Blog#9: What Can You Do?

Last class began slightly differently. Julian’s “activity” came last rather than in the beginning. We first discussed the Tunnel of Oppression event and the thoughts and feelings it brought out. I believe we all agreed that there wasn’t much participation in the discussions and the leaders didn’t encourage much talking. However, the experience made us all look at things from another point of view and realize how real these occurrences are.  Afterwards we talked about the Lipstick and Labcoats article. We got into groups and elaborated on certain points. I thought it was great that we went over it because it refreshed the issues in my mind. I enjoyed hearing what the guys had to say as well as other females because our ideas differ. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any STEM majors from females so we couldn’t exactly ask why they joined the major and how they felt. Either way, I learned a lot from that article and was not exactly shocked to hear why females entered into STEM fields. Before our “activity” from Julian, we mentioned one thing we learned from the Homeless articles. They were all eye openers for me. Although I have to work very hard and sometimes it feels stressful, I can’t even imagine what homeless students go through every day. Lastly, we were given an assessment from Julian that was also given to us at the beginning. I think many students rushed through it because it didn’t affect our grades.

 

The last topic to be covered next week is what we can do to enact change. Although we had two readings, before I read either one I realized that I have been speaking up slightly more when I hear offensive things. Simply taking this class gave me the courage to speak up. The first reading was the Cycle of Liberation, which made me think of the Cycle of Socialization. As with the cycle of socialization, we go through stages at our own pace and choose our direction to enact change. Seeing the cycle of liberation and reading the article gave me hope and confidence. If we show more people then we have more of a chance to positively change society. What I love the most is that anyone can enter this cycle at any point in time at any place. As the waking up stage stated, I am starting to feel a difference on myself simply from the awareness that this class has given me. I have also noticed myself solidifying my beliefs and discarding the negative one, as with in the getting ready phase. This article really spoke to me because I feel myself beginning to experience parts of this cycle. It isn’t as easy to reach out, build a community, or actually act, but now I feel as though I have the tools to start. It is one thing to enact change, but it is another thing to maintain it. It needs to almost become a way of life. The second article covered the next steps in order to interrupt oppressive behavior. This sounds easier than it is was my first reaction. It is so much easier at first to join in on the oppressive behavior, but after awareness it becomes easier to confront the behavior. What many don’t realize is that saying nothing is a way of supporting the oppression in a way. I used to do this because I didn’t always know what to do. This article mentions education as the first step in enacting change. I agree that this is the first major step because I already notice a change in myself. I found the author’s tips for responses helpful. For example, telling someone that a joke is not funny or organizing a pro-diversity event are ways to enact change. Overall, I can say I learned a lot and wouldn’t change it for anything! I can only hope that I can keep up the courage, join forces with others, and enact change.