Today was a fun filled day! I awoke both Emily and
myself by accidentally pressing my home button on my phone, which resulted with
a loud, “Siri is not available.” In other words, my phone initiated my day.
Dean Almandrez began class by playing a hit song on
the radio that I am familiar with. The song is called "Blurred Lines" by Robin
Thicke. While the song was playing, she projected the lyrics for us to read. The
rhythm of the song is catchy, but the lyrics and the music video are degrading
to women. The lyrics explicitly infer that women are subordinate by using terms
such as “domesticate” and by mentioning disrespectful phrases geared towards
women. I am glad that she used this as
an example of hegemony because I am beginning to acknowledge all of the social
injustices that we are subliminally subjected to. I previously enjoyed listening
to this song because I liked the rhythm, but now I know it reinforces an image that
I am not fond of. There are two versions of the music video: one contains nude
females but the other one does not. Since I am aware, I will not be able to
fully enjoy songs and television shows that reinforce these messages, but I am happy
that I have more knowledge in this aspect of life. For example, I adored
Twilight, but I recently wrote about how it helps reinforce the social
construction of gender. The character, Bella is seen as inferior, and Edward’s
supernatural powers exemplify his masculinity. I provided a link for the music
video and the link for the lyrics of the song.
Robin
Thicke - Blurred Lines ft. T.I., Pharrell
Lyrics
Then I participated in an activity that described
the stereotypical qualities of a leader. After everyone labeled the
qualities of a leader, the class discussion had somehow led to Adolf Hitler. Dean
Almandrez stated that in each one of her classes someone never failed to mention him when discussing
the qualities of leadership, despite the fact that there are other extraordinary leaders from the past and present. Although the class acknowledged that what he
advocated for was horrendous, the class argued that he displayed leadership
qualities. In order to convince people that the genocide was beneficial, he
must have been charismatic, confident, and persuasive. The class primarily
challenged the definition that stated that leaders engage with others to
accomplish change for the better. In an excerpt that we read for homework, the
author suggested that the definition of leadership must be based within the
context of the circumstance and that the definition varies from each person. Although
there is no solid definition for “leadership,” I believe we were given the
definition that described leadership as positively impacting a group of people because
we are learning to advocate for social change.
At lunch Dean Almandrez took Shraddha, Alicia, Eve,
and me to eat at a Vietnamese restaurant. The restaurant was off campus so it
was exciting to be in new surroundings. We were able to ask her questions about
her personal life and she was able to learn more about us. I appreciate the
fact that she takes the time out of her day to have more of a personal
relationship with her students. I enjoyed learning more about her and the other
students who attended the lunch.
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| The Vietnamese Restaurant Dean Almandrez took us to |
The second portion of class began with the video of
Malala Yousatzai addressing the United Nations about the significance of
education for women. Watching her was so inspirational because she is only
sixteen, yet she has accomplished so much and is compassionate about the rights
of receiving an education! I am so happy to see that she is now healthy and
strong. I provided a YouTube link of Malala giving her speech for those of you who are interested.
Girl
Shot in Head by Taliban, Speaks at UN: Malala Yousafzai United Nations Speech
2013
Afterwards, the class participated in a fish bowl
activity. A group of students were instructed to have a discussion and other
students were expected to congregate around the smaller group and listen to
their discussion. The two groups were divided according to their socioeconomic
background. After both groups were able to have a discussion, students
expressed their apprehension about the division of the class based on their
economic status. I do not judge my classmates by their social class and I feel
the same applies to them. I liked the activity because despite our different
socioeconomic background, we all have similar emotions and fears. Dean
Alamandrez and the assistants purposely divided us by a controversial identity
to evoke a more detailed discussion. I liked the fact that class ended with the
understanding that I have more commonalities with my classmates than I had
previously known.
Emily, my roommate, and I planned to go to the yogurt
shop after class. We talked about our day and what we learned in class. I enjoy
talking to her because I am able to reflect on the events of my day and I am
able to hear about hers.
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| Me and Emily |
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