The Harmful Myth of Asian Superiority

"The Harmful Myth of Asian Superiority" is a very interesting article from Ronald Takaki. I believe that every one has different stereotypes, but I also think that it's impossible for any race not to be resentful of one another, rather it be whites and African-Americans, Asian-Americans and African-Americans, or whites and Asian-Americans. People treat their ethnicity as if it's a competition. I don't imagine anyone, no matter their race, wants to live in poverty or have a job they don't like. There are whites that live in extreme poverty, there are whites who are extremely wealthy. There are African-Americans who are extremely poor, and there are African-American's who are extremely wealthy. There are Asian-Americans who live in the slums, and there are Asian-Americans who live in the richest of places.  Just because there is a part of a race who are living fortunately, how does that give a right for anyone to hate? Does everyone just want the whole world to live in a trash hole to make everyone feel equal? That is ludicrous! Just because someone is less-fortunate, does not give a legitimate excuse to join gangs or hang out in pool halls all day. Sometimes it's a choice. Every race is filled with those who make good choices, and there are some who make bad ones. Not every good person will live extravagantly...but that's life! Life is rough and hard, and pointing fingers at those who are better off than others will do zero good or make any situation less difficult. If the relationship between Asian-Americans and African-Americans are exacerbated due to the celebration of Asian-Americans as a "model minority" perpetuating their inequality, then there are deeper problems to be looked at. 

Interesting culture

Mrs. Lambiase informed the class that there are 8.8 million gay/lesbians in the United States. Gay teens are 2-3x more likely to committ suicide. From the Project Runway video on designing for drag queens, it was funny and definitely provided entertainment. But it was crazy to me that these men called themselves women. My own opinion is that if a person is white, black, brown, pink, blue, polkdotted, or gay...you're still a person, with a heart and feelings and wants and needs. I have worked with many gay people, and they have been some of the most giving and sweetest people I have ever met, but I still don't agree with the lifestyle. I continue to learn how crazy this world really is! What we find entertaining, what we find acceptable, what we find fun and harmless. It's all very interesting and I look forward to learning more about this culture we call home.

Women in Media

This class has been very interesting for me because I have never realized how desensitized I am to the media. There has never been a time that I have flipped through a magazine or turned on the T.V., and not seen a woman being used for something whether it be to sell a product or listen to a certain type of music. It is absolutely insane! The example Mrs. Lambiase used about walking through New York City and seeing the gigantic poster of a naked woman with only shoes on is so true! We don't even notice or care anymore. To me, it is honestly very sad. People have lost respect for themselves and others. I looked through a magazine for BCBG and here are my following findings:

Out of the 13 pages, 9 were body shots displaying bare thighs and heavy cleavage, 1 displayed only legs in a short skirt, and the other 2 were seductive headshots.

It is completely true that we live in a sex-craving society, where most anything goes and sex sells.