CNN: Black in America

So for about 6 months I waited with extreme enthusiasm for the CNN Special led by Soledad O'Brien, "Black In America". The network began advertising the special at the beginning of 2008, leading up to the date, and the soundbite and clips looked very interesting, "Pain, Pride, Struggle, and Success: what it Means to be black in America." The first part, titled "The Black Woman & Family" aired lastnight, with the second part, "The Black Man" beginning in about 20 minutes.

Alas! I was SOOOOOOO very disappointed. Did I say I was disappointed? I was SO VERY disappointed. It was not at all what I expected. I expected Soledad to uncover the stereotypes, myths, and distortions that are made about black people in America. Instead, the report seemed to fan them! Believe me, I know the state of Black America is not where it seems it ought to be, but the depictions of poverty, underachieving school children is the exception not the norm. Julianne Malveaux, president of Bennett College said it best, most black people are NOT poor. One-third, or 33% of black people live in poverty--the rest of the 66% do not. And yet, the image that rises to the forefront of poverty to many is a black American. The fact is most of the poor in America are whites. They make up about 60% of the poverty-stricken. It happens that 13% of the U.S. are black people, so with poverty rates at 1/3 in this demographic, that's a pretty BIG proportion.

Anyway, I have to go set my VCR to tape the rest of the special that I had planned to show in my SOC classes. But now, I'm not so sure this piece will be useful to my students--who may already carry erroneous pre-conceived notions about blacks. I'm afraid this will add fuel to the fire.

Gun Deaths

There was an article in the Fayetteville Observer newspaper Sunday stating that a pawn shop here in Fayetteville had seen gun sales among women jump 50% the prior week. They attributed the spike to the recent deaths of two young female soldiers, Megan Touma and Holley Wimunc. Touma,23, who was 7-months pregnant, was found dead in a Fayetteville hotel, along with a note suggesting that she was murdered by a serial killer. The Fayetteville Police Department quickly put an end to that salacious falsehood citing the note had no credence whatsoever. Nevertheless, it's evident that panic ensued in Fayetteville households, probably among those headed by single mothers or army wives whose husbands are deployed.

I wonder if the newspaper will report on the spike of gun-shot wounds or deaths among children that occur in the next 2-5years? And here is the rest of it.

Symbolic Interaction

Symbolic Interaction is the third in a trilogy of Sociological Perspectives taught in an introductory Sociology course. The basics of which are founded upon the idea that in every human behavior there is a meaning attributed to the behavior. For instance, let's take cheating. I just read on a black gossip blog (nameless cause I'm a little ashamed that I even read the mess) that Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith have an open marriage--meaning they sleep with other people when they get ready, as long as they forewarn the other. The act of "adultery", or having an extramarital sexual relationship holds different consequences depending on the meaning of the marriage, functions of the marriage, and the meaning of sex in the relationship(s). Having an affair may end a marriage for some couples because the spouse understands having sex or an emotional relationship with someone else to mean they are being disrespected or un-loved. In the case of Smith and Pinkett-Smith it means they may be attracted to someone else and want to have sex with them--and it doesn't have to interfere with the marriage. It's that simple.

In our society, we learn and agree that sex outside of marriage is non-virtuous, i.e. something we shouldn't do. Thus, our actions dictate how we will/should behave in a relationship. If a mate cheats, we feel hurt, contempt, anger, sadness, and decide whether to dissolve the relationship or work it out--based on the meaning that the action of "cheating" holds.

Symbolic Interaction is a micro-level approach because it observes society from individual interactions rather than macro-level or large-scale view as does Structural Functionalism or Social-Conflict. I'm also a little ashamed to admit that Symbolic Interaction is perhaps my favorite theory. Ashamed because it's by far the easiest to use in terms of explicating human behavior, especially if you have good working knowledge of the historical context of everyday behaviors. Symbolic Interaction is also easier for Westerners to grasp because it's focus is the individual rather than the widespread influence of group dynamic.

When we interpret symbols to mean different things, then we have problems. Luckily for the Smiths, their understanding has led to a 13+ year marriage. In Hollywood, that's golden!!!

For more Sociology and social science spice, check out the Social Science Network group on Facebook.com!

Gas Prices

So gas here in Fayetteville, NC is now averaging $4.04 a gallon for regular unleaded. For me that's about $280 a month to commute 50 miles from home. Needless to say, it's a huge household expense, and I have found myself skipping a meal or two to adjust for the expense. It's ludicrous when I think just two years ago, the amount I pay in gas per month was my weekly net income. I'm not sure what other people are doing to put gas in their cars--one thing I'm not doing is staying in the house. I tried, but I just can't. I refuse to be a hostage to this insanity. At the same time, I wonder if I'm contributing to the problem.

Economists say the reason for the high gas prices is demand. I'm not sure if I buy any of the reasoning for the prices, but it doesn't help that middle class Americans like myself are probably invested in the oil companies through our mutual funds and 401Ks thereby fueling (pun intended) the very problem we lament. Although there doesn't seem to be an end in sight, I hold out hope. Whoever the next president of the United States will be I think he will be forced to explore alternative energys, which will spur the future of electric mobilization and dare I say it: aero-cars!!! Ya'll probably think I'm crazy, but to officially refute those who talk about the "end-of-days" theory to explain the craziness in the world, we're nowhere near the end of days because we haven't yet seen the engineering of flying cars. Anyway, I'm not sure if flying cars is the answer to lower gas prices, but I'm not sure staying home is the answer either. But I do know that divesting in oil companies, the Iraq war, and spending money to research alternative fuels is! And here is the rest of it.

Social Conflict

Ahhh, social conflict theory. Typically, the second sociological perspective discussed in an Introductory Sociology course. Functionalism, which sees society operating as a system of interrelated parts for the functioning of the whole--much like a human body--Social Conflict then is like its antithesis and represents the power struggle between groups in society. Karl Marx often takes the credit for this theory because of his pioneering writings on the inherent differences in class systems associated with capitalism. This approach has spawned many theories, the most popular perhaps--Feminist Theory and Racial-conflict theory. In class, it's hard for me to explain there are INHERENT differences between groups. I believe that most people and groups of people want the same. The methods and techniques they choose to achieve these things happen to vary, and the gray matter in between makes social conflict theory less concrete in times of social stability or perceived stability. But as there is a cause and effect for all phenonema, then maybe there can be inherent differeces between groups.

Let's look at the class system in the U.S.: As Americans, we live and die for the American dream (spouse, house, car, 2.5 kids, and a dog). More recently it includes upgrades like a 3,000sqft. house, and a Hummer--essentially equating to more living space to accomodate less family. We may work like hell, skipping family vacations and recitals in order to achieve this dream, yet rarely take the time to realize that our hard work most likely will not make us financially richer, rather we work for the profit-making of company owners. But if we can get the shared symbol of power and success (the spouse, house, car, kids, and dog), then working like hell is the sacrifice. If the working class felt exploited, maybe they would revolt as Marx suggested they should. This inherent difference between the working class and the company owners has become blurred since Marx's day, from opportunities to middle management advancement in corporate America to the representation of the middle class in the U.S.

In this time of social instability, the line between the haves and the have-nots is becoming clearer. Social conflict argues that change is beneficial for society and perceives of how conflict can even settle complex issues. Needless to say "change" has become a buzzword in the current political climate. It will be interesting to see how sociological theory will change upon the settling of differences between so-called inherently conflicting groups.

Bill Clinton vs. Barack Obama

Pardon me if this post seems over-simplistic or a little edgy. I am this close to revising my voter registration from Democrat to "Who gives a damn?" Is that a political party? At first, like the rest of America, I was so energized about the primaries--we all know the story--history in the making--Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, on the cusp of creating a never-before-seen event--a minority to represent the nominee in this year's general presidential election. Whoseever side you were on--Hillary or Barack, it was full of excitement! Towards the middle of May, however, things got awkward, frustrating, and a little surreal. The election has essentially been cast in the media with the incessant polls of which demographic was voting for whom, that would really make a Sociologist smile. :) But really, it has all become annoying because the lines of reality and media fiction are blurred...even for me.

For instance, I can't seem to make out the so-called hostility between the Clinton and Obama camps. Is this hostility derived from media-driven frenzies regarding sound-bites like Clinton's use of the word "fairy-tale"? or is it simply from being a sore-loser after a hard-fought and otherwise brilliant Clinton campaign. Obviously, there's some inside stuff that I know nothing about, but I do know my feelings and Clinton's subtle support of Barack Obama is leaving a VERY VERY bad taste in my mouth for the Democratic chance in November. And here is the rest of it.

Don Imus Contro

It's no surprise that Don Imus, radio shock jock is in the news again for making questionable racial comments. He has built a career of making incendiary statements that get people riled up--its the reason WABC hired him after his firing from NBC for his wicked remarks regarding the Rutger's Women's Basketball team. His "excuse" for the comment about Adam "PacMan" Jones, troubled NFL star, where he questioned, "What color is he?" after listing his many run-ins with the law was that he was being "sarcastic", pointing to the belief that oft-times African Americans are arrested for no reason in this country. Here's why that's full of sh*#. 1) He failed to immediately expound on this "plight" of African Americans to clarify his position; 2) He was privvy to the facts of Jones' legal troubles, KNOWING full well that he hadn't been arrested for no good reason; and 3) Imus, too has fallen into this trap that the media has set to make the public believe that black NBA and NFL players are ne'er-do-wells or overpaid thugs. If you counted the number of players in both leagues and compared those with on-going or even one-time legal trouble, it wouldn't BEGIN to compare to members of the United States Congress, Senate, Governors, Mayors, Representatives, or other local officials--most of whom happen to be white! So, let's keep it real. Imus has been around long enough to know better, but then he's a whore for ratings (he's also apart of those setting those false traps!).

Structural-Functionalism

You could make the argument that you won't find too many Sociologists who are not liberal politically. After all, we tend to have more of a scientific view of the workings of society understanding that life is much more than it seems on the surface, hence the need for an open mind. However, when I think of Structural-functionalism, the oldest theoretical approach in Sociological pedagogy, I envision the root of conservativism in the works of those like Durkheim, Spencer, Comte, and Parsons, etc. At the beginning of grad school I remember being told Functionalism obselete due to the proliferation of theories like Feminism and Systems. But I believe Functionalism to be alive and well--at least in terms of how I teach it.

I compare functionalism to political conservativism, e.g. ideas similar to: a family consists of a father, mother, and children--anything else is a dysfunctional operation; poverty must exist to continue the functional operation of a capitalistic society--an increase of consumption of goods and services increases supply and demand, thus making the small portion of the rich, richer. After all, it was Functionalism that fueled Sociology as a discipline, making it completely FUNCTIONAL for Durkheim during a time of unrest and political turmoil in the late 1800's Europe--by his yielding to the political powers of the day. Durkheim was able to further the case for Sociology, the scientific study of human society, by identifying and explaining social facts in society rather than criticizing them.

However, where I think the notion of "obselete" comes in is-- because Sociology has grown as a discipline in such that it has allowed us to see the intricacies of society, we can recognize functionalism for its tendency to be much too simplistic in its explication of people and their doings...much like political conservativism. Coming full circle, then, both are viable in terms of belief systems of how things USED to function, but can no longer. The best analogy is this: You've lost your leg in a terrible accident. Instead of consternating about the loss, and memoralizing how your body should function, you need to get a prostethic and carry on with your life. This is how I would explain the importance of Structural-functionalism. And here is the rest of it.

Fat Kids

The subject of childhood obesity is a news item that rears its ugly head often on the local/national news. Whenever the subject comes up in Social Problems, I tend to gloss over it because despite the strong opinions on it or rather the opinions that people tend to adopt from the media, the reason behind the "epidemic" is quite simple. Yes, we as a society eat too much greasy food, but we used to cook food with LARD people! So, our diets are not soley to blame. In a post-industrial society, where sitting at computers all day, watching tv, and playing WII is the culture, we should expect that children be a little chubby. And we need to distinguish the kids that are genetically fat and those that aren't. Science has acknowledged a fat gene that predisposes some of us to be on the thick side. I am one of them. I must've run 10,000K up and down my block as a kid, but alas I was and still am a chubby thing. I worry about my son, the classic post-modern kid, who would rather stay inside and watch Ben-10 and enjoy the air-conditioning. Because he's an endomorph , I have to watch how he eats and make sure he gets exercise. Since we don't have child labor anymore to keep our kids slim and trim we have to be viligant about their activity level and for God's sake stop blaming it on McDonald's! And here is the rest of it.

Juneteenth

Today is June 19th or "Juneteenth" as it's called in some inner circles. This day, 143 years ago, marked the date that slavery became non-existent for ALL slaves in the United States. While the Emancipation Proclamation was ratified in 1863, many black folk like those in Texas, Maryland, and Delaware were still living and existing as slaves. The date has become more prominent in the last few years, particularly since Kwanzaa has gotten mainstream recognition and due to people like national morning radio host, Tom Joyner.
The day ought to be recognized, celebrated, acknowleged so that coming generations will "NEVER FORGET" the horrors of the African slave trade as it existed in North America. As a teacher, I know all too well the ignorance and apathy of youth who dismiss slavery as something from long ago that has no residual effect on our lives now. This notion couldn't be more wrong.

It seems ironic that Barack Obama, quite possibly the next president of the United States, is a black man whose African ancestry does not include slavery. Using psychological theory, here instead of sociological, perhaps this speaks to the dysfunction of the descendants of slaves in terms of overcoming mental abuse directly attributed to the lasting affects of slavery. In Sociology there is a concept called, racial socialization, in which black families educate their children on bigotry, discrimination, police brutality, etc. --what it means being black in America. Of course, how it's done, racial socialization that is, is not a neat little history lesson. There is a lot of hostility punctuating those sentences. There is frustration, fear, anger, and misery behind this exchange--and it happens in nearly EVERY black home in America. This is a secret that I've given away to my white students. While the black students subtly nod in agreement, my white students frown in confusion to the lasting dialogue on race. After all, they don't have a frame of reference to overt racial bigotry and discrimination...and this is why Juneteenth is important. So that they should not forget and so that we can have dialogue on race and why the struggle with race still continues.

Journalistic Terrorism

I'm in transition. It can be a slow process depending on how long one has been developing into a certain thing. I was taught to be fearful of my parents, obedient to adults, and cautious, thus becoming shy and somewhat insecure. This same socialization process continues through the media with the deluge of news stories about child rape and murder, immoral acts of unkindness (the hit-&-run gentlement left for dead in the street); tainted food, and the latest incurable super-bug. What purpose does it serve for me to know every single horrific disease that I have or don't have immunity to? or to hear that a 6-week old baby girl is raped to death by her 22-year old father? The point is to scare you and me s*#t-less, thereby changing our way of life. If memory serves, isn't this the definition of "terrorism?" So news corporations like MSNBC, CNN, Fox, and others engage in journalistic terrorism each time they report stories that otherwise try to kill your spirit and desensitize you to inhumanity. Has it always been that you hear about a child dying each and every day on the news? or Am I just more aware since becoming a parent?

So, I began weaning myself from the local news about a year ago. (They're the worst offenders). But it seems I have to get my news from organizations that are not inherently concerned about ratings--Scaring us into staying in the house to watch the news all day.

These kinds of reports are dangerous because they breed fear and make us BELIEVE that the world and humanity is worse than it really is. The fact is that crime has been decreasing over the last 30 years, (with a slight spike in the last 2 years) but you could never make that assumption by watching the news!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Yesterday, I happened to watch "I think I love my wife" directed by and starring comedian Chris Rock. Now, people love Chris Rock because he's a funny guy. I think he's ok--he's got some interesting ideas, some of which I object. I know for certain that poet and educator Nikki Giovanni can't stand him--at least she couldn't 8 years ago, when I met her for breakfast here in Fayetteville. Her less-than-nice opinions of him stuck with me and despite his hilarious stand-up "Bring the Pain" that put him on the map, I think his ideas are much too simplistic to be taken seriously.

Anyway, I watched this movie--which came highly recommended by my family and critics. It was OK, but the ONE part of the movie that sparked my sociological perspective and was really glad that he included was the references to race that were completely unnecessary to the film. I know that sounds weird, but I really mean it. Like when he asked his wife if there were any B-L-A-C-K kids at the camp she was involved in. To me it was a teaching moment for white Americans; those that fail to understand the importance of race in the socialization of blacks in America, and other ethnicities for that matter. Whites should understand that most black folk see everything through the lens of race. We must accept this fact in order for us to progress along racial lines.

"Why can't we all just be human beings?" is a phrase oft-used by white people to downplay race. But you must understand that to blacks, Hispanics, Asians, etc. that IS what it means to be a human being. Of course, it's hard for whites in America to understand that idea since they belong to the dominant group whose vision of what is means to be a human being is and has always been white culture.

In terms of the fatherly aspect of the movie, I also found it interesting that according to Rock's interpretation, it was his role as a FATHER and not necessarily his role as a husband keeps him from cheating on his wife. Interesting...

The Sociological Perspective

Welcome! I created this site to log the sociological significance of most of what I observe and experience in my daily life. As a Sociology instructor, I require my students to keep a daily journal to do the same. At first, I asked them to keep a hard copy (tangible) diary thing, but doing a blog is so much more current. Anyway, for those who view this blog, thanks for looking and feel free to comment and add your two "sense" at any time!