Week 13
Once again, I am amazed at the literature. I find it hard to
summarize my blog post of what I have taken from the reading this week, just as
I always do. But self reflection is what I always experience after reading. I think that the chapter as a whole has reminded me that there are
so many things that I can do to continue to stand up for social justice although I still feel blind. I am aware, but to stay aware without doing anything to help spread
awareness, to encourage the social change to take place is tedious,
discouraging, and sickening. I have so much to learn, I don’t know where to
start because I have so many other things to worry about in my life, its all too much to take in but I will not give up looking and
figuring out what it is that I can do to make a difference in this world. Out of all
of the text that I have read, I feel like I can’t keep up with what I read anymore.
I have began to look at my privilege, not just as a white woman, and someone wouldn’t think it but my
hearing loss is a privilege, as I receive the tuition exemption that makes my
attendance to college possible. I am hesitant and embarrassed to share that information, but
I guess it would be the first step for me to share something like that. Just because
I have a hearing loss, my college is paid for, basically free, in the state of
Texas. I have the opportunity to go to college for free unlike many people who do not. I have the choice of not working because my mother helps take care of my daughter while I
go to classes and study. I worry about my mother’s future because
she didn’t graduate from college due to health issues, so I imagine someday I will
have to take care of her and wonder if I will be able to afford to do that? I also can't start working because I am dependent on Food Stamps, Medicaid, and Section 8. Even though these things help a lot, I would not be stable with a job in college, with kids, and unable to make enough money to pay for everything and risk losing the assistance that I need. Even though I
have this great opportunity, it comes with stress, fear, past trauma, confusion,
sacrifice, and doubt.
This all relates to how it is 1000 times more worse and unfair
for millions of people that have to struggle while going to college, or not
being able to go to college, because they have no one else to depend on, or
everything depends on them. Elites and dominant groups put the blame on
oppressed populations as if it is all their fault for the poverty, crime,
health disparities, and struggles that exist within life. If only roles could
be changed, so much would come to the light, and the oppressors would be
begging for mercy. I have made mistakes in my past but I have had quite a few handfuls
of chances, unlike many stories that I have heard. I am not sure where to start
on this journey in social work. Finishing college is the most that I can do
while trying to take care of my children, reading and learning as much as I can, as I have the privilege of my mother here to help me through this.
To see the problem of privilege and oppression clearly is very strenuous, I
feel like I can’t even figure it out, how to get to the bottom of it, or most
importantly, to the top of it. I feel like I know where and what the problem is,
I just don’t know how to solve it because I can’t do it alone, how do I get
everyone on the same page? Social movement, revolution, education, social
media, but sometimes it seems like no one cares. Maybe right now not many care
enough, or just don’t know what to do, they just let it go and focus on
themselves, not realizing how connected everything is. I think that getting out
into the real world in a job in social work would help me pin point a few
answers to my questions and help guide me into the direction that I am feeling
pulled towards. I have to do more research and find out what it is that I am
looking for, and how I could be most of help to the world around me. Everyone
deserves to be able to go to college for free, given another chance, and the ability to
access equal opportunity. Everyone deserves a livable wage, home, and job. How
to make these things happen for people is exactly what I want to do.
I really enjoyed your honesty about how overwhelming social change and the readings can be. I find this very relatable because I too get overwhelmed by all of the areas that need change, and how to be a person that actually is a part of the change. Especially with recent readings, there has been more and more pressure about speaking out and acting. The readings tell us that just becoming aware about these issues, while it might be the first step, doesn’t actually mean anything unless you aren’t silent about the issues and are a part of the action towards the solution. It is a lot of pressure, and I know that it can make me feel like a bad person if I am not constantly thinking about how I can be acting to change society. However, I think that it is important to remember that one person won’t be able to change society, but instead we are all working together. Also, being a social work major means you are already dedicating your career to social change and service.
ReplyDeleteI also really appreciated you talking about your own privilege and life. You talked about things that you saw as privileges that others might think the exact opposite. Having that self-awareness is so crucial not only to social work but also to life. Thank you so much for sharing these parts of yourself and the questions you have. I think that by asking these questions, you are already taking the right steps to better understand and to be a productive member of society.
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it is hard to summarize what we have read, because the reading is so powerful. I also find it a little daunting to actually stand up for social justice issues and take action, but I know that we can do this once we all work together. I feel like we still have so much more to learn as individuals and it is scary to think we are so close to actually becoming real adults with careers. I have learned so much more in this class than I have learned in a lot of my other classes at UT, and it makes me realize that all students at the University of Texas should be required to take a social justice class. This is how I think people will be more aware of the social injustices in this world; education over this topic could change a lot of things and make people have a bigger voice when it comes to these oppressions people face on a daily basis.
I think it is very courageous of you to mention how you receive tuition exemption from your hearing loss. You should not be embarrassed about this information; this is something that can help your future. You should not feel guilty that you are privileged with this. Instead of feeling guilty, you should do everything to help those people who do not receive the same benefits as us, and I know it will make a difference. We need to acknowledge that the trouble exists, pay attention, and do something.