Final Reflective Essay

This class has opened my eyes to a new way of thinking and living. There is a lot that is going on in the world that does not meet the eye. We are blinded to issues across the globe, which limit our daily living. This class had broadened my views on the way I need to think and act in certain situations. I cannot take issues and facts at face value. I must continuously question ideas and do my own research. Nothing is as is seems and every situation has an underlying problem. This class has been an incredible learning experience and I have been faced with new facts daily. I find myself thinking about situations I am unfamiliar with and trying to find the familiar in them.  Not only am I looking for the familiar in the unfamiliar I am  searching out new ways to find the unfamiliar in the familiar. This class has been a challenge to me. I am really trying to challenge myself to think differently and to act differently. This social justice class has taught me that the whole world is not run the same. There are many social issues within the globe that I was unaware of and it is broadened my understanding to the issues within the globe. It has encouraged me to pay more attention to articles of clothing I purchase and begin to question where these items have come from, what is the labour force behind it, and so forth. This class has been a great learning experience and has given me the opportunity to explore new ideologies.  I have enjoyed this class and especially enjoyed the solar lantern project. It gave me an opportunity to do work for another country. I believe all countries should work together for community and being able to participate in the solar lantern project gave me the opportunity to do that. Partaking in this challenge was an incredible experience and opened my eyes to how simple it can be to give. I truly believe that you cannot live without giving and that was just one simple way that I was able to give. I am more so aware of how incredibly blessed I am to live in a country with such opportunity. I have a better understanding that this country I live in is plentiful.  This class has brought to my attention that the issues within the globe are not impossible to fix; yes, it will take a lot of work and it will require global community, but I believe we are on our way to achieving this goal.  The more we are able to explore and learn about the world, the more society will be aware as to what is happening. The more knowledge that we are able to give to people the more they will be aware of their surroundings.  With this knowledge more people will take part in making change. Without knowledge society is unaware of what is going on around them within the world. When people are unaware of what is happening they are unable to take action toward fixing the issues.

Video Blog Number Two.

Nickle and Dimed from the American Ruling Class.

In the video clip titled, Nickel and Dimed From the American Ruling Class, looks at what it is like to work a job at minimum wage.  The video addresses the issue that it is nearly impossible to work full time on a minimum wage job and live a healthy life style.  One journalist set out to live the life of an under paid worker to see what the value of their lifestyle is. She wanted to know if it was possible to live contently while working full time in a minimum wage job.  She was living in a trailer park at the time and said to be working very hard at her jobs, but was still falling behind about 100 dollars in her rent payments. One man asked her how the struggle could be so significant if it is not seen very often.  She responded saying the reason he does not see it is because he does not live it.  He then asked why this could still be happening when there is philanthropy.  Philanthropy is designed to help those or a community out while in need, but she believes the real philanthropists are those who are working the underpaid jobs.  These workers are giving their skills and their time at an under paid wage, so that those who have money can live at a cheaper rate.  It is a vicious cycle that needs to be stopped. When you break apart a situation and understand the details of it all, the bigger picture tends to change. When I first heard about philanthropy, I thought how great is that.  The more I look at the situation though, the more I am beginning to believe that the system is corrupt. Yes, they are helping those in need, but they are simply only helping just enough so that they need to continue to work the under paid jobs, so that the rich can continue living they way they have been living.  If there is a change in the way underpaid jobs are run, then prices go up and the rich will not be as rich anymore. One day there will be a rise up in those who are being over worked, and they will make a change for the better. Their voices will be heard, and this vicious cycle will slowly lessen the gap between the rich and the poor.

Video Blog Number One.

What does Social Justice mean to you?

In the video, Social Justice, there are many questions that are considered.  Each one of these questions get me thinking about my opinions on the matter, but before I speak on my opinions, I am going to talk on a few other peoples statements. I find these statements to be very inspiring. The first question brought to my attention reads, ‘What does social justice mean to you?’  In the video the answers included that social justice is believed to be equal access to opportunity and a life determined on human rights and equality.  I believe these answers hit home when they are said.  To have equal opportunity for all is hard to imagine, but with equal opportunity for all, life would be a lot different than it is today.  Even though equal opportunity is evolving and becoming more possible, there is still corruption and hidden ways to by pass equality.  The second question that was asked in the film stated, ‘Who is social justice for?’  The answers stated that social justice is for everyone and those with disabilities should not be discriminated against.  Each individual is important to the way our global economy is run, so it is only fair that we are all entitled to social justice. Next, there is the question, ‘Why do we need social justice?’ Social justice is needed to create more of a community atmosphere. When there is a large gap between the rich and the poor the feeling of being superior gets added into the equation. With a small gap, or no gap at all, between the rich and the poor we are able to connect more on a closer level because we are all equal. Finally, the last question in this film that stood out to me is, ‘How can social justice be achieved for all?’ This question is a hard to answer because it seems physically impossible to achieve a world with social justice for all. The more I ponder this question, the more I am stumped with ideas, but the more curious I get, and he more I search for answers.  There was a good point mentioned in this video that stated we need dignity of work, dignity of the human being, stability of the family, and peace in a community in order to bring about decent work.  Without those factors we cannot begin to achieve a better world. With all this said, it brings me to the question, what does social justice mean to me?  Social justice to me is a world who works together to meet the needs of others in our world.  Not just in our community, but in those surrounding countries, cities, and continents. We are all neighbours and we are all striving for the same thing, life. Each human strives for a life well lived, joy, and peace.  If we are all striving for the same thing, we might as well strive for it together rather than separately.  Take the time to research that each country has something to offer; no country has anything to offer.  We need to all learn from each other. Whether it is learning skills, learning what it means to work hard, learning contentment and joy.  No country is superior and understands all aspects in life. We need to learn to be vulnerable and rid of our pride, and with this, together we can make a change.

Chapter Three. Issues In Social Justice.

In Chapter three, Human Trafficking, of Tridico’s book the term Human trafficking is explored. Human Trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings mainly for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor. In this chapter it addresses seven different issues, which are defined to be the main source of the problem.  There is the industrial forced labour, mining forced labor, forced domestic labor, forced prostitution, forced child prostitution or forced child sex slavery, bonded or indentured labor, and military bondage. Each one of these categories is an example of human trafficking.  Human trafficking is happening all around the world and globalization plays a large part in the growth of this act.  With globalization there is easier access to those around the world.  Each country is able to learn from each other because the information is more accessible. These crimes can be committed through force. Someone may promise one in a poorer country for a better life, but once they get here they are forced into the use of their body, this act is called the ‘bait and switch’.  Many of the people who get caught into the scene of human trafficking are tricked into it.  They believe that the individual they are working for really wants to help them out in their situation, but in turn they end up selling their bodies into the forced labor market. With human trafficking, it is generally the women and children that get brought into the scene.  Human trafficking is an on going problem.  There are many cases where the victim is abducted and then forced into the act of human trafficking.  This crime is an unpleasant crime, which organizations are looking into solutions to bring it to an end. Human trafficking has been stated to be a global problem rather than a regional one.

Chapter Two. Issues In Social Justice.

In chapter two, Discrimination Faced by LGBT Community, written by Tridico the topic looked at is the impact societal expectations have had on sexuality as well as gender.  Gender roles are very important in our society because they help define an individual. Of course, it does not completely define an individual, but it helps “categorize.”  There are many stigmas and social expectations that are directed towards your gender. For an example, Men may be expected to be strong both physically and emotionally.  There is a social norm to be expected in the role of gender, so he may work hard to be a certain way so that he is socially accepted.  When it comes to a man being physically or not emotionally strong they can be perceived as weak and not masculine. Where as women may have to be less physically strong and more fragile in their emotions. If she is too tough then she is considered to be too masculine.  There are social norms that we all are guilty of falling into. The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community have a large part in this chapter.  They are discriminated against, but show significant resistance towards political, legal and economic realms. They are viewed as those who are different from the social norm. This is the same when it comes down to marriage or relationships.  The social norm is to be with someone of the opposite sex, and those who do otherwise are not part of the social norm.  In this chapter Tridico addresses all the issue and expectations with gender roles.  Whether it is to do with marriage, hate crimes towards those who are ‘different”, the social norm, ect.

Chapter One. Issues In Social Justice.

In chapter one, Religion and Homosexuality, by Tridico it addresses the topic of homosexuality not being accepted by those within an organized religion.  There are many trials that are faced and it is quite the one sided debate.  The organized religions are not willing to accept it, but the gays are not willing to accept that.  This topic is very two sided; there is no meeting in the middle.  Although, as the chapter continues there are a few factors that have benefited the gay rights movement.  The separation of the church and the state has helped the advancement of the gay rights movement.  This movement is facing significant resistance, but through the resistance they have seen change.  Not the change the hope to see, but a change nonetheless. The rebuking of the gay rights movement within organized religion has shifted them away from the church and directed to the state.

This chapter is rather intriguing to see the struggles that homosexuals have faced and still continue to face.  In society today homosexual are far more accepted, but there is still a stigma attached to the idea of it.  While reading this chapter I am astonished by what has taken place and by how much they have fought through.  It is not easy standing up for something you feel is right when everyone seems to be against you. There is shame attached to the idea of standing up for yourself when you feel as if you are alone.  The struggles faced and the struggles that still remain today are a challenge.  After reading this chapter I have seen that the gay rights movement has come a long way through the battle.

SOCI 2311 – Who am I?

My name is Jocelyn Kroeger. I am twenty-two years of age and I was born and raised in the lower mainland. I am the oldest of three, and I am on my way to finishing my degree. I enjoy enjoy music and hand crafted art. I find it inspiring that ones mind can create such beautiful images. I like to imagine the emotions that have been poured into the image or item and wonder what it would be like to know them as a person. With that said, I have enrolled in this course because I have a strong interested in understanding the world, the way people interact, and how certain theories have come about. Understanding society and the world I live in will help me better myself and the way I interact with those around me. Knowing more, and questioning it intrigues me.

I spend a great deal of time with my friends and family. I believe the time we have is very important and I struggle with not taking things for granted. This is me in a nutshell