Over the course of this class I have definitely learned a lot about myself, my culture, and my family. But I feel that this last week and working on the family history was when my interest in this class really took off.
I find myself very lucky to be who I am, and live in the family that I do. After completing the family history I really found out how much the world around me makes me who I am. It really got me to reflect on how I make the decisions I do. If I think back to what my ancestors had to deal with it really makes me think about how easy we have it today. Through my life my family has instilled some standing values that I will take with me for the rest of my life, and these same values were the ones my grandparents instilled in my parents. My parents have always been ones to provide for there children, and that’s how my grandparents are. Our family has always had the opportunities to find jobs and excel in society. One thing that I feel that my family has always had going for them was that they have always lived in up and coming communities of the time. This really helped our families flourish because they provided us with a safe area to grow up in. And if you asked me I think living in safety might be the most important thing a family can have.
One privilege that I feel I inherited for the generation before me was really one that was evident throughout high school. Since my brother and sisters all attended the same high school I did, years before, the high school community pushed me to be the best I could be. Because all my brother and sisters were so successful the teachers and administrators who remembered my older siblings expected the same from me. No matter what situation came across my high school community really kept and eye on me and never let me fall behind. I think that this was such a huge advantage for me because it instilled such a great work ethic in me and a pivotal time in my life. Without this occurring in my life I really cannot see myself being where I am today.
For some really when my family history comes up and when I learned my ideals I can’t stop thinking about my years in high school. My family was very engaged in my high school community even before I was a student there. During this time I feel that my parents really started to try and turn me into a successful human being. The best thing about this time in my life was being in the diverse make up of my high school, which included all races. This was the first time I was really put into this situation and I hit the ground running. And since it was a catholic high school they did there best to ensure that we were all on an equal playing field. I think that these were the four most important years of my life. And I thank God every day for them.
I just wanted to add something to my blog. As far as the reading were concerned for this class i thought that some of them were almost written just to bash American Society. I wish we could have read a bit more about our positive sides.
ReplyDeleteWell your comment about the readings is interesting. The american history really does not have anything positive to say about our ethincs cultures. The blacks were the slaves the Jews were discriminated, the mexicans are still discriminated and so on... There is not many positives about these communities to this day. For example when you think of the hood there is black people there shooting eachother. The only positive is that we have a half black president who we do not even know if he is doing anything good to this point. Our president is only spending our tax money and making the tax money run out. Soon we will have to pay a higher percentage to taxes out of our pay checks for us who even has a job with a pay check. Different cultures have developed into more equal people but nothing is perfect yet.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed readings your blog and agree about the privilege the youngest receive when it comes to high school. My sisters just got done with their first year of high school and said that everyone was so nice to them because of me and my brother. Since we left with a good reputation and teachers that enjoyed us it makes it easier for my sisters. They came in knowing that they were going to be treated amazing because of me and my brother.
ReplyDeleteI respect and understnad how you feel in regards to your sibilings being successful and them expecting you to do the same. I myself have two brothers who are doctors. I ,of course wouldn't dream of being in the medical field because I'm terrified of blood. so in response I enrolled in business school and I am the only one to do so. It has placed alot of pressure on me but at the same time I am receiveing alot of support.
ReplyDeleteI also think that is more people would learn to appreciate the family members that do and want to support them they would understand thier culture better. I think it the media would showcase more ethnicities with positive reinforcement, especially regarding families, there would not be as much discrimination. America needs to realizes that families are the same regardless of race, its just some have more to deal with socailly than others.
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