Week 10: Social Change

One of the major concepts in this class is sociological mindfulness. Although I was never Michael Schwalbe's biggest fan, I'm always going to remember what he first said about the topic-- "Mindfulness is more than paying attention. To be mindful is to see and appreciate its unique qualities...we see beyond stereotypes and prejudices."

I realized after my work in this class just how close-minded I was as an individual who aspired to create social change in her community. I never looked beyond the image and representations I had been raised with, and the assumptions I created were only based on ideas established by the media and historical contexts.

Another aspect of the class that changed my viewpoint on society were my trips to the Buena Vista labor camps. I had no idea who I would meet, how they would see me, if I would be able to even communicate enough with them. Thankfully, I was able to really get to know these kids, and learn so much about them as people, instead of as a group and build friendships that I'll never forget. I hope they were able to learn about me too, and expand their mindfulness as well.

Being sociologically mindful will make me look past the preconceived notions we establish from public institutions (ie: media), group think, and historical/cultural contexts. As an individual, I have already began looking past these notions and questioning why someone is the way they are--what happened in their past? what ideas do they have about society? where do they find their ideas? etc. I want to learn about a person, instead of the group they are placed in. I want to live in a society where we don't have to use race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status as an excuse for anything.

I majored in Communications because one day I want to be able to tell the world about injustice in their own communities, on their planet and around the globe. Hopefully my writings will be able to reflect the mindfulness I exert as an individual, so I can educate my readers about learning and appreciating--instead of judging.

I don't know if I will get a chance to say this again, but taking this class was one of the best decisions I ever made. Everything from driving to Watsonville to arguing with my classmates about football and motherhood has taught me I still have a long way to go before I can call myself sociologically mindful. Thank you Mari, and the rest of my 10:30 section for giving me something to look forward to every M-Th.

peace.

Buena Vista Part 3

On Thursday evening, I took my first weeknight trip to the Buena Vista Labor Camps for the Adult ESL Classes. My Spanish is not what it used to be, so I was definitely nervous about it. Thankfully, the high school kids were waiting for us when we arrived, and I learned they would be helping the Beg. level students with their tutoring, while I would assist the organizer with a more advanced student. The student I worked with was completing her GED, and brought her book with her...the only downside was that it was in Spanish! My partner and I had both learned biology in English, and we realized teaching her how blood circulates through the heart was going to be a challenge.

I began to circulate through the groups and saw how the tutoring sessions functioned. The high school kids made an effort to help the women of the ESL classes, and they planned their own mini-curriculum for the night. We went around the room and introduced ourselves and our favorite colors, as an ice breaker. I realized I was the only non-native Spanish speaker in the room, and I felt that made the students nervous or maybe even intimidated. Some of the ladies refused to speak in English and glanced at me and the other tutors when it was their turn.

To be honest, I felt a bit like I was intruding at the beginning of the session, but towards the end, I felt at home. My tutee began to show me pictures of her sons as we made her answer everyday questions like "Where is the closest gas station?" or "How much is the ____?" and even had fun when we exchanged tongue twisters in English and Spanish.

On this trip, I was able to recognize the culture barrier clearly--because when it comes to adults, who are already raised and pass on their own ethnicity and cultural lifestyles, it is more challenging to interact with an individual who shares none of your life experiences or background. However, I'm glad I made the effort to come Thursday night, and I hope I'll be able to return again.

Buena Vista Part 2

On Saturday, June 5, I made my second trip to the Buena Vista Camp for a day of fun with the kids. I thought I was the only one looking forward to it this much, until I saw about 10 kids already waiting for our cars to arrive when we reached the camp. I know the first time the kids met me, it was a culture shock for them, and I was sure it would work against me when a few kids were hesitant to approach me. However, this week was completely different. The boys ran over to me and shouted, "HEY, I remember her!" and dragged us to the field to quickly start our soccer game. To anyone one else, it might seem like we were just there to spend some time babysitting young kids, but I knew I was making a difference. These kids barely spend time outside the camp since their parents are always working, and even when they do get out, they barely meet people unlike them, therefore impairing their ability to be sociologically mindful. I think these trips are an opportunity for both of us to learn about each other, our lifestyles, and our backgrounds. One of the most memorable moments from that day was watching the kids play basketball, and spotting a little boy watching us from around the corner of a building. We brought him out to play, but he wanted to show me his marble collections instead, and I tried playing catch with him after. His name was Angel, he was shy, but he started to open up to me. Right before we left, I was talking to the older high school boys about the other programs TOUCCh has, and I felt a tug on my sweatshirt. Angel pulled me far away from the boys and whispered, "I want to play basketball now! Come with me." I felt horrible when I said I couldn't because my mommy was waiting for me at home, and his eyes filled with tears and he ran home. Made me sad the whole way home :(

These camps are seriously some of the best community service I've done, and I can't wait to go again

Week 8: Gender

As soon as I became a "young woman," I began to feel the disadvantages of being female in my community. In the social circles I grew up in, girls were always "supervised" and observed to a point where it is considered stalking, and I only say this because it has happened to people I know in the past. Whenever girls in my community stray off the predestined path that good Muslim/Pakistani girls are supposed to follow, they are immediately "blacklisted." Girls are meant to be quiet, polite, modest, and most importantly, to stay the hell away from boys, to put it plainly.

After I became of age, all eyes were on me. What I was studying, who I was talking to, where I was going to school. I noticed boys my age didn't have these concerns, even when they should have.

However, this is not to say that I resent being female in this society. I was always comfortable being a young woman in my society and I lived up to the expectations people had because it was just the way things were, and I didn't know any other way to live my life.

I've often thought about how my life would be different if I were born male in my society today. I know people would not care as much about how I lived my life, or the choices I made because boys are inherently given these privileges. Maybe boys face their own struggles, and maybe I'm not sociologically mindful enough right now to see them, because I still think boys would have it a little easier.

Watsonville Weekend Day Camp

*I have pictures from today, and I'll upload them soon !

Today I took my first trip to the Buena Vista Labor Camp w/ a group from TOUCCh & Red Cross. I was anxious on the way there this morning, because I had no clue what to expect. I had spoken to some other students from TOUCCh and they gave me "mixed reviews" about their experiences there. So I went in expecting to be the odd one out. I'm normally very shy and sometimes awkward, but I was completely wrong. The whole point of Saturday's visits are to have fun with the kids, who often have nothing to do while their parents are out picking for long hours.
Upon our arrival, we began a search for kids, to try and attract them to our group. Two boys came and played soccer with us, and pretty soon we were outnumbered by 15 little boys and girls scrambling to get in on the fun. Three teenagers from the camps came out to see what the noise was about, and we spent some time talking to them about their high school/post graduate plans as well. I even got to 'bond' with Jasmine, a 17-year old high school junior & her toddler sister who recently returned from a 6-month trip to Mexico and had to deal with finals and catching up with the curriculum (which obviously didn't correspond to the one in Mexico). I was glad to hear a lot of these kids had plans to go to college and were trying their best to make a better life for themselves.
After playing everything from soccer to basketball to Duck, Duck, Goose (in 3 different languages), we left the kids promising to see them next week. I was so happy I decided to come this morning, and so glad I was able to actually hang out with the kids, instead of studying them. I realized on my way home I was putting Schwalbe's words to good use, and being sociologically mindful--trying to see their situations from a 360 view, instead of the conventional route.

Week 7: Race

I have always identified myself as a South Asian-American. My mother is Indian and my father is Pakistani, but I was born and raised in California without considering myself the 'outsider.' There were a number of events in my life that made me aware of my race, and how I was different from the other children I went to school with.

I attended a montessori school when I was about 4, and I remember the majority of children being Asian. One day we had our parents come to class and speak about their cultures. I remember my mother being the only parent who was asked the most questions. "Why do you eat that?' What's on your hand?' 'Why don't you wear a dot on your forehead?" Looking back now, I realize that was probably the first time I figured out I wasn't like everyone else in a school where we learned America was a 'melting pot.' However, after that montessori school, I was moved to a private Muslim school for 10 years (until high school, minus the 5th grade) where I was like everyone else, and everyone was like me--so it wasn't until one day that everything became a little twisted.

After 9/11, it wasn't only my race that excluded me from my society. All of a sudden, I wasn't "Pakistani" anymore. I subconciously made the decision to hide my real identity from people I didn't know too well. If anyone asked, I was Indian, or Asian--either one was safer than being associated with anything close to 9/11 (I had honestly tried to stick to the truth, and I dealt with the consequences).

I'm still not sure whether I regret what I did in the past was the right thing to do. Today I just hope our future generations never have to deal with hiding their identity or suffer from being proud of it.

Week 6: Social Class

Last weekend I made a road trip to Southern California to attend my aunt's law school commencement. On the way, I made a detour to one of my favorite outdoor shopping centers, Americana at Brand in Glendale, CA. Americana is like a larger Santana Row, more family friendly with a large grass area and playground and has a much larger variety of shopping and dining options.

The stores at Americana range from moderately priced shops like Forever XXI, H&M, Urban Outfitters to higher priced ones such as Martin+Osa, Free People, and Kitson. All the stores are larger in size and selection, but they are mostly higher priced. For example, you might find more clearance or sale items at the Urban Outfitters in Santana Row but more full-priced items at Americana.

The atmosphere of the entire outdoor shopping center was designed to serve the younger demographic, couples with children and even pets. I noticed many of the stores (not the aforementioned) had water and food bowls for small pets and small play areas for babies (ie: Crumbs Bake Shop). However, the apparel section of the mall was designated for "serious" shoppers--delicate decorations, full price selections, "hipster" music (I actually don't know what hipster music is, but it's definitely too hip for me ;), if there was a sale section it was neatly tucked away at the end of the store (and it took me quite a while to find it). Overall, I felt that Americana was an all around shopping mall. It wasn't a bargain shopping center, but it wasn't Rodeo Drive either.

I decided to walk into H&M, easily one of the largest and most popular store at Americana. The three people I spotted were: an elderly woman with a small dog in her purse, a young mother with baby in tow, and a young woman in her 20s with designer labels (does Ed Hardy count?) head to toe. To be honest, I felt there were multiple "copies" of these representations throughout Americana, and their race did not do much to convince me of their social status. All three of them were either middle or upper class.

I based my decision off the shoppers'style, additional shopping and accessories. The elderly Caucasian woman who walked in with her dog did not seem like the typical women I see at Stanford Mall with their dogs (they are usually accompanied by personal shopping assistants), I figured her to be middle class She was dressed sensibly without any other shopping bags. In fact, she seemed a little out of place now that I think of it, like she was shopping for a gift instead of for herself. The young mother with baby in tow was Asian, and even with stroller, baby bag and doggy bags from The Cheesecake Factory in hand, she maneuvered herself through the store like she did it everyday. I thought she could have been middle class until I saw a Barneys NY and J. Crew shopping bag tucked away under the stroller. The last representative, the 20-something collegiate with a USC t-shirt, Ed Hardy boots and matching oversized bag walked into the store and immediately sifted through the front racks, already carrying three bags from Urban Outfitters and Forever XXI. I noticed a handmade bracelet with the Armenian flag on her wrist; there is actually a large Armenian population in Southern California, apart from the Kardashians of course. I assumed this girl came from a wealthy family as she could afford to attend a school like USC and still shop at her leisure.

The social markers I used for this observation was the general style of the shopper. I believe that that society's emphasis on being rich and good-looking leads individuals to believe they will be placed on a pedestal if they dress nicely, own expensive things and spend ridiculous amounts of money on a regular basis. However, these social markers can be misleading as well. I used the dog as an index of being wealthy because of my previous observations, but as it turns out, this dog-owner was nothing like the ones I am used to. The USC t-shirt I used to indicate the young woman was able to afford college was misleading because it didn't actually prove she went to USC. One index that surprised me was the young Asian mother. I assumed she was middle class until I spotted her shopping from expensive stores hidden from the naked eye. Usually, a person might show off their purchases or at least keep them in the open, but this woman chose to hide it and let others think whatever they wanted of her--or perhaps being a mother was more important, as she looked after her child's needs before her own image.

Overall, I would say the people at Americana were mostly middle and upper class, with a higher concentration of Asians and Caucasians than any other race. Just another day at the mall? Absolutely.