Reflective Essay On Sociology

My experience in first year sociology was a unique one, being it my first semester here in kwantlen university. I didnt know what to expect out of all of this but it turned out to be quiet an adventure. Learning about the society and how it interacts with one another and learning about the different types of country people and how they see one another as is quiet amazing.

I have never been the type of person to believe anything anyone says to me. Usually i like to debate and argue with situations, and try to find out whether it is true or not. More information is what i need to actually believe something someone tells me. It is just in my nature to not believe someone right away unless I know them extremely well. Sociology was the first class I took in my collage career. It was a different type of class because it opened my eyes to many things and its unique ways to realize that there is more life out there. I wasnt born in Canada and growing up early days in Pakistan it was a horrible way to see the world. So when i moved to Canada I was blessed with more opportunities and did not take anything for granted because in my real home where i was born it is very difficult to live. Sociology taught me a lot of things this year and how unfair the world can be.

When looking at things from a sociological point of view, people tend to look at things from the previous events and situations of people and based their judgements upon them and judge people on how they are now. For example, the event of 911 was protrayed that it was the Islamic countries that led the attack on New York city, and in doing so everyone around the world has the idea now that all Muslims are terrorists and where ever you see a muslims, becareful from them because they might be carrying “bombs and Weapons”. we need to consider what is going on in other peoples lives before we start to point fingures at them and say that they are the roots of our problems, and instead try to understand them and see if there is anyway we can help them out.  Another part of the Sociological Imagination that was effective for me was the idea of participating actively in society. This has made me realize that there are ways in which I can grow and learn about different things and try to help out better in societies.
I have learned to appreciate the socities in many ways, and in doing so I realized how difficult life is outside of Canada and in other parts of the world. As i write this essay i am sitting in one of the most dangerous cities in the world. I am currently residing in Pakistan and it is easy to say that Canada is a gifted place to live in. Life here is more difficult than anything I have ever experienced and with no heat and proper water it has been one of the most difficult times to live in my life. With the knowledge i have earned in Sociology and combained experienced with what I have seen here in Pakistan, I now know what is it like to see things from the other side of view. Ultimately, I have come to appreciate and realize more than I ever have had than before. And truely I will never forget this class nor this experience.

Race: The Power of an Illusion Episode 1: “The Difference Between Us”‘

Response to the Video in class.

The video that was shown in class is basically the general knowledge that I already have. This video has portrayed that their isn’t a difference between anyone. It just depends on the person and how they choose to look at people around them. For example, the idea of racism is huge because people use that to judge others because of the colour of their skins or the way look. That is making a serious assumption about someone without really knowing who they are because looks are almost nothing compare to what a person would actually be like. Just because someone might be the same race as you does not mean that they are the same person, because anyone can look like someone but it’s the characters and actions that show who we really are. The Sickle cell disease was said to be in Africans only but it has been shown that Europeans have them as well. Its not what you look like or your race that shows who you are but rather your characters and judgments.

Issues in Social Justice chapter 10

This chapter is mainly about the definitions that define terrorism in the past and present day. It has a lot to do with issues in the modern society. The author in this chapter uses the past example of Nazi reign and their way of National Socialism and the power of absolute rule. After reading this chapter, Nazi just used fear and brutality as a method of taking over the European world during world war 2. Hitler used manipulated words to ruin the people’s lives. This chapter further illustrates the use of ethnocentrism and the way Nazis portrayed themselves, and also the ways of tolerance and intolerance. Terrorism can be defined as the disruption of continuity in an attempt to create internal chaos within the state. The reason why I chose this term was because it defines the entire chapter and what it talks about.

Negotiation, Not retribution (Charles Quist-Adade)

This Reading is mainly on the topic of man being cruel to this world and innocent people. The power given to those who are fortunate enough in this world have abused it beyond anything imaginable. This reading further talks about the terrorist attacks of 911 on the USA by a group of terrorists. In doing so, the USA retaliated by attacking innocent lives in the middle eastern countries using the excuse that they were looking for Osama Bin Laden. Over  a million people have been killed in “collateral damage” due to the invasions of the USA. It has been further shown and almost proved that the attacks were a set plan that had nothing to do with people in the Middle East. This reading further talks about the man accused of leading the attack of 911, Osama Bin Laden, and how he had become a international threat to the entire world. Also on how an innocent man named Nelson Mandela was blamed for being a terrorist and today labeled as an International Icon.

The USA government needs to find a better way to stand against terrorism and not in the manner that they have been doing so. All of their attacks have been based on revenge and to gather money for their economy. People are very much seeking revenge from the USA and if any window is opened to them they will be on the heads of USA and will do anything they possibly can to destroy the United States. There is no need to further have violence like it has been and rather more peaceful ways can be organized to retain and bring harmony to this world.

The less money that is spent on weapons and stuff, the better it will be for the world and less innocent bystanders’ will be targeted.

THE PHANTOM OF THE RACE: THE MYTH OF RACE AND THE REALITY OF RACISM.

Even though it is obvious that Race or Racism does not exist subconsciously, it is the most common way to describe a person. We mainly judge people because of their race and culture. By our society and cultural means we have been come to understand that it is the way to differentiate people from ourselves. Us being different from them due to our colour, race or culture means that we look upon them as a different person in whole. Most common form of racism is the one where white people look at themselves as superior to anyone of the dark skinned colour. It is one of the main reasons why the USA feels no shame what so ever in invading the people of other country because they believe in “white man power.” It is quoted in the text that “race is neither natural or biologicalhence proving that it is man-made but still people choose to think they are better than others.

 “The Phantom of the race”is showing and explaining  how it is there inside every individual and will probably haunt them for many generations to come. Race is a blind triangle which is followed by almost everyone and it symbolizes how far the world still to come if it wants to grow up and get rid of discrimination. People will always end up wondering if it will ever be possible to get rid of such a problem.

September 11: Forgiveness is Not Part of the Lessons Learned by Charles Quist-Adade

This article portrays the dirty and hypocritical mind of George Bush and his Administration. Bush is supposed to be of Christian belief and yet he goes against one of the main beliefs of the faith, by applying “eye for an eye” rule as their best, how can he be a Christian.  This article also shows on the relationships that the USA has around the world with the Middle Eastern and African Communities. The worst thing is that how the USA wants the African communities to apologize for their wrong doings and yet the USA has destroyed their lives completely and feels no regret about it or has no need to apologize? The Bush administration will never be satisfied because they are blood thirsty for power. They are the biggest losers on this planet because they have the need to get into everyone’s business. I have always disagreed with the bush administration so I have even further started to hate them because of their stupid and hypocritical ways of doing certain things. They are pathetic and need to realize that trying to obtain power from other countries will only destroy their own.

Issues in Social Justice: Chapter 4, Driving Discontinuance

In Chapter 4, it is a very simple but important topic, mainly about the senior citizens being deprived from driving cars due to their age and causing them to be dependent on the younger generation. This isn’t good for their nature because they seem to belong to the society while they have their license but if it is taken away from them then they will not be able to feel that they belong. Even though it is a danger to other drivers, because they have problems with speed limits or cannot see their surroundings as well as others, it still feels like a thing that shouldn’t be an issue towards them. They would not be able to enjoy the finer things in life that they had been able to do earlier in their lives, like go shopping or road trips on their own because they are deprived of driving on roads. From my own experience I have never had a problem with seniors driving however, I do get very annoyed when people in front of drive well below the speed limit, and it’s usually seniors that are doing that.