The temperature and the weather are definitely not
correlated here. The sky is cloudy but the temperature is approximately ninety
degrees. As I packed my stuff to leave
my dorm, it started to rain. Fortunately the temperature remained warm, so as
the cold rain touched our skin it was not drastically cold. I was able to use
my convenient polka dot umbrella. With the push of a button, the umbrella is
opened and ready to use. I invited my
cohort to join Shraddha and me for breakfast at the Ratty. On our way to the dining common, I saw a
swarm of colorful umbrellas walking towards the Ratty as well.
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| My Polka Dot Umbrella |
Once we got there we split up and met with
our new friends. The Ratty is not air-conditioned so it can be uncomfortable
while eating. I wonder if the conditions in the Ratty are
somehow correlated
with its nickname. I wanted to drink tea because I needed some caffeine, but it
was too hot for a warm beverage. Instead I drank raspberry ice tea with my
french toast and eggs.
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| The Ratty |
In the morning session, we were fortunate to listen
to Dean Robin Rose speak about listening skills and the value of leadership.
She reinforced the concept of leadership—to positively influence others, to accomplish
goals, and to listen to other’s opinions.
Some students have difficulty staying quiet when conversing with another
person. In other words, they have the urge to voice their opinion or to
contribute to the conversation instead of actually listening to what someone
has to say. We also practiced using non-verbal communication by using gestures.
We implemented these practices by switching the listening and speaking roles
with our partner. Additionally we were asked to occasionally summarize what our
partner said during the conversation. In order to do so, without sounding like
a parrot, we rephrased what they said by adding an extra comment. I think the
summarization exercise was extremely beneficial because it makes it clear that you
understand and are listening to what they have to say.
Dean Robin Rose is the founder of the leadership
institute at the Summer@Brown program. She established the program in 2002
and it has been successful thus far (I should know). Towards the end of her workshop
she mentioned her ideology as to why she believes it is important that we
develop these leadership strategies. She
stated that society expects us to be critical thinkers, but there is no focus
on compassion. In some aspects, we are encouraged to develop brilliant minds
but there is no emphasis on nurturing your personality. To back up her
argument, she mentioned the quote by Marian Wright Edelman, “service is the
rent we pay to be living.” I believe that it is necessary to give back if you
have been blessed with privileges and opportunities. The quote correlates to
our class because we have the privilege to become better leaders in order to
make differences on our own personal scales. She summed up the workshop by
encouraging us to not let our age discourage us from attempting to make a
difference. If we want to change something, we need to take the intiative and
do it now. I felt empowered at the end of the workshop. Although I have
attended multiple leadership workshops, I have not been necessarily moved by
them. The workshops mainly focus on meeting others and not on developing your
leadership skills. However, I already feel like this course has made an impact
on me. I know that I will leave Brown University being the leader I aspire
to be. Although it might not happen drastically, I know this course will change
my perspective and will inspire me to change myself to help others.
The workshop went by in a blur. I asked my partner
from the workshop, Nina, if she would like to accompany us for lunch. Nina has
a very individual style of her own. I think that is one of the coolest aspects
I like about her because she is confident in expressing her individuality. She
accepted the invitation and we decided that we would go to a teahouse after our
lunch. We sat with Vera, the Chinese-American from Hong Kong; Eve, from
Michigan; and Nina (I am not sure where she is from). We conversed about
genetically engineered food. It is a topic that I have been interested in since
my family has made an effort to occasionally purchase organic food. I’ve noticed
that some genetically engineered foods are tasteless. I nonchalantly told them
about the tasteless raspberries that my dad once purchased from the dollar
store. I was amazed by their stunned look when I mentioned the dollar store. It
was a surreal moment for me. I thought it was quite funny that we have
completely different lifestyles, yet we are similar on multiple levels. Then
Nina directed us to the teahouse, Tealuxe. It was a small shop on the corner
that, once again, reminded me of a Harry Potter scene. The scene was when he
was at the small tavern. Do not worry, butterbeer (it is a type of beer in
Harry Potter) was not sold here! We took our tea to go and once again flaunted
our assortment of umbrellas and headed to class.
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| We saw this on our way to the Tealuxe |
.JPG) |
| Nina and me |
In the afternoon session, we reviewed the excerpt
that we read the previous night. My group was responsible for explaining why
socialization is a form of systematic training in context of the beginning of
socialization. A child’s beliefs are developed through the principles of their
parents. When the child becomes an adult, he/she continue the cycle of similar
beliefs. However, societal concepts are reinforced in all aspects of life.
After reviewed the excerpt, we watched a broadcast from ABC News called, “What
would you do?” The video highlighted the reactions of customers who witnessed a
cashier refuse to serve a woman who wore a jihad. Both the woman and the man,
saying the discriminatory remarks, were actors, but the reactions of the
customers were real. Some customers
agreed with the cashier and praised him for doing so. Other customers either
left the bakery or defended the woman. The cashier told a man, who defended
her, that he was not a good American. He calmly replied by saying that his son
is serving in the war. Two college-aged girls, also, defended the woman by
scolding him. The video brought tears to my eyes because of the people who
decided to take action in defense of the woman. Dean Almandrez told us that
another reason we are in this class is to develop the knowledge and vocabulary
to be able to create strong counterarguments and to be able to defend others
with an impactful notion.
In the afternoon, I attended the Hunger Banquet. The
Summer@Brown staff was told to keep the banquet under wraps, so I did not know
what to expect. I walked with Alicia, Vera, and Nina to the banquet. We waited
in line outside of a house. I was given a small piece of paper with a green dot.
The room that we were in was small and it was filled with approximately
ninety-two students. Students with an orange dot were told to sit at a dining
table that was prepared with a fancy meal and nice dishware. They also had the
luxury of having a butler. I was given beans and rice and chips and was seated
in a chair. The other students were only given water and rice. The banquet was
supposed to bring awareness to the starvation that people experience on a daily
basis. It also acknowledged the difference between different classes. It was a
fun activity that did impact a few students. We watched a slide show that gave
statistics and pictures of those who su
As I walked to the Ratty with my red polka dot
umbrella this morning, I never expected that I would be so moved today. I
sometimes feel as if there is nothing I can do that can contribute to bettering
the lives of others. It is the small actions, however, that can cause the most
impact in the long-run. Change towards better lives is not fast-paced, but I
want to be the one who does contribute to social justice. I know it will not be
easy but I am willing to try my best.
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| The Hunger Banquet |
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