Issues in Social Justice- Chapter 3

• Dialectic reading

By: Darrick Brake

What questions did this chapter raise?	How did the chapter answer this?	How does the answer match my own ideas and experiences?
Who are the victims of human trafficking? What solutions are there to this problem?   Who commits these crimes? What are specific areas of human Trafficking	Women and children are the most susceptible to being pulled into human trafficking   trafficking is a global issue and needs commitment from many groups to be soved.UN has made some contributions.UNODC is one several droups.It uses field officers to gather info. necessary to take action People who prey on the weak,diverse backgrounds and are found globally. All who seek the profit and feed off desperation, survival and disorganization. Manipulate Industrial forced labor,mining forced labor,forced domestic labor,forced prostitution,child sex slavery,indentured labor,military bondage.	I was not surprised by this information matched what I have learned in the past. I knew that this was an extremely widespread problem but I was not aware of the organizations dedicated to the problem I Had a general Idea but still find it extremely difficult to understand the desire to be pulled in these horrible crimes. I have been aware of issues surrounding woman I have read a few books on the issue and I already had some information about the forced sex slavery. It was the problems and forced labor that the men faced that was new to me. and Of course I learned more specific facts about each specific category.

Social Structures and processes-Racism is dead:long live Racism?

There are people in this society who claim that racism is no longer a problem but this makes me wonder what their definition of racism is…Yes blatant and in your face racism may no longer present itself in our day-to-day lives, but this does not mean it is no longer a problem and we can just forget about the issue. Racism has so many different aspects power, culture, discrimination, intent, socially, politically and econimacally.With so many definitions is it truly possible for a handful of our population to claim a miraculous end in the pain people have felt from racism. I don’t think so.

Yes there is an emerging ”black” middle class and african americans have become more prominent in professional settings and media but that does not mean they no longer feel the sting of stereotypes and prejudice in those places that claim to accept them. I think that declaring racism dead is quite naive. Many people have established that racism has decreased but is still here just changed into more subtle and discreet forms.

Now the danger of wishful thinking is that society will become complacent in the education on racism and finding a deeper solution. Race issues have been so intertwined with our lives throughout history that our society can not yet be rid of it. The small gestures and comments that people see more as humorous then hurtful is the racism that exists in todays generations. It is of course essential that we have the hope that one day racism will truly be dead, to set that goal is important. Just because racism has changed its form doesn’t mean it should be seen as more acceptable. Even the witty, subliminal, polite ways people have transformed racism can hurt and isolate. So in my opinion racism is not dead, not yet.

Class Discussion- Theories relate to one another.

It is rare to find a theory that stands on its own most intertwine or can relate to one another, This is true for many sociological concepts. Some of the most influential elements of these theory and concepts have been worked out of or discussed because of past works and ideas, new ideas sprouting from old ones with new experiences. Many of the earliest theorists like Weber inspired later theorists like Mills and Cooley.

Weber used macrosociology in his perspectives interpretations He viewed society as a whole and studied the big picture which was very common in early theorists and was influenced by europe. Weber’s view looked mainly at the connections between institutions and how those powerful forces in our life function and why looked for their flaws. Wright Mills took this idea but took the step to connect the macrosociology to how effects and influences  people at a more individual level.

The sociological imagination coined but Mills looks at how those big company’s that fuel our society are linked to and need the individuals to function, The individuals who created the structure are now being controlled by it. So there is a clear progression in the theory however it is still intertwined with Weber’s because of its aspect of macrosociology and relating to the big idea.Cooley’s ideas are related in a more discreet way focusing more on interactions between people and how we build a “looking glass self” based on how others perceive us, But know of these theories could exist without one another the progression of each one displays the many different layers society exists in and how the interactions between individuals at a micro level  in turn leads to the interactions that determine what services and structures we require at a macro level.

Social Structures and Processes-The new Racism:Racism in the 21st Century

The form of racism has changed throughout history but it is still very present. The racism in our current society may not be as n or obvious as it once was but it still exists at times is equally malicious. It would be a lie to say that even through all the education on this topic that the world has been cured of racism. It is so deeply intertwined that it still appears and still needs to be addressed. Of course now racism can not be used in a systematic way(107) to harm or offend someone the means are just no longer there; However it still does occur on a more personal level among human interactions.

There is no doubt that any form of racism can harm emotionally and physically, offend and isolate a person. In todays cultures we see more the symptoms that have arisen from the racism of that past we see it in the from of stereotypes and prejudice. Most people children and adults alike are responsible for this continuation of the problem. In a variety of media many of those stereotypes are still supported and even made to seem humourous almost disguising the ugly side of a very serious issue.

Like this article explains the solution is not easily seen and will not be easily acquired it is possible through both the victims and those creating the victims, this is a very complex problem that must involve entire communities, cities and countries. There is and always be a sense of competition among people for the resources they desire however competition can not be used to rationalize the fears that lie underneath it all.

This issue is one that can not be tolerated or ignored, or it will continue in the quite and insidious way it does now. It hurts the strength of our society by pushing away and isolating ourselves from each other. But has been built right into the structures and institutions we live by which is what needs to be addressed if this problem is ever to be truly pushed into the past.

Issues In social Justice-The Law and the Homeless

Laws surrounding public space and how it is used and who uses it has a history. For years governments have been creating and modifieing laws surrounding the homeless in public it is not a new issues or a simple one either. The homeless face many differant vagrency laws on panhandling, begging and strolling on public sidewalks. Many of these laws have been denied because unlike they claim there seems to be no connection to the laws and decresing the crime rate. The crimes happen wheather or no the public sees it.

The polecies began to seem unresonable seeing the homeless was a part of city life and trying to hide it and put it out of view wouldn’t solve the deeper rooted  problems. For this reason many courts overturned existing laws against the homeless in hopes to find and create laws more suitable to the goal of controling the homeless and more directly helping them. Of course not everyone wanted to help the unfortunate they simple wanted the laws for personal and selfish reasons, to control their environment. Some laws may even come from fear of the general population who were taught that homeless are dangerous, or didnt want to reminded how easy it would be to fall into that same position.

there are of couse varients in loitering laws from country to country but many of the things they prohibit are related begging or camping in specified public areas being prohibited is the most common. Probably because it makes most people very uncomfortable and they would rather not see it. And cities also want to protect their reputations.

What makes this problem complicated is that many of the actions that are deemed criminal by the general public are necessary for basic survival for those living on the streets. You can’t help but wonder if the laws are being craeted to hide the issue instead of contribute to a solution.  People living on the street are in need of a solution they can not find for themselves but are being even more restricted by the some of the laws that currently exist.

Issues in Social Justice-Suburbanization: A Transformation in Amercain Life

Both work and recreation have been altered since the move from city to suburbs, mostly contributed to the introduction of the automobile that allowed for the roadways and movement away from downtown. Because of the new jobs created in professional and manegement positions in the 50′s and 60′s, work days slowly became shorter while wages became to climb. The workplace became broken into many more components, while manufacturing jobs decresed most other professional ones increased. the skyrockting of rent and lose of customers provoked the movement of many retail, finacial, dentists etc. Closer to their clients increasing the popularity of suburbs because people no longer had to deal with crowds and traffic to get the services they wanted.  Automobiles also allowed for this shift.

People were choosing the ease and convienance the suburbs opposed to the hustle and bustle of the city, susburbs were deemed more appropriate to raise a family and was away to display status through extravagent vehicles  and homes. It seemed that the professional high paid poistions moved their buiness close to their homes and family in the suburbs.

Many communties evolved from the cultural liberation(125) the vehicle allowed with the creation of highways and the architecture based around those highways slow spread from city to outwards to new communities altering society along with it. Since more then a century ago, cars have become an essential part of status and desired lifestyle.

The push from city to suburb by the vehiclehas not at had a dramtic impact on overall well being or health of a community, It has however had a huge a huge impact on how people noe only express themselves and even how they view eachother based on that expression. The mobility created  by the vehicle became integrated into suburban life. and suburban life became a part of peoples identity. 

 

Issues in Social Justice-Freedom and Independance

The Americain Dream consisted of freedom and independance and the hope that both native amercains and immigrants would have to the ability to acheive “happiness”  if they worked for it. With this continuous strive for the opportunity to better personal and community life, there came the need to represent ones status to show your success.

Cars became an interval tool of how people displayed their status, nicer the car the more ccessful you are. This became a cultural belief  that having high end material objects is what made you succesful it became the definition of the americain dream. The car also had a link to freedom because it allowed  families more control of where and when they did things.

The communication of status become more and more prominent through recreation activities add to status symbol almost as much as ones home did. The image created by the sports cars and subburbs  is like making a  statement that you belong in mainstream amercain culture.

The problem with this statement is that it puts more impotance on material objects opposed to the family relationships. Personal life began to decrease in importance the one on one time and increase importance of  outward appearance,It done as much damage as it has benefitted society. The original drive and hard work behind the americain dream is a way for people to get what they want in life but what people want and what makes people happy has changed, from those original few who accomplisehed thid more consumer life.

the consummerism is overpowering family. The key to maintaining the true americain dream would be to remember that happines is not necessarily found in things that you aquire but more likely in things that you create like memories and strong friendships.  focus needs to be brought back to the things that last not kept on material objects that you can loose or break.

Social Structures and Processes-competition

Competition as seen by social Darwinists  meant going to extremes to preserve what they thought to be a superior society based on race. Darwwinist believed that “survival of the fittest” separted society into inferior low class and superior upper class. and that becuse of natural selection only the upper class should be allowed to have children because it was thought that this would produce the strongest most well evolved society and that it is natural for it to happen this way.

 However, at the time the reverse seemed to be happening as the more educated wealthy famlies had fewer kids well the poor who were uneducated and had no access to birth control continued to have several children per family making poverty and unemployment even more widely spread. A better idea would have been to educate and find the potential in those improvished people and help them to raise their position in society instead of ignoring them and hoping natural slection would someday solve the problem. A person can not be judged inferior especially when never given oppoutunities to prove more.

“Social Darwinists” in turn blamed the government and demanded that they take the situation into their own hands saying that social wellfare allowed for the poor to countinue in the way they were reproducing, they truly saw it necessary to begin breeding humans like domestic animals, which was the beginning of eugenics. Focus on perserving the “superior” society started with immigration policy, the anti-asian legislation was passed here in British Columbia.  The whole society was being manipulated to believe only british nordic and germanic races were pure.

It is horrible that at the time nobody was able to see past their own flaws and open up to any of the other amazing cultures and see their benefits instead society turned to racism and prejedice towards those who were differant out of fear. The scary part is that it was the smart educated powerful people who were thinking this way not the people who had never learned to read. The idea of “moral purity” and only the most pure being able to have storng healthy babies seems strange now but  during this time of fear everyone felt the need for self preservation over wanting to reach out to one another which as we look back now would have made the differance because there are still apologies being made for the pain  caused to other people years ago.

 Governments and many social groups found a common enemy to turn against in order to protect themselves,Instead of finding common ground and protecting eachother.

Class Discussion-2 photos

2 photos one of a woman entirlely covered except for her eyes by a burka the second of  a woman on a nude beach. You can not help but wonder what these two young women would think of eachother if  introduced. Initially possible disgust at one another for the differances or maybe even pity for the way their culture treats them. Look down on and judge eachother for the choice they have made.

Both cultures have been socialized to belive there way is right and everyone else has flaws, This is a universal concept, every culture does this. It is all a matter of interpretation, we have been taught to immediatly compare ourselves to one another and compare or cultures. We all have first impressions of eachother of course, but we can not judge a persons entire lifestyle upon it.

Perhaps if these two woman were educated about the respective culture they may want to learn more and gain understabding instead of disgust and pity. And with that education open up their own world and hopefully educate the people around them. So that interpretation can be about more then first opnions.

Issues in social justice-christianity as a cultural force

 the article “christianity as a cultural force” from the book issues in social justice by Frank Tridico is a discussion on the past and modern influence of religion on north americain culture. It as played a position in the development of the USA in their anthem,  the declaration of independance even have themes of  christianity.

 ”78% of adult americains are affiliated with christian religious tradition”(10). It had been preidicted to disapear as society became more modernized however this has not proven true. Religion still plays an integrel role in todays daily life. morals and  cultural views are intertwined with the instituitions of our world, and have been taught and passed down through generations.Many powerful people in government positions are judged on religious views and most recently have been a main source of conflict on the view of homosexuality in our current society.

For example the very strong and countinous support by religous groups for proposition 8 in california. Christian religion has played a very strong role in the inequality of the homosexual community. Many public fiigures have discussed the connection of morality and homosexuality in a negative way, and adding to the stigmatization of sam-sex relationships.

I personally have never gone to church or had religious views ingrained in me since birth, I have always been a much more scientific person; however, I do respect the people around me who are a part of that community. Having personal connections with people in both the religious community and the homosexulity community has led me to agree in the belief that many religious traditions are a huge contribuition to reinfocing  inequality. And I congragulate the states who have legalized same sam-sex marriage. And I have to recognize the courage it takes to challenge such a strong instituition for the right to be equal. 

 A monogamous marriage is not necessarily only between and a man and a woman, It is between two people who love eachother no matter their genders.  I belive this concept will countinue to be discussed throughout my lifetime, and challenged from both outside and withen the christian communties.