Sandra Salazar-Hernandez

Professor Gary Poulsen

Tim Wise
April 2015
Reflection
One of the opening topics in this film briefly went over the way the political
system role-plays in society. How it never gets around race and culture. Race is
everywhere and I dont mean to say that it is the only problem but it should be
addressed. Many people refuse to let Race be an issue and others say that it isnt a
problem. But it is. I may not have research or numbers but I have been part of the
Race Card Project for over a year and we have gotten hundreds of these 6 worded
cards. All over Salt Lake City there are people clueless and blame the oppressed,
they blame humanity and others dont know whats going on. Just as the fellow in
this film discussed the contributing factor of social issues in poverty, health care
and educationall deal with Race. Race should be brought up more in conversation
than it being shushed, silenced and oppressing the oppressed.
White history and white literature is what most schools follow as the
curriculum for everyone. I never really have given it much thought but I do agree
that everything does revolve around those who are white. That sounds harsh but it
seems that now we have to be caught up with white reality to feel part of society. If
you are of two races or were raised with a different culture then you will pick up
things throughout your life. You start picking up differences and start to become like
the people who are ignorant about this country. The film Selena there Is a scene
where her and her father talk about the gringo music. The constant battle of
knowing both Mexican singers and American Singers is quite hard to keep track of.

For example knowing singers like Pedro Fernandez, Celia Cruz, Amanda Miguel and
bands like The Killers, the Eagles, Nirvana and Green Day. I get judged when I put
my Spanish music in my car and when I play rock music at home.
There is also the constant guessing and assumptions made to those of color
vs those who are white. If you notice an average white college student who is doing
good in class he wont be much speculated and judged about his race right? But if a
colored student was also doing goodalmost immediately his race will take account
to rationalize a selfish opinion of why he gets a 60% on his test. Everyone is bound
to make mistakes but race and color is accounted if you make a mistake. This
happens to me at work where I feel like I may be less fluent in English because I was
an ESL student growing up. Because of my background and color, I feel like people
make that assumption as soon as they hear that I have an accent.
Towards the 53 minute mark in this video, the topic ended on a good note.
The speaker sad Laugh at the absurdities and I instantly made a connection to a
book called Persepolis a book about a young girl depicting the childhood she had
during the Islamic revolution. This book was great and you instantly fell in love with
Marjane---the little girl. She tells us about her rebellion and would make it a lighter
situation. Back to the video, the speaker wanted to leave us with a good note and
would make occasional jokes to lighten the mood. Since the video was almost a
little too bold against those who are whitehe seemed this comedic mood would
make everyone less directed at and more okay about social issues and oppression.
Overall I had to re-watch the almost hour film because in class I couldnt
seem to pick things up because the speaker was a little too fast. He talked so much
but he said many ideas and thoughts that we generally dont put much thought to.

The idea of privileged whites and the political system avoiding race is an eyeopener. I enjoyed the topics discussed in the video which is said to have been
recorded in 2007I am curious to find if this matter has remained the same now in
2015.