Blog Post #9

PART I

Last weeks class session we talked about the Tunnel of Oppression event. I liked the experienced it gave me, because i felt like i had a taste of what it was to feel discriminated or judge. Someone in my group said that it’s issues that we know about but don’t really take the time to talk about it or try to make a change. In the tunnel of oppression we saw scenarios like homeless students, gender differences, race discrimination, bullying, and immigration. I feel that the immigration, homeless and bullying got to me the most. Immigration because there are so many immigrants that i know, and most of these immigrants are family members or close friends. It was pretty emotional to hear words like, “Get out of here, go back home, you don’t belong here, your’e an immigrant, an alien.”  I can’t imagine anyone being told this, it’s heart breaking. Second was about student’s being homeless. Some students even myself might complain about the little things that we don’t appreciate when there are other’s who don’t have a place to sleep or even food to eat. I feel motivated by these student’s who have nothing but yet they try their best to be in school and be educated for a better future. Lastly, bullying has always been an issue. Growing up, i always saw it happening and i understand why others don’t say anything and just stay quiet because we are afraid something will happen to us. In the scene i read comments from Amanda Bynes to Rihana, making fun of her situation with Chris Brown. I was surprised to read that even famous people are bullied by enemies. Overall i liked the experience of the Tunnel of Oppression and i think it would make more of a world impact if they offered this event at more schools and states.

 

PART II

This weeks reading was the Cycle of Liberation by Bobbie Harro. Harro explains the first step which is, “Waking Up”. The waking up step is when eyes are open. When things start to make sense and a person starts to see things differently, almost like a new world. Harro talks about how it its helpful and important to break from our shell and talk to people who is different from us. This step he calls it Interpersonal Phase. In this phase people start to see the world differently and are more open to meet and treat new people.  According to Harro, it is important to meet new people and interact with them because we gain knowledge and fins answers to our questions and even relate to them about problems. Through out the reading, Harro gave example of a women with her adoptive child, a co-worker trying to get close with a gay co-worker, and a lady on welfare. All three of these examples went through the waking up, and interpersonal phase, and at the end they seemed happy with their results. Both reading were interesting and talked about solving situations like oppression. Again i believe that students should be more informed and involved that way a difference can be change.