Stigmatism: not going anywhere?

Stigmatization, to me hasn’t seemed to change much over time. Though in ancient Greece, where branding and cutting were involved, the same effects are still here mentally and emotionally. The Greeks used to do the branding of people to show their inferiority to the others in society. This was done because these people were seen as “criminals” or “slaves”.
The United States, “the Melting Pot” of the world, still has stigmatization going on. We claim that all can get equal opportunities and treatment here, yet we totally throw that idea off when it comes to the work place, a lot of times. Statistics show that “white males” have the majority of high positions in large corporations, and are the highest paid group of people. Does this really support the idea that all have the equal opportunities? I believe that in these positions are mainly held by that group because many still have the stigmatism towards others. Other groups such as “Latino’s”, “blacks”, “women”, and “Arabs” don’t seem to be getting the equal shot at it because of their race or gender. Many still hold the stereotypes that “irresponsibility” and “laziness” are connected to these groups, and don’t have the will to look past those stereotypes. These negative qualities can be found in any group of people, but yet seem to be single out on only a few.
Any group of people in my eyes has the ability to do just as well as any other group of people at any task. But a lot of times, because of stigmatism, one group may get the opportunity over the other. This is because a lot of people expect the job to be done better by one group than the other, and the other not even getting close. If given the opportunity, for example, I believe that in an acidemic contest of knowledge, a female has just as much knowledge if not more than a male. They have the same ability to retain information and apply it as a male and possibly more drive just to prove others wrong. If these opportunities were presented in the workplace, then possibly the lesser thought of group would do better than the “normal” group.
In conclusion I just think that the idea of stigmatism going away will not be occurring anytime soon because of the bullheaded ness of different people. All persons deserve a chance, and who knows, maybe one day you will be persuaded to feel the same.

Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress

The article, Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress, had a few different controversial issues within it. The idea that Columbus came searching for wealth and good fortune, and created shame and destruction is true. He had good intentions for the world, but ended up helping to create the idea of prejudice and the idea that one person is superior to another. The Indians were found as a lesser being just because they were less “advanced” in society than Columbus and his men, thus creating the temptation of slavery and creating prejudice between the two groups.
Yet another controversial issue in my eyes is the issue of hiding behind the truth. The other clearly states that this happens a lot in today’s society. He says, “one reason these atrocities are still with us is that we have learned to bury them in a mass of other facts, as radioactive wastes are buried in containers in the earth”[Howard Zinn]. We as a society, seem to be able to state the truth, but will always seem to want to shy away from it automatically. We all know that it is there, but are rarely willing to put it out there and talk about it.
Our history seems to be “hypocritical” if you will, at times. History has shown that many people and or nations, become victims at some point in time, of some type of negativity. These people and nations always seem to look for sympathy and help from others because of their misfortunes, but then turn around and make others victim as well. “In the long run the oppressor is also a victim. In the short run (and so far, human history has consisted only of short runs), the victims, themselves desperate and tainted with the culture that oppresses them, often turn on other victims.” [Howard Zinn].
I found this writing to have a lot of meaning to it. These issues all seem to still be with us to this day and are not seeming to go away. The idea of prejudice is all over, still with the ideas that maybe Caucasians are above African Americans, or any other race above another. The idea of good intentions turning to destruction is ongoing as well. For example: the war in Iraq. Also we all still seem to want to shy away from the negatives and focus on the positives, leaving everything else in the dark. All of these issues, I believe, need to be talked about, even though they may never go away they may be lessened and more understood by the world.

Introduction

My name is matt phyillaier (Fill-air). I am from Piqua, Ohio. My major as of right now is physical education. A random fact about myself is that I played basketball in high school, and it is still one thing that I love to do.