Archive for year: 2015

Childhood as we know in today’s society can be described as a time of innocence, fun, and carefree. However, after reading Karen Sterheimer’s take on childhood, my perspective of this word and the meaning behind it completely changed. She states that “childhood is constantly shifting and changing, and it becomes defined based on the needs of society” (27) meaning that what we know of what childhood is now may have not been the same during a different time in America. Jazmine touched on a key point about childhood when she mentioned that different factors such as social status, living environment, ethnicity, and immigration status are predictors into determining different childhood experiences. Thus, as a society we cannot truly blame popular culture for its “negatively effect” on changing childhood. Rather, Sternheimer explains that structural forces is what influences change within childhood.

Further, generalizations, stereotypes, and labels are what our society utilizes to communicate with one another, however, learning how to properly utilize them can be confusing and difficult not only for children but also for adults. The article states that “we need, use, and draw upon generalizations to make sense of the world around us” which is true, however, when generalizations are used in a negative way to make assumptions about individuals who may not necessarily fit that specific generalization, then that becomes an issue. As Alexa stated, it is in our human nature to make generalizations about certain groups, institutions, topics, etc., to helps us understand how the world around us works. Often times, however, the media tends to make generalizations/stereotypes about certain groups without specifically targeting them which in turn creates a misunderstanding on how society sees them.

With that being said, I wanted to ask if you all were convinced by Sterheimer’s argument on structural factors as being the means for negatively affecting childhood as well as what are your thoughts on generalizations being utilized by the media.

There were many Americans who reacted to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in a positive way, after he died many people believed that his death shouldn’t be in vain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They felt that the only way to accomplish that was to support what he deeply believed in. What I think was really interesting was that before when he was still alive not many people believed in him and the few people that did believe in him were never heard until after his death. Honestly to me their support wasn’t genuine if they really supported the civil rights they would’ve believed from the beginning when King was still alive and fighting for his dream. I feel that the people who supported him after his death were sympathetic and wanted to see his dream come true even if he wouldn’t be alive to see it in person.

So many people were sending letters to President Johnson, urging him to take action to pass the civil rights bill. They were scared that if he didn’t act soon that the House of Representatives would reject the bill before it had a chance to make a difference. Many people believed in supporting the minorities because they saw that no one would help them. Most of the minorities were jobless, homeless and had no voice.  When King stepped up, he became the voice for so many people, because of his bravery he was respected and admired by many. Just like he was admired by many, he was hated by many people as well, these people were the ones that assassinated the King.

The first letters I read were supporting the Civil Rights movement, they mostly talked about how we should pass the bill because since most of the minorities were born in America they should have the same rights we have.

Like in the words of Mr. Haverstock “Tragic events of the past few days make it clear to all have eyes to see and ears to hear that all is not right in America. The tragedy of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination and the ensuing violence and destruction in our cities certainly must tell us that it is high time to move in the directions so ably pointed out to us in the report of the President’s Commission on Civil Disorders.”

 

Just like there were people supporting the Civil Rights Movement because of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. there were also people who were supporters even before his assassination. Rolfe J. Conrad specifies on his letter that “I am requesting this not as a momentary emotional response to the assassination of Martin Luther King, but rather because of the renewed awareness that this is the kind of thing which should have taken place some time ago.”

The people who were against the Civil Rights Bill were very blunt and harsh about their thoughts against the minorities, they didn’t want them to have any rights. They wanted the rights just for them and thought that if the President gave their rights to the minorities that he would be betraying the majority of the American citizens.

Overall the civi rights bill, changed the perspective of many people and how you don’t really realize thta there’s more than just your own needs in this world. We all share this world and it’s better to live it fairly.

Civil rights a time when People of Color primarily African Americans wanted to be treated like citizens, to be equal to the white man. Martin Luther King Jr. Lead the way with the people to demand the pass of the civil rights bill. Except it was not only the African Americans who wanted to be treated equally. Many of the white population agreed that the deserved the same treatment they received. So with that in mind the people decided to take up writing to Congress man Harold T. (BIZZ) Johnson.

I was able to read through letters primarily from Chico, CA in October 1963. Within this letters to Congress man Bizz Johnson the people spoke out and urged for the bill to be passed. Everyone of the letters in my fill agreed that people of color deserved the same rights. They saw them as their equals.

Out of the say 75 letters 1 particulate stood out to me it was from a white woman named Sherry Fish sent in on October 1, 1963.

What captured me about this letter was that one of her first statements about how she felt in that point in time. She said in the beginning of the third paragraph “Negros are demanding excessive rights and not equal rights with the whites.” She than backs it up talking about an incident that happened in Oroville, where a store was picketed for discrimination. This was not the issue of course the issue was that after the owner admitted his wrong they continued to picket. This is a perfect example the excursiveness that was going on during this movement.

Sherry’s next example would be how in Boston segregation was something that almost agreed upon. That the city was divided by Race; Italian, Irish-Catholic, white, and black they in turn had their own stores, school, etc. This isn’t something she agreed with but said how it worked in that city.

Sherry Fish was about equality she even Mentioned two successful individuals a Navy Commander and a Judge who were of African American decent. She just believed that in order to gain the respect of the community it is important to make an effort.  Sherry mentions the Asian community and how they are respected because they strive for education, and respect from their peers. I agree this should be something to want but it should not be the grounds to be treated equally.

All in all I believe Sherry Fish’s letter had the best content and truly explained the reality of the situation. The process of getting the Civil Rights Bill passed was not at all easy. Sherry captured the reality of what was happening on the streets but correlated it with the positive African American to bring to the community. She comes of to be a very smart well rounded woman who believed in what was right but also believed that it is something that should not be taken to an excessive point such as violence. Sherry Fish reminds me of myself in the sense that there is a right to equality but it should never be accomplished in extreme measures.

 

Stereotypes are made without people even knowing they are doing it and there is no way to stop yourself from stereotyping. Being educated on the subject and knowing what you’re talking about will help you to be more positive. The article states that “If you think all the media does is stereotype, you are stereotyping the media.” The media does provoke many stereotypes, but what they show on television or in movies is meant to make sure the individual that’s watching the program stays entertained and engaged. Age, race, gender, and sexual orientation are all associated with stereotypes and generalizations. The difference between the two of them, in my eyes, is that when you generalize something you put it into a group, like the example of different ethnic restaurants. Stereotypes are more negative and personal, like the example of Filipino men all being sexual predators.