Chapter 14 (B)

Attacks on Minorities

I watched in dismay the statement recently made by former House Speaker and current front runner of the GOP hopefuls for President, Newt Gingrich during one of his campaigns in IOWA when he made this statement: “we are going to have the candidate of food stamps, the finest food stamp president in the American history in Barack Obama and we are going to have a candidate of paychecks.”

I was shocked and surprised that a politician of Gingrich caliber could make such out of touch, unnecessary and insensitive statements that disguisedly aimed at millions of Americans who found themselves in an unfamiliar territory because of the recent economic woes that has crippled the world.

The economic downturn has drawn many families into hardship. Many college graduates, middle-class families are today homeless and depend on “Food stamp” because there was no other alternative to sustainability. It’s okay for Newt Gingrich to campaign and attack his political opponent such as President Obama but should it be at the peril of families who are struggling, and still hopeful despite the hopeless current situation?

In my blog on immigration I wrote about the circumstances that brought different ethnic groups to the United States of America, unfortunately the minorities are still fighting for socio-economic parity. In recent statistics, black mortality rates are more than twice the whites, one-third of black children who live in single parent households live in poverty and the unemployment rate is 16.7% among blacks while it’s only 8% for the white race.

States such as Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and North Carolina have enacted similar strict law in their respective states that target the Latinas.  Sometimes the officers applied this law beyond poor undocumented Mexicans but also to established foreign businessmen who are in the country to conduct their businesses.

Alabama’s HB 56 immigration law empowers police to stop, and demand for immigration documents from any suspects. The law further allows the public to report any Police officers that’s not enforcing this law as such officer would be liable to legal action.

In the spirit of this law, one of Mercedes Benz’s German manager (Mercedes Benz has a large plant near Tuscaloosa) was arrested by an officer for failing to establish his legality.  In the same manner one of Honda Accord executives was also charged for not having the state’s driver’s license despite showing the officer his international driver’s license and Japanese passport.

I’m not sure if these embarrassments would provide a solution for Gov. Robert Bentley’s war against undocumented people, what is clear is that this law has everything to do with race, image, business and investments.

Chapter 14

Demand for Change (Social Movements)

In January 2011, an unprecedented event happened that shook the entire Arab world. The massive anti-government protest against President Hosni Mubarak’s 30 years of autocratic power that was plaque with corruption, poverty and unemployment. (Newman on page 459 said that “Social movement occurs when dissatisfied people see their condition as resulting from society’s inability to meet their needs”) was one of the biggest mass movement that Arab world has witnessed so far.

After days of protests and lack of support from the Western States such as the United States, Mubarak’s regime came to an abrupt end in February 2011. This protest triggered and inspired other Arab states with similar predicaments to demonstrate against their respective governments.   As a result of this “reform movement” Egypt for the first time would be heading to the polls for parliamentary elections. 

The actions of the Egyptians forced “social change” not only in Egypt but also in other monarchial and power- distance Arab countries.

While Egypt was going through its own reform, Libya the oil rich Arab country from North African also ousted President Mamman Ghadafi’s military government of more than 40 years. 

 

Syria is another country currently facing political turmoil. The citizens of that country also demanded for a change from their corrupt leaders and with the consistent pressure mounted on the government by the leaders of other countries especially the West, and also the massive media coverage and exposure of the government's brutality against the ruling party oppositions and activists.

As a result, President Ali Abdullah Saleh finally succumbed to the pressure and agreed to divide cabinet posts with his opponents in a coalition government. All these developments wouldn’t have happened if the media had not played an active role of reporting, informing, and monitoring the struggles of the Syrians to the rest of the world.

Indeed technological innovation is an important tool of "social change". Whether the consequences of all these mass movements would transform the affected countries and satisfies the demand of these people for better or for worse is yet to be known. But what is clear is that a revolution for "social change" has just begun, “vox populi vox dei.”

Chapter 13

Immigration!!!

The first time I heard or have an idea of the infamous slave trade in Africa was in 1989 after I watched the movie called ‘Roots’.‘Roots’ was a story about a teenage boy named Kunta Kinte who was captured and
taken to America as a slave in 1767. He was sold to John Waller and renamed Toby.
The gruesome experience of the captivity of Kunta Kinte and millions of Africans who were forcefully removed from their abode as narrated in the story was an eye opener and also gave me a considerable knowledge of what had transpired in the history of  Africa.

 My mother was a native of Badagry, the second largest commercial city in Lagos State Nigeria. This ancient town is located within the boundary of Republic of Benin on the south Gulf of Guinea and surrounded by creeks, ocean, islands and lake. Unknown to me the town in early 1500’s had served as the route for transporting people to America and Europe.

Even though the infamous slavery wasn’t that popular in Nigeria like other West African countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Republic of Benin, and Togo but my mother’s town of Badagry till date  kept the historic reminiscent of the infamous trade artifacts and landmarks which has now become a center of tourist attraction. The historic heritage of Black race in Western states directly and indirectly was as a result of the infamous Trans-Atlantic trade that happened many years ago. Till date some Nigerians and Africans that were  affecetd by the trade still have their names embedded to this history. For example in Nigeria if you have a foreign last name such as George, Braithwaite, King and so on, it means that the family somehow has had relationship with that history.

The Europeans also had their history in America. Ponce De Leon was a Spanish explorer who discovered Florida in 1513. Later in 1540 another Spanish captain named Cabeza de Vaca with other group of people
discovered Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

The point I’m trying to make is that besides the Native American, all other races that became American migrated or emigrated through different circumstances. Hence, America is a country of immigrants.

The issue of immigration will continue to be volatile not only in America but also in other developed countries where standard of living are considerably better and as long as long as factors such as poverty, political instability, violent and insecurity persists in developing countries the issue of migration either legal or illegal would continue to persist.

Apart from the societal norms and culture In United States which is different from Africa culture, factors such adaptation to new society and  legal documentation are some of the challenges of immigrants that are looking for greener pastures in foreign land.

Sadly, the issue of illegal immigrants will continue to be controversial and triggers protest from pro and anti-immigration activists and also between the lawmakers of the affected developed countries all over the world. If drastic measures are not taken to end the world's economy inequalities and disparities.

Chapter 12 (B)

Lately, I have been following the news and campaign activities of the Republican Presidential aspirants, even though there has been nothing to really cheer about in their campaigns, or the gaffs some of them have made so far, or the war of words and tantrums they've been throwing at each other.

But the news that caught my attention which I found most interesting and embarrassing was the allegations of sexual harassments by some ladies against Herman Cain. What made it so compelling was how his party faithfuls, supporters, his attorney, and some news media played the whole story down and labeled it to be nothing but Herman Cain’s ‘assassination of character ‘. (Really)

When Sharon Bialek first came out to accuse Herman Cain of past sexual harassment, the allegation received mixed reactions from the Republican caucus, media and the general public. I have listened to controversial arguments among friends  over the fact that those ladies (victims) were trying to tarnish his image and that the alleged allegations were propagandas.

It was very disappointing how these women were attacked and Herman Cain became the victim. The reality in our society on the plight of sexual victims as demonstrated in the case of Herman Cain clearly showed that sexual victims are vulnerable to credibility assessment, and they should be ready to be victimized, degraded, embarrassed and humiliated should they dare take the bold step of coming forth like Sharon Bialek did.

So who is the victim, the alleged harasser or the harassed?  Why are some members of the society treated differently from the other?  Why the hostility against those women who for years have been psychologically traumatize and mentally suppressed because the party involve is a member of the powerful and wealthy few of our society?

It’s unlikely I would get any answers to my questions and it’s most certain that many of us will draw conclusions based on our sentimental feelings, but before we conclude in our judgments let’s remember these ladies are members of a family, and deserved justice, attention, and also should be treated with respect and compassion. And also it will be an opportunity for Herman Cain to clear himself if indeed the accusations are propangadas or character assassination as his camp claimed.

Victim Blaming

Chapter 12

The Patriarchal Society

Africa is one of the continents that place high priority on gender, a patriarchal society. In the past it was very common to place the success of marriages on one that has an heir apparent. The pressure of giving birth to a boy has driven many marriages to collapse, expectant mother who should be joyous of the opportunity of bringing forth another life are more skeptical and fearful as the gender of the unborn baby is unknown especially if such mother hasn’t given her husband a male child.

 Many marriages failed due to the fact that some wives couldn’t bore a male child that would take after the family’s name and legacy. According to what I gathered from my parents it was so bad at that time that some in-laws (from the husband) would often intervene by encouraging the husbands to marry another woman or frustrates the wife out of her matrimonial home. The blame of not having a male child is solely her fault.  Such ignorant and callous treatments have been melted out to many African women for years.

I must confess that this is one aspect of my culture that I hated. Although the traits of this gender superiority still exist in our society it wasn’t as terrible as it was. (Thank God for the sociological changes and civilization). African women despite the huge improvements in their social lives still predominantly lives their life for their families.

Besides my cousins that lived with us, my mum didn’t bore a male child for my dad (I have three sisters) and I wondered how she survived not losing her matrimonial home to another woman.

My mum told me that my dad was actually pressured by his mother to get rid of her or marry another wife when she found out that I was a baby girl after my birth (I was number 3). Luckily for her my father refused to succumb to any of those stupidities, his stubbornness saved us from being separated, thank goodness.

Growing up in Lagos-Nigeria, I still remember how fathers are overjoyed when their wives gave birth to a boy. I have seen many mothers cried bitterly after giving birth to another baby girl.

Naming ceremony is a big celebration in my culture but it usually comes with a twist.  For a male child the celebrations are always excessive with pump and pageantry especially if the baby is the first son or if the woman has repeatedly given birth to more than one boy. Such woman would be considered fruitful and a source of envy by ‘unfortunate women’.

For years my mother and my paternal grandmother didn’t get along because she believed that dad listened to my mother (my mother was categorize as ‘unfortunate woman’ since she didn’t have a boy) instead of her.

Another common practice in the past was how some families would rather send a male child to school, or learns a trade whilst female child are nurtured to be obedient and submissive housekeepers, good wife and a mother (Subordinates). The perception was that it would be a waste of money, time, and resources if a female child was sent to school after all the culture believes that “woman education ends in the kitchen”. The fact that female child would eventually marry and change her last name to her husband’s meant that she’s economically insignificant to her biological family. For that reason many parents would rather invest on a male child’s education as they are considered the breadwinners and head of households.

There were few fathers like my dad who refused to succumb to all these cultural nonsense, a situation that has deprived many young girls the opportunities of being educated.

Chapter 11

Was it Bias or Office Politics?

I was privileged to work for one of the reputable Banks in the Twin Cities some few years back but had to quit due to frustration and what till today I perceived as preferential treatment on the part of my manager towards me.

I was hired as a Bookkeeper and my job mainly was to handle accounting daily activities such as Invoicing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger.

My background and knowledge in Accounting due to the fact that I have done few professional exams in Accounting in the past and also at that time I was an Accounting student at Hennepin Technical College made the job easy and satisfying for me.

As years passed by, I progressed into doing activities beyond my scope of duties, my supervisor after she realized how proficient I was in Accounts made me to do Reconciliation Statements Accounts (a duty that was designed for the position of Accounts Clerk II). Initially I didn’t mind, I felt I was not only challenging my personal skills but also preparing myself for any opportunities that it might present.

Each time there was an opening in Accounts Clerk II position, my supervisor would always encouraged me to apply with the hope that I would get it and on each occasion I always felt short for unknown reason. The comments the manager always gave me was that another person has been considered and I should keep the hope alive.

What frustrated me the most was that the management always made me to train the successful candidate.

By the time I summoned the courage to speak to my supervisor about how frustrated I was, I had already trained three employees on how to do Reconciliation Statements. While I saw progression in colleagues that met me at the organization yours sincerely remained redundant at one position “Bookkeeper”. My supervisor felt bad and told me that she couldn’t understand why I wasn’t given the opportunity as she did recommend me to the Human Resources and the Manager of my skills and proficiency on each occasion she was invited to give her opinion. She also said just like me, that she was frustrated at the whole process of consideration as well.

On paper I knew I qualified for the job because I met all the eligibility requirements such as excellent attendance with no Occurrences, accounting background, and experience what else do they want? That was the very first time I felt slighted and inferior and as the feeling of frustration grew stronger I decided to quit because I knew I wasn’t happy working in that hostile and bias environment any longer.

Chapter 10 (B)

The Caste System

Caste system is one of the negative characteristics of human society but celebrated by those that considered themselves superior to other even when they are of the same culture, ethnicity, and race.

The Eastern part of Nigeria is predominantly occupied by Igbo culture. Before the embrace of orthodox religions these people worship gods and deities.

Their society is classified into (1) Nwadiala, meaning ‘sons of the soil’, these group of people categorized themselves as the ‘Freeborn’ and they are the ‘Masters’. The second class of people is called the ‘OSU’ which means the slaves, the strangers, the outcasts, and the untouchables.  

This class of people was treated with disdain, humiliated and subject to all kinds of abuse ranging from discrimination and other forms of abuse. Example, they are prevented from social interaction or relationship such as marriage, dancing, or drinking with the Nwadiala (the son of the soil).

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=5449

This form of stereotype still quietly exists till date in Igbo traditional culture despite the embrace of Christianity, and globalization. The OSU Caste System still disallow marriages between the Nwadiala and the so called Osu. The consequences if violated include permanently barring the parties involved from their kinsmen and society.

Chapter 10

Constraint Budget

I must confess that this assignment was tasking and challenging than I ever thought it would be. It was so because culturally my type of food differs from most food that could be found in most American dinner tables. This compelled me to interview an American. Fortunately, I met a lady at a grocery store (racial background will not be disclosed, as it’s not relevant with this assignment) who opened up to me after I offered to help her carry some of her groceries to her car.

A conversation that started casually ended up in emotions. I know that majority of low-income families struggle (even my humble self struggle with my income) but my conversation with this lady gave me a depth understanding of the difficulties and daily predicaments of a widow and other families  raising  more than 3 children with a low income.

Before the demise of her husband in 2008 they were living in a rented apartment and both of them were working with a combined annual income before tax of $42,000. But after the death of her husband she moved to the basement of her aged parent’s house in order to cut expenses. She gave me the rundown of her monthly expenses as follows:

Bi-weekly income $636.00 ($1272 per month)

Monthly rent $300

Utilities- Gas $35 per week

Electricity $40

Water $12

Food $100.00 per week

Internet service $45.00

Cable service N/A

Call Phone $45.00

Clothing $60.00 per month

Car Insurance $48.00 per month

Health Insurance $75.00 per month

Babysitter N/A

By my estimation her average monthly spending amounted to $1,165 which leaves her with $107.00 dollar ($1272-$1165). She told me that her aged parents have been helping her with the children when she’s away working and in school and that was the reason she didn’t include the cost of babysitter. Also she had to cut cable service on her Television, her reason was that she hardly watches reality shows and also her children are young and can still watch cartoons and other educative programs on local channels.

She told me that she has to learn how to make quick and easy meals instead of going to restaurants or buying pre-cooked foods which are more expensive.

In her conversation I found out that she shops at Goodwill store, Wal-Mart and K-Mart for her children clothing. For groceries she shops at Dollar store, Aldi grocery store, and Wal-Mart.

Not every family is fortunate to have a supportive family member like my friend whose parents are helping her to take care of her kids.

I do not see a healthy and vibrant society if millions of people are unhealthy, hungry and depressed due to lack of basic needs. Recent report on literacy ranking among OECD member countries showed that America is sinking at a faster rate (from 2^nd to 15^th). And has recorded higher number of school dropouts among teenagers. Also violent and crimes such as robbery, theft, and homicides continue to rise.  The society will continue to witness civil unrest in forms of protests and vandalism of public goods. While number of depression patients will continue to escalate. Social aid from government such as welfare checks, unemployment benefits will continue to run high the government expenditures.

Living in poverty is not a choice but circumstantial, it can be fixed if we want to.

 

Chapter 9

Educational Crisis

The city of London braced up for another massive turnout of students and activists who are protesting against the impending hike in current tuition fees to 9000 pounds starting next year. According to the news, it was reported that over 10,000 students marched through the city of London on Wednesday to voice out their angers and frustrations over the insensitivity of the country's law makers over the plight of low-income families and students. The high tuition fees is said to triple the current tuition fees paid by students.
For more on the news please click the link below:

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/uk-students-protest-high-tuition-fees/story-e6frfku0-1226190780494

It would be recall that similar incident happened in Chile, one of the most peaceful country in South America in August where over 4000 students and activists protested against over the “costs, profits and fairness of higher education” imposed by the government.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/09/student_protests_in_chile.html

Chapter 9

Education is a Tough Love

Being a student here in United States is more challenging than I’ve ever anticipated. I realized how difficult it is for student like me to combine your factory job working 40 hours or more per week in order to sustain yourself and also to maintain your status as a full time student taking more than 16 credits (4 classes) per semester. 

Considering the everyday stress such as sleeplessness, mounting bills and sending money home to your old folks (if you are from a collective culture like me) and sustaining yourself further convinced me that a success ladder is a rigorous step to climb. In order to attain that desired social class you have dreamt of all your life and enjoy all the juicy benefits that comes with it, will require hard work, perseverance, courage, and ambition, otherwise that dream might be unrealizable. I have to come to understand why many students are unable to complete their degree. The financial pressure is just overwhelming especially if you are not eligible for grants and loans as this is becoming an epidemic that requires a drastic measure by the government if America is serious about the education of the future generations.

Though I’ve not graduated but I can notice that the perception of me from my immediate boss at work and some of my colleagues who knew I’m a student has changed from what it was when I first started.  Now that the management are aware that I’m close to graduate, my supervisor has been giving me the opportunity to do lots of administrative activities rather than my regular production work. Recently, I was chosen to be part of a group called ‘think group’. This group consists of supervisors, R&D personnel, and selected few of unskilled operators that have exemplifies themselves through their skills to sit with them in order to share ideas on research and other work related projects.

I believe the prestige of being a Hamline student  clearly sets me apart from the rest of my colleagues at work, the reaction on their faces each time I tell them of my school speaks volume hence my nomination. It feels good when you found yourself in the company of those that are considered the brain of a big organization like the company I work for. This has triggered and convinced me that with a degree I can elevate my status and live a better life. It’s just a matter of time I know have a future in any reputable  company out there, and I’ve determined that no pain or stress will mar my road to success.

Chapter 8 (Blog 2)

Relativism Approach

One of the interesting news stories causing lots of media buzz and commotion among the people of  Nigeria, my country is the debate on whether to legalize “Same Sex Marriage” or not.  It was reported that there was a march by some Gays and Lesbians activists to the House of Representative demanding that there should be passage of law to legalize same sex union in Nigeria. Consequently, it was unanimously voted against by the house.

“Abomination, Sinful, this is an invitation of Biblical Sodom and Gomorrah to Nigeria, never would that be allowed in my lifetime”. These are some of the words and quotes used to describe the bill not only by the members of the house but also the majority of the  populace to describe those that are involved or believed in this type of relationship.

 I can’t deny the fact that Gays and Lesbians doesn’t  exist in Nigeria, or any Sub-Saharan African country it’s just that based on the cultural values and norms of the society, union of same sex is considered a “taboo” and under no circumstance should it be allowed to exist. To many Africans that is the cultural practice of the “Western States” and because we are constantly embracing the sociological changes brought to us by globalization and civilization should not be a factor that would mar us from our own cultural belief.

This is a typical example of what Newman described as “Relativism approach to defining deviance that rests on the assumption that deviance is socially created by collective human judgments and ideas”.

To the Western States polygamous is considered grievous just like Gays and Lesbians are perceived overwhelmingly in African society.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/30536-same-sex-marriage-offensive-to-nigerian-tradition--mark

Chapter 8

Labeling Theory

    When the news of Representative Anthony Weiner first broke up on CNN sometime in June of this year of “sexually- charged electronic relationship” with multiple women, I said to myself hope this is not true because Weiner as one of the most brilliant, vocal, sharpshooter and charismatic democrat in the Congress whose contrary arguments to Republicans are always a delight to watch has been a target for so long. But when he confirmed the allegations through press conference I knew that his days are numbered.    

After pressures from Republicans and his own party members and affiliates he resigned.

He has committed an “Absolutist Deviant” what a shame? Tongues started wagging, media frenzy over the allegation was hype, and Republicans jumped on the bandwagon. Weiner was tagged as irresponsible, a disgrace, and many unthinkable names. To them he’s unfit to hold the public office any longer, and the consequences of violating one of the “codes of conduct” of his office is for him to resign.

Really!  Is that the truth or they found an opportunity to get rid of one of the problematic opposition member in the house? Are they sure they acted in the best interest of his office and the people he represents, or the society, or simply acted on their own selfish political gains and interests? That is left to desire.

Here’s another scenario:

Pastors and Clergies are known to be the custodian of faith. The roles of these religious leaders are important in the construction of society because through their teachings of the scriptures, they instill some values and norms that complies with morality to millions of their members including children, in fact parents considered Churches and other house of worships as a safe haven and the Clergies as role model to their ward. But unfortunately this confidence has been shattered with several allegations of sexual misconducts of some these clergies. According to Newman, between 1960 and 2002, 4127 priests faced allegations of sexual abuse with the majority of their victims  teenagers between the age of 11 and 14 and out of which 81% of them were male (page 234). The consequences of these dastardly acts have not only caused the churches to lose millions of members but also huge amount of money due to financial settlements to the victims. “Settlements could be as high as $3 billion” (Newman, page 235).

My major concern is that the societies at large are bias when it comes to “labeling deviance” What could be more grievous than a seeing your trust shattered, or having learnt that some of your pastor, or rabbi, or imam has been molesting your child and yet would still mount the podium to preach against immorality and at the same time portrays themselves to be “Holy”. (Hypocrites)

There’s no doubt that this shameful act dented the prestige of this institution. Consequently, most of these clergies were either quietly resigned, retired, or voluntary left out of shame. The troubling part of all this brouhaha is that the society seems to be forgiven, I didn’t hear any of these perpetrators go on trial, neither were they prosecuted nor condemned as they did with Weiner. And most importantly they were not labeled as “deviant”

Does that mean that Weiner’s offence is grievous than these men of God?

Chapter 7

What Constitute a Family?

I didn’t know how many children were my father’s biological children until when I was 12 years old. This was so because my father had adopted seven of his deceased brother’s children when I was only 3 years old. In African context my father is the head of the family and his primary responsibilities is to financially cater for the entire family. Raising the children is so important and it’s the primary responsibilities of my mother, though my father seldom intervenes in her duty only when necessary. That is the reason why in African culture, if a child lacks the basic values such as traditional beliefs and customs of his or her tribe, which include religion, obedient training, mannerism and other forms of norms of the society, the mother is often tagged a failure. In fact the early education of conformity and non-conformity of morals and values are learnt through early nurturing from your immediate family especially the mother.

Based on my short story what constitute a family is not just a nuclear setting of father, mother and their children. But it extended to compound family where every children of a household bonded and see each other as equals regardless of biological differences. The emotional attachments and support that we’ve grown over the years has bonded us that it was hard to recognize any parental differences among us.

Coming from a different family background and culture makes it hard for me to resonate with a contemporary family that is being practiced in some society. In my opinion, the nuclear family practice tends to isolate social and emotional intimacy among siblings and families. This to me is problematic considering the level of loneliness and boredom that has escalated to suicides, crimes and ill-health in recent times. I’ve  never heard of anti-depressant medication until I got to United States and neither did I experienced or imagined the existence of  “elderly assisted living” where  grandparents would live separately until my first job in Pennsylvania as a waitress in one of the facility for elderly people. And also, I still can’t imagine myself seeking an approval before visiting any of my siblings which  many contemporary family considered it to be “ an invasion of privacy”. That might explain why it’s the tradition for me to visit Africa every year since I’ve been living in Diasporas. The loneliness is too cumbersome for me to bear.

I will attribute this contemporary living as one of the characteristics of Individualist society. After all Newman, mentioned in the text that “United States for example has no strong tradition of large extended multigenerational families living together (page 197)”.

Impression Management

My relationship with Sandy a colleague and an Asian descendant from Vietnam for over three months at work has consistently grown from just being an ordinary colleague to a close friendship. We basically do almost everything together at work. One day while we were on lunch break she broke the silence between us.

Lara I need to apologized to you. She said.

With a surprised look I asked why I deserved an apology.

 You do because prior to my transfer to your department and working with you, I have made some judgments of you and  based on my judgments ,myself and some friends had formed opinion of your character negatively, in fact some of my friends don’t like you.

I was stunned but not surprised because that would not be the first time I will hear that.  

But I didn’t pre-empt her so she could tell me exactly what led to that.

The first questions she asked were why I don’t smile often and also why is it that I always argue with everybody including the supervisor. Sandy would further say that her earlier perception of me was that I’m too feisty and arrogant. But after working with me for this short time she realized how wrong she was.

I’d judged you based on your appearance and strong personalities. You have been everything but opposite my earlier judgments of you and that is the reason why I have to apologize to you. She said.

The confession of Sandy made me realize how easy and fast people could formed opinion of you and also wonder how many of my colleagues shared her sentiments.

Being an introvert doesn’t make me a mean person, and despite being an introvert I’ve never been shy to ask salient questions concerning safety and well-being that concerns the operation workers where I’m categorized from any superior staff in any of our general meetings.

How does that make me a feisty person?  If my attitude or character is bad I wouldn’t have lasted these years that I’ve been working with the company. To me it’s simply a personality conflicts.

In my culture you have to see what amuses you before you smile otherwise you could be mistaken to be mentally sick. I remembered when I first arrived at the United States and people I don’t know smiles at me, I felt awkward  on each occasion it happens and I always asked myself why they are smiling at someone they don’t know from Adam? But as I grew to understand and accustomed myself with some of the norms and culture of United States, I found it complimenting to either smile at someone or someone smiles back at me.

Ever since the confession of Sandy, I’ve been more conscious of my appearance and non-verbal attitude I put up in public.

I guess that is what Impression management is all about.

Cultural Change

During the Pre-colonial days, naming ceremony in Africa was usually performed in an elaborate traditional ceremony. For example in Nigeria, Yoruba is one of the popular cultures that took the cognizance of this ceremony seriously. Before the naming ceremony events, it was important for the grandparents to carefully pick a name based on the circumstances of the birth of the newborn. For example a child born with umbilical chord around the neck would be named “Aina” if she’s a girl and “Ojo” if it’s a boy.

 The elders or the head of the clan would then perform the ceremony. There are seven symbolic items that had to be used because of there significant meaning and representation. Those items include; Water, Honey and Sugar, Bitter Kola, Palm oil, Salt, Dried fish, and Pepper.

The video below demonstrates the traditional naming ceremony preceding

But as the country gradually transitioned into “modern civilization” as a result of the influence and migrations of British and other Westerners who found refuge in Nigeria and as a result infused their culture into the society. Among such cultures brought into the society were Religion, pattern of dressing, and western education. These impacted the societal norms and beliefs to the extent that old traditional beliefs were mostly modified.  Today naming ceremony is religiously performed. And instead of the head of the clan or elderly person presiding, it is now performed by officiating church ministers or Alfas (Islamic clerics) and rarely will you see all the symbolic items displayed or being used during the ceremony instead they have been replaced by holy books such as Bible and Quran.

This is a generalization of social science which states the relationship between changes in one institution and another (introducing sociology pg.34)

Wow! I danced and Sing Out Loud...

I found it challenging to do this assignment because it makes me feel uncomfortable and somehow embarrassing. Luckily an opportunity presented itself at a friend’s barbeque gathering this past weekend.

 I had debrief my friend of my earlier intention of singing and dancing to myself in order to get psychological reactions and responses of her guests which were a mixture of friends from different ethnicities and races.

After settling down among the guests, I suddenly stood up and started singing a song in my native language and also dancing at the same time.

Personally I noticed that the first time I did it people didn’t pay much attention to me, the impression I got was that of a person in a party mood. Most of them just stared and smiled. There was a sense of normalcy.

But after the third time, my friend who had been watching told me that many of our other friends from Africa have been coming to her asking if I’m okay. It was worrisome to those who knew me to be a private and quiet person to see me acting that way in public.

One of my African friends wasn’t convinced with the celebrant’s response that she came up to me.

 Lara, are you okay? She asked.

Yes of course I responded.

I knew my response didn’t convince her, the expression on her face said it all.

While the Africans were worried about my offensive and disturbing behavior, the few friends from other racial background and ethnicity seem not to mind. They either laugh or ignore me completely.

I wasn’t surprised that the Africans reacted the way they did. Typically in African society it’s against the norms of the society to see people dancing and singing loud continuously by themselves without a played music. The perception and impression is that you are acting lunatic, which could raise the question of your mental wellness.

Despite leaving in United States for so long this experiment made me realize that the traits of nonmaterial culture is an invisible force, a silent voice that echoes in people’s mind and a constant guidance of your activities and moral behaviors. It’s also a warning when going against such values, norms, beliefs, and customs that nurtured you to be who you are.

It’s not that my Americans friends at the party didn’t care.  They just didn’t find what I was doing to be strange, because the society’s values and norms primarily are meant to be concerned for yourself and your immediate family. Also America values civil liberties such as freedom of speech, and personal accountability of one’s actions and such nonmaterial culture of my American friends might have prevented them from asking me what was wrong with me otherwise they would violate their own norms by intruding into my privacy. I knew if my erratic behavior had gone uncontrollably, they would simply call the authority.

In other hand, my Africa friends will be thinking of how to get my parents or my close relations, while some will even cry with the thought that I’m mentally sick. We tend to prioritize the well-being of the member of our collective group over ours.

It’s just the way of life…

Material Culture

Today October 1^st, Nigeria celebrates its 51^st independence from its British colonial masters.

I posted these artifacts not only for your viewing pleasure but also to commensurate with the on-going celebration of Nigeria Independence Day.

These artifacts are some of several artifacts that reflect the lives and societies of people of Nigeria. And also example of “Material Culture” Newman was talking about in chapter 4 of the Sociology textbook.

Happy viewing…

Norms And Sanctions

The news events that have caught my attention recently happened in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The King of Saudi Arabia overturned the lashing sentence of Sheima, an Arab woman who was found driving. If the King had not intervened, she would have received 10 lashes for disobeying one of the norms of the society.

This is an example of what Newman defined as “Mores,” a type of norms sometimes codified into laws that are taken very seriously by society. (Newman, page 106). 

You can click the link below for the rest of the story

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/saudi-king-reportedly-revokes-lashing-sentence-for-woman-driver/story-e6frfku0-1226150931520

 Wow!!! 

The Economics of Reality

It’s the custom and tradition of my family and tribe for children, young or old to sit with the aged members of the family at least once in month in order to listen to their historical narratives of events, and also to share words of wisdom with them. During my last visit to Nigeria in 2010, I was opportune to share that moment with my aged father alongside my other siblings. During our chit chat, one of my nieces asked why my grandfather had many wives and my father only married one wife.

In response to her question my father said that during the days of his great-grand fathers up to the generation of his own father (my grand-father) that the wealth of a family was measured by the numbers of wives and children. It was considered a failure if a man married only one wife both economically and socially.

How come?  I asked him.

He responded  that farming was the major occupation in those days and unlike this present  generation where there’s technological advancement whereby machineries have taken over human power which he explained was the only means and  dependable tools for farming and harvesting in those days.

So at that time it was profitable for a man that could afford a large family because as the family increase so was human power and that would result in huge harvests and revenues.

Thinking back to that response from my father and with what I’ve learnt so far in my Sociology class, I realize why Sociologists said that "sociology is the reflection of modernity.”  Intellectual revolution and rapid technological advancement has speed up the transformation of our society.

My conclusion is that marriages in the days of my ancestors were based on economic benefits and not love (or how is it possible for a man to share love with more than five women equally) and with people like my great-grandfather as one of the beneficiary ( he married many wives and bore many children). He was considered wealthy because he was able to acquired and maintained vast acres of land for farming.

Uh!!! Thank God I wasn't born in that generation...