Ethnic Studies

Ethnic Studies

As I sit to reflect on my time and engagement in Ethnic Studies, the connection with fellow students and professors has dramatically transformed the way I view views issues and relate with others in my surrounding society. The increased mobility is associable with the opportunities enabling us to access the world and associate with people from diverse social, economic, or political settings. Such mobility is associable with a shared responsibility that requires us to negotiate and engage with individuals who initially seemed unfamiliar to us. Such interactions raise the question about ethnicity and how prejudice and stereotyping can hinder ones’ relationship with other members of the society coming from diversified political, social, or economic backgrounds. I must appreciate that ethnic studies did not only equip me with basic concepts concerning how to prejudice and stereotyping influences how we view others but also enhance my relationship with schoolmates. In this paper, I reflect on the significant concepts covered on the major ideas covered concerning ethnic studies and how such thoughts have connected towards enabling me to relate meaningfully with other members of the society.

The ideas covered during the class concerning racialization of religion Islamophobia were among my most essential articulations. Capitalism always adopts various approaches to ensure that racial differentiation is ever taken to dictate who remain at the bottom of the economic ladder (Jefferson 1). As briefed earlier, the diversified nature of the society requires us to relate with, understand, and appreciate individuals from diversified religious, political, or economic backgrounds. Religion racialization is one of the significant challenges characterizing modern society. When interacting with individuals from diversified religious affiliations, it is fundamental to not only understand that we have differences in religious views but also to learn to appreciate other people’s religious beliefs and practices. The reason why I considered the topic of the racialization of religion as an essential coverage is that it gives us a platform and opportunity to reflect on the fatality of stereotyping and prejudiced perception of others due to their religious beliefs and practices. For example, Islamophobia has been a major social issue in society. The debate concerning whether Islamophobia is all about religious intolerance or racism realizes opposed points of view in the community (Racialization Of Religion Islamophobia 1). The blurring of the line between spiritual matters and race is one of the significant coverages which I found to be fundamental both during my education and professional life. I agreed with the idea that racialization of religion has translated to prejudiced perception concerning the Muslim believers.

Disability theory and race formed the other coverage, which I found to be essential towards influencing how we handle individuals who are faced with particular challenges. I didn’t agree with the coverage adopted by the medical theory when responding to the idea of disability theory and race. For example, the theory pointed out that disabled people are perceived as freaks, thus reflected as individuals with an unusual physical abnormality. Even though people with disabilities suffer from such deformity, the decision by the proponents to this model to term them as inferior is worth critique. On the aspect of disability, I agree and support the argument by the social model theorists in explaining what disability entails and its implications in society. According to the major proponents of the Social Model Theory, the disabled have equal capabilities of succeeding in various political, social, and economic activities, but they are denied access hence translating to the inability to achieve their dreams (Disability/Crip Theory And Race 1). Arguably, I loved the comment that the disabled people are able bodies as opposed to the medical model, which reflected them as inherently inferior. I support the Social Model Theory because it correlates with the nature of society. Many disabled individuals have succeeded in various fields when given opportunities. Similarly, the coverage of the Colonialism/Genocide was excellent. It revealed how racial prejudice impacts society negatively and hinders cooperation.

Such ideas significantly transformed my perception concerning the minority members of the group. Discrimination based on national origin or race is a major social conce3rns in the modern world. Reflecting on the ideas covered during the studies, I realized that it is crucial to appreciate and tolerate all persons regardless of one’s social, political, or ethnic backgrounds (Intersectionality 1). A combination of various ideas coverage under the subject is essential in facilitating meaningful social, political, and economic relationships. The coverage of multiple amendments to the law shows that racial segregation, from a traditional perspective, is a negatively impactful society. For example, the issue of slavery, where many people of color were subjected to torture and forced labor, was criticized by various individuals and institutions. The 13^th amendment in the United States responded to the matters of slavery. From the coverage, I believe that all persons should be provided with equal opportunities. Colored and disabled people have strengths to succeed in various political, social, or economic endeavors.

In summary, the reflection looks into the coverage under the ethnic studies and some of the concepts I found critical in influencing my perception concerning individuals from diverse social, political, and economic facets of life. Various concepts covered during the class are reflective of the nature of contemporary society hence fundamental towards influencing different individuals’ social, economic, and political progress. I loved the ideas about the racialization of religion, settler colonialism, disability theory, and anti-blackness. Even though I support the coverage under such concepts but the reflection on the medical model is worth critique. The model reflects the disabled people as being inferior. Such an argument is vague. All people, including the disabled and other minority groups, have the potential to succeed if offered with opportunities to utilize their talents and capabilities maximally.