Last week our class attempted to decided on a social change project, key word there being attempted, for nothing really got done. At the beginning of class, we decided on a simple process which would be fair for everyone. Everyone was fine with this process, until their idea wasn't picked. Once people were upset, tension arose, and the majority of the class broke out into a huge debate. This debate was one that was not needed. Prior to class, we did a few readings in which people could have picked up some methods from. These readings helped portray examples of people who have different opinions, and how they were able to come to fair conclusions. They emphasized the fact that people have their own opinion which needs to be known by everyone in order for their to be a general understanding among the group. Although some people would rather conform than start a huge debate, others feel the need to further voice their opinions. With cases like this, there needs to be someone who can mediate the situation in a calm and orderly fashion so that things don't get blown out of proportion. By voice opinions and other ideas, the entire group can better understand where someone is coming from. By being open to others' ideas, one may find themselves changing their original thought after seeing things from a different perspective. This is why it is important for everyone to share their ideas before making a final decision. The readings teach us that is possible for people to come together and settle on final decisions in a civil manor. 

In class last Wednesday we, the class attempted to work as a group to decide on what social change project we were going to pursue as a class. We were unsucessful in coming to a conclusion on one project. It is hard to please everyone and that was half the battle. We thought we came up with a process that would please everyone but when we narrowed it down you could tell there was a lot of tension amongst the class. Interestingly enough, the readings we had prepared for, for that class can contribute some advice to our class. With the reading "My Secret Life as Black Man", is related to our class discussion because it shows that everyone has their own opinion and we need to respect that. It talks about how this guy took on 2 forms; conforming to society and then being true to his kind. However, many people sometimes don't express their opnion because of the influence that other people have on them. The second reading "Go North, Young Man" teaches us to be open minded to peoples opinions. In our class discussion there was a lot of people saying their ideas and being completely shot down right away. Who knows after listening to their explanation, their idea may be a better fit for the situation than your own idea so it is always good us to listen to the people entirely who do have something to say. All in all I feel like the overall theme of these different readings is to be true to your kind and if you have something on your mind let yourself be heard and for everyone else we need to listen and be open minded. Coming in with totally new ideas might be the way to go, but I feel as if there will still be like group against group.

Our process of choosing a final class project was a step in the right direction, but still not an effective way to choose a project. The reading My Secret Life as a Black Man talks about a man who refers to himself as living two different lives. One life where he conforms to the way society perceives African Americans and the other life, which he does as he pleases even though it may not be accepted by society. In class, everyone had the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas yet some people chose not to voice their opinions. People in class may want to conform and therefore don't speak in opposition to avoid confrontation. Some people disregard other people's views and fought for the project they wanted. In order to effectively choose a project, I think people need to express their opinions, but also be open to others ideas. As a whole, our readings all had to do with coforming to society, and I think that it relates to our class discussion, because it seems that many people's ideas/ concerns were disregarded because we were either closed minded or focused on just conforming so we could pick a project and get the debate over with.

The process that went on during class with choosing an idea to use for our final project was not very productive. At the end of class we did not get anything accomplished of what project we were going to do because everyone had their own opinion. We can use ideas from the readings to help us make group decisions. In the reading “My secret life as a Black Man” can teach as that everyone is different and everyone has their opinion so it is important to listen to what others have to say. Everyone has to be true to themselves and know what they believe in but we also have to take in to account what others believe in and try to listen and understand where they are coming from when they give ideas. Listening and understanding others will help the process of communicating with the whole class in making decisions. In the reading “Go North, Young Man”, it also teaches us to look at the other side of people’s ideas and what they have to say might make more sense then what you may think. To make this democratic process more practical it would help if people listened to what everyone has to say and not debating what they have to say right away. I think that there should be a mediator to make sure that these discussions do not go out of control.

I think that readings 18, 20, 49, and 50, all have something in common. i think that each of the readings in its own way deals with the issue of stereotyping, and how we perceive ourselves and each other. the readings address how unique groups face the stereotypes facing them head on and try to change peoples perceptions of them.

As far as the class project goes, although it may seem difficult, i think the best idea would be for the class to decide upon an issue that we all agree upon, and that we are all excited about. i think if we choose something we would all enjoy and something that we care about, the project would be really successful

The class activity that we did in class last week was very interesting. Prior to the activity I assumed that all people living on welfare were simply lazy or addicted to drugs or alcohol and that somehow it was the person who was living in poverty's fault for their misfortune. However, the activity allowed me to see that there can be many reasons as to why someone is living in poverty, and that it is incredibly difficult to escape the cycle. Although the activity only allowed us a glimpse into the life of a person living in poverty, i found it to be enlightening. i can now understand the physical, emotional, and mental toll that living in poverty has had on people.

yesss library couchesss see ya tomorrow