Do you think these historical events, rules, and laws still impact our society today?
How could it not? I often to come back to the fact that many of these events occurred during my parents and grandparents time, which for most people my age (30s), might still be alive. This impacts beliefs, views, opinions, and heavily contributes to racism, discrimination, and prejudice. Not to mention we see it in the news every single day (immigration, police brutality, racism, etc.). Laws and such may have been passed to move away from such treatment but they do not change the mindsets of all Americans.
What are your thoughts after viewing these videos?
Just how little I know about non-white American history. It has inspired me to want to learn more about understand more about our country and history other than what I was taught in school, which is again, one perspective not THE perspective.
Reflection 2: Reflect on the discussion about history, our foundational structures, the "red lining" of families of color out of opportunity for economic advancement, the connection between poverty, educational opportunity, and incarceration. Are you able to see those connections?
Again, how could I not? Watching these videos helped to illustrate more clearly the racial divide in this country. I have heard people say "work harder" when it comes to opporunities and it is so not about that at all. How can POC work harder against a system that is designed to keep them down? Obviously it can happen but not in the same way that their white counterparts are able to achieve the same things. The system needs to be reformed and re-created.
Reflection 3: how much do you believe our history informs people's beliefs and behavior today? After reading "White Fragility" it has become so clear to me that history is imbedded in all of us. Beliefs that have been passed down for generations, subtly, not so subtly, live within us. History always informs our beliefs however, it should do so in a way to promote change and learn from mistakes from the past, not continue with "tradition" which is I think where some people get stuck. That this is how it has always been with little to no desire to change.
What information in this module stood out to you or impacted you the most? The videos about history through the perspectives of BIPOC and how white America pitches things as a good thing without actually listening to what the BIPOC want. Again, points to the "we know best" mentality. Also while I know and have learned about instituitional racism, that video really hits home with the reality of it.