Journal 15 (Norms)- Ashmi

I think it's really hard to say what exactly creates these mythical norms. I feel like society perpetuates characteristics that are present in a majority. For example, there are different norms in different countries because there are so many factors that shape ideas and notions of normality such as culture, race, and socio-economics. I think everything listed in the picture to the left characterize what is considered "normal" in the American society. Institutions are what establish and perpetuate them. Institutions include the government, media, religious establishments, etc. I think these social norms create a lot of injustices in our world, like racism, discrimination, and violations of rights. Stereotyping low-income students has become a norm. The stereotype that low-income students don't go to college and instead will work in fast food restaurants to make a living. This is a stereotype that has become normalized. Many schools have stopped focusing on providing students of low-income and opportunities the resources needed to pursue higher education. Many of these students start internalizing that they are failures or that they aren't meant for college.

Everyday we forget that normal can mean a million different things. Nobody can define what normal means. Normal can mean eating dessert before dinner, or wearing your shirt inside out, or eating ice cream with a fork. Normal is never definitive and I a lot of times I personally forget that. Many times I feel like I need to be conforming to society because if I don't, then I feel like the odd man out. I realize that I do this though and I try to make an active change in the way I see myself in society. I am not sure where I fit into society because even though I fit into the "norms" in some respects, I also challenge them. I challenge my parent's traditional beliefs all the time by asking them to volunteer abroad, or go to school away from home, or even pursue high school 17 hours away from them. I feel like I am in two different societies. One is the American society and the other is the Indian American society. I am trying to find a way to fit into both of them and sometime it requires that I settle for the norm in one society to challenge the other.

Journal 15-There Is No Such Thing As "Normal"-George

I am surprised I have not heard of the term mythical norm before. However, once I learn about what the "norm" is from the reading, I realized that I have known this "mythical norm" all along. The idea that those in society who are “white, thin, male, young, heterosexual, Christian, and financially secure” are somehow superior to those who are not is a dangerous notion of injustice. Those who fall outside of this norm will internalize the fact that they are inferior. Worst, the mythical norm causes activists to be myopic in their cause. For instance, people tend to link the achievement gap due to racist education policy and practice. However, the achievement gap can be tied to many factors including but not limited to policy, poverty, cultural differences, geographic location, and availability of resources. As agents of change, we cannot afford to subscribe to the "mythical norm" when tackling social injustice. We have to think broad and deep and engage multiple stakeholders when possible.

I definitely don't fit into the so called mythical norm and it has been both a curse and a blessing. I feel that I am not as sheltered in society because my family is not financially secured or Caucasian. But at the same time, being who I am and my upbringing have given me unique perspectives and unique skill sets. For instance, I am more empathetic to students who work 10-20 hours a week to pay their tuition. Even though I am not part of the "norm," I am still proud of where I come from and how I get here. Yet, the "norm" affects all of us. What we can do is to be aware of this norm, constantly educate ourselves, and be above the "norm"--whatever that may mean. I don't think there is such a thing as "normal."

Yania Escobar - Normality

It is pretty refreshing to see stereotypes referred to as myths. I have often been and seen others be compared against these myths, and it can be very painful. The mythical norm can lead people to live in a constant chase of what is accepted that will never be completely fulfilled. It is impossible to ever be normal because it is not an attainable human condition. Even when one feels that normality has been achieved, this norm can change and even if one changes with the norm, there is still a feeling of discontent. Happiness cannot be reached by seeking a tangible thing or status, it is only by letting go of these preconceptions and changing only for oneself that happiness can really develop.
In the United States, there are infinite norms that keep people constantly doubting their human emotions and actions and altering their behavior in a way that will be acceptable to everyone else. One broad example is the way we must speak to each other. I have never encountered so many euphemisms and fake speech as when I moved to this country. People are constantly checking what they say as to not to offend or hurt anyone. Of course this is not necessarily always bad, it is nice to take other’s feelings into account, but it would be nice to really free our speech a little more. Saying “that is interesting” when we mean “I dislike that” is a little too far, and this is something I have done to fit the norm.
I feel like I have been told I am weird more times than I can count, and I make it a mission to defy the norm. It can sometimes be hurtful, especially when I was in high school, for people to “ok…?” me and tell me I was not normal. I think my mission statement was titled defining my normality or something like that. In high school I became really interested in redefining norms for myself and allowing them to morph as needed. Now I have taken a step further and have not thought about it seriously in a couple of years. I am trying to get rid of definitions about myself altogether, because there is no such thing as “myself.” I have started to realize how different I can be in any given moment, and I embrace that wavering phenomenon.
Even if we were able to define normal one second, it would have to be re-defined completely the next. I am glad I can now stop thinking about what is normal for a little while because it is starting to feel absurd <3.

Journal 15 - Norms

I believe that there many norms in American society. For instance, the typical “American” person should be someone English speaking, white, at least middle class, a citizen, able bodied, heterosexual, and male. Also, this person typically aspires to become well-off one day, have two kids, and a dog and does all of this based on merit. This means that they also prescribe to the American Dream, where this person believes and is proof of how we can all achieve what we want based on our hard work. However, I believe these norms need to be re-examined. To me, these norms are not only false but also extremely hurtful to those that do not fit the norm in America. There is little room for anything that deviates from the norm.

In my own life, I feel like I can sometimes fit the norm but many times, I do not as well. For instance, my queer low-income Asian female identity already sets me outside the norm. And this manifests through daily experiences in which I recognize that I am not the norm. It can range from watching television shows where Asian Americans are completely absent or to watching commercials about dating services only catered to heterosexual couples. At the same time, I contain many attributes that allow me to fit the “norm” in other ways. For example, I am an abled bodied person, a citizen, and I can articulate my thoughts clearly in English without a problem. As an Asian American, people can also see me as a person who fits the American Dream, despite my struggles as well. Thus, if I tried really hard to “blend in”, I think I can fit aspects of the “mythical norm”. Therefore, I believe that every single person can fit certain characteristics of the “mythical norm” and at the same time, not fit in as well.

Journal 12- George

Being disabled is a huge challenge. Whether it is physical or mental, a disability is a struggle that others cannot understand. Just imagine how hard it would be to lose our ability to walk, write, eat, or memorize? Even though that most individuals with disabilities I come across tend to be very strong-willed, I know that being disabled is a challenge. Regarding disability as a label, I think there is a difference between describing a condition neutrally and applying negative attitude, thoughts, and even acts to a condition. The latter serves to enforce an ideal that is utterly devastating to people who live with disability. It is precisely the negative labeling that makes living with disability hard to cope with. Schools and public places are definitely breeding grounds where such negative labeling exist. Reflecting back in my schooling, the students are absolutely brutal to students with disabilities. Furthermore, disability is a term that needs more defining. Disability is a spectrum and includes not just loosing a limb, but also illness that negatively impact our bodies. But I think that is another journal prompt for another day.

Journal 12- Aimee Liwanag

I think that the term "disabled" is a term that is socially constructed in order to classify people.  To be disabled, whether it be mental or physically, is just like saying that a certain individual is unable to do certain things because of their physical/mental disability.  I don't think that it is right for one to call someone disabled, for being disabled connotes to negative thoughts, such as being restricted from doing things that normal people do.  For example, one who is confined to a wheelchair may be identified as being disabled for he/she may need extra assistance in getting around.  These individuals may not see themselves as being disabled for they are able to do everything that everyone else can do, just differently.  Throughout school, I have witnessed student being bullied due to being differently abled.  Whether it was mental or physical, students would bully these differently abled students for being different.  Having a nephew who is autistic, I do hope that students do not bully him for being differently able.  We must understand the struggles that these individuals face on a day-to-day basis.  Students must learn at an early age that we are all different, and that we must respect and accept one another for these differences.  I don't want to say that my nephew is disabled, for he is not.  He is a fun, loving, adorable, and intelligent child that just learns differently, and people should realize that regardless of him being autistic.  

Journal 14: Alternate Pedagogies- Aimee Liwanag

Of all the teaching methods that I have read, I must admit that I do admire John Dewey's view of education, especially when it comes to how education should be interactive between both teachers and students.  As amazing as it may sound to interact on a one-on-one basis with your teacher, this doesn't always take place.  During my first semester of college, I had a math professor who was all about lecturing.  In fact, the lecture would take so long, and he would be so into his lecture, that he never stopped to ask questions to ensure that his students even grasped the material and understood what was being taught.  Whenever someone would stop the lecture, and ask a question, he would ask that we wait until after class to discuss this with him, however by then, most of us would forget our questions.  It is the fact that we were silenced, and asked to remain silent until we were allowed to speak that made learning Math extremely hard for me.  To this day, I hate math for I don't feel as though I have ever had a teacher that fully engaged me in the material.  I wish that I would have had a math teacher throughout middle school, high school, and even college, that made an effort to ensure that his/her students understood the material.  Perhaps if I have ever had a math teacher that fully was fully engaged with their students and the material that they were teaching, I would like math more.  However, this is not the case.  Because I have been silenced throughout my education, I don't feel confidant to go out there and ask for help.  If all teachers and professors could just know the importance of interacting with their students and being engaged with the material that they are teaching, then they would realize how effective their actions are when it comes to teaching their students.