Mind boggled by racism...

This whole time I figured I had a good grip of what racism was actually all about. I actually went home a couple of weeks ago and a friend saw me reading our Adams' text and saw "racism" in there and asked me, "Well what is race? This always gets me confused when they ask in applications and what not." I sat there and pondered for a few minutes and I finally answered with i don't even remember what; because as of now I'm pretty sure what ever I told him does not even come close to being "right".

Reading over the Critical Race Theory, the Zinn book and our our Text (which I may add, I absolutely love some of the last essays) has me a bit confused and not to mention the articles as well. My mind can't seem to make up it's mind and my heart continues to be angry. As Gwen has mentioned in class before, this topic not one she likes to address and finds it hard for her and I think we can all agree that it's not a very easy topic for any of us to talk about.

Racism; a social construction at its finest dated ever since our land was discovered and only getting fed more and more by society. One can maybe even call it, societies worst success. And unfortunately, as much as we would like to change this as social workers it is way to powerful for us. This doesn't mean we will ever stop attempting. We've seen it through history which Zinn has allowed us to relive as well as our quick glimpse into the Fatal Flood in class and with the article; we've seen it in society which our text gives us a couple personal anecdotes about and lets not forget we've witnessed or experienced it ourselves.

Still confused over this matter I hope to slowly but surely gain more understanding of it and be able to answer the question that was posed to me weeks back with greater quality and less ignorance. Like I mentioned earlier, I loved some of the small essays written in the text so I leave you with a quote that hit close to home;

"Cradled in one culture, sandwiched between two cultures, straddling all three cultures and their value systems, la mestiza undergoes a struggle of flesh, a struggle of borders, an inner war."
-Gloria Anzaldua

-I leave you with your thoughts...

Their History

As we get "assigned" the readings for the Zinn book, I think I can speak for the class when I say that, I am completely shocked. Well for the most part. I say for the most part because some of this had been covered through some of my history courses taken in the past. But nevertheless Zinn expresses history through a whole different perspective.

As I read Zinn and as we discuss in class about taking on perspectives and knowing about who is telling us our history I can't help about a recent event that impacted me personally and others in the community.

A couple months ago, those in charge of what the public education's text books presented were stuck in a dilemma. They had chosen to expel some significant components from the history textbooks that teachers would HAVE to use and districts HAVE to make MANDATORY. Significant figures like Cesar Chavez and Malcolm X would be taken out of the text and in response out of the curriculum. These significant figures are as important for a minority student to learn as any other student. Why take away from the U.S. history? Should this be considered lying? Is this a social problem?

"Is this a social problem?" the question asked by our guest speaker this past week and a very important question in a broad variety of issues. What we consider social injustice is in the eye of the beholder, and in my eyes the above topic is definitely a social problem.

Zinn in many ways has made me not only a more intense critical thinker but also a more open minded being.



-I leave you with your thoughts...

New Wardrobe for SW =)

Just thought this was funny =) Possible new attire for us ha ha

A Sigh of Relief!

I applaud Dr. Aguilar for his visit to yesterdays class, he kept me engaged the whole class period and questions ran through my mind.

What can I do as a future social worker NOW to improve my later work field?
Should I tunnel myself in these of ideas of theories, proposals, concepts throughout our readings?
How will I manage my case load? Mentally? Physically? Emotionally?

Not much or better yet said, not enough can be said in a time of an hour and fifteen minutes but a lot can be asked and there was much asked. I titled this blog "A Sigh of Relief" because it did exactly that, it made me a bit relief but at the same time created some troublesome ideas.

I absolutely loved that he shared his personal experience with us. I'm sure many of us could relate to him either by being first generations college students, juggling a job and school, juggling family, juggling with identity... shoot! We are related to him in the sense that we are undergraduate students and share common yet not so common experiences. It felt absolutely comforting to know that some people have overcome adversity and have done so extremely well, he kind of provided hope for me. Not that I think I can't make it but many people out there believe I won't. And like Cody stated, all odd are against "us."

Not only did my sense of relief come from what was stated above but also from the one questions he told us we should as our clients when we enter the field. "What can I do for you? How can I help you?" and really mean these questions. Lets not assume what kind of help they need but simply ask and find out for ourselves. Why waste time with something that may not "work" and get down to what the client wants.

My last sense of relief would have to be the idea he told us at the very beginning of his visit. We are drowned in theory and believe we need to memorize each and every single piece of them when in reality we need the concepts. Us as future social workers in teh field and not academics need to know how to APPLY them not memorize them.

Once again, I applaud Dr. Aguilar for his visit and it truly was a treat for me and I'm sure it was for the class as well.

-I leave you with your thoughts.

Who am I? Please do tell me...

Irene Acosta,
20 years old,
Female,
Mexican American,
Third year college student, and
Youngest of five.

Am I going against what you think I should be? Is this what you have made me believe I am or is this really me? Have you fulfilled your job society? Is this what society wants me to be?

The text begins its discourse with self identity, leading to group identity which then dealing with labels that so happen to be placed there by social constructions (theoretically) and thus continues with oppression and privilege to finally get to the "good" stuff: social justice.  If there seems to exist any social justice at the end of it all.

Self identity for many might not SEEM extremely hard at the moment but for others can continue to be a struggle. Let that be for a person under oppression or for a person experiencing privileges. We all have an identity that we are told is all about us and not necessarily about no one else but are these statements true? I unfortunately do not agree. We are the mirror image of society. We are in a constant (if not stopped) cycle that makes us believe that what ever we might be doing is what is suppose to be done. I know who I am in a micro level and yes maybe in a mezzo level as well but how or where do I fit-in throughout the macro level?

Not only do we have to face our "self" identity but then we are faced with the fact that with what or how we identify ourselves takes us to some type of category. We are either oppressed, privileged or belong to both categories. Which of the latter is better? Honestly, I couldn't say. At this point in time my mind is boggled with this. I am in essence oppressed; as a young female minority student but in essence I can also be privileged; by being able to not say I am "disabled" or homosexual. But, "I don't oppress," I say. Well, maybe the person next to me in a wheelchair thinks otherwise? Or maybe the homeless person who just asked me for change sees me as the oppressor? As a future social worker, the idea of me being an oppressor is a very nerve wrecking idea. How do I stand a chance against a fight for social justice when I feel as if I can't even provide such social justice on my own behalf?

This cycle of socialization is one I believe one as a social worker should try and affect in a positive way either in a micro, mezzo or even macro level. A bit unrealistic? Maybe. But then again, we are aspiring to be social workers with our intention to change the world plus we come to the best university of Texas where "What starts here changes the world" it is like its meant to be.

--I leave you with your thoughts.

Social Workers against it all??

First "official" post! Exciting stuff I tell you!

I must be honest with you all, while reading the Pelton essay I had to pause a couple of times and take everything in. By the first paragraph let alone the first page of the essay, I questioned my understanding of justice as I know it. Not to mention, my understanding of social work itself as well. As I lay here reflecting on the essay I find myself stunned and discombobulated with ideas (I must admit, I have yet to create a stance of my own). This has brought me to see many different angles of not only social work but of discrimination as well as nondiscrimination. I feel as if within the aiding circle (social work) their are plenty of enemies (discrimination) of many forms we must face but then find ourselves as future social workers as "enemies" as well?? Very compelling idea that I hope to dig deeper into on Monday in class.

I might also add, writing my thoughts out in cyber space like this is a very different experience. My opinion can't be graded as right or wrong but the idea of being completely different from others perspective gets me antsy... don't hesitate to comment; I love constructive criticism or just a different POV.

-Goodnight for now. I leave you with your thoughts!

Something new? Why not!

Never have I blogged EVER in my life. The closest to blogging I have done is probably Facebook! Let's see how this new experience treats me...