Svetlana Doronkina, Period 5, 04/09/21, Day B

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

I feel strongly about the horrifying issues ongoing in this country and globally in terms of inequity, oppression, and power. We live in the modern world, yet as citizens we have little to no way of controlling the corruption that is directly responsible for our well being and quality of life. I feel that this is such an ongoing issue because of a lack of education. I believe that human beings have the natural capability to empathize, understand, and fight for justice in wrongdoings in the instance that they are educated. You simply can’t feel true passion for an issue you don’t know the depth of. We have such an enormous divide of ideologies, information that may or not be true fed to us through various networks, and even the people we surround ourselves with and communities. Unity is one of the ideals of this country, yet the decisions leaders make more often than not, further the divide. At this point, it is every citizens own responsibility to gather the truth and be aware and knowledgeable on these major issues that impact us personally or externally, because our leadership guides us in a very biased narrative with huge tears in the ideology and facts.  

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 reflect on my beliefs by reminding myself that not everyone will necessarily agree with them. It’s difficult not to state my opinions with fire because just about everyone with strong views feels that their way is best, and I can fall down that rabbit hole sometimes too. I think my perspective and seeing that other people have slightly different or completely opposing opinions opens my mind to considering them as well. This raises levels of positivity in my perception of self and other people, because I feel that if people can just listen and respectfully agree or disagree there is no harm done - it is just thought-provoking conversation and does not need to lead to anger and passion.