Boyhood Sports And Masculinity

In the reading the author describes masculinity as being something learned through socialization and not determind by biological factors or make up.  Sports are a way through which the socialization of masculinity is performed.  Sports are ways for young boys and young men to prove their masculinity and be proud to say that they are men, and prove who is the better.  If you are a young boy or young man, and you do not complete in any sports you are considered outsiders.  Boys and young men play sports wanting aprroval and achieving a high status with their families, more so their fathers so they can have that acceptance from their dad, because more than likely their fathers are pushing sports on to their sons. This is want i got out of the reading. In the video it talks about what it is meant to be a male and the answers was strong, physical, independent, in control, poweful, athletic, tough, tough, tough, and a lady's man and when they can not conform they are called pussy, whimp, emotional, bitch, queer, fag. A there is a lot of pressure to comform to the role including, and especially men of color. And when they can not conform to the role that is given to them at birth, their masculinity turn to voilence later on in life ususal toward and affecting women.

"A Different Mirror" and "Race Matters"

The article "A Different Mirror" starts off with a positive statement that race has been a social construction that has hsitorically set apart racial minorites from European immigrant groups. It goe on to say construction does not accuraltey reflect the rich and complex mosaic of American diversity. it also talks about the different groups that make up the American population: the Natives, Africans, Jews, Irish, Asisans, Latinos and Middle Easterners. But when i think about the reading "A Different Mirror", by Ronald T. Takaki, it takes me back to when I dad to see and deal with racism, discrimination, face to face. Never in my whole life would I thought I would have heard the words "you people act like animals", this day age. That was the day I realize racism, discrimination, and prejudice still exist it's just hidden, and wished I was in a different mirror and had a different status. But the fact is we can't change who we are and what we will become regardless of raical division saparating us.

The article "Race Matters" is not just another article summing up of race relations in this country. One of the main reasons I like this article from Cornel West, is because he does not allow his membership in the African American, race to hide his view/views. West ignores the most common concept of political correctiveness and speaks freely. Race Matters is an insight into many of the stereotypes, mistaken notion, and clashes caused by race. By bringing to light the inadequacies and failing of all races, and the people involved in this difficult situation called race. Cornel West accomplishes his task by the examination of race from multiple angles, and discussing race in a historical, social, sexual, and political sense, he is able to produce some uncommon assessment on the irregularly state of race relations in the world today. This what I got from the two readings "Race Matters, and "A Different Mirror.

People Like Us

While watching "People Like Us", it made me open my eyes in so many ways.  I always knew their were more than one social classes, lower class, and high class.  I never thought the one in between made any difference, because you were always going to be viewed as rich or poor.  Seeing how the adults and teens view people and put them in different classes such as: preppy, low class, nerds, and ghetto, other than their self pissed me off.  In the beginning of the video people were categorized by other people , and put in a social class by the way they walked, talked, dressed, which seemed so wrong and harsh.  The video go as far as saying certain food we eat is considered what social class you belong to, for me I love "Wonder Bread" I am just saying.  While the video had some interesting parts their was one sad part.  The Single Mother busting her butt at Burger King to take care of her kids, and her oldest son who was extremely disrespectful and thought that he was in abetter social class than his family because of the way he dressed, was popular, and received a good number of awards.  The fact is he is already labeled as lower class "poor" because his mother is he is just in denial.

Deviance

Deviance is concerned with the process whereby actions, beliefs or conditions come to be viewed as deviant by others. Deviance can be observed by the negative, stigmatizing social reaction of others towards these phenomena. Criminal behavior, such as theft, can be deviant, but other crimes attract little or no social reaction, and cannot be considered deviant examples drinking on the corner, sagging your pants. I live in Harlem and their is so much deviance and unfortunately nothing is done about it until it gets out hands like drugs, guns, fighting, and those young adults/adults who ride dirt bikes and four wheeler in the street all spring and summer long. The point is no matter where in the world/society we live in their is always going to be deviance.

Social Stratification Chapter Seven

In the article Positive Functions of the Undeserving Poor: Uses of the Underclass in America, By Herbert J. Gans, and Chapter Seven Social Stratification talks about how society ranks categories of people in society and by their economic status. Which goes into three major premises: Power, Prestige, and Property. But with social stratification comes social inequality which in terms deals with the haves and the have-nots. Social Stratification does not last forever it is not premant it is subjected to change. For example an lower class or poor person can when the lottery for millions of dollar and never have to worry about not having because their social class changed for the better. The bottom line is social stratification affects people's live and can be manifested in various ways in society.

Socialization Homework Assignment on Killing Us Softly and A Call to Men video

1. Summarize Killing us Softly. (1-2 paragraphs)
A Call to Men challenges man to reconsider their long held beliefs about women through eliminating  domestic and sexual violence against women. Because "The Man Box teaches them otherwise", for example if a father tell his son that men do not cry, or women are our toys, and men have to be tough the socialization process continue because the chances are his son will follow the same path his Father taught him about the do's and do nots about being a man. Basically Tony Porter is saying if we can shift social norms that define manhood in our culture it will put an end to violence and discrimination against women and girls. If their is a change in men's behavior through re programing or re-education and the instruction process that promotes a healthy manhood. The Man Box will no longer exist. This is what i gathered from the video A Call to man by Tony Porter.
2. Summarize a Call to Men. (1-2 paragraphs)
In the video Killing Us Softly 3, Kilbourn the speaker talks about the impact of advertising on our society when it comes to women. The groundwork of the media not only sells products, but also sales images, values, and concepts of sexuality, and romance in women. Advertising put stress on how women need to be flawless in thin to fit in today's society especially for young girls and women. Kilbourn also states advertising portrays women as objects and animals instead of human beings. The fact is women and men inhabit or live in two different worlds. Men are not displayed nor are they judge, but women on the other hand are demoralized, judged, and put on display to the point that there is an increase in teenage pregnancy and domestic and sexual violence against women. Due to the fact that men and women will grow up retaining these stereotypes on how a women and men should act. This is what I gathered from Killing Us Softly 3, by Jane Kilbourn.
3. Explain how both video relate to our chapter on Socialization. (1-2 paragraphs)
A Call to Men and Killin Us Softly 3, is related to chapter 5, because it deals with socialization versus structure on how the gender role approach focus on learning behaviors that define as masculine and feminie. Which sterotype women from men and how we communicate with ohter and how to behave as expected which leads to sexism, sexual harassment, domestic voilence against women. With that said we are are gender socialized from the day we are born. This is how I see both videos being related to our chapter on Socialization.
4. Find one picture that represents the ways that boys and girls are socialized? (E.G. toys, TV, products etc.)

Chapter 3 Society

In the Chapter 3 Society it made me sit back and think, due to the fact that everyday society is changing, for example children are not being raised the way I was brought up, young children being bullied to there death, and the different groups that our youth want to be so much apart of even if they don't fit in. In society there's always going to be a group in which we don't belong but it is up to us to know what role we fall into in society so we can all achieve a master status. So if there was anything that I aquired from this chapter is play the role, know my role and make sure I never "lose face".