JOURNAL 2: Stereotypes, Prejudices and Discrimination.

Stereotypes are far from being accurate. The basis of discrimination is often found mostly in stereotypes which are beliefs, ideas and positive or negative feelings toward some people belonging to a particular group. When you make a negative assessment of a group based on stereotypes, the result is prejudice. When prejudices lead a person to act in a certain way about the group the result is discrimination.
Last class I tried to make a point about politicians. I state that I believe that most politicians were corrupt. It was a mistake to generalize on a certain group based only on stereotypes; however, it is important to understand that certain concepts and believes have a background.
The history of my region (South America) has being marked by corruption and bad intentions. Many politicians don’t understand power. They take advantage of their positions using power to satisfied personal interests.
Many countries in the region have unemployment rates of 30% or more, some countries have over 50% of the population in poverty and many in misery. For me say that a politician is clean and works for the people is an idea that doesn’t fit within my experiences and my stereotypes.
I still think that is an error to generalize and misjudge groups, but it is also a mistake to judge people for having certain stereotypes and preconceive ideas of those groups.
To reach a closer sense of objectivity a journalist must investigate for those preconceive ideas and stereotypes. It is also important to dig deeper to look for the causes that trigger those prejudices and ideas. A community produces a common understanding of the world based on their life experiences, their common facts and their myths. All these elements are vital to achieve a closer degree of objectivity.

Listening Post 1.

Andy’s Lounge and Package is located next to a trailer park community in the city of Davie, Fl. The bar is considered to be one of the oldest in the Broward County and is also part of the remains of Andy town, Fl a municipality located at the intersection of U.S 27 and SR 84 that was demolished in 1979 in order to allow the expansion of Alligator Alley. It is a place that integrates old American fashioned values and stereotypes. The bar is open late from 3 p.m. to 7 or 8 a.m. and according to one of the bartenders (Chad) it is hangout mostly for the Caucasian community and some blacks or Latinos that think they are white.
My first visit to Andy’s was a bit hostile. People looked at me as I was from another planet. Apparently everybody knew each other and I was a trespasser in their circle. I approach the bar tender and asked for a beer. Then I tried to initiate a conversation by asking his name. His answer was cold “My name is Chad,” he said. Then he turned his back and left. I sat in the bar for more than two hours, but even after my intents to smile and say hi nobody paid any attention to me and I was relegated to be by myself and with no company.
My frustration was increasing by the minute; it was noticeable that white Caucasians with lower income were close minded; however, I wasn’t ready to accept the fact that these individuals were avoiding me only because I was different. Then I decided to approach a group of two women and three men, very white complexion with very southern accents. I tried to say hi but they weren’t as friendly as I thought. “Who are you? We don’t know you?” They said. “Hi, how are you guys,” I said. Nobody answer. Then Chad the bartender said that it was better for me to leave. “I need you to go,” he whispered. I understood his words and his tone as a warning. It was almost 5:30 a.m. and I decided to go avoiding problems in order leave the doors open for my next visit.
For now, I prefer to stay away from pointing fingers on race or ethnicity issues. What I felt was a very close minded community that prefer to be within their own.

JOURNAL I: Membership, Conduct and Identity

Race and ethnicity differences represent an obstacle for the human being. A person is placed in a certain group depending of their traditions, background or the color of their skin creating ideological tension based on facts that are very far from reality. Saying that one race is pure or better is not a very illuminated concept; however, a big number of people believe that they are more or less of a person because they are white, black or Muslim.
It is true that in most societies including the United States stereotypes are relevant. It is also truth that in many cases being a minority is a disadvantage and in some cases is almost a sin; nevertheless, not always a black person is a convict, not always a Hispanic is a janitor; and of course, not always the president of the company is a white male. The race or ethnicity never measures the intelligence and the social development of a person; however, some communities live with a stigma that affect new generations and in most cases reinforce stereotypes due to lack of opportunities and hostile environments.
Yes, it is truth that people tend to commute better with their own, but sometimes members of their own community are already affected by the stereotypes and the stigmas and end up being bad influences. For example, a young black male that is doing well in school could easily be affected by some gang members of his community that will offer him easier ways to reach economical objectives.
The American melting pot does not exist. It is an unreal fabrication that creates a sense of unity; nevertheless, the states are a perfect example of mild racial and ethnic segregation according to cultural standards; however, it is important to notice that segregation is not mandated by law anymore, but is a social conduct that in my personal opinion is an instinctive behavior of identity and membership. We all want to be part of something and the first club that we joined is the racial and ethnic club.
I considered myself an emotionally attached individual. I am Colombian and I accept my subjectivity to topics as nationality, race and ethnicity. I do have my cultural biases, but I considered that everybody without exception has them too.
That is to say, we should not let our own cultural biases get in the way to comprehend the lives of other people. This is a very complicated mission given the emotionally charged feelings and deep beliefs that most people have concerning race and ethnicity.