Blog Highlights - July 16th

Stereotypes are exaggerated generalizations that others hold towards groups of people. Even though stereotypes are in our daily lives, I feel it is important that we explain to children at a young age that they are not all true. We have to teach them to not be socially institutional and to make them focus on equality like the matrix of domination. So far I have noticed through my field observations that these children are not racist at all. I was reading a book to them about Jackie Robinson, the first African American baseball player, and how he was discriminated against because of the color of the skin. A few moments after I finished the book a seven-year old boy made a comment that stuck to me. He said “who cares if he is black, if he is good as baseball then he deserves to play. People can be mean; we are people and come from the same place.” -IDS 100

Based on what the media had instilled in me I began to stereotype the people of color at the site before I even knew them. After meeting and speaking with more inner-city residents of the black race, it became clear to me that the media’s representation is not necessarily the whole truth. Although, these stereotypes may be true for some black people; it is not true for all. Stereotypes hurt all people involved. It was offensive for me to assume that people, of color are engaged in illegal activities because of their skin tone; however, it was unfair to me that the media instilled a poor representation of the race. -IDS 100

Trenton and Camden have many similarities when being analyzed together. Both had technological advances that helped the company grow. However, in Camden, the new advances cut jobs from workers or docked their wages. In Trenton, the new machinery opened up new positions in the line of work. While these are differences; the growth of the companies is still the same. Another comparison relates to the strikes that took place in each city. Riots broke out when employees were being treated and paid unfairly. In both cities, chaos occurred when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Lastly, national capitalism overruled civic in both areas. -USA 101

Trenton and Detroit may have many differences but they have a good amount of similariteies as well. Both of these major cities had expeirenced major economic down turns. Both of these economic down turns were due to the deindustrialization happening in these two cities. Trenton lost most of its major industries to steel and pottery to large corporations such as U.S. steel and American standard. Detroit lost many of the great brands such as Mercury, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile that Americans loved. -USA 101

Today, the sixteenth of July, I toured around Trenton.  By seeing all of the different housings and corporate buildings, I was able to identify the poorer areas and its wealthier neighbors.  Stratification is basically layering people based on their economic status.  When I was touring Trenton today, for example, I observed the different areas within the city.  The west side is in a better financial situation than that of the other areas.  The Donnelly homes are very poor.  These homes are location next to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, in the east side of Trenton.  Although the school is aesthetically pleasing and new, the surrounding areas are dangerous.  Next to a drug and squatter filled ex-middle school, the Donnelly homes are one of the lowest income facilities out of every cluster in Trenton.  There are four sociological classes in stratification: Upper, middle, working, and lower.  The stratas do not change and can be observed when taking a Trenton-wide tour.   The stratas are inequal but they are reality. -SOC 101

Stratification is having many people of different economic standard, come together. This is clearly happening in Trenton. While visiting the State Capital building, I observed that the surrounding building all fit in with the luxurious look of the large Capital building. One street over the feel of the city goes from sparkly to dull. The houses were damaged; there was garbage on the streets and people aimlessly walking. When compared it was like two different worlds. While on the West side, the houses seemed similar to my hometown, Hopewell. It is amazing how driving down one block is like driving into another country. -SOC 101