Captalism

I'm pretty sure every American citizen is familiar with the term capitalism. Capitalism is an economic system that includes: the private ownership of the means of production, creation of goods or services for profit or income, the accumulation of capital, competitive markets, voluntary exchange, and wage labor. It is the system in which America is run -a system where man has the freedom to run, own, compete, and gain.

Now everyone knows that with nearly everything there comes both positive and negative things. Capitalism sounds like one of the best ways to run a country, however there are some cons. Capitalism is believed by some to promote competition and strip away legitimate equality. Many instances may occur in a capitalistic government where competition is divided unequally and unfairly. (For instance where a member of the minority may have to compete with a member of the majority -one can assume that the majority member will most likely win).
The competitive aspect of a capitalistic country may result to individual's focus to be more so on individual profit and away from the profit of the community as a whole. Many people have recently seen how companies will destroy the health or welfare of a country or community, in return for self benefits. Due to the unfair distribution or intensity of competition, the wealth within a country will be unevenly distributed -in which a capitalisticc government is not required to regulate the wealth distribution of a country.

On the flip side capitalism is a type of economic system where hard work is paid off. It provides economic growth, in which individuals are given a wide range of beneficial opportunites. In this type of government individuals have the freedom to think for themselves and make their own descisions that can either make or break their company. Every descision made by that individual will effect that individual's pocket. A capitalistic government keeps citizens motivated and encouraged. Capitalism brings about social mobility for individuals to experience. There is no doubt that hope is available for every individual living under capitalism.

Globalization

Globalization is the increasingly global relationships of culture, people, and economic activity. The most common form of globalization is economic globalization, which is the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import quotas and the reduction of restrictions on the movement of capital and on investment. I know, it sounds great but with the good you must learn to deal with the bad.

Globalization has lots of global benefits. With globalization, the world seems a lot smaller. Technologies ensures that nearly every major event that takes place in a country, the whole world may know. Social networks, and emails allow for people with the proper equipment to communicate. Globalization brings in new culture to countries. People in places like China can enjoy and American style burger, and people in places like America can try Jamaican style food all in the comfort of their own home country. Globalization is said to increase the global economies in which jobs are provided for those in poverty. For the members of a capitalistic nation, one may set up a franchise in another country and increase the company's overall profit. The world seems more united with globalization, but everything that glitters is always real gold.

Globalization has said to tear down the little dignity members of poverty may have within their community. Many of the jobs provided for these individuals pay very little and require degrading tasks with hours that are unbearable. Globalization is said to have watered down the originality of cultures. A lot of places that are incorporating American franchises and lifestyles pull the younger generation from their true culture and more towards the American life. Culture serves an important purpose in society, in which it provides individuals with a sense of belonging and respect for their history and ancestors lifestyle and traditions; globalization steals that from the life's of those who once cherished their culture.

Globalization is providing the world with a more close united feel, but in doing so it is stripping away the culture, respect, and dignity of the individuals who once cherished their original identity. 

Interactionist vs. Positivist

Sociologists are broken into different categories regarding their perspective and the way they approach
things such as their experiements. The two major categories are positivism and interactionism. Both theories are attempt to investigate sociological issues and functions, but from complete opposite spectrums.

In sociology interactionists are interested in the social process by which particular behaviors come to be understood as deviant and the consequences of these for those who are labelled deviant. It is a theoretical perspective that derives social processes from human interaction. Positivists on the other hand believe that in social as well as natural sciences, data derived from sensory experience and logical mathematical treatments of such data are together the exclusive source of all authentic knowledge. Personally I feel that from the interactionist's perspective one can better grasp the interaction and relationship of individuals and society.

Because sociology is a social science, the positivist perspective is unreasonable. Statistics that have not been developed from interviews, questionaires, or any type of human interaction cannot help a sociologist focus on what sociology is set to explain- the influence of our relationships around us and how they affect our behaviours and attitudes. A positivist who uses quantitative data alone is incapable of getting thorough insight as to how society influences individuals' behavior. An interactionsit focuses more so on validity (whether or not the researcher received the information/answer he or she set out to receive); which I think is important, because without it the whole experiement was a waste of time.

Any social science requires interaction with individuals closely related to the topic of interest. One can not gain a deepeer knowledge about sociological issues, without researching the issue and those that the issue greatly impacts (which requires complete interaction).

Culture of Poverty

The culture of poverty is a theory that ellaborates on the cycle of poverty. This theory was first proposed by anthropologist Oscar Lewis, and explains that poverty remains within a family throughout generations not only because of the lack of resources but also because poverty itself has its own set of consistent ethnic value. For instance an individual born into poverty has very little hope of escaping. After children accumulate the values and customs that come with poverty they are more than like inable to escape that underclass because that individual due to the lack of exposure will not be able to compete well with those who are born into the upperclass.

The culture of poverty theory goes further to explain that the members of the lowerclass due to their seclusion are unincluded in the country whcih they reside. Many of the decisions made are not centered around members of the lower class, and because of the lack of resources these individuals voices are not heard. Lewis believed that because the poor are uneducated they are unaware of occurances outside of their poverished society. Because they are unaware of the outside lifestyles, they lack class consciousness and are unlikely to riot or make a difference. Lewis argued that the moment an individual residing in poverty gains class consciousness they are no longer apart of the culture of poverty.

The culture of poverty is sad yet accurate. Many don't believe that it successfully evaluates the structure of poverty, but personally I do. I do feel that the obstacle for a member of poverty to experiece social mobility is much greater than those of any other group. Actually breaking the chain and getting out of the bondage poverty brings is not as simple as a trip to the nearest library.

Forces & Institutions' Influence on Popular culture: The puppet master (mass media)

According to wikipedia (which in this case is close to accurate) "popular culture is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture." Pop culture is known to be influenced directly by the media, in which it controls what is available for the mass to indulge in -whether it be clothes, news, or music. There may be other institutions or forces -for example, the elite- that impacts pop culture, but I believe that the mass media is one of the most influencial institutions effecting the structure and compnents of today's popular culture.

I believe that the media  controls further than just trends in our culture. It tells us what to wear, what to eat, what to say -how to say it, and even how to conduct our selfs. The mass media sets the norms within the popular culture. Movies aired on television show the mass the life of a typical high school student, homeless man, and even teenage mother. The radio constantly plays songs it feels we should listen to. By labeling a station as one that was made for teens or kids to enjoy, the audience is indirectly told that the music played on that station is music that teens or kids should listen to.

 Because the media controls what the majority of the population receives, it plays a major role in the very things people prefer. The individuals within society that indulge in the things of the popular culture do not fit the definition of a true individual, but instead a puppet available for the mass media's manipulation.

Symbolic Interactionism in Sociology

As many of you may know, conflict lies between those who study and respect symbolic interactions in sociology and those sociologists who think it's irrelevant in sociology. Symbolic interactionism is the study of symbols, how individuals interpret them, and how individuals use these symbols to interact in society.

Sociology focuses on society as a whole rather than the individuals that make it up; many sociologists believe that actions are based on roles set on individuals in society. On the other hand symbolic interactionsts studies symbols and how individuals interpret them, because they believe that individuals’ actions and behavior are based on their interpretation of symbols. The focus of other sociological perspectives and the symbolic interactionist perspective are different, and because of this symbolic interactionism is criticized in sociology.

One that studies symbolic interactionism may justify their perspective by saying that in order for one to fully understand society and the roles within it, one must first study the actions of individuals and factors that contribute to those actions. Once an individual studies the tree -its primary functions and why or how it performs them, that individual can then move on to studying the whole forest -and why specific types of trees contribute what they do to the forest as a whole.

Symbolic Interactionism is the connecting bridge between sociology and psychology, but it is also the foundation for better understanding society as a whole.


To the founding fathers of symbolic interactionsism Rest in Peace:

   

Serving the Community

In life favors are typically returned when needed. When someone that loves you gives you a gift
on any special occassions, out of courtesy you do the same. When someone provides you
with advice when needed, return the favor by providing them with any advice you have they may need.
When someone gives you a complement you respond by returning one. Responding to another's appreciated actions with a nice deed is a sign of appreciation.

Communities provide residents with numerous services, but a majority of citizens are abominable at returning them. Any residents appreciative of the services a community provides have the responsibilty of returning services to the community that initially provides it. I try best when I can to give back my community. This summer I volunteered with a church camp. There I painted a church that provided food for the homeless, I cleaned up Fort Lauderdale beach, and went out and feed the homeless. Services given back to a community help keep that community thrive by keeping the residents happy and the area clean. After painting the church, I realized that nearly everything in the community provides services. The church I painted provided refuge ffor the homeless; the homeless were given a place to rest and eat, while the beach provide citizens with luxery and entertainment.

Community service builds not only a community but character. Volunteering requires selflessness, in which time, labor, or company is given. Once an individual learns the effects volunteering has on others, they learn
its importance and will continue to strengthen their community and those in it. community service is something everyone capable should do; afterall its basic courtesy.

Rags to Riches: Mariah Carey

Rags to riches refers to any life story in which an individual experiences extreme upward social mobility -from lower to upper class. These stories, like many functionalist believe, inspires and provides hope for members of the lower class and is best known to occur in the United States -a major part of the "American Dream."

The person I decided to blog about was Mariah Carey, one of the world's most successful singers. Mariah, along with her household family, struggled with disapproval from others -including her maternal family members- because of the ethnicity mix. Mariah's mother was Irish-American and her father half Venezuelan and half African American. Her mother's family's disapproval resulted to neglection an issue Mariah is still struggling with today. Because of the strain on  her parents marriage the two -Alfred and Patricia- got a divorce, Mariah was only three. Born in Huntington, New York Mariah watched her mother struggle as a single mother to provide for her and her younger sibling.

Mariah's mother was talented in the arts, in which she obtained a career as aan occasional opera singer and vocal coach. Mariah did not receive vocal assistance from her mom and recalls sneaking a radio to bed and just singing her heart out every night before falling asleap. Mariah's mother hadn't pushed her into the opera style of singing, but instead allowed her to develop her own voice, and express it the way her heart desired.

After Mariah graduated from hgih school, her mother married and Mariah moved into a one bedroom studio apartment with four other girls. Mariah payed her portion of the rent by working numerous waitress jobs, many in which she was fired only after two weeks. Mariah, while waitressing, created a debut-album with a high school friend in an effort to get signed by any record executive she passed it on to. She recieved rejection from nearly all record executives, but was later introduced to Brenda K. Starr -a Puerto Rican descent pop singer.

Her relationship with the pop singer grew and it was then that Mariah's debut-album reached the hands of Tommy Mottola -head of Colombud records. After Mariah Carey's first album she received exposure at the 33rd Grammy Awards, won best new artist and best female pop vocal performance. The album landed three number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the charts for eleven consecutive weeks. From here on, Mariah's career sky-rocketed. Mariah is now ranked number six on the 20 richest women in entertainment.

Social Stratifcation

According to sociology guide.com, social stratification is a hierarchy of positions with regard to economic production which influences the social rewards of those in the positions. Regardless what you chose to believe social stratification exists, and in my opinion always did. There was always a division between the rich and the poor as soon as society was formed.

What many people dont look into is the identification of individual's status. People are found saying I don't judge, but these are the very same one's who turn around and make a mental note of specific items another inidivual may possess in order to place them in their mental social pyramid. I do it, and for you reading this I'm sure you do too. It happens instantaneously when one is introduced to an unfamiliar face. The thing with these mental status assumptions is that well nowadays they're not very accurate.

Middle class and well the upper maay obtain the same items. For instance, someone in the middle class may own an i-Pad or a BMW, just like an indivual in the upperclass. These days many doctors and lawyers fall under middle class, where in the past it wasn't so. Businesses and companies now are opening up a wider marketing span, where the lower classes are being considered and advertised to. I think this is based upon the fact that the majority falls under the middle class category which leads back to where the most profit lays.

Judging was always looked at as a bad things, but the thing is in a society where social stratification exists it's unavoidable. Me, I won't because I know that most of my assumptions will not be completely accurate, so I'll leave the judging for the Big Man upstairs.

High School & it's Peer Pressures

When it comes to high school there are numerous things one may get pressure to participate in. Whether it be sex, drugs, or even skipping these pressures nearly always originate from one's peers. Because of this the type of activity may vary depending upon what type of friends one obtains. Personally, my peers (the ones I am mostly associated with) pressure me positively. The things I am pushed to do, I consider encouragements rather than pressures.

My friends encourage me to succeed, better myself as a person, and positively impact others throughout the day. With that I am pushed towards growth, growth that will prepare me for things far after high school and even university. I am pushed to succeed, in which my peers denounce the lazy spells that have a tendency of creeping up in times of dissarray. They inform me about clubs or events they know will assist me with my career choice (ie. BPA- Business Professionals of America). I am assisted in mending my flaws, in which my #team will identify my actions -big or small- that may have offended or humiliated someone; afterward offering their "next time" advice. My close peers push each other to do a "deed of the day", where we reassure someone their inportance in life an to others.

Peer pressures come from one's peers. Whether that pressure is positive or negative does not depend upon an individual's peers, but rather that individual. Choosing your friends wisely come with numerouse benefits, for your friends influence your actions. Show me your friends...and i'll show you who you are.

Kids & the "Herb"

It is fact that marijuana usage in teens is on the rise. According to teendrugabuse.us, "60 percent of teens who use drugs use only marijuana." Can you believe that? First off let me clarify what marijuana is. Marijuana -also referred to as pot, herb, weed, grass, Mary Jane, reefer, skunk, boom, gangster, kif, chronic, and ganga- is a mixture of leaves, seeds, stems, and flowers shredded together from the cannabis sativa plant. Yes, I know you're probably wondering why those components are said to be harmful to ones body, if they are all natural. Well guys, the cannabis sativa plant contains many harmful chemicals. The main chemical is tetrahydrocannabinol, which makes up most of the plant and is the most harmful. This chemical, also known as THC, is the main factor in the effects marijuana has on its users. THC acts upon the part of the brain known as the cannabinoid receptors. This part of the brain greatly impacts the one pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory perception, and coordination. A marijuana intoxicant my experience an altered conscious perception, euphoria, relaxation, stress-reduction, enjoyment of music and the arts, anxiety, abstract or philosophical thinking, and paranoia. These side-effects are short-term, but marijuana usage can ensure long-term effects, even more severely for a developing young individual. A teen's limbic system, area that controls memories and emotions, in the brain is fully developed, wherein their prefontal cortex, area that controls judgement is not. The limbic system is greatly impacted by the THC chemical found in marijuana, this combination results to teens developing a severe dependence on marijuana. Studies have shown that marijuana usage in teens increases feelings of depression and anxiety, these teens are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts. Teen users in the long run may develop schizophrenia, a intense mental disorder known to ensure emotional blunting, intellectual deterioration, social isolation, disorganized speech and behavior, delusions, and hallucinations. If you weren't worried about America's future being in the hands of the next generations, you should be now. Make a difference in your community, and help build marijuana awareness; because it sure is dangerous!

Blue Tape: Can't Learn without it, right guys?

Blue tape: a learning enhancer, a board necessity, and man's greatest creation. If you're NOT
familiar with the great "blue tape", then honestly you've got to be living under a ROCK. It's the
best thing since sliced bread. Without that blue tape pasted on my classroom board, there is absolutely
 no way I can learn for, a proper learning enviroment is never complete without blue tape. My school
administrators possess the same approbation as I when it comes to tape (specifically colored blue)
being implemented in classroom boards.

With blue tape, learning gain is promised, in which Fort Lauderdale High School is sure to remain on top.
Every student needs blue tape, for its many purposes: taking up board space, distracting students, and
utilizing extra school funds (that FLHS already lacks). I feel, I'm sure along with many of my colleages,
that before paper, ink, dry-erase markers, books and other school "neccessities" are purchased, blue tape
should be bought and implemented in each classroom; after-all we can learn without those things, but sure
can't learn without that miraculous "blue tape".

I feel that administrations strong enforcement on its implementation is greatly required. Some teachers have
the audacity to place GREEN tape on their board, and think that students will be positively impacted by it,
much like how blue tape POSITIVELY effects us; THE NERVE! Blue tape is under-rated, unappreciated, and even neglected by many. Once the new blue tape policy comes into full effect, I'm sure everyone will truely see how effective blue tape really is. (In British accent): I LOVE MY BLUE TAPE!

Subculture: Preppy :)

Many youth have heard of the term: Preppy. In our society the term "preppy"
 is used mostly to describe others who are usually always energized or happy,
enunciate words, and wear sweaters tighed around their necks. Preppy derived
from the term prepatory schools (usually located in northeastern America). These
kids usually act, dress, and speak a specific way.

Unlike some subcultures the term now usually denotes a dresscode preference
rather than a lifestyle. Movies such as John Hughs, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen
Candles, and Pretty in Pink were produced in the 80's and depicted the preps of
the 80's (when the term "preppy" was born).

I personally have been called preppy, and at first took offense. Every subculture
has a stereotype, and many ignorant people dont know where the term originated from.
A prep was considered someone who was well educated and attended private schools.
Before you take offense to what someone calls you, always remember to do you research;
what someone intended to be an insult, really could be a complement.

Domestic Violence

Despite the fact that domestic violence has been publicly spoken out against more now than ever before -whether it be in movies or published articles- there has been an increase in domestic violence, a shocking rate of 42% -womenslaw.org. According to evefoundation.org domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power or control over another intimate partner. Sounds ridiculous, i know, but if you really were sit down and ponder upon the different domestic violence scenarios shown through the media, it isn't hard to identify that the offender usually comes across as an individual desperately trying to maintain power over the victim.

What's even more shocking is estiamtes range from 960 thousand to 3 million for incidents of domestic violence yearly!-evefoundation.org. I find it sad that an individual with insecurity issues would stoop as low as abusing a love one in order to receive an ego boost or even for the self-satistfactoring feeling of being in "control". I find the fact that individuals, -especially women- tolerate or even develop excuses for their partner that practices such abhorrent behavior, troubling; children make these situations worse, being that what they see in a household, most times, is what they grow up to execute.

Before writting this blog, while doing research, I read some domestic violence success stories and realized that in every situation, no matter how hope-crushing it may seem, there is infact hope; one must build their own aspiration to flee the life of bondage and despair and fight for the life every good person deserves to live, one full of liberty, joy, abundance, and delectation.

Obesity & Poverty

If you live in America, it isn't hard to believe: Obesity is continually increasing. According to helpcurechildobesity.com, "In the last 30 years the number of children who are overweight has tripled to 15%. Once you factor in all the other American children (obese, average, and under-weight), still one-third of the nation's children are either overweight or obese. Can you believe that? This problem all boils down to the fact that Americans are not properly nourishing their bodies, -but feeding on the little nutrition found in fast foods-
and not receiving enough physical activity one needs in order to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle. Many times this may correlate with poverty, in which poor people are unable to purchase healthier foods (which tend to be on the more expensive side) or are incompetent of affording gym memberships or sports clubs.

With the increase in technology and the frequent consumption of fast foods in America, obesity rates in the US are the highest in the world; 74.6% of US citizens are overweight or obese; crazy I know, but wait till you hear about the numerous health related issues associated with obesity. Obesity are the top causes for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, gout, breahing issues, and gallblader & gallstone diseases. -webmd.com. Regardless of these deadly consequences people are indifferent to the quality and quantity of food they consume. Surgeongeneral.gov states that one out of every eight deaths are due to obesity; ludicrous, i know!

Many obesity awareness campaigns have developed to lessen the astonishing numbers in America, and thoguh there intentions are high there effectiveness are low. Honestly, i feel that they're targeting the wrong audience, and aren't going about it the right way. One must understand that obesity and poverty go hand in hand; someone who is obese becomes poor (due to health issues/medical bills), and someone who is poor can become obese (due to the diminutive food options at neighborhood stores or pricing at general stores). Once this concept is understood,  campaigners trying to build obesity awareness can focus on impoverished neighborhoods  and reduce the obesity rates there first. Everyone should be given the opportunity to a live healthy and happy life, commencing this opportunity requires change and change starts with just one individual, you!

Umm..Yea -__- I guess this is my Intro...

Honestly, I DON'T know how to start this blog thing off (due to the fact that, well, this is my FIRST blog & I'm not the "blogger" type), but I guess the best way to start anything off is with an overused salutation "Hi" and maybe even an explanation as to why I created a blog when I just stated that I'm not a "blogger." My explanation: "Basi made me." Blissful was I as I walked into my first block and greeted one of my favorite teachers, Ms.Basi. Deceiving was her gorgeous smile/greeting: for I interpreted it as a reassurance that, that block was going to be an enjoyable block much like every day in her class. Little did I know that I WAS WRONG. I sat in class like the courteous STEP-UP student that I am, and pulled out my i-Pad. I was instructed to sign into my g mail account and go to "blogger.com" (I knew the name seemed 'suspect'). I now sit here "blogging" about my inner-most feelings & what not (it's a grade...Can you believe it? The audacity!) Any-who, comment & follow because like me you have NO choice but to.

-Jah bless,

Brownin' :)