Something to think about...

Warning: Some explicit language!!

The video pretty much speaks for itself so I won't go on about it. I actually had never seen the original video so I was actually shocked to see that a university student had this kind of mindset! This goes really well with what we did in class today with Kobayashi. Its clearly obvious that the university student (not sure of her name) is being racist but since she is giving her opinion/freedom of speech should she be dismissed from university? Not sure what actually happened since this is over 6 months old but it just makes me think...what would happen if someone at Saint Mary's said something like that. What would our school do?

Dressing up as another race

This youtube video is really relevant to our class discussion we had last week about Halloween. Starting after the 6 minute mark the vlogger talks about dressing up as another race for Halloween and if it is racist or not. What are your thoughts on dressing up as another race? As well, what are your thoughts on the karaoke video at the end? Is that being racist or just being ignorant?

Enough Said.

"One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings".  -Franklin Thomas

Big Bang Theory: The Rhinitis Revelation

Does anyone else watch The Big Bang Theory? In season 5 episode 6 (click link) there are several "assumptions" brought up that just seem to be the norm! I am going to write more on the episode another time but I just wanted everyone's thoughts on this episode. Do you think Sheldon's moms "assumptions" about different racial/ethnic groups is funny or is it racist? Or perhaps both?

Critical Reflection Four: Being Indigenous

The article by Alfred and Corntassel (2005) asks what is being Indigenous? I’ve always thought that being Indigenous was being someone who was inhabit to the land and were invaded by foreign peoples. But I guess that only applies to certain areas like here in Canada. Indigenous people all over the world have vast differences in their culture and what it means to actually be Indigenous. Alfred and Corntassel (2005) say “ the struggle to survive as distinct peoples on foundations constituted in their unique heritages, attachments to their homelands, and natural ways of life is what is shared by all Indigenous peoples” (pp. 597). People are now “attempting to strip Indigenous peoples of their very spirit” (Alfred and Corntassel (2005), pp. 599). This article reflects on: resisting further encroachment on Indigenous existence by Settlers and states, as well as multinational corporations and other organizations and finally how Indigenous communities can regenerate themselves.

         

Critical Reflection Three: Cowboys & Indians

The article Cowboys and Indians written by Michael Yellow Bird was an eye opening discussion. From all the readings thus far in the course this one is my favourite. Being an American Aboriginal himself he does not show resentment towards white people rather he points out the facts and does not fudge the truth. White Americans need to see clearly what has happened in the past and how we can improve and move forward in our way of thinking and speaking.