Stereotypes/Bullying

I do believe that stereotyping and bullying has become a huge part of our world. It has consumed people’s lives to the point of letting others take their own lives. It’s hard to be a teenager in high schools and middle schools in today’s world due to the number one requirement; fitting in. Cliques are being formed more and more throughout schools and even singling one person out to make them feel like they mean nothing in this world. Everyone wants answers to the main question; Why? What makes anyone better than someone else? Families lose loved ones because of others being “caddy” and bullies for no reason at all. I feel it is important for others to know more about these situations. You can never know enough information about a subject and that’s just what people need; to know more. On the news the other day, a 14 year old boy took his own life for not fitting in because he questioned his sexuality and was bullied for it. What I don’t understand is why people care about someone else’s sexuality or beliefs. We’re all entitled to our own opinion and it shouldn’t be taken away. I know that means the bully in that situation can voice their opinion, but what gives them the right to hurt someone so badly to take their own life away? Growing up I always wanted to fit in of course, but being “the cheerleader” and being with the people I chose to hang out with made me stereotyped and bullied. People automatically judged that I thought I was better than everyone so they treated me rudely. It doesn’t make sense to me why some people don’t let others have a chance. Bullying and stereotyping is becoming too common and more awareness needs to be made. I myself would love to get a better understanding of these situations so I can do what I can to prevent the small cases and larger cases of bullying and stereotyping. No one should lose their life or loved ones due to this cause.

World Citizenship

Elise Boulding writes in the essay "Can There Be World Citizenship” about cultures, states and the United Nations coming together as one. For one, I don't know how possible that would be. There are so many different cultures and even different types of cultures within one to just join them all together and learn the same roles as one another. In one of my Psychology classes we are learning about cultures and how within one culture and their beliefs, there are more cultures and more beliefs. It would be difficult to take that away in a sense from those who are dedicated to their ancestry; you can’t just cut ties of that and have them learn something new. I feel like this relates to the “What is Freedom” free write we had to do in the beginning of class. We all have our freedom in our own cultures and customs ways. Bringing everyone together may show a sense of peace throughout our countries by being on the same page, but I also believe it would take away some freedom away. As Elise says in the beginning of the essay, the way she grew up was different than others. She came home and practiced her Norwegian lessons at the table under her mothers supervision. I feel if we all joined to one citizenship, we would be taking something away from someone.  

Generations

In the articles Generation Me by Raina Kelley and Why-Worry Generation by Judith Warner, they explain that the generation we are now in are nothing but about ourselves. As Jean Twenge, a professor in the department of psychology at San Diego State University and author of “Generation Me,” says, “It’s not confidence; it’s overconfidence.” We are too “cocky” about ourselves and know it too. This information doesn’t shock me or surprise me. I know they are talking about a generation as a whole, but my class has always been known to be terrible. I grew up in the environment of a terrible class and a terrible generation. I feel just because we were being told how terrible we were, we did nothing but live up to those expectations. But it’s not always like that. We hear restrictions and “gossip” about ourselves and we prove them wrong. Besides, isn’t that what growing up is? To be confident in what we want and do and not let it break us down. Sure we could use help in taking criticism, but maybe others should think about giving it constructively first. Judith does give reasons of why this generation may be acting in those ways; and who knows, it could be true. But I do believe that we act the way we do because others are looking down upon us and not giving us a chance. Some have the right idea to take what life has given and hope for better things one day, and others are too cocky to think outside themselves. Not everyone is the same, obviously, so to be judging everyone as a whole seems kind of wrong to me.

Ericcson's Lies

White Lie-That shirt looks really nice on you.
Facade-She's preppy because shes wearing a cheerleading uniform.
Ignoring Plain Facts-Although we only have four girls, or five girl stunt will be perfect.
Deflecting- The national ranking team is terrible, they have no chance.
Omission- She was dropped because her shoes were slippery and some other things just went wrong too.
Stereotypes and Cliches- She's the captian of the cheerleading squad, she must be dating the captian of the football team.
Groupthink- Everyone agrees that the new dangerous stunt would be perfect for the routine in two days.
Out-and-Out Lies- That stunt was clearly 155ft high, and the professional dancers that we all are won us the whole competition.
Dismissal- So what if they won Nationals, our routine is better.
Delusion- If the grass was more dry I would have done that really difficult stunt right the first time.

Project Rant:

To the guy at the pool;
I was really happy to be hanging out with my roommate at the pool provided by our dorm. We were enjoying the sun and all it has to offer, not bothering you or the two girls you were with. I understand it’s a public place and you can talk as loud as you want, I didn’t mind. But then your phone rang. First sentence out of your mouth, “Just hangin’ at the pool with some freshman,” and you look our way. Yeah, we’re freshman; 18 and in college, not 14 and starting high school. Next sentence out of your mouth, “Yeah man, what time is happy hour?” And that’s when I find you pathetic. One; rude enough to make the slightest gesture towards us to call us out being freshman and two; your old enough to drink and STILL living in dorms. You would think that by now, since your 21, you would be living with your friends, in an APARTMENT. I’m not one to judge and jump to conclusions; I mean maybe you just moved here and don’t know anyone. But I think it’s safe to say that before you open your mouth to call someone out, think about your own situation. Good for you going to school, going to happy hour, it’s really awesome that your 21 and have nothing better to do but call out freshman minding their own business while you and your girls wait for happy hour. You sure do inspire me sir.

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