Blog Post - Reflecting on Diversity

 REFLECTING ON DIVERSITY

• With whom did you identify most strongly in the video and why? (a list of the characters in the film is provided below) 
• I don’t feel as though I personally could identify strongly with any one individual in this video. I am Cuban-American, so I do fall under a mixed category of ethnicity. Yet I don’t think I personally have faced discrimination around that. As I did not grow up with my Cuban side and do not have much knowledge or cultural experiences tied to that part of my identity. If anything I could relate to the fear aspect that Hugh was mentioning when sharing his story about driving through Ukiah. Although, incidences have not occurred to me personally the fear is there for loved ones, and sometimes myself in certain instances. Various others (of several races) shared similar instances of fear and it is disheartening that so many live in fear due to racial discrimination.
• What moment in the film is most memorable for you, and why is it significant or what did it teach you? 
• Right about minute 14 in the video, Victor had emotionally described how he feels there is a “…silent consciousness about what it means to be American, that I sense coming from white folks”. He then further explains how grueling it is and can be as a person of color fighting racism when in all reality it isn’t an issue that stems from or can be solved by people of color. Humor was found is the end remarks of his speaking moment being “There is a way in which American and White and Human become synonyms. The why can’t we just treat each other as Human beings? To me when I hear it from a white person it means why can’t we all just pretend to be white people. I’ll pretend you’re a white person and you can pretend to be white. Why don’t you drink like I drink? Why don’t you think like I think? Why don’t you feel like I feel!!?” He proceeds to be very emotionally charged around the facts that he cannot cross that line and become something he is not. As well as that it is often expectations placed on people of color to take the steps to conform and make others comfortable. I do definitely feel that what he is saying holds a lot of truth in it, but the way he presented it was also just so powerful and captivating to me. It also sparked such great follow up questions and conversation that it really was a memorable part of the video.
• How has the film added to your understanding of issues related to racial/ethnic diversity, racism, oppression or privilege? 
• It is eye opening in a lot of senses. It really just helps me better understand through listening to several stories and opinions on the matter. I feel like that is one of the best ways to understand the issues around these subjects, is to simply have conversation and to listen. I cannot learn how oppression, and racism feel without being in the shoes of another person that has to face those daily. Yet, through listening and discussing these subjects I can better empathize with individuals. Which I hope at least makes me more cognitive to the issues and less apt to be someone adding to this crisis.
• Reflect on your own experience with diversity. How has your own background influenced how you think about culture, race, and people in general? Discuss moments where you’ve witnessed or experienced discrimination, prejudice, or privilege and how it has shaped your understanding of social justice. 
• As I stated previously I am mixed Cuban-American. Yet, my experiences around diversity stem from outside of myself. Often they have been stories from family and close friends. As I have a racially/culturally diverse group of friends. In addition, my step-father of many years is African American. Furthermore, I was previously in an interracial marriage and post-divorce am in an interracial relationship yet again. Therefore, through shared stories within my close relationships, I have learned a lot. That alone along with my personality I feel has always had me at baseline, be understanding, kind, and aware to all that surround me. I acknowledge peoples differences whether race, religion, or preferences in toilet paper side up. It is something that requires open-mindedness, and awareness in my opinion. I am not perfect and do not claim to be, but I feel as though I am self-aware of the small mistakes I may make and always aim to be a part of the solution. Most of the discrimination, prejudice and privilege I have witnessed involved my previous marriage and when I lived at home with my family. I grew up in a small town which was predominantly white. My step-father was 1 of 2 African Americans in the town. So there  were multiple instances where he didn’t feel safe or welcome and that affected all of us as a family. I experienced similar situations with my ex-wife especially amidst some of the discrimination and hate that Asians faced after the Covid-19 pandemic. It was hard then as empathy alone wasn’t enough at times. I can stand by individuals sides in the face of discrimination, but I cannot necessarily know how it feels to face that. Neither can I with the hardships, emotional strain, or anything else that may come with being in that position. So it is absolutely something that has stirred up emotional conversations in my life with ones I have cared for and loved. Overall, these things have shaped my understanding of what constitutes social justice, who it serves, and how it should/can be achieved.