Reflections on Family Activity & Reminder

Our little exercise in criticism yesterday (Thurs. 9/18) did not go as well as I thought it might when I dreamed it up. But I still think it has merit and can be a learning experience. However, since by my tally it appears the families basically tied in offering criticisms last time, I am not going to award any bonus points. I am going to re-think how we will critique the points on the next two parts. Nonetheless, do be thinking about how the points made on parts 2 & 3 of the video series could be improved, and do make sure to submit your revised points which may be the basis for a couple midterm exam questions.

REMINDER: I will be handing out a write-up of our first out-of-class essay on Tuesday, 9/23, and it will have directly to do with the video series and class discussion on it.

International Festival Extra Credit & Reminder

On Sat., Sept. 27, the City of Spartanburg will host the 22nd annual International Festival at Barnet Park from 11:00-6:00PM. If you have the time and inclination to attend for perhaps an hour or two, check out ONE of the nations (or ethnic groups) represented on the Avenue of Nations and ask whoever is representing that nation this question: If there is anything about them that they wished people in Spartanburg knew better, what would that be? On this blog entry, post a brief write-up of their response and your own reaction to it (a couple paragraphs at most).
You may earn 3 extra-credit points for this.

REMINDER: Don't forget to post your comment on the Obama speech (the deadline is Monday). And I expect the families to post their two points about Part 2 of the video series, "Race: the power of an illusion" sometime between now and next Tuesday.

Bonilla-Silva passage and First Family Activity

I trust what I had to say yesterday about the relevance of this course on race and ethnic relations got through to you ok. I didn't feel terribly good about my performance, and the lawn mower disruption did not help either. Next time that happens, unless we are watching a video, I think we'll take a break. As promised, I will give you the passage from Dr. Bonilla-Silva's book, Racism Without Racists, (p.1) I believe he articulates well why Whites in particular often do not consider the status of race and ethnic relations that significant or even think about it at all these days. He says:

"Nowadays, except for members of white supremacist organizations, few whites in the United States claim to be "racist." Most whites assert that they 'don't see any color, just people;' that although the ugly face of discrimination is still with us, it is no longer the central factor determining minorities' life chances; and, finally, that like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., they aspire to live in a society where 'people are judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin.' More poignantly, most whites insist that minorities (especially blacks) are the ones responsible for whatever "race problem" we have in this country. They publicly denounce blacks for "playing the race card," for demanding the maintenance of unnecessary and divisive race-based programs, such as affirmative action, and for crying "racism" whenever they are criticized by whites. Most whites believe that if blacks and other minorities would just stop thinking about the past, work hard, and complain less (particularly about racial discrimination), then Americans of all hues could "all get along.""

And I forgot to add in class what Dr. Bonilla-Silva went on to say: "But regardless of whites' "sincere fictions," racial considerations shade almost everything in America." He then goes on to list the many socio-economic variables on which blacks lag far behind whites.


FIRST FAMILY ACTIVITY: Over the next two weeks we are going to be seeing a three-part video series entitled, "Race: the power of an illusion." It challenges the whole notion of race and gives an overview of the pernicious effect of race theory and racism in America from our earliest days as a nation. Following the viewing of each part, I want the families to discuss what you saw and identify what you believe were the TWO most important points made in each part, points which you believe everyone should know. Then, have a designated family member post these points as comments on this blog entry (you should rotate the responsibility for this among family members).Please be succinct in stating these points -- no more than a few sentences. At the conclusion of this, each family will have contributed SIX points total. We'll review these in class and I will add my own analysis of this video series. I will use some of the points you come up with as a basis for some questions on the midterm exam.
This activity is worth 6 points.

"Get-Your-Feet-Wet" Exercise: Barack Obama's Speech on Race

I will be distributing in class today, our first meeting, a copy of Barack Obama's speech on race which he delivered last March. After reading and pondering his speech, I want you to address the following:
(1) What do you think of his speech in terms of his depiction of the current state of race relations in America, particularly between Blacks and Whites?
(2) Quote any portion of the speech which you believe is especially insightful and tell why you thought it was insightful.

I am looking for roughly TWO paragraphs or so (I may give you a chance to comment on it again later in the semester, at which time I may ask for a bit more.)

Post your comments NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, SEPT. 12TH.

You will receive 5 activity points for this exercise.

Welcome Soc. 240 Students, Fall '08

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome all Soc. 240 students to this course blog. As you will note, I first set up this course blog last Fall '07, and you can get an idea of what this blog is for by taking a few minutes to scroll through the entries from last year. Basically, we will be using this blog for a variety of purposes: for extending class discussion or occasionally posting lecture notes if I get behind, for individual and family activities, for occasional extra credit opportunities, to review for exams, among other things. Although I will announce in class when you need to check the blog, it would also be a good idea to get into the habit of checking it regularly, at least once or twice a week. Prof. Ginocchio