Group Norms Project
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
"There Are Catholics, Then there is Me"- Ritual
In Catholicism there are a lot of ceremonies that we do to show our devotion to God, which some are pretty silly, while others actually hold some credibility. The biggest ceremony I have participated in was my confirmation, which is pretty much classes and then at the end of two years you have a mass to recognize that we are now devoted followers of Jesus and God. Now to most Catholics this is something that is greatly looked at upon and that most people believe in; me on the other hand see this as just a false idea of if we do these classes than God is going to love us more. This idea, therefore is crap. It doesn’t matter if one does these classes or not, if you are a good person then you are good, and if you are bad then no matter how many classes, masses, or praying you do, you are still bad. Anyways being a Catholic I decided to do this, mainly because my mom wanted me to.
When I did these classes the norm was very easy to point out, these kids, most of them that is, who were Catholics and part of my generation, saw church as a way to forgive their sins and all the bad that they did. While I was sitting in this room with them, the majority of them whom were ignorant, rude and just hypocritical, made me realize that they really thought this was going to “save” them, and I felt bad. Because you see, to think that these classes are going to save your soul, then you are in for a rude awakening. I mean I know what I believe in, and this norm of having to go to a church every Sunday and classes to tell me that just seem to be almost ridiculous. Going to church every now and then is fine, and if you go to church every Sunday then more power to you But to say that you have to attend mass once a week if you want to be looked at as a loyal servant and child of God, is ridiculous. I don’t need someone to tell me how much I love, or believe, or think I believe in God, I can tell myself that. So the norm of Church and religion is simply silly to me and in the church’s eye, of what norm is, I am a “lost” child that must be found. In the end everything has a norm and there will always be someone who sees through it and goes against it. That’s pretty much what I am trying to say through this whole little short story.
When I did these classes the norm was very easy to point out, these kids, most of them that is, who were Catholics and part of my generation, saw church as a way to forgive their sins and all the bad that they did. While I was sitting in this room with them, the majority of them whom were ignorant, rude and just hypocritical, made me realize that they really thought this was going to “save” them, and I felt bad. Because you see, to think that these classes are going to save your soul, then you are in for a rude awakening. I mean I know what I believe in, and this norm of having to go to a church every Sunday and classes to tell me that just seem to be almost ridiculous. Going to church every now and then is fine, and if you go to church every Sunday then more power to you But to say that you have to attend mass once a week if you want to be looked at as a loyal servant and child of God, is ridiculous. I don’t need someone to tell me how much I love, or believe, or think I believe in God, I can tell myself that. So the norm of Church and religion is simply silly to me and in the church’s eye, of what norm is, I am a “lost” child that must be found. In the end everything has a norm and there will always be someone who sees through it and goes against it. That’s pretty much what I am trying to say through this whole little short story.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Not What You Think- Versus
Growing up in San Fernando I have been exposed to a different life style and culture than a lot of students here at my high school, Granada Hills. Now even though I did not go to the schools in San Fernando that does not mean that I have been sheltered from the bad. With helicopters flying over night, fully aware of why, people breaking into my neighbors house at night when it was just me and my sister or walking at night and almost getting “blasted” by a gang who thought I was in one, simply because I was dressed wrong. This has shaped my life and at the same time this has made others look at me in a specific way. Most people, who are not latino, will think that I’m full Mexican and speak fluent Spanish and due to the ways I dress sometimes will think if I gang bang. Latinos on the other hand will think that I speak fluent Spanish but because they see and notice me dress differently, skinny jeans or Alice Cooper shirts, believe I am a Mexican trying to be a White boy. With this constent judgement all I can really say to defend myself is that “this is me and if you don’t like it than screw you.” I dress both ways, cholo and rebel white boy; I guess, if you can categorize a way of dressing, because of where I grew up and where I went to school. Also because of whom I associate myself with, gangsters, athletes, and all other types of people and races of people. So when you see me, what my brown skin shows and what my clothes show is me not what you think.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Network Sharing
Joaquin Bacon is Thinking and Discovering 11:40
They all come. Some stay. Most go. But we all cherish them for the time that we have them with us in our lives. These are friends, and I don’t mean the friends you meet once and then all you do is say hi whenever you pass. I mean the friends that you meet them and get to know them and that they are there for you when you need them the most, whether it is to cheer you up or make you do some outlandish funny yet stupid activity. Those are the friends that I am talking about. These are the same friends that when they leave you it hurts and sucks. All I can say, like all do when they leave is, “keep in touch” or “hit me up man.” This same thing has happened to everyone at least once. Usually it is said in the cliché writing area, a yearbook, or some other ridiculous book that is supposed to keep your entire group of friends close.
See I first got introduced to Myspace and Facebook in middle school, and the first reaction was: “That is so lame and retarded, who the hell would have one.” Well once I had a lot of good and close friends leave, I decided “what the hell I’ll give it a shot let me test this crap out.” After really trying it and not liking it something great happened, A friend request, now this was not a normal request it was from my best friend that moved out to Victorville; Hermes. This was the friend that I didn’t want to lose and ultimately did, and now because of this cool addicting yet still kind of lame social network we found each other. We were able to talk again and catch up on the times that we missed and wanted to continue. SO as for this crap called social networking…. It’s not all that bad in fact it is pretty cool and nice to know that I can meet up with my old pals that I regrettably lost contact with.
They all come. Some stay. Most go. But we all cherish them for the time that we have them with us in our lives. These are friends, and I don’t mean the friends you meet once and then all you do is say hi whenever you pass. I mean the friends that you meet them and get to know them and that they are there for you when you need them the most, whether it is to cheer you up or make you do some outlandish funny yet stupid activity. Those are the friends that I am talking about. These are the same friends that when they leave you it hurts and sucks. All I can say, like all do when they leave is, “keep in touch” or “hit me up man.” This same thing has happened to everyone at least once. Usually it is said in the cliché writing area, a yearbook, or some other ridiculous book that is supposed to keep your entire group of friends close.
See I first got introduced to Myspace and Facebook in middle school, and the first reaction was: “That is so lame and retarded, who the hell would have one.” Well once I had a lot of good and close friends leave, I decided “what the hell I’ll give it a shot let me test this crap out.” After really trying it and not liking it something great happened, A friend request, now this was not a normal request it was from my best friend that moved out to Victorville; Hermes. This was the friend that I didn’t want to lose and ultimately did, and now because of this cool addicting yet still kind of lame social network we found each other. We were able to talk again and catch up on the times that we missed and wanted to continue. SO as for this crap called social networking…. It’s not all that bad in fact it is pretty cool and nice to know that I can meet up with my old pals that I regrettably lost contact with.
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