Rodnegro
6th October 2003, 19:12
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Whether we are completely in control of our own destiny, possessing the freedom, knowledge, and capabilities to do as we see fit, or merely the product of the social constructs we have created and the consequences that will follow. The one thing we should all agree upon is whether it is absolute or not, our environment and the way we construct its meaning is largely what alters our collective values and perception of one and other. While we may not always have complete control over our actions, the majority of the time it is the way we apply our prejudice and personal opinions that sculpts the stereotypes and social structure of our society.
It is important for us all to realize that none of the social constructions we have created are “natural”. There is nothing in society that is born or created as superior or inferior, for it is we the people who formulate meaning and worth. While our prejudice may be so deeply embedded within us at times that it appears as if something or someone is spawn as superior, it is only because we have been unable to acknowledge the root of our prejudice and recognize the part it plays in this process.
In theory, this is a very simple idea to grasp, as we see there is a cause for every effect. But disputes arise when the millions of social constructions that we have created overlap and intertwine, to the point where we are unable to tell what is the cause, and what is the effect. It is at this point that these social constructs and accepted stereotypes begin to be seen as indisputable forces embedded within our society.
The rest of this article, custom avatars, handouts, and MP3s, can be found at
http://www.rodrigo-ny.com/home.asp
Whether we are completely in control of our own destiny, possessing the freedom, knowledge, and capabilities to do as we see fit, or merely the product of the social constructs we have created and the consequences that will follow. The one thing we should all agree upon is whether it is absolute or not, our environment and the way we construct its meaning is largely what alters our collective values and perception of one and other. While we may not always have complete control over our actions, the majority of the time it is the way we apply our prejudice and personal opinions that sculpts the stereotypes and social structure of our society.
It is important for us all to realize that none of the social constructions we have created are “natural”. There is nothing in society that is born or created as superior or inferior, for it is we the people who formulate meaning and worth. While our prejudice may be so deeply embedded within us at times that it appears as if something or someone is spawn as superior, it is only because we have been unable to acknowledge the root of our prejudice and recognize the part it plays in this process.
In theory, this is a very simple idea to grasp, as we see there is a cause for every effect. But disputes arise when the millions of social constructions that we have created overlap and intertwine, to the point where we are unable to tell what is the cause, and what is the effect. It is at this point that these social constructs and accepted stereotypes begin to be seen as indisputable forces embedded within our society.
The rest of this article, custom avatars, handouts, and MP3s, can be found at
http://www.rodrigo-ny.com/home.asp