I first off have to say that I completely agree with the article that Tim Wise constructed. The thoughts that were running through my head when reading it were saying that I finally read an article that sounds like something I would say. You may take this in a negative way just like he said but I completely agree that every single individual sometime in their life has said a racial slur, had a negative thought about someone that was different then you, and generalized a group of people that isn't like them. And, I will be the first to admit that I have done all three of these things, probably within the last month. I'm not saying that its something I'm proud about, but theres no sense in denying something you know you are guilty for. Being a conservative and disagreeing with many of the viewpoints that people have within the state of Vermont makes it rather difficult for me to state what I feel. This article pretty much summed up a lot of the thoughts that I have always wanted to say when discussing something controversial. I feel that the article hits a really good point about how every person is guilty from something that they deny they would never think about doing. Coming from a very secluded part of the state as far north-east as you can get I have a viewpoint that most people in Burlington "claim" they don't have. Although it may not be as serious as calling a black person a nigger, I've had liberal teachers who are pro same sex marriage, green everything, save the trees, everyone is equal, call me a redneck from the NEK. Now as far as I can see thats a generalization and putting someone that is different then yourself in a group that you don't agree with, or you could even say that its a form of racism.
Comparing the first chapter of our book and this article by Tim Wise I would have to say that Wise was able to hit most of the points that Newman hit, without having such a strong bias. Wise included the fact that he didn't agree with racial slurs, but at the same time was able to say that people need to stop acting like their so innocent. The read was also much more interesting because I was able to relate it to myself, at the same time understand what people were thinking on the side that I don't always agree with.
After reading this article my attitude and opinion didn't change. If anything I feel that I have a stronger opinion towards the issues that were discussed. I'm just glad that I was able to finally read an article that related with the views that I have thought about for a while, but wasn't completely bias towards one side or the other.
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2 comments:
Ryan,
I can definitely relate to how you have different opinions than many in the Burlington area. I believe that many people are not only in denial about judging someone who looks differently, but do not even realize that they do it. I like how you included a reference to when Wise said that he does not think it is okay to use racial slurs, but people need to stop acting like they are so innocent. I agree with this statement all the way.
Ryan,
I would definately have to agree with a lot that you said. Wether someone may admit it or not (and it may not be an easy thing to admit)I am sure everyone has once said a racial slur or have had a negative thought towards someone who is "different" from themselves. This is an issue that we all face in some way or another. I feel like we all just need to accept the fact that not everyone is the same as yourself. We shouldnt judge people by the way they look or there ethnicity, race, background. It is easy to say you wont judge people, however, there are so many different views that people have on people of different races that changing completely the way people think, is probably never going to happen.
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