Last Meeting

Oh the last JOUR 4250 class meeting. This year has been a crazy one. I don't talk much in class (usually because I seemed to get teamed up on whenever I did...but I digress), but I've soaked up everything we've discussed all the same.

I was skeptical at first. When I signed up for the class I figured we'd go in and do some case studies over how race and gender have affected people throughout the history of the world, but it was nothing like that -- much to my surprise (and enjoyment...case studies are a yawnfest).

I'll be the first to admit that I haven't agreed with everything that has been said in class, but that doesn't mean that good points weren't brought up along the way. I realized really quick that when controversial issues are brought up, some people won't back down from what they believe, even if everyone thinks they're wrong.

I've also noticed that just because someone perceives the world differently, it doesn't necessarily make them your enemy like I've turned them into in the past. I've disagreed with my ride to Dallas on multiple occasions, but when we talk and agree to disagree and change the conversation it turns out we actually agree on most things.It's funny how that works.

You mean you can be friends with someone who hates your ideals?! *gasp*

But in all seriousness, this has been a great class to take. While I'm the first to admit I don't agree with a lot of the class material, I'll also be the first to admit that I'm a young male from a small, rural city with a very closed mind on the way the world should work. But at the same time, I've been conflicted with my world views.

I come from a family where the men do the yard work, and my Mom and sisters take care of the laundry and cooking. If the women are outside, they're planting flowers or playing with the dogs. But in the same household, my Mom brings home a bigger portion of the "bacon." It's almost a role-reversal scenario, but no one talks about it. It's simply not a big deal. The reason the men do the yard work is because my Mom and sisters don't want to, not because they can't do it. So while it's a traditional household in some regards, it's not because it "has" to be that way.

I feel like that's a big reason college has opened my mind a tad (really, just a TINY  bit -- I don't accept change well). And after all is said and done, this class has helped me inch toward being a more accepting person, whether or not I want to be.