Soph's blog:)

    In her book, Tatum discusses the nature of racism, where it is often derived from and how it continues to permeate our society.  One important aspect of racism Tatum touches on is when she brings up David Wellman's description of it. Defining racism as "a system of advantages based on race" provides a framework for understanding how race permeates through our lives as a whole in the United States. Because at this point in time racism in this country is not necessarily overt. The primary concern for black and brown people in America isn't that they'll be called a slur or denied a service based on their race. While racism certainly can and does still exist in this way, it is systemic issues that are at the forefront.      As detailed by Sarah Dadouch of The Washington Post, extreme systemic racism is occurring in our prisons. The article, U.N. experts allege systemic racism and rights abuses in U.S. prisons , discusses several reports on racist ...

     In Amazing Grace Kozol explores the lives and experiences of several varied individuals living in South Bronx, he argues that the suffering happening within the highly segregated and poorest district in the country is not the fault of those who live there but the system as a whole.       Because of the living conditions within South Bronx, with extreme rates of AIDS, horrible living conditions and prevalent drug use, it is impossible for many to escape their situations. This is only made worse by the city's relocation of a large homeless population to the area or the installation of a medical incinerator that residents oppose.  Even when people win opportunities in this place, because of the difficulties they are facing they often don't come to fruition, such as the man that got a college scholarship but was an addict and died before he could act upon it. In turn this results in an overall feeling of resignation in the people living in these...

            Throughout Johnson's writings on the intricacies of privilege, power and differences the theme of our theoretical capability for decency arises several times. One such example is included above, wherein Johnson brings up the contradictory aspect of inequality, although we are extremely social creatures we find that many struggle to respect others that differ from the preconceived "norm." "The hard and simple truth is that the 'we' that's in trouble is all of us--not just straight white middle- and upper-class makes--and it will take all of at least most of us to get us out of it"   (Alan Johnson, Privilege Power and Difference , 9) .           I find the above quote and its following sentences to be particularly important as Johnson expands on the idea that issues of inequality or prejudice or privilege are not contained within the minorities effected by them. Instead, all groups are effected by one anothe...

     My name is Sophia but I also go by Soph or Sophie. I am an Art Education major and working towards a BFA in Painting. I'm from Coventry, RI and I'm currently a sophomore here at RIC. During the summer I work as a camp counsellor at Girl Scouts' Camp Hoffman in West Kingston, where I have been going ever since I was a child, making this my eleventh year there. At Hoffman, all counselors use "camp names" for privacy, my camp name is Spooky because I love Halloween and horror movies. I typically spend my with my friends and my dogs. I also play Dungeons and Dragons and enjoy making my own jewelry. I also love Ghibli movies and fashion design.  This was from a Christmas party with my friends last year where we played secret Santa.  This is from when some of my best friends and I went out for dinner.  These are some of my friends I worked with at camp this summer, this was from our final banquet at the end of the summer.  These are a few more of my fri...