Week 6: Theories of Difference

As we all know the differences between one individual to another is easy to see, we are all different from each other yet we are all the same. However the difference that we have also play are role in how we live our live, from things that we can control to thing that we can't control. The differences that we possess from one person to another makes up our identity. Also the differences from one group to another plays a major role in the way we interact within different groups in society and vice versa. When thinking of my identity it automatically create differences and different groups that I'm not a part of. I would say that I am a young, black heterosexual, male, son and brother, student-athlete as well as first generation student. The oblivious difference person from myself would probably be someone that not black or male whose sexual orientation is not heterosexual, they are probably the only child that does not play sports or attend college. Although, it seems that me and that person don't share individual characteristics we also differ in groups as well. Adams talks about "the possessive investment in whiteness" the only reason that individual might acknowledge that they are Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. ...Mostly because they are NOT white and that the way it has been since the arrival of the British to the United States. First they made the natives feel wrong for being Native Americans then slaves. Asian had a period in American history were they were largely discriminated only because they were not white and we are starting to see the same thing happen to Hispanic people. Mia Birdsong’s TED talk held a great solution on how we could use our differences to our advantage and help the people in our groups. For example finical disadvantaged people that are seeking change are the only individuals that know what they need that would help them get a start on improving their lives. So if these people could team up and bring a different resource to the table that will eventually help them out in the end. There also cultural differences that separate us within society whether it is religion, marriage, or certain people deal with death. In the text Grandfather’s funeral there was a very distinct point that was made about letting the people be as sad as they could be about the death of the individual, and that this death was lead way to them being able to cry about the hardships in their lives as well as the death. This also reminds me of how the New Orleans culture deals with death, it is almost the total opposite of the Dagara funerals, the New Orleans culture celebrate the life of the individual in contrast to grieving over the death of individual. They also perform a dance ritual for the dead called “second line” dancing where every family member and individuals from that person community flow a second line band down the streets dancing and drinking in the name of the deceased. As much as we are different we are the same we are all human and we all have the same feelings. I actually like the differences that we have although when we use the difference to discriminate against one another is when I dislike being different the most.