Scavenger Hunt by Sheldon Cooney

Part 1: What is an example of this concept?

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-01-25 21:28:54 UTC

2. Manifest Function

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-01-25 21:34:09 UTC

A "manifest function" is an intended outcome of a societal phenomenon. This is a figurine/art piece of a married couple that was given to my wife and I as a wedding present. Marriage serves many functions in our society. Some of the manifest functions that marriage provides are companionship, economic security, a framework to start a family and raise children.

4. Competition

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-01-26 21:04:08 UTC

Competition occurs between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. It is the battle over food, land, water, mates, etc... The Israel-Hamas War is a classic example of competition. This image is from a New York Times article in which a group of Palestinian people are protesting the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Thousands have been killed as a result of the intense rivalry over the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The resource they are fighting over is land. This competition or "fight" has been going on since 1948 and there appears to be no end in sight.

7. Counterculture

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-02-02 16:46:06 UTC

Counterculture is a set of attitudes that contradict the prevailing social norms. This is a picture of that was taken during the "Burning Man" Festival in 2022. It occurs in the end of August/Early September every year just outside of Black Rock City, Nevada. Tens of thousands of so-called "burners" celebrate for about a week. Its focus is decommodification, inclusion, being present and leaving no trace. In addition, there are lots of drugs, alcohol and nudity. Most importantly, you will never see money changing hands. It is a commerce-free event where good are exchanged via the barter system. The fundamentals of decommodification and inclusion are contrary to the prevailing norms of our current culture. Money is how things are exchanged in our culture. In addition, class division is at one of its most extreme points in history. Our society lacks inclusion on many levels. It currently only benefits an "exclusive" minority. The idea of inclusion

6. Nonmaterial Symbolic Culture

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-02-03 00:40:20 UTC

Non-material culture is rooted in symbols. It is based on abstract ideas that are not physical objects: ideals, beliefs, values, norms etc.... This is the album cover for the Rolling Stones, "It's Only Rock N' Roll". It was released in 1974 at the height of their popularity. While the album itself is a physical object, the artwork contains lots of symbolism and themes that were prevalent during the 70's. The cover portrays the Stones as rock deities being idolized by Grecian handmaidens. The symbolism of the artwork reinforced the belief at the the time that the Rolling Stones were somehow supernatural. They were worshipped by fans around the world. The cover also symbolizes the misogyny that is prevalent in rock music. Handmaids are essentially servants. The artwork evokes the sense that a women's primary role is to serve and idolize a man. Idolatry and misogyny have been prevalent symbols throughout history.

3. Socialization

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-02-09 16:38:33 UTC

Socialization is the process by which we learn the ways of a society or particular group. It is how we as humans learn expected norms and customs within a culture. This is a picture of my daughter's volleyball team at a recent tournament in San Mateo. Youth sports create friendships. It fosters teamwork and collaboration by encouraging kids to work together. Children that participate in youth sports are more likely to participate in civic activities like voting, volunteering and community engagement. Most importantly, sports allows children to fail and learn from their mistakes. This is an essential part of the developmental process. It is the key to maturing into a confident and capable adult.

5. Resocialization

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-02-09 16:53:15 UTC

Resocialization is the process of learning new norms, values, attitudes, and behaviors to match new life situations. This is a picture of a Native American tee pee in the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park in Coloma, CA. The Nisenan and foothill Miwok tribes inhabited Coloma for thousands of years. Gold was discovered in in 1848 and hordes of gold seekers seized control of their land in 1849. There were a series of efforts by the United States Government from to "assimilate" the Native Americans into mainstream American culture. One of the main efforts to do this was facilitated through the "Civilization Fund Act of 1819". This 'civilization' or resocialization was predicated on indigenous people learning the culture and customs of the Anglo-American. Native Americans were forbidden to speak native languages, taught Christianity instead of their native religions and were required to abandon everything about their culture and Indian Identity. One of the enforcement methods of the resocialization process was "Total Institution" by the US Government. Thousands of Native American children were forced to attend boarding schools where the main goals to to mainstream the children into the "American way of life".

1. Deviance

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-02-16 21:23:54 UTC

Deviance is a violation of any social norm. It can be something minor like not leaving a tip when eating out or something major like assault where the consequence may be going to jail. This is a picture of a marketing piece that I sent to my clients in January 2020. I work in mortgage banking. The expectation or norm in this industry is that you present yourself in a 'professional' light. You are handling what is likely a person's largest financial transaction (purchase of a home). In order to promote trust with your clients, it is expected that you evoke competency and be 'polished'. Clearly, this marketing piece is anything but professional and is very self-deprecating. While I did not poll my clients after receipt, I'm certain that some of them felt that they may not trust me for future transactions because mortgage banking is a 'serious' profession. The use of humor is not the expected norm in my profession.

Part 2: What is this quest an example of?

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-02-20 20:57:30 UTC

Quest #1: The female supreme court justices are a representation of Feminism

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-02-20 21:14:49 UTC

Feminism is the belief that women and men should have equal opportunities in economic, political, and social life. The six women pictured above are the only women to ever serve on the supreme court.

4. Who benefits from this? People of all genders benefit from feminism. It helps break down stereotypes. It offers perspectives that are more representative of all of society and works to make things more equitable for everyone including men.

What is missing that is important to note? There have been 116 supreme court justices and only 6 have been women. Today, there are 4 women on the supreme court which is the most there has ever been in history. This is representative of the progress that the feminist movement has made but there is still a long way to go.

Quest #2: "Black Power Salute" at the 1968 Olympics is an example discrimination

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-02-21 19:48:00 UTC

Discrimination is an unfair action or treatment of a group of people based on characteristics such as race, gender, age or sexual orientation. This picture highlight "racial discrimination". It results in a system that benefits white people and keeps minority populations in a subordinate position.

What does this mean? The 1968 Olympic games took place at the height of the the civil rights movement in America. The two black athletes in this picture are giving the "Black Power Salute" as a defiant statement against the systemic oppression of black people in the America. The gloves on each athlete's hand signified Black Unity and Black pride. It was a defining moment in the history of civil rights activism.
1. What is missing from this that is important to note? After their protest at the 1968 Olympic games, both Tommie Smith and John Carlos were vilified by the establishment white media. They were subjected to abuse and death threats. In fact, Tommie Smith attributes his divorce to the stress of dealing with the fall out that occurred after his protest at the Olympics. This type of behavior by the white establishment reinforces their position of power. The overriding message to the black community is that there will be consequences if you speak out against the racial discrimination.

Quest #3: "This guy looks like he's up to no go or he's on drugs or something", excerpt from a call that George Zimmerman made to police shortly before he killed Travon Martin. This is an example stereotypes

sheldoncooney3363 — 2024-02-29 18:35:15 UTC

Stereotypes are assumptions that society attributes to different groups of people which classifies them according to race, gender, age, weight, etc... These assumptions or stereotypes affect how individuals interact with each other. In the transcripts from the phone call made to police, it is evident that George Zimmerman engaged in racial profiling/stereotyping. See below for further details.

What happened here? On February 26th, 2012 George Zimmerman fatally shot Travon Martin. Zimmerman was the neighborhood watch coordinator for a gated community in Sanford, Florida where Travon Martin was visiting relatives at the time of the shooting. It is widely believed that Zimmerman engaged in racial profiling/stereotyping. Zimmerman is quoted as follows, "There's something suspicious about this guy. He looks like he's up to no good or he's on drugs or something. He's got his hand in his waistband and he's a black male". This suggests that the only reason a Black male would be in this neighborhood would be to commit a crime.
1. What is missing that is important to note? George Zimmerman was acquitted of any wrong doing. In the years that followed, Zimmerman became a martyr in the eyes of the alt-right. They doubled down on these stereotypes about their primal fears of black men. These fears have been ingrained in society for hundreds of years.