurter. Nurter is like when you take a care of a baby or a baby not even born yet. Nature is like when you are surrounded by the things that could teach you. When for example you taouch a newborns hands gently it grabs automaticly and grips it hard. Also parents even make mistakes, in raising children. For example, when you think of a name for a baby. You cant have a name that a lot of people use, or a name that kids can make fun of them for thier names. Also when parents think it's the right time for their kids to go to school. But some parents send them to school way too early. Before they are started talking. And Those can be some mistakes parents can make.

Tuesdays With Morrie

Earlier in the week we watched a movie called Tuesdays With Morrie.  This movie was about a person dying from ALS. He expalins how if you know how to die you know how to live. And his former student has like a lot of jobs. He is cramming every job and doesnt even have time to breathe. But once he spent the time With Morrie he can finanly understand that people should not do more than 2 things at once.

Culture difference

In class we learned that different countries have different cultures. And a lot of people don't know what the other cultures mean. For example I haven't been to Poland for a long time. When I went their, everything seems very diiferent than I am usually used to. For example, the speed limit is twice the speed, than in America. Also everybody knows each other in Poland They are more friendly with each other. And in America everybody is in such a rush that they never have time to stop and talk to each other. Or that they dont know each other so they won't talk to them.

Culture Shock

This week and last week we learned what the word culture shock is, and how it affects people in many different ways. Basically culture shock is people getting used to a new culture that is differnet from their own. This past week we watched a movie about a couple of refugees from Africa that came to America. These people didnt know what a lot of things were. For example they didn't know what electricity was, and sinks and showers. We are so used to these things that we sometimes take those things for granted. These people were in culture shock.

Culture

This week in sociology we learned about culture.  Alot of people say that in whatever country we live at, we should be able to speak that language in the country. Most of the people care what other people think, so they try to learn a different language, and sometimes forget their own. I don't agree with this because I think that the people should not care what other people are thinking. Even if it is the main language you speak at home. I think that you should proud about your culture. And you should embrace your heritage where ever you are.

A Bronx Tale

This week our class wtached a movie, called A Bronx Tale. This movie was based on a true story. This movie was exciting to watch and entertaining. Calogero belongs to many different groups throughout this movie. The older he seemed to get, the more groups he seemed to be involved in. When Calogero was a kid, he was a friend and a son. He and his father always talked, and if there were any problems his father always solves it. As Calogero became a teenager, he grew closer to Sonny. He was still a friend, but felt that he should be involved with his friends anymore. They did stuff that didnt seem right to him. He was still a son, but more to Sonny than to his own father. His group changed from being a son to his father to being a son to Sonny then being a son to his father again. I am part of many groups. As I grow older I be part of different kinds of groups. In each individual group I talk and think differnetly.

In group out group

On Wensday our class did this project where the teacher divided the class into two groups.One group was people who was wearing black shirts. The other group was people who didn't wear black shirts. More than half the class didn't wear black shirts. When we divided up we had to write down reasons that they did or didn't wear black shirts. Some people said that the reason that they wore black shirts was because either that is the only color they had or it was the first thing they saw and picked out. No one knows exactly why people wore black shirts.

Freaks and Geeks

On wensday, we watched a video called Freaks and Geeks. It was about different groups of people and how they interact with each other. The Freaks are the kind of people that dont care. and the Geeks are the ones who are afraid to getin trouble. One object that symbolizes that the Freaks dont care is that they smoke. And one object that symbolizes that the Geeks are afraid to get in trouble is that they are part of a mathlete . This is symbolic interaction. This is similar to real life because in schools we have different groups of people.

Sociological Imagination

In the beginning of the week we read the story Outliers. It taught us about sociological imagination. Sociologists study how people are affected by their social groups.  People are influenced by their own groups. I always thought that what if I didnt move to Lincolnshire, I would of stayed where I lived before. Would I be the same like I am now? How would I act?

Silence

First day of school in Sociology, the whole class was quiet even the teacher. It was awkward because we were taught ever since kindergarden that the teacher starts to talk first. I have experienced an awkward silence before, and I stopped it by starting a conversation. I see how I think sociology because No body said that the teacher has to start talking.

Who am I

Many people have different personalities and styles.  I am a senior in high school at Illinois. I like basketball, and I collect shoes. I preferably like Jordans and Nike.