Agency is the capacity of human beings to act in meaningful ways that affect their own lives and those of others.

As we discussed during our first class, the image shown of the two sets of boys clearly highlights the dramatic class divide present in Britain during the late 1930’s. Class depending on the person, can be a large inhibitor or aid of an individuals agency. This in higher class have a better support system, mostly in terms of funding, education and prestige.  It is much easier to be born into a higher class family than to try and work your way up. 

The two quotes by Dawkins and Falwell display to different perspectives on faith. The first quote reads critically of religion, implying that it encourages stagnation. Darkwin speaks that by never questioning their own faith or acting on unanswered questions, the individuals are hindering their own agency to instead remain complacent. He is trying to bait the reader into acting on the curiosity. Alternatively Falwell implies that having a family and remain faithful is the greatest agency there is. He is encouraging the reader that stagnation is not a bad but the right thing by following their religion. 

Traditionally, it referred to a geographically bounded group of people in face-to-face contact, with a shared system of beliefs and norms operating as a socially functioning whole however more recently, communities have also been defined as interest groups accessed through space

In terms of the BLM debate, I think that BLM does not meet the criteria of a traditional community as members are not limited to one geographical location. Instead, I think it adheres to the more recent definition of community. 

BLM members are brought together by their similar interest in the betterment of black lives and their conviction to do something about it. Whilst not all contained within one geographical location, there are hubs in many American cities and even overseas which support the cause from afar. And apart from this, there are several control points on the internet where members discuss and plan their campaign.

The USA certainly is a unique and prominent example of possible Civil religion binding an entire country together. And it’s true that the USA engages in several ceremonies and public rituals which highlight their implicit religious values. The use of their flag and other symbols to collectively rally under does have some similarities to that of a community, however, much of this could rather be pegged as patriotism. 

We’ve already seen a comparative initiative to the continued existence of BLM in both All Lives Matter and the Blue Lives Matter. Whilst these exist mainly to combat the BLM movement, it follows many of the same attributes. Such as the internet hubs and varied geographical location. In many aspects, this could be also be classified under the more modern definition of community. 

I’m sure my impressions of the two photos were quite standard. It’s important to note that I looked at both of these photos at the same time, rather than individually. Because of this my first initial reaction was both guilt and shock. Seeing the contrast between an obviously impoverished town and one of the trademark cities of the Western world, truly does help me recognise the privilege I’ve had growing up in a first world country. The images really accentuate how much certain countries consume whilst others are left with nothing. And although a bit critical - I noted how the photos were coloured, with the small town in black and white to give it a somber and dreary tone as if it was purposely attempting to engage negative reactions within the viewer. Which worked in comparison to the brightly colored and energetic photo of NYC. 

 When comparing our first reactions both me and my partner had similar reactions of guilt and initial shock. Whilst they didn’t talk about the color formatting they did mention the sense of determination and sympathy the pictures invoked as it made them determined to help those in the top picture.

I believe the majority of people are bound by institutions  to certain standards. We are educated from young ages to abide to a sort of common accessibility of living. This includes the legal laws of the country/area we reside in and common courtesy. However, many of the choices/actions we make are not because we have to but because we have learned that it will benefit us as well. For example, politeness when asking for something from someone else. This is something that we learn and have chose to do to benefit ourselves and improves our lives. This may not be the case with laws set by people with power; which comes from many different sources such as money and education.

So, do we have free will? No. We have limited free will. There are many things that if we do will result in fate. (Often not a pleasant one)

These two quotes represent a very old but still relevant and constant debate between science and religion. Richard Dawkins’ quote represents the side that believes religion prevents man from asking questions about life and the world. On the other side, Jerry Falwell’s quote represents the side that believes religion completes life and to prosper in life one must sculpt their life around certain religious texts and ideals.

Boys on the left

The boys on the left clearly are fortunate to live a lifestyle that most likely has few hardships. They are also quite young and thus possible were raised in a lavish lifestyle. Influencing change would be hard because it may involve taking risks, which, they may not be accustomed to. It may also be difficult because they may think there’s a possibility of loosing some of their lavish lifestyle which they’ve become accustomed to.

Boys on the right

When not at the top of social hierarchy, one may have aspirations to achieve more. Although in the case of the boys on the right, they may be accustomed to living under others and thus accepted their place in the hierarchy. Because of this, it may be hard to influence change.

Do you agree with the notion that BLM is a “community” in the anthropological sense? 

Even in an anthropological sense, the definition of a community seems to have evolved. Advancements in technology now allow groups of people with shared passions and interests, such as the members of the Black Lives Matter (BLM), to connect from differing geographical regions. Thus, I believe the BLM movement is still a community.

First off, I would argue in calling the entire United States a single community. Rather I feel it has broken into a number of contrasting communities. (And no longer is this divide based on geography.)

I would say that the idea of civil religion holding the US together is a primary reason for conflict recently.

The idea of civil religion represents a resistance to change which is problematic in this day of age as technology is allowing an enormous influx of new people, ways of life and ideologies. Believing that a civil religion is holding together the US is ignoring and perhaps pushing out the large number of contrasting religions.

The continued existence of the BLM movement, like many other communities , is based on the fact that the movement has a large number of supporters, has many platforms for communication (sometimes anonymous) and very passionate supporters.

Personal - Shanty town like area with lack of infrastructure. Most likely in Asia judging by appearance of residents and landscape. Poor condition of buildings. Little polluted. 

Modern, technologically advanced street. Abundance of car and some public transport. (Good infrastructure.) Heavy media influence. 

Comparative difference?

Altman, Alex. "TIME Person of the Year 2015 Runner-Up: Black Lives Matter."Time. Time, n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2016.

Miller, Seumas. "Social Institutions." Stanford University. Stanford University, 04 Jan. 2007. Web. 12 Sept. 2016.

"Social Classes - Boundless Open Textbook." Boundless. Boundless Learning, Inc., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2016.

I believe we do have free will and that we are able to make choices and act meaningfully in a way that might change our lives. However I think that institutions, society norms, and cultures might influence us in such a way that we will be reluctant to act in free will. We might not even desire to have agency if we have been conditioned enough to believe that it isn’t necessary or possible. 

In this I agree with Dawkins that institutions, for example religion, ‘’teaches us to be satisfied with answers which are not really answers at all’’. It’s the incredibly simple yet complex matter of going beyond what instituions or society tells us is good or bad or right or wrong and deciding for ourselves what we want and believe. Unfortunately, once we have made these choices and strive to make changes, we are faced with barriers such as class, religion, gender, and so on. Class, for example, creates inequalities in levels of money, property, education, relationships, physical appearance,  and confidence or entitlement. Though it is possible to jump from one class to another, it is necessary to have culture capital as well as many other ressources to do so, as discussed in class.

If we are contented with what we have and satisfied with what is considered ‘’right’’, then there is no reason to go push for more or create change. Falwell’s quote states in my opinion that when our desires are aligned with those of society (or if our true desires are well hidden by those of society), then there will always be stagnation as there is no need for progress.

 

Briefly, we have free will, but we are generally conditioned not to use it. Change V.S. stagnation depends on whether a person’s desires are aligned with those of society, and whether there is a need for progress. 

Though BLM may be a heterogenous group with multiple common interests that could be a community in the modern anthropologic definitions, I personally think it isn’t a community. The different groups of people that associate to BLM can’t agree on what the name means, or on what they stand for exactly, or on who should be included or excluded from the ‘group’, etc. The only clear meaning is to help Black people / fight injustice against Black people, but the rest is unspecified. I believe a community should have a very clear common purpose agreed upon by all members. Actually, not even that - it should have a basic sense of identity and belonging. BLM is to my eyes a powerful set of words linked to even more powerful ideas that people may or may not associate with, but that’s about it. The rest, the specific goals, the methods, etc., it’s all left unsaid to be determined by smaller, local groups of people. My opinion on civil religion is quite similar - it’s a powerful concept that many people associate with in some way, or at least it used to be. However it is too vague for people to agree exactly on its depth and implications, what’s more, it excludes agnostics and atheists. It has become obsolete for today’s world. 

The #BlackLivesMatter movement reminds me of the #OscarsSoWhite movement in its purpose but also in its diversity and in its free circulation on the internet. Both of them protest injustice against Black people and both are a few powerful words associated to a hashtag. The people with or against the movements are all very diverse in their identity or their goals. The meanings of the names are both argued over and their general implications disputed.

Image one representing a very impoverished street with little infrastructure and few people, image two representing New York City alive with lights, means of transportation, publicity and crowds. With one above the other it is easy to see the incredible socioeconomic differences between both areas, and it is then easy to feel guilty that one has technology and money and the other doesn’t. I do feel that, but I’m more annoyed at the photoshopping feats accomplished to make me feel guilty. Moreover, I’m equally annoyed by the presumed assumption that NY is infinitely better than the rural town. That the extravagant amounts of commercialism are better than the difficult conditions foreseen on the first image. It’s as though somebody inserted the first image only to make the second one look better, or as though the first situation is a failed attempt at being like the second area. Maybe it is, but perhaps not. 

Cultural Relativism

When looking at the issue of FGM, my first impressions were based on my own cultural perspective of what’s ‘’right’’ and ‘’wrong’’. FGM is related to cultural relativism in the sense that it’s a controversial issue that should be acknowledged and understood, if not accepted, in terms of the cultures to which it is related. It should be viewed not only as an individual problem but as it is with its pervading symbolic meanings. Cultural relativism brings forth ethical issues such as whether or not the anthropologist should influence certain practices. For example, if an anthropologist immersed himself in a tribe with the purpose of studying it, and twins were born in this said tribe, something viewed as a manifestation of bad spirits, should he stop the people from killing the twins? His views, my views, perhaps our views of what is right or wrong are culture specific - and therefore is it ethically acceptable to act upon those subjective perspectives?

My personal opinion is that there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ cultural belief, however any belief that creates violence or harm towards human beings that isn’t necessary should be examined and perhaps altered. 

The fundamental belief of the Naricemas is that the human body is frail and has a natural tendency to decay, thus the only hope is to preserve it through continuous rituals. Ceremonies and charms are supposed to purify and preserve the human body. One of the most important rituals has to do with the mouth - a part of the body that is seen to influence social relationships and moral character. This is probably due to the relationship between the mouth and language, and then from language to socialization. 

There aren’t many sacred traditions in Quebec culture. Most old rituals have either been lost or are seen as obsolete, they can be followed but without the enthusiasm of ‘the old days’. With the increasing amount of ethnic diversity, the culture is richer, but harder to outline. Most underlying ideas are expressed through the language - I believe the Quebec essence is captured by its peculiar French. For example, the most common swear words are generally names of religious objects. They are used in banal day-to-day situations, and they symbolize the detachment from Catholicism, a ‘rebellion’ that places Law as the first authority. Quebecers therefore firmly believe in their justice system, in ‘objective’ ruling and in being a very modern, technological society open to all sorts of new ideas. 

In the first quote we can see that Dawkins’ opinion on religion is that this induces people to stagnation and also that we should be looking for real answers  instead of just accepting what has been dictated by religion. religion = stagnation. While Falwell says the contrary.

COMMUNITY

A. Do you agree with the notion that BLM is a “community” in the anthropological sense?

In my opinion, I do believe BLM is a community 

B. If yes/no what makes/ doesn’t make BLM a “community”?

The BLM community is a community because its members have an interest in common. Its members won’t probably be living in the same area or have face to face contact but perhaps they follow the same forums or are in the same BLM Facebook group. It is in this case an internet community. 

C. Some argue that the USA is a “community” because of the social glue the is “civil religion” 

COMPARATIVE

Write down your first impressions of the two images below. 

In the first image I see a town where people live in not very well constructed houses, they are probably not safe. People looks poor but they seem like if they’ve accepted it. No pavement on the roads. Even thought these were my first impressions, this image made me think about why these people were in poverty. Maybe their government does not care about their situation and they’ve become a marginalized  town. 

My impressions on the second  picture are different. For example, I see that there is a lot of traffic congestion. A consumer society. A lot of visual contamination and a lot of people. 

Gender.

Males dominate most occupation in society.

In the Transportation industry, I have observed that males do dominate this industry, but the occassionally female can be found operating a tuk tuk.

Steel work, construction and engineering is male dominated.

The markets are more female dominated. Raw food stores and vendors, cafes and restaurants are mostly ran or staffed by females.

The capacity of human beings to act in meaningful ways that affect their own lives and those of others.

The class might be a barrier in very different ways. For the higher class like the kids on the left of the image, we can see different postures and confidence. Also, they have more privileges like a better education, designer clothes, and their future looks brighter than the one from the poorer kids. 

These two quotes explain how contrasted one quote can be with the other comparing faith and religion. While Dawkins explains how through religion societies practice self-satisfaction and don’t look for anything else leading to stagnation. Falwell tries to transmit how religion is key to starting a family and doesn’t stop progress. 

Geographically bounded group of people in face-to-face contact, with a shared system of beliefs and norms operating as a socially functioning whole.

I feel like it depends on the way you see it, but I would argue that BLM is a community, although it doesn’t follow the traditional anthropological definition of community.

It makes it a different type of community, just because recently communities have also been defined as “interest groups” and BLM definitely shares that interest.

I think that while some argue that the USA is a community because of it’s social glue on civil religion I feel like in the present it is not accurate to say it because more and more people are moving away from religion and there is an increase in the diversity of the religions in the US. In the past, it could have bonded Americans but I don’t feel like it bonds Americans in the present.

I would say that the #BlackLivesMatter movement reminds me of other movements that have been going on the internet like #AllLivesMatter or #OscarsSoWhite with different reasons. The difference is that the BLM movement is been a very big issue in the US, especially with police brutality. 

In the first picture, we can observe a poor neighborhood. It feels like a third world country. The second picture is Time’s Square in New York City, one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world. The contrast in between both pictures is very interesting. 

"ERADICATION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN SOMALIA."ERADICATION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN SOMALIA (n.d.): n. pag. Www.unicef.org. UNICEF. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.

 

The headman role is more about leadership and not commanding people. They are a more influential power but are not seen as superior. 
Unlike a headman a bigman looks for power and want to be above people. The Chief role involves divinity and becoming a God, as well as being above people and recognized by the people as their leader.

It can be seen that as a headman economic exchange is not a practiced norm however, as a person gains more power and influence in the society and goes from becoming a "big man" to "chief" that person expects the citizens to provide him with possesions as economic exchange and even though the chief is supposed to help the people with the economic exchange they recieve, the chief usually fails to do that
 

hierarchy vs. democracy kinda. 

Within chiefdoms leader are basically born while in tribes and bands they are selected.