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How Have I been affected by obedience and authority ?

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How Have I been affected by obedience and authority ?

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Obedience and authority as a black person someything i know too well. We are supposed to constantly obey our elders no matter how absurd the request or conversation. You stay there and listen and do as your told. As an adult i find this hard to break now i feel as though everything i do is wrong, from having an authority figure telling me what to do 24/7 to completely trusting myself to make the best decision for myself. When i wasnt really ever given the opportunity to make my own decisions. In a way it made me become very rebellious i just went wild and did whatever i wanted but at the same time i became more lost. Realizing this i understood obedience isnt bad its guidance and authority is discipline its all about your perception.

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In middle school Iphones where ELITE they still are but it was different. If you had one it symbolized that you were cool and wealthy in a sense. I had a flip phone because at the time that was all i needed to just call my family. The group of girls i would hang out with almost all of them had an iphone but me it was the only one the a flip phone. It was a constant reminder that i was poor in a way. I would have to login on snapchat on one of there phones it was a whole process they’d have to logout and then i login half the time i would have to reset the password because i forgot it by then. It was a process i didn't like nor did they because they wouldn't like giving up there phone. It took a while for me to get a iphone i had androids but even then it wasn't good enough because of the quality of my photos and videos. When my time came it was when the iphone 8 came out and my mom surprised me with it. The day i went to school with that thing  literally, everyone was wanting to see it this thing had people i’ve never even spoke to speaking to me. In a way it satisfied my need for belonging but it made me realize some people will come around you simply for thing you have and for it to be something as small as a phone i could only imagine the other things people do for others approval.

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Thompson, Handling the Stigma of Handling the Dead

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Thompson, Handling the Stigma of Handling the Dead

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Death is one of those topics we tend to not really like to talk about. In the times before we became industrialized we would prepare the bodies of our loved ones. I cant imagine having to prepare my family member to be buried. My mind wouldn't be right we go from seeing you living and breathing to a lifeless vessel, its kind of unsettling. Yet knowing there last wishes where fulfilled being put rest by there loved ones is calming. William E. Thompson speaks about the stigma of Morticians and funeral directors how, they are ‘tainted with death’  and how they must counteract the stigma directed to them and their work. One way Morticians and funeral directors  would handle the stigma is symbolically using less harsh word the refer to death such as “time of sorrow”, “hour of sadeness”, or “loss”. Funeral directors tend to never use the term “death” instead they use terms like “passing on”, “meeting an untimely end” or “eternal slumber”. I never realized how caring, graceful and patient you’d have to be for this type of job. Being that this is already an intense job having the responsibility of making sure whoever they’re working on looks presentable, as well as making sure the families standards are met. When it comes to death its important to be respectful of that person as well as the family.

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Goffman The Presentation of the Self in Everyday Life 

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Goffman The Presentation of the Self in Everyday Life 

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Goffman presented the dramaturgical model of human life, he states how we are all actors on stage. The audience consists of those who observe what others do, the parts which we play at work, school, home, and friends. Dialogue is just a normal conversation exchange and your costumes are your sense of style. This makes me think of myself and how I would present myself for church and being around my elders. I dressed super conservative, spoke properly, timid, and just overall I just tried to come off very intelligent and innocent. Though I am those things just not all the time. When I'm with my best friend I’m super silly, down to earth, friendlier, carefree,not worried about my appearance, and I'm less strict. Constantly I'm changing how I present myself towards those in my life. How do I present/view myself ? if I'm honest I don't know, I see myself as someone who changes myself very easily for/around people. Why? growing up as a fat black kid I felt as though I had to be the opposite of everything I was fat but dont be happy/confident; be black but not too proud. So I did what everyone else did, wore, or spoke. I did everything I could  to make sure I was accepted by people whose names I don't even remember today.

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Chapter 10 Branding/ The Self and Social Interaction 

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Chapter 10 Branding/ The Self and Social Interaction 

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How did I become me? This chapter discusses self leading me to do some self reflection, more importantly it made me realize two things. One i've never really been my true authentic self knowing this i ask myself, why?. Second, I realize the things I do now are strictly out pleasing my family,fear and habit. While reading I came across the term looking-glass self really stuck with me because it explains how our self develops how people see and judge us. Which made me realize that a lot of things I do are for the approval or praise of my mom. She’s the reason i dont do some of the things I do because I know she wouldn’t approve. I have a constant battle of ‘i’ and ‘me’ , what I like , want ,and how others will see me. I Know it my life and that im adult now it just that her approval means everything to me. Though i don't do many things that make me happy, and constantly doing something for the approval of those around me. I refuse to deny myself of the things I truly want or dumb myself down out of fear. Everyone is afraid of something but, not being true to myself and doing thing for the approval of others has only hurt me. I've never allowed myself to do the things I wanted I always deny myself scared of what this or that person may think of me.

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This article touches on the struggles of convicts but more specifically, How black men are less likely to get a job over a white man regardless if they were convicted or not. Some places were likely to hire convicts regardless of race because they felt as though they'll be more motivated and determined. I think this has always been the case for black people when it comes to jobs. We already have a 50% chance of getting the job, then adding on the fact that you're a convict immediately worsens your chances. Pager also stated how there really isn't any compensation to those being released, some have family to return to. Others have nothing and no one to turn to with this type of outcome of course they’ll be more likely to go back to the ‘streets’ or prison. Isn't the whole point of prison to rehabilitate? It seems we pick and choose who/ when we rehabilitate. Take the fact of those who have been in prison since late adolescence, to come out of prison as a grown adult with no real guidance of how to provide for yourself.

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In this reading Henslin goes over how sociologists gather research. He goes on to further explain The Research Model which involves firstly selecting a topic, defining the problem, reviewing the literature, formulating a hypothesis, choosing a research method, and then collecting data which needs to be valid and reliable. From that point you would now choose how you would like to collect your data via surveys which is the quickest & easiest way to reach a wide range of people or secondary analysis, Documents, Experiments, Unobtrusive measures, and participant observation. Once data is gathered you must analyze the results and lastly share those results. Henslin explains and demonstrates the research model  with the topic of rape. Knowing he’s a man i wonder if the women interviewed answered honestly or felt comfortable to share, taking in to account that some women feel ashamed or judged about being raped. It's not something that you would typically just share with someone. Men as well could feel the same way especially because the role men are supposed to play in society of being hard and not really allowed to show emotions. Personally i believe if my research topic was something as heavy or traumatic as rape, i would take the Participant observation route.It’s less intimidating and allows you to understand more of the after effects trauma can have on people.

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In the reading of Appendix on Advertising /Research Methods it discusses various things. The main thing I found interesting was the way we measure things. Above in the video are three 13 year olds  asking adults various questions. They measure their coolness but ,just how does one measure another's coolness? For middle schoolers in 2023 it's by asking What’s your favorite Starbucks drink?  (shocker!),  hobbies? How many followers on instagram? Do you have social media?. The boy measured coolness in style, dance moves, social media and hobbies. Those with poor sense of style or into reading, adventurous or non materialistic things were not cool to him. Which was clearly expressed when speaking with Alexa. As for the young ladies one measured coolness based on personality, style, sense of humor and activity. David and Lizzie were cool for those reasons. As for the other young lady her measurements were slightly unreliable simply for the reasons of her giving David not cool because he came off “embarrassing” yet he was very himself, confident , and comfortable.  Though it's a VERY small  sample of other 13 year olds in the US it is an overgeneralization to say that all 13 year olds determine coolness through these things. Yet there's a portion of them that would use this scale to measure coolness. Media has created this false picture of what it's like to be a ‘cool’ adult these days, if you don't have the latest car, shoes, clothes, social media or going out you have a sad boring life.

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Middle Schoolers Judge If Adults Are Cool

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Clark discusses how sympathy, or the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is a fundamental aspect of social life. He explores how sympathy can foster empathy, connection, and social bonds among individuals. Highlighting the importance of recognizing and practicing sympathy in everyday interactions to promote understanding and cooperation in society.

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Hall and Hall explains the exploration of the cultural and social significance of silence in various societies. It sheds light on how silence can convey meaning, social hierarchies, and power dynamics within different cultural contexts, inviting readers to consider the hidden messages behind moments of quietude in human interaction.

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In the curious and elaborate cultural practice observed among Black Americans, we find the ritual of 'Sunday Best. This intricate ceremony is enacted with great devotion and meticulous attention to detail, shedding light on the profound significance of communal worship in their lives.The process begins with the selection of 'Sunday Best' attire, a collection of garments reserved exclusively for the Sunday ritual. These articles of clothing, often of fine quality, are treated with reverence and kept apart from daily wear. 'Sunday Best' ritual unfolds with a series of grooming acts. The individual engages in a thorough cleansing, employing fragrant soaps and shampoos with religious fervor. This cleansing is more than a mere physical act; it symbolizes purification of the body and spirit in preparation for the sacred event.After the cleansing, various ointments, lotions, and perfumes are applied liberally. These fragrances, chosen carefully, are believed to please higher powers and elevate one's spiritual aura. The act of anointing the body is seen as a spiritual transformation, a means of becoming spiritually radiant. Attire is donned with utmost care. Each piece is meticulously arranged, often with accessories of cultural significance. Men may wear ties, symbolizing a form of conformity and respect, while women adorn themselves with hats, signifying reverence and tradition.Tying the tie, is a meticulous and sometimes exasperating act, holds deep symbolism. It represents the constriction of the self, the submission to societal norms, and a declaration of respect for the divine.
The final stage, the individual carefully styles their hair, following cultural norms and personal preferences. This act is believed to align one's physical appearance with the spiritual significance of the upcoming communal gathering. With the 'Sunday Best' attire now impeccably arranged, the individual is prepared to journey to the 'church,' a place where these intricate rituals are performed collectively. While outsiders might view these customs as mere preparations for a weekly gathering, within the Black community, they hold profound cultural and spiritual importance, binding individuals together in shared devotion to the 'Sunday Best' ritual.

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Miner describes a fictitious and satirical society called the Nacirema. He explains various peculiar and seemingly bizarre rituals and behaviors of the Nacirema, such as the "holy-mouth-man" symbolizes (dentist) and the "shrine" symbolizes (bathroom). In this he cleverly reveals how observers from outside a culture can easily misinterpret and misrepresent the practices of a different society due to their own cultural biases. The need for cultural relativism and a reminder to approach the study of other cultures with an open and empathetic mindset, recognizing that what may seem strange to us is entirely normal within the context of that culture.The purpose of this piece is to offer a critical reflection on the ethnocentrism and cultural bias. A reminder to approach the study of other cultures with an open and empathetic mindset, recognizing that what may seem strange to us is entirely normal within the context of that culture.

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"The Promise" discusses that sociologists  engage in the sociological imagination. He encourages individuals to connect their personal experiences with larger societal issues, mending the gap between personal troubles and public problems. Mills stresses the importance of understanding the social forces that influence our lives, urging sociologists to analyze the intersection of biography and history. Mills also highlights the power of sociological thinking in making sense of the broader social context in which individuals' lives are embedded.

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Bergers invitation allows  you to view the world through a sociological lens and appreciate how society shapes individual experiences. He encourages people to question common assumptions and take a critical perspective on societal norms. He stresses the importance of adopting a sociological lens to understand the social world more deeply and critically.

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Sociology is the systematic study of human society and social behavior. It seeks to understand how individuals and groups interact within a society, how social institutions and structures influence human behavior, and how society, in turn, impacts individuals and groups. Henslin explains this when he went on to compare sociology to other social sciences such as Political Science, Economics, Psychology, History, and Anthropology. In short, sociology distinguishes itself from other social sciences by its focus on understanding the social dynamics, structures, and interactions that underlie human behavior and society as a whole. The interconnectedness of individuals and groups within the context of their societies and investigates how various social forces influence human actions and outcomes.

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Technically my reasoning for taking this course would be, it's a requirement for my major. At the same time there were other courses I could've taken yet I chose this one.  However psychology and sociology are part of one another, understanding peoples behavior or patterns. Naturally that sparked my interest, but I have no idea what sociology is still. So far with what we've discussed I can tell that it's heavily focused on social constructs and gathering information from different groups and try to figure out the Why things are the way they are. I believe this course will make me ask better question and give me a different perspective on life.