Today I woke up on time
and even got dressed before 8 AM. I was in a good mood after finishing the
outline for my Action Plan last night. I have noticed that when I finish most
of my work I have an easier time falling asleep. I decided to go to the V Dub
with my new friend, Rachel, who I met last night on the way to the talent show.
Unfortunately, I did not actually get to see anyone perform last night,
because most students were turned away at the door due to the building being
packed past capacity. I got out of my bed for no reason and ended up returning
to Perkins, because there were not enough seats. I was really disappointed but
the RA’s at Perkins decided to make it up to us by holding a mini talent show
in the lounge downstairs. The problem was solved thanks to the amazing RA’s at
Perkins.
As we headed down to
the V Dub, I realized that I am able to deal with the constant temperature
changes a lot better now that I am used to living in Rhode Island. I actually
enjoy the weather, but only if I have on the appropriate attire. When we
finally reached the V Dub I was shocked to find out that the lines were moving
faster than usual. The progress that was made in these few seconds quickly came
to a halt when all of the French toast was taken. Most of the students in front
of me decided that they were going to wait until the cook made more French toast
which caused the line to slow down substantially. After I managed to get my
food I scarfed it down and headed out the door to get to my class on time.
Once I got to class my
classmates and I discussed what society perceives a leader to be. Society believes
that a leader has to be tall, loud, white, heterosexual, Christian, and a male.
Dean Almandrez encouraged us to change the way we think when we want to
describe a powerful influential leader. We did a multiple exercises based on
the misconceptions of leaders, leadership styles, and leader followers. I have
learned that sometimes you have to be a servant leader, a leader who is the
backbone of the operation and works behind the scenes in order for the common
goal to be accomplished. I never thought of a leader as someone who works
behind the scenes, because servant leaders are not advertised on TV as much as authoritative
leaders.
After the morning class
session Crystal, Shraddha, Eve, and I went out for lunch with Dean Almandrez to
become better acquainted. Dean Almandrez was receptive to all of our questions
and comments which made me feel like she truly cares about all of her students.
I was apprehensive about meeting with Dean Almandrez, because I didn't know what type of questions she would ask me. As it turns out most of her questions were
related to how she could become a better teacher and what we liked about the
class so far. I, like everyone in my class, comes from different backgrounds and
has experienced different things throughout their lives. We are becoming one
big happy family and we only have three more days left to revel in our unity. As
soon as we started to get to know one another it is almost time for us to pack
up and leave Brown University.
After eating all of the
Vietnamese food that my stomach could handle I packed up and got back into Dean
Almandrez’ vehicle. The song Blurred
Lines by Robin Thicke came on and I couldn’t help, but to analyze the song
and I started to notice his blatantly sexist lyrics. I am noticing that I am becoming such a women’
rights activist and in all honesty a feminist.
When we returned to
class Dean Almandrez explained our next exercise which was the Fish Bowl
activity. The objective of the exercise was to have a few of the women sit with
their chairs against the wall and have the rest of the women stay at the table
and answer questions about Leadership. In this exercise the women sitting on
the outer perimeter of the table had to recite the answers that the women at the
table stated word for word. We were separated by our socioeconomic status which
made most of us feel slighted, but Dean Almandrez reassured us that there was a
reason for our separation. The lower middle class sat at the table first while
the upper middle class took notes and tried to remember our answers. During
this exercise I learned that we often judge other people when we are on the
outside looking in hence the reason why the activity was called the Fish Bowl
Activity. On a daily basis fish are being watched and we don’t know what they
think or feel. In society we assume what people feel, think, or need and we don’t
take enough time to listen twice as much as we speak. I learned that I shouldn’t
assume that someone has an easy life, because they are wealthy. Money can’t buy
you happiness it can only temporarily fill your emptiness. I feel like this
activity solidified the unity between my classmates and I and I feel confident that we will change
society for the better.
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