Crash

1. An example of racism shown by the cop(Matt Dillon) was when he pulled over the tv producer and his wife. He didn't treat them right, didn't supply reasoning for pulling them out of the car, and he mistreated the wife. He probably felt power over them for two reasons. That being, he is a cop and it considered "authority" and because he is white while they are black. However, in the end of the movie when she needs his help, he changed himself very much. I think the idea of him being a police officer kicked in and race didn't apply. This woman had been in an accident and needed help. So without a question he had to calm her down, make peace, and save her. So depending on the situation he was in, portrayed how he acted. I'm glad he didn't let race step into this situation, however ideally, no matter what the situation the race of the person shouldn't matter.

2. In the opening scene of the movie where there was a car accident, things were said like, "call immigration" and "you can't even see over the wheel." These were negative stereotypes grouped with hispanics and asians. Another example was when the white woman associated "gangbanger" and "prison" with the hispanic handyman. She didn't trust him and just assumed he has tattoos and he would give a copy of keys to his "homies." When he heard this he seemed very upset, but not shocked. So many people are used to negative stereoptypes being associated with them and they don't even seem surprised. This upsets me very much.

3. When the tv producer said to the young man, "You embarrass me; you embarrass yourself," I think he means that you are automatically grouped with other people of the same race. If the young man, who is black, commits a crime or is involved in a gang, then other black people would be thought of in a similar way. This happens so much in the U.S. For me personally, i've been attacked for being white and the neighborhood I live in and the one I get attacked on the most is the fact I am Jewish. After the tv producer said this I think the young man really took it in, because later in the movie he did something good for the people in the back of the truck and it seemed like he felt good after doing it.

4. I think certain people see their whole race instead of the specific individuals, because many people judge on first physical appearance. If someone was wearing a suit, holding a briefcase, and was clean cut compared to someone who was wearing baggy pants, had tattoos, and not as clean cut looking, then they are at most times automatically put in a category. How exactly race always fits in actually confuses me. Because I have seen people of different race have the same job and the same position of power. And, I have seen people of different race be at the bottom of the food chain. I think media and stereotypes really contribute to people's automatic placement of entire race. When you look at someone you might think back to something you heard on the news. An example from the movie was that asians can't drive. So, if you hear that enough times, then in your brain you might see an asian driving and just put that stereotype along with them. I think every race has negative stereotypes in some matter and knowing them for your own self, could personally really hurt or bother you. Society in itself could be destructive without really realizing it.

5. I don't believe its natural to be racist in our genes. However, like I said in question #4, media has greatly impacted our society with ideas that aren't always true. The brain has natural instincts and can physically depict differences within skin color, but the negative stereotypes that fall with them, aren't natural. Either kids are taught by their parents or friends, the media, or just generalizations you make about certain kinds of people.

6. I think the two main reasons that race is learned are through media and family/friends. I know one that I always heard on the news when I was younger was bad crimes happening in Chicago. So, I automatically placed "bad" with the city of Chicago and many people living their. Especially, because many parents I know say be very careful while downtown. So, that was something I heard from many people and that I just made a generalization based on the news. Also, whenever I heard about gangs, it seemed that people always made it clear that it was blacks and hispanics. So, if people hear about a gang they will probably make an assumption on the kind of people involved.

7. It's possible to make racism less serious and discussed. But, I don't really see it ending completely. So many people already have their ideas whether strong or not in their minds. However, many people don't show their judgements. But, their are those people who speak freely and make it obvious. I think the more serious cases of racism can end. Maybe if media didn't send out certain messages things could change. But, you still have the impact from family and friends. I think the issue of racism has existed for so long, it is hard to suddenly just change it.

Wealthy Privileges

The 3 penny game didn't have much of an effect on me. However, monopoly REAL American style and the people like us video did make me realize a very significant difference between not just each class, but, more specifically the differences between the wealthy and everyone else including the middle class and lower class. In the monopoly game I represented the lower middle class. I started off with a decent amount of money, but ended with a very small amount. The wealthy started with a good amount of money, didn't have to worry about things that got in the way such as divorce or credit card debts, and they seemed much less worried about where their money is going. So, they had it much easier and were less stressed than the rest of the players in the game. In the U.S.A., being wealthy gives many privileges. The wealthy can attend their private country club or parties and not have to worry about "different" kinds of people being present. They stay in their comfort zone and can relate to other wealthy people, such as themselves. Also, the wealthy have a social networking power. The video taught the lesson of it being all about, "who you know" and what kind of people they are. And, the wealthy who inherit a great portion of their profits get the privilege of lazyness. They don't have to work as hard as other people, such as the middle class. Those type of people are just placed in a high class and they don't have to wory about not having enough money or becoming stressed out. I would like for the societal "rules" be changed for more fairness. But, the idea of fairness has ceased for a while now. Social class is more than just the money. It is the friends, the house, the clothes, and all luxurious that are included. Sometimes these privileges comfort people or many are just so used to them, change would be too risky. The idea of change instills fear in many and just keeping the rules which is taking the easy way out, may seem like the right thing.

Socio Status

"What a man is depends on his character; but what he does, and what we think of what he does, depends on his circumstances. The characterstics that ruin a man in one class made him eminent in another." When I first read this, I didn't know if I completely agreed with it. However, I do see the point Shaw is trying to display. An individual himself/herself takes certain actions and says certain things based on who he or she is. This goes back to nature vs. nurture. The enviornment, family, friends, school, ect. create the character and behavior of the man. But, I don't really understand the second part with what he does and what we think of what he does depends on his circumstances. I believe thats depended on our circumstances and we relate him/her to them. And, I completely agree with the last part of the quote. In some areas what is forseen as successful can be seen differently in another area. This can be seen in the work area and with schools. There can be two similar kids in high school. However, one family can be more strict than the other. The students can both get a B on their report cards. While one family sends their praise and is very proud; the other may have wanted an A and could be a bit dissapointed. I also have seen that happen with the ACT test. Another example is in the work force. While many people in the neighborhood may work, lawyers and doctors are looked at much differently than the computer salesman and the resturant manager. Both may work hard and have busy hours. Yet, the qualities of a lawyer and the person himself is seen in a different and a higher way than the salesman. They both can be similar people with similar backgrounds, but their occupation can make others easily judge them. So many factors are put into placing people in a "status." However, these judgements may not always be the most fair.