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| http://jobsanger.blogspot.com/2010/11/republicans-say-no-to-equal-pay-for.html |
On Sunday was my goddaughters’ birthday party it was a very large group of us, and a very diverse mixture. Well I decided to make my comment here, since there were some FRIENDS, some FAMILY, and some STRANGERS. Well I made my comment to see what different people’s opinion would be since it was such a large group. Well actually most people reaction was agreeing with my comment, as they nodded their heads up and down, some people paid no attention to it, as if it were a normal thing to disrespect one’s culture or nationality, and other people just looked at me in silence.
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| http://www.bilerico.com/2009/10/how_perry_bindelglass_became_the_official_bilerico.php |
I sort of anticipated these reactions because well, although we try to not be biased or stereotypical, it just comes out, it seems as though it’s in our human nature to label people. I expected people to agree, some to just sit there emotionlessly as though they didn’t hear what I said. I didn’t really expect someone to disagree with me but I wanted someone too, therefore we could have had a debate, I wanted someone to say I was wrong and why I was wrong for saying what I said. Well the reaction that I received after making that comment definitely demonstrates how society feels about different cultures and demonstrates that most people have an “oh they aren’t talking about me, so who cares?” state of mind. Most people don’t challenge what is the “social norm” as long as it isn’t about them. I on the other hand feel as though that’s not right, who are we to be judgmental to other people’s cultures are. We are all supposed to be equal, no one is better or higher than another. In some ways i feel as though we still have a cast system in the USA. We have people who society and media help to label as better than the others. It's not fair but it is something that we have all grown accustomed too, or have we?
The unfair caste system in India.
I liked your post, and I think you made some good points. I think that all people, not just Americans, use labeling. Most of the time we don't even realize when we do it, it just comes naturally. Perhaps in America it is a little worse, since we have this concept of "American exceptionalism" perpetuating the labels, which gives rise to more prejudice towards foreign cultures. As far as the caste system, I don't think we have one here. At least not in the same traditional sense as India. I say that because I feel like there is much more opportunity to advance in America. In India, the Hindu principle of dharma teaches acceptance of one's social status, where as in America social mobility is encouraged. The fact that the pyramid above even exists is proof to me that there is much less room for social mobility in India than America, as the caste system seems to be widely understood and accepted.
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