Homosexuality

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #19 EDF2085 (Homosexuality)

What is homosexuality? Is it a choice, a matter of genetic imbalance or can it be biologically related? For several years the topic of homosexuality has dominated the media in addition caused much chaos among humanity. The issues underline the subject of been gays may be greeted with behaviors similar to that of prejudicial rejection. But these prejudices are as a result of how individuals were cultured and socialized. Individual built up rejective behaviors because accepted conventions are been violated. For me I grew up in a Christian home that upholds the principles of the bible and within the scriptures are found rejections to homosexual behaviors. From a Christian perspective one is taught to love the person but not the sins of the person. Hence in this light I am somewhat tolerant to the person but not the act or the behavior of homosexuality. However growing up in a homophobic community has influenced my overall stigma to the issue of homosexuality. This however has not influenced me to any extreme behaviors of discrimination.

From my point of view we were all given choices, choices that include making wrong or right decisions. We all as human make our preferred choices at times some of which we later deal with the consequences that arise from it. For the religious, there are guidelines for which to follow in doing what is right. Now, these guidelines include the attitudes towards our fellow brothers and sister, attitudes of hate and jealousy is prohibited but yet these behaviors are cherished by the Christians. No greater is the decision of homosexuality than that of the decisions of hate and jealousy of the Christians. Yet these are all decisions that have there consequences. Thou shall not kill, but many have abortion. Love thy neighbor’s as thy self, but yet we hate. From a Christian point of view, homosexuality is a sin, and the act should be discouraged, but at the same time there should be no homophobia behaviors. That’s the view I share. I respect everyone’s decision knowing that the final judgment is not my responsibility.

Yes the reading have impacted the way I think about homosexuality, I often wonder if this is a choice or biological issue. I have witness homosexual behaviors among non-human animals; are these animals acting out of choice or this behavior is biologically related.

Reflection #18 EDF2085

Samantha Clarke

Reflection #18 EDF2085 “Tale of Two Island”

As I read the article entitled tale of two Islands, I am lead to believe that this issue was a deliberate twist on the laws of the country by officials. How it is that one country enjoys the privilege of that which another is deprived of? Is this institutional racism? Is it discrimination? Its unbelievable how this deliberate twist took place right in front of everyone’s yes. It seems to me that the relative authority changes the law to suit one ethnic group and at the same time deny another the same. The issue with the Haitians and the Cubans is one peculiar one which many are shy of calling out rightly discrimination. The law states that a refugee that is fleeing his/her country due to political hardship could come to America and amnesty would be provided for such a person.

The term institutional racism refers to the discrimination occurring within the governmental body not limited to universities or cooperation’s. When this type of racism gets thus far it is the hardest type to combat. To closely look at the situation with the Haitians who is fleeing their country because of political and economic hardship; they are well qualified for asylum in the USA just like the Cubans. But one may ask the question is this a problem of color or justice? What is good for one is not good for the other?

Reflection #17

Samantha Clarke

Reflection #17 Race and Racism

The subject race and racism is one topic that dominates our society for centuries and can be a very sensitive topic for many individuals especially those who were victims of the negative aspects of race and racism. When the term race is used it is often referring to the biological aspects of individuals as a group or ethnic group. Features such as skin color the most controversial, shape of the eyes or color and hair texture. However these characteristics are not constant and are subject to change due to shifts in social and historical circumstances. The term racism may be defined as any race-base discrimination, oppression or violence. However racism has been portrayed in a negative light for decades and there are still difficulties and drawbacks when it comes to the topic of racism.

Racism comes in all forms, shapes and size. After learning about the rejective behaviors of prejudice and how prejudice is formed I now see the logic behind such horrific behaviors that comes with being racist. I have the opportunity to study and learn about racial discrimination which entails the behavior of treating people differently due to their differences. Racism also include