Religion

This week's assignment is a bit late to post.  For that reason, you will have until Tuesday, November 22 to complete it.


Read Chapter 11 (Religion) and the following articles:
The Adaptive Value of Religious Ritual
The Secret of Haiti's Living Dead

Discussion Question:
Religion is generally a conservative force in society (this does not mean politically conservative). That is, most times it supports the status quo. How does it do that? Provide examples from the readings and/or from your own experiences. Can you think of any examples where religion has been a radical force, that is trying to change society?

Quizzes

OK, things are not as dire as I had imagined.  In the second edition of the text - the one that you all have and I do not - there were a couple changes to the chapters.  Chapters 10 and 11 were combined into one chapter on Inequality.  Therefore, I am throwing out quizzes 10 and 11.  Up to this point, there was very little difference.  There were two questions in the Chapter 8 quiz and two questions in the Chapter 9 quiz that I also threw out.  As not everyone gets the same questions on their quizzes, not everyone's grade has changed.  Only those students who had those questions on their quiz, and got them wrong, have seen an adjustment to their grade.

The other change to the second edition is the addition of the Chapter "Anthropology Making a Difference"
I will make adjustments to the remaining quizzes to reflect any changes from the new edition. 

I think that I have adjusted all that needs adjusting and we will be on track from here on out.

quiz

has anyone taken the quiz and think that the questions are not going along with the chapter 11 about religion?

Race and Ethnicity-Abbey Dahl

I am of white descent, and prior to reading the article, White Privilage, I never really had thought about how my skin might have been responsible for the life I have had. I am not a racist person at all, so I look at everyone as equals. After reading the article I realized how much freedom I have, and I am not saying that other people do have freedom, but the article put things into perspective for me. I want to believe that every single person has the same opportunities, but I guess there are those people who prevent that from happening and it is unfair. I walked into a clothing store before and walked around freely, and have seen at the same time a person of a different skin color being followed and frequently asked questions. It was a shame to see this discrimination right in front of my eyes, and I wish I would have said something.

I am Italian, not the Jersey Shore kind of Italian I would like to add. People have always asked me where I am from in Italy, and are shocked when I tell them I am American and my heritage is Italian. During the summer though, I am known to get extremely tan, and once I was called a rude name at the pool because someone thought I was Latino. It crushed me to think that is how people are judged before even speaking to me.

As for my sexual preference I am heterosexual, but I believe that in this day and time everything is being accepted and I think it is wonderful. One's sexual preference should never have an effect on whether someone gets a job or not. It is great to see the "norm" of culture changing and different things becoming accepted, makes places a lot better in my opinion.

Privilege

Though few will admit it the are certain privileges that people gain in the work place based on their race, gender, and sexuality. A man is normally more likely to be picked for a job or promotion then a woman. Same thing goes for a white man over a black man. Sexuality also plays a role in how someone is treated in the workplace. Homosexuals are normally harassed based their sexuality in the work place. For me I have never had a manager that was unfair to people of other races, gender, or sexuality. So I can say in my experience that I've never witnessed the biased behavior.

Racial and Ethnic Privelege, Sam Stangl

As a white girl I am extremely priveleged, and aware of it. I am considered an "average American" by many people, no matter what their race or ethnicity, and people who are not white often look at me as if I think I am better than them. The truth is, I don't think I'm better than anyone, or that anyone is better than me. I may be either more or less talented than some people; but as far as being a "better person," I do not think of myself that way. I do, in a way, relate to "White Privlege" just because I am white, but although I have a supportive family and I get good grades in school, I am unable to find jobs because (without sounding racist, I hope...) hispanics have many of the entry-level positions available that I could qualify for. This tells me that I am not more priveleged than them at all;what you get out of life is up to you as an individual not your race.

...As a German, I have been considered just a "white girl." But I also have a lot of Polish genes, and even some Native American (Cherokee) Indian genes. Because of the European ethnicity that I have, people see me as stingy, priss and proper, but also as wild, down to earth, and smart. I don't understand what these concepts have to do with my ethnicity, but it is obvious what people think of me when they see me, or even meet me. The small bit of Native American in me makes me very close to animals and nature, and very intimate with earth, wind, and water.

...I prefer to keep my sexual orientation to myself, but I do think that heterosexuals are not always more priveleged than homosexuals. In some places they may of course be, where gay marriage is illegal, for instance, but in other places they dominate areas and everything in them, and being straight is just plain odd. The other places left are melting pots of homo- and heterosexuality, structured into an equalized opportunity for both sexual preferences. In "Heterosexual Privelege," the list seemed to be very accurate about how comfortable and how easy it is to be a straight person. But don't people understand that homosexuals, whether this lifestyle is chosen by them or for them, are comfortable in their skin as well, and comfortable in their partner if they have one? Don't people see that these people deserve not to be treated differently in any way? And what about bisexuality...? There are too many people in the world who follow through with either one of these three sexual orientations and judge others who do not choose the same route. But then you're getting made fun of behind your back by the same people you were just making fun of.
It doesn't make sense to me to feel like you can't amount to something that a white person can if you're not white, or something a heterosexual person can if you're homosexual.

Race and Ethnicity - Becca Libby

I have always thought that there are privileges to being white, but reading the White Privilege article was eye opening. I never thought that much into it, but so many of the things listed are things most white people take completely for grated. Growing up there were a lot of black kids in my classes, maybe even more than white kids in elementary and middle school. I never even thought about it until now. I grew up in a very liberal family and was taught to be accepting of people from all ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds. I feel like for many white people, it is so easy to criticize people from other racial backgrounds, not because white people think they are better but because they are the majority. Poking fun at race, religion, and sexual orientation has become so normal in this country, I feel like most people don't even think about it. Comedians and television programs exploit the differences in race and any other defining factors about people. Many people are used to it, and I'm sure a lot of people are still offended and hurt by it.

In America, we have gotten used to a way of life focused around heterosexual, white men. It has been that way from the beginning. As this country becomes more and more diverse, and as different ways of life are becoming more accepted, these narrow views are changing. I see more and more people every day proudly and happily showing off their sexual orientation, and displaying cultural heritage. It's fabulous! That is what America is supposed to be about, freedom of choice for everyone. I know there are still a lot of old fashioned people, as well as just plain ignorant people, but it is becoming more and more acceptable to be open about your choices. I mean, the KKK still exists, and have quite a few members, but they have absolutely no power, as they did years ago. It just goes to show that kind of thinking it dying off. Thankfully.