Reflection

After taking this class, I think it has altered my opinions and thoughts in a lot of ways. First, I think the readings really opened my mind to issues that are going on in our country today that I didn't even realize were happening, or didn't realize the severity of it. Coming from a predominately upper class, white neighborhood, it never hit me how much inequality and how much I have taken for granted. I remember once thinking that a friend of mine from camp did not have free bus transportation to and from their school, and I thought that was crazy. What if your parents worked? How was one suppose to get school? It never in fact hit me that transportation was the least of some school districts worries. From these readings, I realized that many school districts are deprived of transportation, adequate school supplies, adequate classroom sizes and so much more. I also didn't make the connection that this was extremely race related and correlated. I was very much existing in a color blind world. I thought, since I was taught not to discriminate, that in fact I wasn't. But that is highly untrue, many of my beliefs and actions represented an unconscious act of discrimination, that after taking this class I plan on consciously changing. However, I do have fears that sometimes I have been or will be to conscious about not making someone feel uncomfortable that it back fires on me. But I believe that that is part of the process, by realizing what's appropriate and how to help when and where I can. This class has already greatly affected me. In my high school in New York, I was vice president of a community service class, and I have passed along some articles relating to inner city schools in New York City. I think my community service club can begin donating text books and other school supplies that may seem trivial but will in fact make a great difference for these schools. I hope as more people become educated and aware of topics like these, our society can strive for equality.