Who am I? Who am I now that I have gone through a semester of sociology? I think that answer has changed drastically since the beginning of the semester. Before sociology, I didn't think about myself living in a world bigger than Buffalo Grove. I didn't think there were influences on my life other than myself, my friends and family.
First of all, a lot of my thoughts and feelings were very sheltered before this class. I knew somewhat about other cultures, poverty, and social class, but I know more about it now. There was one part of the class that really changed me. After sociology opened my eyes to the millions of people who live in poverty everyday, I realized how lucky I am to have a house, an education and almost all the resources I need for success around me. When we watched the video in class about Tammy, who walks to work everyday just to support her family living in a trailer home, I was shocked. I never even fathomed the idea of living like that, but now, sociology has allowed me to realize that there is a lot of poverty in this world. The community service project allowed me to help these impoverished people, and I hope to continue with helping people in need.
Also, I now realize that there are more influences on my life, including society. For example, race is a social construction. It is not something you're born with. We categorize people into blacks, whites, Asians, Mexicans... any minority. Then, with this lens on, we see these people differently depending on their race. This has affected me because I have stereotyped according to race before. Now, after sociology, I realize what I'm doing, and I have tried to stop. Also, sociology has allowed me to realize that I have a sociological imagination. I can see the world on a bigger level. I can see the bigger picture of influences on groups of people. I'm now able to understand how society makes people think certain ways, including me.
Overall, I think very differently about my life now. I believe that I am a better person in the way that I now think more about others on a daily basis and not just myself. I'm also more aware of the influences on my life and me. In the future, because I'm aware of these influences, I will be able to change them if needed. I am now a stronger person because of that. Sociology has made me think very differently about my life and me.
