Sandra Lu, Period 5, 2/11/21, Day B

Sandra Lu

Period 5

2/11/2021

Day B

Modern Mythology 2021

Socio-political Consciousness

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

These issues thrive with our history of systemic racism, normalizing racism and stereotypes towards people of color in many aspects of our lives. Up until last year I wasn't very aware of any of the issues going on around me. Sometimes in the history textbooks I'll wonder why are we celebrating this person if what they did are considered horrendous in modern day standard. Why are we celebrating Columbus if he initiated the Atlantic slave trade and the American Indian genocide and he wasn't actually the first to discover America. As much as these issues are uncomfortable to talk about, it is very important to start and continue this conversation in order to have a chance at change. During the beginning of the BLM movement, we all remember watching an account of police brutality that took a young mans life because of the color of his skin. I felt very furious that this was happening and there were many more cases like this buried 10 foot deep, we've only seen the tip of an iceberg. None of the cops were held accountable until the media blew up, that really blows my mind that they can and have gotten away with murder. This generation gives all of us hopes that things will and can change. 

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 come from a first generation immigrant family, my parents have very little knowledge about these ongoing social issues along with the stereotypes and racism they have absorbed. I grew up being fed stereotypes about other ethnic groups, they mostly negatively effect people of color, I don't blame my parents as they are also learning since then. Now I am learning to undo these personal bias along with listening to the voice of others who are deeply impacted by these issues. The Tiktok communities has really helped me in the process of learning about all these issues and ways I can amplify the voices of people who are affected by these issues.