At the beginning of the year I wrote about my social life as well as my interests. After taking a semester of sociology, I've been able to honestly say that I have changed. Before, I wouldn't have been able to say that was stereotypical and judgmental. Now, that is all that I ever was. I was ignorant, selfish, and rude. I lacked social imagination. I wasn't able to understand that there is a bigger reason why things are the way they are. For example, I blamed poverty on those who were in it. I couldn't grasp the idea that they might have been forced into it. After volunteering for Habitat for Humanity as well as for Ezra's Uptown Cafe, I now understand that there are so many other factors that go into poverty and who's in it. That topic hit home for me. I was in this bubble of "I live in Lincolnshire and I go to Stevenson" so I was never thinking about the other side of the economic spectrum. Currently, my mom is struggling with her job for a lot of people are being layed off. Because of my sociological mindfulness, I know that if she does lose her job it's because of something else. That there isn't a smaller factor that is the cause of her being unemployed. With that being said, I still have a lot to be thankful for. With my either decision on my mom's job, I will still be okay. I know that there are so many others who are struggling with far less than I have. What I have learned this semester gives me so much perspective.
Now when I meet someone, I try to rid myself of all my stereotypes. I aim to not categorize them and to understand their circumstances to the best of my ability.
I feel that I've become a better person, not perfect, but better.
