Today we spend most of our time going over our group quiz results. We discussed in detail many aspects and uses of social media in society today. We went over the different functions of Social media. Example was to spread information and connect people. Negative functions are to misrepresent and send incorrect information to many people. We went over latent functions as well.
We were talking about different ways to look at Social Media. Then we flew through about 6 or 7 slides in what felt like 5 minutes.
One slide was on the history of communication. She mentioned cave art as a primitive form of communication. We then applied The three main theories to social media. On Wednesday, we spent quite a bit of time going over our SocBook. We then spent the remainder of our time going over our take home quiz. We were instructed to read chapter 2 and come up with our three questions.
In the first part of Chapter 2 there was a chart on "white privilege". I do not endorse racism of any kind and find it deeply disturbing that it occurs. Obviously I don't deny racism and want to help end it in the United States if I can. I do not think that any good will come from spreading a message of "white privilege". This will only cause a further gap. As a white male, I find it very offensive to hear that I have special privilege and would love for someone to point that out to me. To make a general broad statement like this is just as bad as saying that every member of a particular race is also a thief. It is just as bad as saying that every member of a particular race is good at math. In the US there are absolutely people that are born with an advantage over other people. Just because someone has an advantage does not mean they are bad and it does not mean that a person with a disadvantage cannot succeed. I was a minority in the town I grew up. The poverty level was very high and so was the crime rate. I was exposed to drug and alcohol use as well as theft and vandalism. Myself and the group of friends I had all knew these things were bad. Some chose to do them out of peer pressure and others had the courage to say "No". With a combination of courage and hard work any person in this country regardless of race, religion or gender can achieve success. You have to have the courage to say that you are not a victim and you have to have the courage to not act like a victim. Most of my family is still involved in crime and drug use. They all have one thing in common. They are all victims and it was not their fault. Some unseen force is holding them back. Even though it was my cousin that made the decision to break into the animal hospital at the age of 13. He knew better. It started him on a life in and out of prison. His white skin did not help him.
The book also talked about Science and the use of Empirical Evidence. As a Biology major, I find these are crucial to the future of our success as a species.
I was also interested in Critical Sociology and feel that what we learn from this view will be a key in making tomorrow a better place than today.
Positive I can do: Go to my kids events and activities. Be a part of their lives and keep them engaged in healthy outlets.
Negative I can do: Continue to believe that people will almost always let you down.
Positive Society can do: Spread message of responsibility.
Negative Society can do: Spread message of victimization.
