Optimism and Effort Equals a Better Future

In the movie we watched, it exposed us to the different classes and stereotypes placed on different grouos of people.  People are judged to a large extent on their race, ethnicity, social status, financial situation, and their ability to succeed in life.  People act in certain manners depending on the situation and who they are aquainted with.  We don't even realize we're living this way because it's been apart of us since we were raised in this world from birth.  Our parents teach us certain morals and principals that we take for granted not realizing that a majority of society alters these behaviors in life.  Different religions and social groups behave differently depending on the situation and how they were raised as adolecense.  For example, in the movie they showed the dedicated women Tammy optimistically working her way to supporting a family alone determined to provide an income no matter where it originated from.  Her sons were embarrased by her career path because modern society views the successful people as your doctors, lawyers, business men, scientists, pilots, and so many more professions out there.  This movie was an excellent lesson for me to never judge those around me who work hard and sacrfice for their families in order to survive.

What to do with the Prisoners...

The Morgan Spurlock documentary exposing himself to the inside of a real prison was very interesting and eye opening to view.  This was an experiment to see how being placed in the shoes of a prisoner felt and what challenges they face because of the current systems in place for the inmates.  This Virginia prison was unique in that they offered much assitance to those inmates willing to work hard to try and alter their life choices and their future goals.  These therapy sessions allowed the inmates to truly open up and express their feelings and emotions toward society and their paths in life.  The movie expressed how many prisons don't offer these therapy events and they leave the prisoners on their own fighting problems mentally and physically before being released into society with no personal aid.  Our system must be changed in order to accomodate and push for helping to transform these individuals back to citizens ready to survive in mainstream society.

It's All About Money and Power

The article Sal had us read was really interesting because it presented many situations where certain classes of people were able to maneuver around authorities and the rest of society.  However, "roughneck" type kids exposed themselves more with an attempt to participate in illegal activities out in the open with little concern of punishment and consequences.  The so called "saints" tried to find trouble and fun to a certain level where little damage occurred or they fled the scene in order to maintain a healthy reputation.  The article shocked me when they mentioned how they ditched classes all the time and the teachers rarely noticed their tricky tactics or their absence regularly.  At our school attendance is taken very seriously and kids take their education pretty seriously in our middle upper class community.  It was interesting to read how authority figures would react to certain situations depending on who was doing it and where it took place.  Saints would plead for forgiveness while roughnecks searched for a fight and a chance to present their "tough guy" image.  Our society judges to a great extent on the type of person committing the act and the background of the person financially and socially.  Money and power is all it takes unfortunately in our society.

Soup Kitchen Round 2

This week me and a few sociology scholars scurried to the St. Thomas Church of Canterberry to volunteer at their soup kitchen held every tuesday and friday.  I had visited the church with Sal a few weeks before and the experience was just as rewarding and accomplishing.  I mingled with many of the guests discussing present topics of all sorts.  Many of them were so eager to open up and share their life experiences with us high schoolers.  To physically contribute to their house of healing and aid was such a rewarding experience and I'm so proud to have committed my community service time for this cause.  Thank you again Sal for the recommendation and the exciting opportunity!