Discrimination

Question 1:

I have felt discriminated by others a couple of times. Once was recently with some peers who I believe once were my friends. A lot of things have changed for me in the last year, by this I not only mean my surroundings but my self as well. My way of looking at things and life has completely changed. Even though the changes around me were  out of my control and  the only thing I could do was get used to them but changing my self was more than a choice a consequence of what happened around me. This was all a process and through it I began to feel discriminated by others because of who I had become. It was a horrible feeling because I felt like I didn't belong where I used to, and that the people I knew I no longer did. It was hard for me to get used to the idea that the people with whom I used to hang out all day long were now rejecting me because of my new way of looking at things and because of the new friends I had made. It was really hard for me to add to all the changes the fact to be alone and losing the support I thought I had just for having a different way of thinking. The once who truly were my friends defended me and helped me get through it.

The second time, was not that bad. I went to a summer camp in France and there I found myself surrounded by people from all over the world. There I could see the different cultures of the world all united in a school. Once I said I was from Colombia, the only thing I heard was, "she must be a drug dealer" and a lot of people left. I felt really bad for the image foreigners have from my country as well as for the image it creates of me.  They discriminated me for a wrong fact of Colombia. 

Question 2:

Never have I ever discriminated a person because I believe in equality. Everyone, no matter who they are, where they come from of what the do, do not deserve any kind of mistreatment. We should respect those around us and never allow a discrimination in any aspect of our life and society. 

Definitions for my self.

Racism: I consider Racism as a rejection based on a a skin color or a cultural image. For example people might treat you wrong for being a colored person or for being American, even though your race doesn't make you different from the other people in the  world. Even though the levels of racism has diminished there are still high levels of racism all over the world which make life harder for people in certain places. This shouldn't be as it is because  we are all the same no matter where we come from or what we look like. If some one doesn't believe this is true, there are a tun of investigations that prove this right. 

Ethnic Group: I believe an Ethnic Group is culture, is a group of people who share a culture, a past and similar principles. It might also be defined by race, but it not always mean if you are black and you meet someone from the other side of the world and he is also black he will be part of your ethnic group. People who share a culture, similar ideas and way of looking at the world as well as a past make up this group. I don't think this is a really framed or distinct, it is really difficult to identify your own ethnic group because it not something that really defines you as a person, for  my self, but for the eyes of others I really think it is what gives the first thought or  idea of you, even if you are completely different from what the group points out to be. 

Prejudice: this is a judgment people do about who you they think you are based on you culture or ethnic group. This might be a general image someone once created about a group of people and now, if you are form that certain group they will have already an image about you. This are thoughts of people even if they are not true. As the reading says, “ if a person says a Mexicans are lazy is a a guilty prejudice.” This are judgements people make about others without having real notions about who that person really is.

Discrimination: This is when you are acting based on prejudice you have. If you believe a person is a bad worker because  of where he comes from and not hiring him for that image, is discriminating him for the image he has. I believe many people are being discriminated without being known, and once again we must not be judged without having real arguments and bases to do so, because of the lack of this many people are being discriminated for wrong prejudice.

The Bear That Wasn't

The title The Bear that Wasn't, means, more than just the direct relation to the actual story of the bear, I believe it is directing the reader to the fact the Bear, even though he fought for making believe others that he really was a bear, he ended up losing his identity which means losing himself. In my opinion Tashlin is suggesting that the relationship between individuals and society is really close. One  of the factors which mostly define a human being is the society he or she is raced in. Other factors such as community and family also influence the development of the self but I believe the one that is most evident is the society. Depending on the society in which you are born and raised, you will have different ideas and perspectives towards life. We can see this in our every day life once we interact with people that come from a different city than you, they might see life in  a different way and get things done differently that what you would. Even if you are in front of a same problem in the same situation,  just because they grew up or live in a different society than you, they will try to solve the problem in the different way because it how the way the society it self taught them.   The identity of the person is mostly defined by society, as I said. By the people you are surrounded with. The people with whom you interact are the once that help you construct yourself and through construction you will get to define who you are and what of yourself you will never change, no matter what. I really think the first people that define us are our parents and family. They teach us since we  are born what is good, what is bad and the values that will help us take decisions. But, this is just during the time we are a full time home kid. Once we have to interact with others and face the real world, we see other perspectives and we keep on growing. This time, keeping in mind what our parents taught us but looking at the world through our own eyes. You start learning about others behavior and with them and what the whole society shows you, you create an image or a self that if you see the big picture ends up being really similar to the people around us. Even though we are supposed to be completely different, in general we are truly the same type of person but with a different face and body. Little details change but we can see a great mass of generalities. Even the way we dress, we might wear the cloth in a different way but is the same style, and this is defined by fashion. Fashion comes and goes, brings new trends and they are constantly changing and so is our wardrobe. But, we must ask ourselves a question, who defines fashion? The answer is simple, SOCIETY. Once a powerful group of individuals or simple individuals come up with something and create a trend, soon you will see people around the world wearing the exact same thing that that powerful person did las week. It is clear that our identity, just like our way of dressing is shaped by society. Powerful individuals who influence the society it self end up helping us shape our selves and creating the identity they want us to have. I truly think that is better being a powerful individual with the strength to influence the society and others than being just a common individual who is always being changes and shaped by others. But right now I yet don't have, neither the power nor the strength to do so. So for now I'll try to maintain my values and principles as well as a position and hope for one day in which it I'll be me who will shape others. 

I once wan in a similar situation of that of the bear. I used to live in Cali with both my parents after a series of events they got divorced and I moved to Bogotá with my mom. Leaving my that behind was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but it made me grow as a person. Once I got to Bogotá I started school at la Montaña and I was about 14. I have left my whole life so this was a fresh start. Since the first day I noticed how different I was from the rest of the people around me, even the way they talked was different. It took me time to get used to it,  but I finally did it. I started hanging out with some girls and after a while I noticed I had change, but I really didn't care I though it was part of the process. Time past, and one day I realized how I had changed. I had lost myself among this people. I no longer was that person I was raised like. I changed from my way of thinking to my way of looking at life. I had become selfish, self-centered, empty among many other horrible things. I decided to change, to go back to the person I use to be. The one others liked, the one who I liked. The one who didn't care about what others think and the one who thought perspectives were not the most important thing in life. I had to take some tough decisions, which were getting away from does who did no good for me. Loose the friends I thought I had, and find the way back to my true self. It was really difficult for me because there were many times in which I felt really alone and sad which made me want to go back, but thank God I didn't. A long the hard times I found who really were my friends and who never were. As well as the people who will be my support system no matter what. Then I realized how society can really shape you and how others can become the once who really define yourself. That if you let them. Since then I decided I won't let society shape my identity in such a way, which is  why I will always stick to my values and points of view. 

Is knowing about past useful?

I believe it is important to know about the past because it allows us to understand the reason why the present is like it is. If we are not conscious of it we wont be able to appreciate and fully comprehend our life. We are also able to learn from the past and take better decisions in the future.