This Blog is a resource tool for the students taking the "FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES" elective at Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
PERIOD 2: LITTLE BOXES
Today you read the story "Little Boxes" in class. Please share your thoughts about the story and the class discussion that followed in a reflective post.
30 comments:
Sam Kruse
said...
I thought that this documentary was intriguing. Steve seemed very tense at the beginning; however, he acted excited around his father because he wanted to please him. He also seemed very enthusiastic when he shot the tree trunk. But when he saw the rabbit die, I feel as if he realized that he was killing a living thing. I believe that Steve was unable to cope with this fact, and his feelings overcame his desire to impress his dad. It seemed like he was trying to blame his dad for taking him hunting in the first place, yet I don’t feel that it was his father’s fault.
"Little Boxes" illustrates the frusteration of individuals such as Steve who does not agree with the identification or classication of individuals from appearance. Psycologist Tannen says it is a natural tendency. but believes it is misleading and offensive. I can definitely agree that categorizing people is misleading and offensive, because I have met really good people from different ethnic backrounds, and it is awful that most people categorize. It is a natural tendency to categorize though, so I wouldn't say it makes people bad; the negative actions people take such as discrimination, spreading rumours ect, after a personal assumption is made takes it to the next level.
I thought that the "Little Boxes" literature was very enlightening. I personally have never had any trouble with filling out boxes that describe your race, religion, social class, etc. I had never really thought about people who had a hard time fitting themselves into one category. I agree with Tannen when he says that grouping people based on their backgrounds is a natural tendency. I think that a lot of the time people don't do this maliciously, it is just how people are. I do agree with the fact that it can be misleading and offensive, because some people don't fall under the sterotypes that they are "supposed" to.
I found that this article was very relatable to myself and that the concepts discussed are very true. I grew up in a very Black and Puerto Rican neighborhood in Worcester. Most of my childhood friends are black and that is how I partially identify myself. It was very different coming to white suburbia here in Westborough. My brother fit right in but it took me a bit longer to make the transition. Even now I identify with more black culture than white culture here. It is just very interesting to me how this whole thing works. Are we restricted to just ourselves and our own races? Or are culture and environment what determine your identity?
When reading "Little Boxes" I thought it was truly eye opening. Personally, I have never had difficulty when filling characteristics about me. I understand how it must be difficult when you're different from the others to have to deal with racial issues or characteristics defining who you are. No one wants to be different and everyone wants to feel accepted. I feel that everyone could always be more accepting especially in Westborough. A majority of our school is Caucasian and I feel that the story we read in class could also be influenced here to the new students that join our high school that may be of different race.
"Little Boxes" caused me see from the perspective of an individual confused with their identity. When applying for things like colleges i check the "white" box off without hesitation. Others in our country however may stare at this, what seemed simple question to me, since they are a combination of different heritages. I would hate to feel lost when someone asked me what I was and feel bad for people that can't fit into this small boxes society has determined.
also society should change the way they give so little heritage options for people to chose from. A blank box where one fills in what they are seems more appropriate.
"Little Boxes" was really interesting because i have never actually heard someone say they were confused on their race. I know there are people out there that have this problem too and i think we should make it easier for people like him to know for a fact where he belongs.Also it is very offensive to categorize people on their race and what not. it was really eye opening to hear that perspective from someone and i will be even more conscientious about peopl'es heritage and race.
After reading "Little Boxes," I tried to take a step back and place myself in Anthony Wright's shoes and imagine how I would feel if I was him. In my own experiences, I find that people are proud of and eager to share their ethnic backgrounds. Although, personally I don't believe it is a controlling factor when evaluating identity. I think a lot of identity deals with what you say or do, not stereotypes or boxes you are placed in.
The story "little boxes" was very interesting and included many things about our character. The author was to choose a box that had his ethnicity. His challenge was that he has so many ethnically backgrounds that he could not just choose one box. I do agree that people should not be stereotyped but grouping people together is a different thing. I don't believe that grouping people together is a bad thing, but stereotyping is.
This article was quite interesting because it shed quite a bit of insight on the cultural issues that living in such diverse cities such as in America causes. It's very interesting to see the point of view provided by someone that suffers from having a kind of split personality almost. I think the generalization and marginilization of people can be terrible, but honestly checking little boxes cant destroy your heritage. Heritage and culture is something for you, and you alone, to hold on to.
I found the article very intriguing. it was interesting to hear the viewpoint of someone that comes from a background very different than my own. It is easy for me to check off little boxes because I am not a mix of cultures. However, like the author, I prefer not to check off the boxes. This is because I don't want to be stereotyped based on my ethnicity or appearance. In this sense, I really related to the author.
Th article litle boxes was something I never realy thought of being a white male. When checking off the box white I don't even think twice about feeling judged or stereotyped as being white is supposedly desireable. But now that I think about it I don't think I like checking off the little box white as I don't want to be judged based solely on one characteristic weheather good or bad. I want to be judged based on my character not by superficial things or stereotypes. My opinion has change to be like the author's after reading this article.
Th article litle boxes was something I never realy thought of being a white male. When checking off the box white I don't even think twice about feeling judged or stereotyped as being white is supposedly desireable. But now that I think about it I don't think I like checking off the little box white as I don't want to be judged based solely on one characteristic weheather good or bad. I want to be judged based on my character not by superficial things or stereotypes. My opinion has change to be like the author's after reading this article.
The article "Little Boxes" was interesting because it showes the view of a person that is very different from myself. I have never found a problem in identifying myself in a group, because I have always lived in Westborough. I feel as if people of other races don't neccessarily have problems fitting in within Westborough, because people are accepting in our town.However, I understand that people in other places have issues fitting in and I can sympathize with them, because I would hate felling out of place.
The article Little Boxes was interesting because it showed a view different than what most people are used to. Most people, myself included, just check a box without giving it much thought. But in this case it is clear that every time the author got one of these boxes where he must fill out his ethnicity he truely doesn't know what to put due to diverse background. Not being able to select and option must make him feel out of place because of his inability to select an option.
When i read "Little Boxes" I agreed with the writer that there should either be no boxes and just write out what you are or boxes with more of a selection of choices. I dont think it was as big of a deal as he played it out to be. I agree that is isnt fair to only put half of what you truely are but most people are not just one race too. He thinks that the only thing that mattersis his writing but I believe there is a reason why they are asking what ethnicity they are. Since I don't have the same problem he is going through, I am not bothered by the fact that I just have to check off the box that classifies myself as being white.
In the article “The Little Boxes” a lot of what he was saying caught my attention. I never thought about how people felt when they had to categorize themselves. None of us are ever one thing we are many, we have many different cultures and many different identities to us. This article showed how some people may react when they are put in a situation where they have to identify themselves and don’t know how. We should not have to generalize ourselves to determine who we are.
Little boxes was an article that I partially agreed with. I could see where he was coming from and I understood why he was upset. Personally it isn't a big deal to me. I don't mind checking off a little box even though I don't completely represent what that box describes. I understand that its just a generalization and I an live with that. However I truly do understand why he wrote this article and I wouldn't be surprised if many others felt the same way.
After reading the article, little boxes, I find that what the author said about loss of personality and character due to the culture in America to be outrageous. With the mixing pot that America is, there needs to be a system of organizing different people together and I believe his accusation that these groupings depersonalize people is crazy. I do agree with him on one account though. The idea that you should not judge a person by the group they are put in is true and very prominent. I found this article to be bland but bring up some good points that can be had a conversation over.
I can't personally relate to little boxes personally but I can appreciate what the article is saying. On college forms, job applications, or general surveys we re often asked I check the box that applies. Usually the last box is marked "other". After reading and discussing little boxes I began to think about all the different heritages and people "other" represented. I think it is sometimes are for people who fit in with one ethnicity but are truly another. I really believe that the article was aimed to show students or anyone reading it that you don't need to choose one little box, and that that box doesn't make you who you are
The short story "Little Boxes" is something that a lot of students at WHS can probably relate to. Often referred to as "The Westborough Bubble", our town lacks diversity. Not only does this limit our opportunities, but it makes it difficult for us to fit in with other groups of people around the world. Most students at WHS identify themselves as white. This can be problematic when new groups of people and cultures are introduced and we have trouble interacting. I predict that WHS's lack of diversity will negatively affect many students in their future careers.
I don't necessarily agree with the opinion shown in the little boxes article but I see where the writer is coming from. It can be frustrating to be labeled as a "latino" or "asian" ethnicity but I have a problem with something else. I don't understand why it is even required for an individual to answer the question of ethnicity on random forms. Why does it matter? If you are "latino" or "African American" does that make you different? I guess I just don't see the significance of knowing someone's ethnicity and I find it insignificant.
As a cock asian male that lives in the United States, i could not personally relate to the short story Little Boxes. After i read the story, i began to realize the importance of diversity. If i was not cock asian, i would relate more to how the author was offended. This article told me as a reader that there are much more things to life than categories or labels that people put you in. I may not have fully agreed with all of the points that the author made but I can see where he was coming from.
After reading "Little Boxes" in class, I realized that there were some things that are different for me simply because of my race. This is something that I had never even thought of, I always have just considered myself Caucasian and American. I have never thought about how someone could feel left out, just because of their ethnicity. I am glad that I read this story and will now these types of situations.
After reading the short story, “Little Boxes”, I had a new understanding of how some people view selecting racial backgrounds for themselves. I never thought that it would be so hard to choose a box that describes your ethnic background. For most of my friends and I, it is simply checking off a box that says white or Caucasian. For some people who have trouble determining which box to choose, it may be hard to select only one as they may feel it changes their identity.
Little boxes was an interesting story about someone who cant be put into a general grouping and thus is left out of all of them. It wasnt only a case of his race either it was his families wealth, religion, and enviornment. It understandable how someone could feel like they could be losing a sense of themselves f they have to subject themselves to a general group.
Little boxes was an interesting story about someone who cant be put into a general grouping and thus is left out of all of them. It wasnt only a case of his race either it was his families wealth, religion, and enviornment. It understandable how someone could feel like they could be losing a sense of themselves f they have to subject themselves to a general group.
30 comments:
I thought that this documentary was intriguing. Steve seemed very tense at the beginning; however, he acted excited around his father because he wanted to please him. He also seemed very enthusiastic when he shot the tree trunk. But when he saw the rabbit die, I feel as if he realized that he was killing a living thing. I believe that Steve was unable to cope with this fact, and his feelings overcame his desire to impress his dad. It seemed like he was trying to blame his dad for taking him hunting in the first place, yet I don’t feel that it was his father’s fault.
"Little Boxes" illustrates the frusteration of individuals such as Steve who does not agree with the identification or classication of individuals from appearance. Psycologist Tannen says it is a natural tendency. but believes it is misleading and offensive. I can definitely agree that categorizing people is misleading and offensive, because I have met really good people from different ethnic backrounds, and it is awful that most people categorize. It is a natural tendency to categorize though, so I wouldn't say it makes people bad; the negative actions people take such as discrimination, spreading rumours ect, after a personal assumption is made takes it to the next level.
I thought that the "Little Boxes" literature was very enlightening. I personally have never had any trouble with filling out boxes that describe your race, religion, social class, etc. I had never really thought about people who had a hard time fitting themselves into one category. I agree with Tannen when he says that grouping people based on their backgrounds is a natural tendency. I think that a lot of the time people don't do this maliciously, it is just how people are. I do agree with the fact that it can be misleading and offensive, because some people don't fall under the sterotypes that they are "supposed" to.
I found that this article was very relatable to myself and that the concepts discussed are very true. I grew up in a very Black and Puerto Rican neighborhood in Worcester. Most of my childhood friends are black and that is how I partially identify myself. It was very different coming to white suburbia here in Westborough. My brother fit right in but it took me a bit longer to make the transition. Even now I identify with more black culture than white culture here. It is just very interesting to me how this whole thing works. Are we restricted to just ourselves and our own races? Or are culture and environment what determine your identity?
When reading "Little Boxes" I thought it was truly eye opening. Personally, I have never had difficulty when filling characteristics about me. I understand how it must be difficult when you're different from the others to have to deal with racial issues or characteristics defining who you are. No one wants to be different and everyone wants to feel accepted. I feel that everyone could always be more accepting especially in Westborough. A majority of our school is Caucasian and I feel that the story we read in class could also be influenced here to the new students that join our high school that may be of different race.
"Little Boxes" caused me see from the perspective of an individual confused with their identity. When applying for things like colleges i check the "white" box off without hesitation. Others in our country however may stare at this, what seemed simple question to me, since they are a combination of different heritages. I would hate to feel lost when someone asked me what I was and feel bad for people that can't fit into this small boxes society has determined.
also society should change the way they give so little heritage options for people to chose from. A blank box where one fills in what they are seems more appropriate.
"Little Boxes" was really interesting because i have never actually heard someone say they were confused on their race. I know there are people out there that have this problem too and i think we should make it easier for people like him to know for a fact where he belongs.Also it is very offensive to categorize people on their race and what not. it was really eye opening to hear that perspective from someone and i will be even more conscientious about peopl'es heritage and race.
After reading "Little Boxes," I tried to take a step back and place myself in Anthony Wright's shoes and imagine how I would feel if I was him. In my own experiences, I find that people are proud of and eager to share their ethnic backgrounds. Although, personally I don't believe it is a controlling factor when evaluating identity. I think a lot of identity deals with what you say or do, not stereotypes or boxes you are placed in.
The story "little boxes" was very interesting and included many things about our character. The author was to choose a box that had his ethnicity. His challenge was that he has so many ethnically backgrounds that he could not just choose one box. I do agree that people should not be stereotyped but grouping people together is a different thing. I don't believe that grouping people together is a bad thing, but stereotyping is.
This article was quite interesting because it shed quite a bit of insight on the cultural issues that living in such diverse cities such as in America causes. It's very interesting to see the point of view provided by someone that suffers from having a kind of split personality almost. I think the generalization and marginilization of people can be terrible, but honestly checking little boxes cant destroy your heritage. Heritage and culture is something for you, and you alone, to hold on to.
I was absent
I found the article very intriguing. it was interesting to hear the viewpoint of someone that comes from a background very different than my own. It is easy for me to check off little boxes because I am not a mix of cultures. However, like the author, I prefer not to check off the boxes. This is because I don't want to be stereotyped based on my ethnicity or appearance. In this sense, I really related to the author.
Th article litle boxes was something I never realy thought of being a white male. When checking off the box white I don't even think twice about feeling judged or stereotyped as being white is supposedly desireable. But now that I think about it I don't think I like checking off the little box white as I don't want to be judged based solely on one characteristic weheather good or bad. I want to be judged based on my character not by superficial things or stereotypes. My opinion has change to be like the author's after reading this article.
Th article litle boxes was something I never realy thought of being a white male. When checking off the box white I don't even think twice about feeling judged or stereotyped as being white is supposedly desireable. But now that I think about it I don't think I like checking off the little box white as I don't want to be judged based solely on one characteristic weheather good or bad. I want to be judged based on my character not by superficial things or stereotypes. My opinion has change to be like the author's after reading this article.
The article "Little Boxes" was interesting because it showes the view of a person that is very different from myself. I have never found a problem in identifying myself in a group, because I have always lived in Westborough. I feel as if people of other races don't neccessarily have problems fitting in within Westborough, because people are accepting in our town.However, I understand that people in other places have issues fitting in and I can sympathize with them, because I would hate felling out of place.
The article Little Boxes was interesting because it showed a view different than what most people are used to. Most people, myself included, just check a box without giving it much thought. But in this case it is clear that every time the author got one of these boxes where he must fill out his ethnicity he truely doesn't know what to put due to diverse background. Not being able to select and option must make him feel out of place because of his inability to select an option.
When i read "Little Boxes" I agreed with the writer that there should either be no boxes and just write out what you are or boxes with more of a selection of choices. I dont think it was as big of a deal as he played it out to be. I agree that is isnt fair to only put half of what you truely are but most people are not just one race too. He thinks that the only thing that mattersis his writing but I believe there is a reason why they are asking what ethnicity they are. Since I don't have the same problem he is going through, I am not bothered by the fact that I just have to check off the box that classifies myself as being white.
In the article “The Little Boxes” a lot of what he was saying caught my attention. I never thought about how people felt when they had to categorize themselves. None of us are ever one thing we are many, we have many different cultures and many different identities to us. This article showed how some people may react when they are put in a situation where they have to identify themselves and don’t know how. We should not have to generalize ourselves to determine who we are.
Little boxes was an article that I partially agreed with. I could see where he was coming from and I understood why he was upset. Personally it isn't a big deal to me. I don't mind checking off a little box even though I don't completely represent what that box describes. I understand that its just a generalization and I an live with that. However I truly do understand why he wrote this article and I wouldn't be surprised if many others felt the same way.
After reading the article, little boxes, I find that what the author said about loss of personality and character due to the culture in America to be outrageous. With the mixing pot that America is, there needs to be a system of organizing different people together and I believe his accusation that these groupings depersonalize people is crazy. I do agree with him on one account though. The idea that you should not judge a person by the group they are put in is true and very prominent. I found this article to be bland but bring up some good points that can be had a conversation over.
I can't personally relate to little boxes personally but I can appreciate what the article is saying. On college forms, job applications, or general surveys we re often asked I check the box that applies. Usually the last box is marked "other". After reading and discussing little boxes I began to think about all the different heritages and people "other" represented. I think it is sometimes are for people who fit in with one ethnicity but are truly another. I really believe that the article was aimed to show students or anyone reading it that you don't need to choose one little box, and that that box doesn't make you who you are
The short story "Little Boxes" is something that a lot of students at WHS can probably relate to. Often referred to as "The Westborough Bubble", our town lacks diversity. Not only does this limit our opportunities, but it makes it difficult for us to fit in with other groups of people around the world. Most students at WHS identify themselves as white. This can be problematic when new groups of people and cultures are introduced and we have trouble interacting. I predict that WHS's lack of diversity will negatively affect many students in their future careers.
I don't necessarily agree with the opinion shown in the little boxes article but I see where the writer is coming from. It can be frustrating to be labeled as a "latino" or "asian" ethnicity but I have a problem with something else. I don't understand why it is even required for an individual to answer the question of ethnicity on random forms. Why does it matter? If you are "latino" or "African American" does that make you different? I guess I just don't see the significance of knowing someone's ethnicity and I find it insignificant.
As a cock asian male that lives in the United States, i could not personally relate to the short story Little Boxes. After i read the story, i began to realize the importance of diversity. If i was not cock asian, i would relate more to how the author was offended. This article told me as a reader that there are much more things to life than categories or labels that people put you in. I may not have fully agreed with all of the points that the author made but I can see where he was coming from.
After reading "Little Boxes" in class, I realized that there were some things that are different for me simply because of my race. This is something that I had never even thought of, I always have just considered myself Caucasian and American. I have never thought about how someone could feel left out, just because of their ethnicity. I am glad that I read this story and will now these types of situations.
After reading the short story, “Little Boxes”, I had a new understanding of how some people view selecting racial backgrounds for themselves. I never thought that it would be so hard to choose a box that describes your ethnic background. For most of my friends and I, it is simply checking off a box that says white or Caucasian. For some people who have trouble determining which box to choose, it may be hard to select only one as they may feel it changes their identity.
Little boxes was an interesting story about someone who cant be put into a general grouping and thus is left out of all of them. It wasnt only a case of his race either it was his families wealth, religion, and enviornment. It understandable how someone could feel like they could be losing a sense of themselves f they have to subject themselves to a general group.
Little boxes was an interesting story about someone who cant be put into a general grouping and thus is left out of all of them. It wasnt only a case of his race either it was his families wealth, religion, and enviornment. It understandable how someone could feel like they could be losing a sense of themselves f they have to subject themselves to a general group.
I was absent.
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