Brice Joseph, 1/12/2021, Pd. 2 Day A

Brice Joseph

Modern Mythology

1/12/21

Period 2

Socio-political Consciousness

What are your thoughts and feelings about issues of inequity, oppression, and/or power?

The issues relating to inequity, oppression, and/or power has been around for many, many years. Stemming back to our founding history, these issues have been prevalent on a politically and socially local and global scale. Personally, I never got to invested into these topics as I preferred to steer away from political issues and similar arguments. However, this year has definitely been a year where almost everyone was exposed to these situations. The ideas of equity and equality have been put into question by events that have taken the globe by storm. Is there really any equity or equality in our ideal society? Will there ever be? The way I look at it, there is not. Through the enormous amount of media coverage, it can been deduced that we have made little to no progress since the founding of America, the land of the free. I view everyone the same and equally as we all should. While equity is something we hope for, it shouldn't be something we have to beg for. On too many occasions, we have found ourselves questioning the morals of others and questions the true equity. I believe the bigger idea is equality in society. Equality is treating all people the same no matter and differences; seeing everyone the same. In todays society, I feel like this is something we lack indirectly. Of course there will be the people who do follow this way of living but there will always be people who will not. I believe the differences in classes and ways of living as well as beliefs is to blame for this disparity. I believe we need to understand each other instead of finding a way to argue about every small or big things that happens. Another thing is that I believe there are two sides, one side which expects too much, and the other who expects too little. The side who expects too much seems to create problems and make everything an on going issue. The side who expects too little, do not contribute to solve injustices and cannot see what is wrong.. This clash of sides results in the events of this year. Although, I have not been totally committed into these issues, I hope one day we live as an equal society where equality is a human need.

How do you reflect critically on your own beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences, and how these can influence your perception of self and others?

I found that the best way for me to reflect critically on my beliefs is to understand all the arguments. I have my beliefs and someone else may have theirs. By keeping this difference, no progress in make a compromise or sharing a viewpoint will ever arise. I like to understand both sides of something and place myself in the shoes of the other side to see where they are coming from. Without doing this, you will become quick to judge and never really understand. I feel like this understanding is the solution to many problems today. If we took the time to understand the other side instead of being limited and so determined on one belief, a idea of "peace" may be formed. Of course, this will influence your perception of others. Seeing something from a different angle can always change your mind. While someone may not look good from one angle, there's always that one angle where they do. Personally, I do not let my beliefs influence my perception of others or myself. Your beliefs  necessarily don't always reflect your character. I believe we shouldn't judge someone for their beliefs as you never know the whole story.