Reflective Essay
Throughout the semester I have learned about many key concepts regarding sociology, specifically, social justice. The most important concept and recurring theme that I myself find most important is the idea of the global sociological imagination. The global sociological imagination is “the quality and capacity of mind to link one’s life, decisions, actions and indeed life chances locally to the myriad of decisions, actions, and indeed inaction’s of people in other parts of the world” (Charles Quist-Adade, Social Justice Issues in local and Global Contexts, Page 14). This concept is so important to me because I feel most issues in social justice start at the basis of this concept. It is our actions in the first place that either will or will not create social justice in the world. If we all can train ourselves to have the ability and capacity of mind to be aware of our conscious actions, and make sure those actions create a positive reactions for future events that play out thereafter, we can build more confidence in ourselves that our actions will hopefully benefit others and promote social justice around.
The global sociological imagination can be used on all aspects of social life, personally, politically, economically and within all institutions. Personally for example, we need to be aware of our actions when we purchase certain products that were produced in countries where the product was unjust fully produced. If we continue to support and buy these products that companies produce which were made by laborers who are exposed to unfair working conditions, we will not promote social justice. We need be aware who is making our products and if there if injustice in the production of that product. It is our decision in the first place that will have consequences for the good or the bad in the end. Another great example is in our class text labelled “What have my cocoa beans got to do with Canada”. Here the growing of cocoa beans utilized the global sociological imagination in a positive way in which different groups benefited from the plantation of cocoa beans many years ago, but the actions and inaction’s of the plantation have continued positive consequences and is part of the reason why i am writing this reflective essay right now. It can be amazing to see if one steps back and realizes how ones actions can affect the future for generations to come.
Globalization should use the global sociological imagination concept to promote social justice and ensure globalization’s actions benefit everyone equally. My preconceived notions about globalization were limited. I have learned the consequences of globalization can be disastrous especially in countries which are exploited. From various video we watched in class, countries who are exploited from the affects of globalization not only suffer from horrible working conditions in the working labor force for large multinational corporations but can cause wars and deaths to many people. Globalization has even been the cause for corporations for patent plants which grow food which are a main supply of food for others in various countries. This patent of food and re-modification of plants has created many unintended and ridiculous consequences. If only the global sociological imagination was used in the first place, many social justice issues would be resolved.
| What question did the chapter raise? | How did the text answer this question? | How does the answer match our own ideas and experiences? |
| Theories of social justice | The chapter gave various theories of social justice by the works of Durkheim, Marx, Weber
Durkheim- Social solidarity through radical reforms and distributive justice Marx – Mode of production relating to each epoch which has forces and relations of production ex: capitalist and working class. creates tensions in society Weber – Law and the economy, rationalization
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Not that it matches any of my ideas or experiences but i have learned through capitalism encouraged the growth of social justice theories as it paved way for the oppressed to call for change, as in the writing of marx |
| What question did the video raise? | How did the video answer this question? | How does the answer match our own ideas and experiences? |
| The video raised the question of privilege:
- what privilege is and who has it - what needs to be done
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Privilege is the unearned advantage some people have simply because of who they are.
Johnson in the video talks about the “white advantage” – because one is white means they carry a certain privilege. These privileges of being white may benefit one in all aspects of life. They might get hired over other just by being “white”, be more trustworthy and so on… Privilege can be anything - they only way to get rid of these privileges is to reclaim the language associated with it |
- It does make sense, the “white privilege”
- Personal experiences have led my understanding of such: my colored friends would sometimes get me to inquire about certain things rather them them because they feel my skin color being white will have a better outcome of getting what we requested, instead if they asked. |
| What question did the video raise? | How did the video answer this question? | How does the answer match our own ideas and experiences? |
| The video showed a positive side of globalization and how it has affected Taiwan.
It was a video response to how globalization is seen in bad way by some |
The video showed various examples on how globalization benefited the country.
- “rags to riches”, globalization modernized the country. Rapid technology growth - provided stability for the country, economic freedom and democracy, was a dictatorship 40 years ago - globalization is a starting point even though it may be harsh at times - hourly wages for employees turns out to be fair - these sweatshops provide good salaries for employees and more benefits for those who climb up to management levels - conditions in the country better - provides families a source of income |
I think of sweatshops as places were people are overworked see it as a form of slavery
however; - the video showed the positive sides of globalization, as it provides work for people in not so bad conditions. - but we need to consider these are select cases and may not be true for all sweatshops in different countries |
The video The Cell Phone Paradox is about the affects of coltan mining in Congo. The world is becoming a fast technological advancing place where cell phones use is on the rise. The mining of colton is necessary for production of cell phones. Places as Congo are rich in colton deposits and are the reason for unrest and war which lead to many deaths in the country. Those who mine the colton can be as young as children to adults which are exposed to less than ideal conditions with unfair pay.
I feel places like these that are rich in natural resources and developing experience such injustices.
I think after watching this video or videos related like these following the same format need to be presented more mainstream so people are more aware of what is going on. As for myself before watching this video, i didn’t that it possible my cell phone to be part of a cruel and unjust process from the start of production.
I believe after watching this video and those who watched it will at least to some degree justify their actions when presented by choices to hopefully make change for the better for places like in the video.
I know for myself, when presented with viable options to promote good or limit the bad actions of others, will choose the right thing even if it means choosing a cell phone that is more expensive but was produced fairly.
The Gacaca Justice System video is about a new justice system set up in Rwanda many years after its horrible genocide took place in 1994. The genocide was between the Hutu and Tutsi peoples, where the Tutsi were to be wiped out. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed in result of the genocide. Eventually it died down and the years past, but proper justice was yet to be served for the killings. The country needed a new system of law which would allow for national reconciliation and forgiveness. The Gacaca system was set up to help achieve such. It was a type of restorative justice system in with the community and offenders would get involved. The accused would be heard at community gatherings and would plead their case amongst the people and the law. When cases are heard and a desired outcome for the community forgiveness is granted, and the guilty person can be accepted by the people. This system and its goals must exist if continued coexistence between the Tutsi and Hutu continues to be possible.
I feel that this new system is achieving something positive for the country. It sheds light on the past which should not be covered up.
I think it is a step in the right direction for these countries to become more modernized where issues can be dealt on a solid system.
I believe the restorative justice system that Rwanda encompasses is the right fit. Communities not only need the accused to be punished for their actions but the victims need to accept forgiveness in order to maintain a peaceful future between these peoples.
I know that events such as this genocide cannot be left alone. Letting it be only leaves tension left in the air. It is necessary to develop a correct system of justice to deal with the genocide, so it is known and properly resolved hopefully not happening again.
The video New Rulers of the New World examined the affects of globalization, specifically in Indonesia. Globalization in the new world can be seen by some as advantageous as it may help advancement of countries , however this is not the case in Indonesia. Indonesia has been part of a murderous dictatorship which has been encouraged by the west for interests of globalization. The only advantages for globalization is that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Indonesia is a resource rich country and for ages has been bombarded by western society’s for exploitation of such resources. Globalization in the modern world has taken advantage of a new resource which Indonesia has to offer, cheap human labor. Western society’s continue to buy goods and products in which they know little about. The products they buy are manufactured, in countries such as Indonesia, which are made by workforce which are exploited. The people who make the products are paid one dollar a day at the minimum and can work up to twenty four hours in need to support their family. The conditions they work in are poor and crowded. Codes of conduct administered by western company’s for proper working conditions fail to be met. High profits are made on the manufactured products and the ones who make it receive little.
I feel that the video show a reality that takes place in other parts of the world that not many people are aware of. To us it would be a shock if we were put under those conditions, but to those in Indonesia it may be seen as the norm.
I think that the video only shows one side of the whole story. Although there may be many negative affects of globalization, it also opens up doors and opportunity for others parts of the world.
I believe we all need to be aware what occurs around us so we can have a multi lens approach to various issues, in this case globalization. We need to be aware that the affects of globalization for other parts of the world are indeed for the better.
I now know that people experience different working conditions and hardships around the world. Many people are unaware of such conditions that take place, people only know their familiar.
