Exploring Social Class in the U.S.

I used to be a military brat, my father is retired Air Force, and I can definitely understand how social class plays a huge part in our lives here in America. As a child, we moved around a lot, similar to the girl from the People Like Us website.  The changes in scenery didn't really start to affect me until 8th grade, because I didn't really care as a kid and loved meeting new people and have loved everywhere we have lived. However, when I entered high school we lived in DC, on Bolling AFB and I started 9th grade at a DC school downtown and it was not exactly what I was used to. I went to private school for 7th and 8th grade and it was nice. This DC school was a culture shock for me completely, because before you even entered the school, you had to go through metal detectors. In my previous school, I had many friends and everyone loved my company, but in this DC school is was predominantly Black and Hispanic students with a few from Ethiopia. I am multiracial, being Black, White, Filipino, and Native American, yet did not fit into this school at all. They had their own groups and classes and I was an outcast, literally in the entire school. It was a school more on the poor side, but it was the only school that buses went to from Bolling AFB. I was judged for being different because I was told I spoke too proper of English, and they called me a snob only because I talked the right way. A lot of kids there had kids themselves and they created their own groups, the only people I sat at lunch with and that were nice to me were the two girls from Ethiopia.

My mom caught wind of this, and we moved to Mount Vernon, VA and I went to a school there. It was a large school and very clean and nice, but the groups were the same because of the area that we lived in. My dad chose a new assignment in Florida and we went there. I loved that high school, I had many friends and no judgement, and the community was great. My father was head of police on base, and also one of the varsity football coaches there and everyone knew my family and I felt more comfortable. We moved back to VA in 2007 and as an adult, I began seeing that the class system does not change just because you grow up. Every job I have had so far they all have groups and cliques and they put themselves in these classes. You have the upper class, the white collar folks, and then the lower class, or the bottom-feeders. We live in a class society where people fit in to different groups, and I do not think it will change.  I think social class matters in our society today, do I think it should? I do not, but I can not change it. People will climb that social ladder all their lives, and by one mistake they can be outcast I have seen it. Maybe one day, people will be treated equal but there's always going to be classification.

Crimes against Gays and Lesbians Blog-Week 5

I am directing my blog entry to the issue with crime against the homosexual community. This issue hits close to home because I have many close friends who happen to be gay. To me of course, my friends are normal human beings just as any of my other friends and no different. However, this is not the same to a lot of people in our society. I agree with the fact that because they love differently, close-minded individuals feel that this is wrong, immoral and should be punished. I have witnessed these horrible beatings, and have heard my friends stories on the physical and emotional abuse they have endured.

I wish that our society would stop caring so much about who people love, or their preferences because there are bigger issues in this world. The sad thing is, that most of the people who hate on homosexuals and accuse them of being wrong and immoral and disgusting, are the same people who are committing adultery, or theft in some way, or could be mean and hateful people, but to them that okay because they aren't gay. A lot of the hate comes from a lot of the Christian community who think and force the fact that it is  wrong to be gay.  I am Catholic, and can argue that it says nothing on the ten commandments  about being gay or not. I hope and pray that one day people open their minds and see people as they are, people. I will admit that we have come a very long way in our acceptance of all types of people and interests and I am very proud of my generation for creating a better more open place.

Nature vs Nurture

 I have been "people watching" for most of my life, because everyone is so different and work in their own ways. When it comes to the debate on nature vs nurture, I am 100% behind the nuture aspect. I feel that however one is raised and brought up, and whatever surroundings they grew up in plays a huge part in their lifestyle and how they carry themselves.

For example, my parents have raised me in a strict but caring and lesson teaching way. I had consequences when I made mistakes, and countless lectures. My father was in the military and my mother worked for the government, so needless to say I had to be on my best behavior. Whenever I went astray, I was put back in my place. My parents always had my best interest at heart and I soon realized this the older I got. Because of that I am respectful, caring, grounded adult.

My best friend however, has had a different upbringing. It is actually the complete opposite. Her parents were not always there, and there were alot of negative things involved. As she grew up, she became reckless, and irresponsible, and pretty much did her own thing even if it was wrong.

I do not believe that men are men, women are women, dogs are dogs and cats are cats. It has alot to do with who we grew up with, how we grew up, what we learn, how we feel, how influenced one is when it comes to social media, and tv, and music, and everything in our lives.