Blog #4

I enjoyed last week’s class because it altered my perspective of Affirmative Action. I always knew that Affirmative Action was flawed, but I agreed with it because it is a step forward in attempts to resolve the unfair treatment of minorities and women. I always leaned to the argument that white males are the only group who are not benefiting from Affirmative Action, and that was ok because they are still at an advantage in the social structure of our society. Affirmative action does not change the hierarchy of America. After the lecture, the readings, and the debate, my opinion has not completely changed but altered. I strongly feel that affirmative action is a start but needs major modifications. I also feel that we need to create a system that does not raise racial tension, but serves as a way to end white priviledge. In short, Affirmative Action is start not a solution.

This week’s readings were also very interesting. I felt that Hertado and Torres both expressed the complexity of education for Latino students, and about the vast differences within the Latino community in relation to education. Hertado offered plenty of evidence through various events, and statistics, while Torres took the approach of conducting experiments and sharing a little more than Hertado about personal experiences.

I was intrigued by the vast differences in the values of education within the Latino community. I tend to forget that Latinos are immensely culturally different, so I was bothered that these statistics were news to me. I realized that I am not as sensitive to the fact that Latinos are different, because I live in California where Mexicans are the dominant Latino group, and I belong to that group. So when people assume that I am Mexican, when they learn that I am Latino, I am not bothered, because their assumption is correct. However, I can now understand and sympathize with those of other Latino cultures who don’t like it. Torres said it best, “Mi casa is not exactly like your house.” My eyes were open to the complexity of the pressing issues of Latinos in the educational system.

I also enjoyed chang’s article because it served as a great reminder that Asians are minorities and have suffered a great deal in America because of prejudice. Asian are commonly stereotyped with what most consider “good” or “positive” stereotypes, like, “Asians are… smart, good at math, naturally skinny…” I have even heard that they are the “accepted” minority because they seem to assimilate most smoothly with white culture than other minorities. Chang reminded me of the “communist” Chinese, the terrorist “Japs” and even of the unfair treatment of the Filipino veterans who assisted the U.S. during World War II. All the negative labels that have not completely diminished are affecting Asians in our educational system. Yes, out of all the groups Asians are the most likely to graduate, but attaining a degree is not achieved without toil, and labor from anyone, especially those belonging to a sub dominant group.