Sophie Statzel’s Anthropology 1001

Catherine Slater-Group 2, Wednesday, May 21, 2008

There are something’s that are very hard to believe, when you hear them. And kidnapping little children to take there organ is one of these situation that is hard to comprehend. The article by, “Minding the Body: On the Trail of Organ-Stealing Rumors” by Nancy Scheper-Hughes touches on areas of cruelty to children that was hidden from the world.

Picture this children running and playing in the street and jumping rope and having fun. That is the screen of many of Americans in United State childhood. But after reading the article about kidnapping children to take their organ make you think where the humanity and justice along with murder conviction for the people that are stealing the organs. They associate people from third world countries such as Central and South America, East and Central African has uneducated, poor and nobody care about them. But even if you are uneducated and poor you still have rights has a human to your body. Targeting individuals like these make you think about what people are thinking and are we still living in a time period that people do not have civil rights or common rights has a person.

This practice of stealing children for there organs is related to different profession such as being a doctor or a lawyer. They would go out everyday looking for street children to kidnap. And the fact that rumors of stealing children was a very common story all over the streets it should have been take seriously. There are scriptural grounds for not hurting people at Matthew 22:39 said, “Love your neighbor has yourself” so that mean that if you would not want anyone to take you organs and kill you do not do such a thing to your neighbor.

In conclusion, I was very moved my the article and someday hope that because these kinds of crimes are revealed that there be a task force to assignment to alleviating this inhumane practice.

Maxed Out: Why the poorer gets poorer

Maxed Out. By filmsforaction.com

One of the main reasons the poorer gets poorer, is because they don’t know how to manage their money, and when they lose their money they tend to even go lower, into bankruptcy, even beyond bankruptcy to and even further to a lifetime full of debt with no way out, except to acquire more debt. In class we discussed some of the reasons why the poorer gets poorer. In this documentary Maxed Out it takes a look at how the poorer gets poorer, and what and who is responsible.

            There are three main ways of the poorer getting poorer, one is their own personal consumption, two is credit card, bank and debt collector companies, and the third is inexperience. The first two I would go into is personal consumption and inexperience as the two go hand and hand, then I will discuss how the financial companies makes it even worse, based on the documentary.

            The documentary opens up with a women who lives in a high priced neighborhood in Las Vegas, who says she loves big houses the bigger the better, then she goes on to say that if she didn’t get a loan based on the appraisal of her house she wouldn’t had been able to pay for it. So basically after she finished the construction, she got it appraised based on what the house would sell for, this is the same accounting method that the company Enron used. She also said that if interest rates were to go up she would not be able to afford the house, because she only had money based on what her house was worth at that time, so  if interest rates were to go up, she would have enough money to cover her house, and its construction. Her concept was if you look rich, eventually you will be. Not very smart is it? This brings us to what we discussed in class about the lottery winners, that they go out buy out of their means, don’t know how to manage their money and go into debt in less then a year, because they cant afford the things they but, like the women in the video cant afford her house, and is just hoping interest rates doesn’t go up.     

            Another issue we discussed in class was inexperience, people who never had money before and when they get it, don’t know how to manage it, and this is not more proven then it is in young adults, especially college students. Most people who are in debt start out in debt at a young age. In the documentary a women’s son started as a freshmen in college, with no previous credit history, so like his mother said, she thought that he would never get approved for a credit card and by his sophomore year he was depressed, and working extra hours because within that one year he accumulated fourteen credit cards, now how is a college student suppose to recovery from that debt while still in school.

            Now the way these people get pushed into a downward spiral, is by that extra push by the financial companies. First, according to the documentary credit card companies target college students like previously stated. After these students get out of college they become part of the regular adult population and that’s when they get hit with, loan applications, for cars, and houses, and even loans to surf with (surfing a term used meaning to pay off debt with more debt), and to a college student or a person trying to start their lives and trying to get out of debt, this is very attractive. Why would banks give more debt to people already in debt, because according to a Citibank representative, that’s where the bulk of there money comes from and so they will not cut those people out. Then after these people are clearly in debt, they get harassed by the debt collectors, who threaten to foreclose their homes, take their property, and even disclose their debt information in the local newspaper. After so many calls people fill forced into bankruptcy, they see it as a escape goat, and this is what the financial companies really drive on, because once you file for bankruptcy you cant file again, and a lot of banks offer credit cards to these people because they cant file bankruptcy anymore and are likely to get more debt which means more interest and fees for the credit card companies and debt collectors.        

            The sad thing is that at the end of the documentary you see how it really effects people, the two college students that I mentioned earlier, both killed themselves over their debt, the college boy how had fourteen credit cards, couldn’t even save up to file bankruptcy, another women was missing and they believe she killed herself over her debt, another women was crying because she said she thought about suicide, and she’s in her late fifties and is in debt and will be forever, one lady said she’s counting on dieing before she finishes paying her debt, because the amount of debt she owes, she’ll ever pay off during her lifetime.

            Like the comedian in the documentary said the banks pay people who have a lot of money, but for someone like him who only has twenty dollars in his account the bank charges him fifteen dollars in fees for being under the minimum. Like what was said in the documentary and in class, every year the middle class becomes part of the poor class.

 Description of SUBJECTS

What are the demographics at your fieldwork site?  (Are there mostly women or men?  Are they working class?  Young or old? Do they belong to a particular ethnic/racial community? Or is it a diverse community in terms of gender, class, race/ethnicity, age, etc.)

The people at my site are mostly Black or Hispanic, there are a lot of older people who live in that area, but you tend to see only the young people outside roaming the streets, and you see a lot more males outside then you do females thought there are a few hanging around.

What was your impression of the people in general at your location?  (Are they lively or sedate? Busy? Angry? Joyful?)

My impression of the people who live in that area seem to be happy, when they are in that area, with there friends and with people who are in the same situation, but when you see some of them outside of there element or on the other side of town they seem, kind of angry and sad at the same time, you’ll see them rushing through the streets, especially if they are in a group being rude to people who they know will be afraid of them, but also especially when it comes to the girls, you’ll sometimes see them look at other girls who look like they have it all in life with a sort of envy or sadness.

How do people at your fieldwork site interact with each other?  Do you notice any conflict/tension between people?   Everyone interacts well at my work site, they have arguments but after five minutes or so everyone are friends again, which I find rather odd considering that when it comes to people outside of their group, and argument could easily turn into something violent.

Who was your key informant? What was your impression of your key informant? Describe your interaction with as much detail as possible. Include direct quotes in your response.

My key informant was Horey, who is a twenty seven year old, black male. We have good interaction without any problems because he also  happens to be my cousin, whom I don’t see often, so when I do see him its like a family reunion, and he was more then happy to help me with my report, he said it would be interesting to get everyone together and talk about that sort of thing.

Critical Reflections

What did you learn from your fieldwork experience?  What did you find out that you didn’t know before?

Well I found out that what’s glorified to some people, is not the same for people who are living in that life, sometimes a drug dealers life is glorified to people who are into music videos and thug life music, but for the people who are actually living in it, they don’t want that life, they want a life that everyone else has, a legit life that’s worth being proud of.

What are some main themes that emerged in the course of your research?  (Did you notice any PATTERNS?  Was there a critical source of CONFLICT, such as those between people, belief systems, cultures, or power relations?)

I noticed that when a similar group is together they will agree on everything, every view, because they don’t want to insult one person by saying that this life is bad, when there comrade is living the same life, but when separate the have different views, but its also the same view. Which is pretty funny, when they were together not one them said that they didn’t like the life they were living in fact they were giving many excuses to why they are living that lifestyle, but when separate each of them said how they truly felt and how they didn’t like their lifestyles.

Which concepts that you learned about in class are also exemplified with some of your field experience?  This should include specific reference to readings, videos, or class discussion. For instance, “race” is a very broad category and will not count as a demonstration of course concepts in your writing. “Shirley Better’s analysis of institutional racism” is more specific and will qualify as a reference to course themes. Remember to always cite page numbers and authors and titles when referencing texts.

Can you think of any key concepts that were CONTRADICTED by your experience?  Like I stated early the fact that what is glorified for others, is not the same for some of the people living in it, for example people in other states may think New York is the best state in the country and plan to move there after college to live the big apple life, where as people who have always lived in the city, plans to move out as soon as possible.

What is the central argument or analysis about your findings?

The argument is that most of these guys who are labels as thugs, like their lifestyle, living dangerous getting fast money, or else they would be doing it, and when they are called thugs or gangsters they live their lives to fulfill it, but what I found was actually the opposite, so I felt like I got something out of this report, I found I was judging a whole culture of people wrong, and also their character I was judging wrong, by thinking that they are bad people, who like to live dangerous, scare people and do bad things. So i’m glad I found out the truth.

What evidence supports your analysis, both from your fieldwork observations and course readings?

The first article we read in class by Bourgois, about inner city poverty supported my analysis but, like I stated the group I study was the total opposite, in Bourgois article, those guys glorify their way of life, the guys I interviewed did not.

What did you find most interesting in conducting this research? Were there things that you found that surprised you?

What surprised me was that these guys I observed are actually afraid, the same ones who go to jail, sell drugs, are aggressive, fight, curse, and smoke, and are actually afraid. They are afraid of living life without threats, and illegal matters, they are afraid of living life the moral way.

 Description of SUBJECTS

What are the demographics at your fieldwork site?  (Are there mostly women or men?  Are they working class?  Young or old? Do they belong to a particular ethnic/racial community? Or is it a diverse community in terms of gender, class, race/ethnicity, age, etc.)

The people at my site are mostly Black or Hispanic, there are a lot of older people who live in that area, but you tend to see only the young people outside roaming the streets, and you see a lot more males outside then you do females thought there are a few hanging around.

What was your impression of the people in general at your location?  (Are they lively or sedate? Busy? Angry? Joyful?)

My impression of the people who live in that area seem to be happy, when they are in that area, with there friends and with people who are in the same situation, but when you see some of them outside of there element or on the other side of town they seem, kind of angry and sad at the same time, you’ll see them rushing through the streets, especially if they are in a group being rude to people who they know will be afraid of them, but also especially when it comes to the girls, you’ll sometimes see them look at other girls who look like they have it all in life with a sort of envy or sadness.

How do people at your fieldwork site interact with each other?  Do you notice any conflict/tension between people?   Everyone interacts well at my work site, they have arguments but after five minutes or so everyone are friends again, which I find rather odd considering that when it comes to people outside of their group, and argument could easily turn into something violent.

Who was your key informant? What was your impression of your key informant? Describe your interaction with as much detail as possible. Include direct quotes in your response.

My key informant was Horey, who is a twenty seven year old, black male. We have good interaction without any problems because he also  happens to be my cousin, whom I don’t see often, so when I do see him its like a family reunion, and he was more then happy to help me with my report, he said it would be interesting to get everyone together and talk about that sort of thing.

Critical Reflections

What did you learn from your fieldwork experience?  What did you find out that you didn’t know before?

Well I found out that what’s glorified to some people, is not the same for people who are living in that life, sometimes a drug dealers life is glorified to people who are into music videos and thug life music, but for the people who are actually living in it, they don’t want that life, they want a life that everyone else has, a legit life that’s worth being proud of.

What are some main themes that emerged in the course of your research?  (Did you notice any PATTERNS?  Was there a critical source of CONFLICT, such as those between people, belief systems, cultures, or power relations?)

I noticed that when a similar group is together they will agree on everything, every view, because they don’t want to insult one person by saying that this life is bad, when there comrade is living the same life, but when separate the have different views, but its also the same view. Which is pretty funny, when they were together not one them said that they didn’t like the life they were living in fact they were giving many excuses to why they are living that lifestyle, but when separate each of them said how they truly felt and how they didn’t like their lifestyles.

Which concepts that you learned about in class are also exemplified with some of your field experience?  This should include specific reference to readings, videos, or class discussion. For instance, “race” is a very broad category and will not count as a demonstration of course concepts in your writing. “Shirley Better’s analysis of institutional racism” is more specific and will qualify as a reference to course themes. Remember to always cite page numbers and authors and titles when referencing texts.

Can you think of any key concepts that were CONTRADICTED by your experience?  Like I stated early the fact that what is glorified for others, is not the same for some of the people living in it, for example people in other states may think New York is the best state in the country and plan to move there after college to live the big apple life, where as people who have always lived in the city, plans to move out as soon as possible.

What is the central argument or analysis about your findings?

The argument is that most of these guys who are labels as thugs, like their lifestyle, living dangerous getting fast money, or else they would be doing it, and when they are called thugs or gangsters they live their lives to fulfill it, but what I found was actually the opposite, so I felt like I got something out of this report, I found I was judging a whole culture of people wrong, and also their character I was judging wrong, by thinking that they are bad people, who like to live dangerous, scare people and do bad things. So i’m glad I found out the truth.

What evidence supports your analysis, both from your fieldwork observations and course readings?

The first article we read in class by Bourgois, about inner city poverty supported my analysis but, like I stated the group I study was the total opposite, in Bourgois article, those guys glorify their way of life, the guys I interviewed did not.

What did you find most interesting in conducting this research? Were there things that you found that surprised you?

What surprised me was that these guys I observed are actually afraid, the same ones who go to jail, sell drugs, are aggressive, fight, curse, and smoke, and are actually afraid. They are afraid of living life without threats, and illegal matters, they are afraid of living life the moral way.

It is hard to believe that someone will kill someone, or kidnap someone for there organs, in the article the organ broker said that no one should have to die in America because they need an organ, but what he is doing contradicts that, because to save that life someone else might have to lose theirs. I do think that if people want to volunteer their organs that they should be allowed to and there should be age requirements, and other laws involved, but if you make that legal for people to sell their organs then a black market will automatically develop, there is no way that someone, maybe from a third world country, or a poor country, who doesn’t have money, and who is involved in doing other illegal activities is not going to take advantage of that opportunity to make more money. I think the best way to stop it is to make people aware all over, not to buy organs, only take donated organs, but then again it’s sometimes hard for people to do what’s moral when their lives are at stake.

This isn’t really new to me. I can see it happening and if it did no one would really have any proof of it. The movie Hostel, Hostel II, and Touristas remind me of the article, although they are a little different. Legends aren’t always false. Usually there is some truth to them, but over time they get exaggerated and distorted. I’m not really sure this is the case. Scheper-Hughes doesn’t really provide any hard evidence and I think without that, there isn’t really much you can do.

If you had the money and someone you loved or maybe yourself really needed an organ and one was offered to you, would you take it? I think people who have a lot of money can afford to cover things up and that makes it very difficult to really hold people accountable. I don’t believe you should kill someone just so that someone else can live. But just think about it… someone is going to die regardless… who would you choose? Yourself or someone you loved or someone who you don’t know and never will know? I guess I can sort of see why some people are doing it, but morally is it right? I guess everyone has their own set of values.

During the day, the crowd is lively and energetic. The vast majority of students on One Baruch Way consider the time they spend there to be leisure time. Of course, not everyone is lively. You will see some students rushing because they are late for a class or maybe they didn’t finish a paper for class. Some are laidback, while others are tired and probably had very little sleep the previous night. There is a lot of interaction and most people have conversations. Some catch up with old friends they haven’t seen in a while. Others eat together.

            During the evening, the student-body changes. The older working-class adults are more sedated and seem more tired. They don’t ‘hang out’ outside the entrances as much. Most simply venture out to have a smoke or enjoy some fresh air. The crowd is more formally dressed. This is probably due to some people attending college directly from work. Overall they are quieter and talk less than the day-time crowd.

            One of the major observations that I’ve made is the difference between males and female smokers. The mannerisms of the sexes were different. Women tended to be more open about smoking. They would blow the smoke fast, straight and further out. Men tended to just let the smoke leave calmly or gently blew it out. Women tended to hold the cigarette between their index and middle fingers and outwards. Men tended to hold it with their index and thumbs with inwards. Women also tended to move their hands around more or would fold their hands. It was as if women wanted it to be known that they were smoking and wanted everyone to know it. Men were less aggressive for attention. In the class discussion on stereotypes of men and women, there seemed to be a little bit of a role reversal. Women were the ones who “delivered” the smoke “strongly” and “penetrated” the air (Martin, 489). One of the reasons women smoked was to lose weight. Women have a feeling that they must look a certain way, while men on the other hand simply smoked for different reasons.  In a sense maybe we want to be a little similar to the opposite sex. Men want to be a little quieter and women want to be a little more aggressive. 

            Another observation that I made, was that people who smoked were more polarized on their emotions. They were both really calm and relaxed or they were really focused on what they were talking about. Non smokers vary with these, as well, but are not as polarized on these two ends. They tend to vary from calm to loud, while smokers were on either one side or the other.

            Usually a person smoked by themselves or with another person of the same sex. The very few people who smoked together and were of opposite sexes appeared to be in a relationship; most showed some form of affection. The majority of times it was two people who smoked. No one really regarded the posted non-smoking signs and there was no security to really do anything. I found out that all the security personnel’s could do was to ask them to move. There is no punishment for not following the signs. Maybe it is this reason, why so many people still smoke at entrances.

            Some people get really excited when they find someone who smokes the same brand of cigarettes as they do, but did not have a problem trying another brand. If they had the same brand, it was as if they met a long lost sibling. It was as if they were somehow connected in a way. Their smoking bond, was now strengthened even further.

            I had two key informants, who both decided to create new names to hide their identity. Andrew Taylor and Rachel Chaplin are both frequent smokers, consuming at least six cigarettes daily. Andrew is a 23 year old Business Management major and Rachel is 20 year old Communications major. I asked Andrew and Rachel for a light, at different times, and had a few smokes with them as I introduced myself. They were both very nice and agreed to answer my questions, but seemed really concerned about where this information was going. “You aren’t going to put this in the Ticker are you?” asked Rachel. Andrew asked, “Are you part of that Baruch smoking policy group?” After convincing them that I wasn’t, they seemed very honest, but I could tell that some of my questions made them uneasy. At other times, they seemed to not really say what was on their mind, but sort of filtered it. I suppose it would be similar to sugarcoating something or dulling the edge.

            I asked both individuals when they started smoking. I can’t say I was very surprised at the ages at which they tried it. I was surprised at the age for Rachel because she continued to smoke from a very young age.  From their response, it seems as if people try smoking to fit in at a young age. I went on to ask why they still smoked.

            The answers for why people smoke varied from “I don’t know. It’s just calming. I just do it.” (Andrew) to simply “pass the time” (Rachel). Other reasons that I received from other people included, to lose weight, to relax, and to focus. Overall several people agreed that smoking was a good way to meet people. You can ask someone for a smoke, or a lighter, or simply start up small conversation. An answer that I received from a few non-regular, occasional smokers was that smoking was a form of reward. Sometimes it was to celebrate the end of a test, the end of classes, or a good grade. It seems that everyone has their own personal reasons for continuing to smoke.

            Second hand smoking is a major concern among individuals who do not smoke. Most people who don’t smoke and are around second hand smoking, such as the students at One Baruch Way, views second hand smoking as “repulsive” and “nauseating.” Others went as far as saying they “hated” it and that the people who did it were “inconsiderate.” Many people, who did not smoke, did not understand why people smoked. It was as if they were completely oblivious to any reasoning. Some people did not really care much about second hand smoking, which was a little surprising because it is usually portrayed that everyone is concerned about second hand smoking.

            In regards to non-smokers, Andrew said, “I don’t have a problem with them. I know a lot of people who don’t smoke. There isn’t really much of a difference.” Rachel had a similar thought. She said, “They’re losers. Haha… I’m kidding. I know a lot of people who don’t smoke. They are cool. Like I said I think smoking is just a personal choice.” There is a clear distinction between the way in which smokers view non-smokers and the way in which non-smokers view smokers. Smokers are more accepting of people who don’t smoke, but non-smokers seem to want to shun the smokers.

            As far as second hand smoke, the smokers didn’t seem to care too much about it unless. Overall the smokers didn’t seem to have any genuine concerns about second hand smoking. They understood that it was not a good thing and showed some effort to curb the impact, but in general felt it was just something that couldn’t really be avoided.

I could see a real unstated conflict between smokers and non-smokers. Andrew actually felt that some people, who didn’t smoke, didn’t smoke because other people had told them not to. It’s ironic because some non-smokers believe that some people smoked, simply because of peer pressure. I think this lack of understand each other’s points of views has created a problem between these two groups. Each side has its own beliefs and feels that they are right. Sometimes life has difficult decisions and it’s not as clear cut as what is right and what is wrong, but simply between two indifferent choices.

            Both Andrew and Rachel didn’t really feel concerned about their health because they have been smoking for years and were okay. Other people I asked, also felt the same. This lead me question the impact of anti-tobacco advertisement.

            Does anti-smoking commercials actually cause people to want to smoke? Maybe consciously we know it’s bad, but subconsciously we still want to try it because we know it’s bad. We know it would be a way of trying something dangerous and daring. I mean we’re human after all and we have some form of rebelliousness against conformity and to be different, to sort of be outside the legal boundaries and some of those commercials just in a way speaks to our subconscious and tells us to really actually smoke. Rachel also thought it was more of a personal choice for a person.

For some people, the reasons to smoke simply outweigh the dangers of smoking. For some it is part of the reason why they smoke. Maybe it is an innate part of us; to be rebellious, to be courageous, and to do as we please. But from a non-smoker’s point of view, they also feel it is their right to a safe life and their right to clean air.

The laidback smoking culture of Baruch will live on regardless of if punishment is implemented for not following the “no smoking” signs. The smokers seem to have an unstated bond with each other. They are of the same ‘kind.’ They understand each other, even though they may have different reasons for smoking. They also have the knowledge of why they shouldn’t, but still do, and that connects them as well. They are dressed in an invisible cloak of brotherly protection against the ‘other’ kind. They way they act and their knowledge put them in the same group. Their cigarettes and lighters meld them into the same brand of smoke. They have a natural born right to live their life. They are their own culture.

The advertisements cannot harm them, for they have made their decisions. They are aware of the truth and they accept their fate. Can the non-smokers accept this? Probably not. Some maybe.  To the non-smokers, they are a group of ‘evil-doers’ who should practice their craft in secret reservations. They have a right to clean, fresh air. They have a right to a long and healthy life. They have a natural born right.

Can a compromise be reached? Can these two opposing views try to understand each other and each give a little? Maybe the laws we have in place and the way things are, is the best compromise.

Deon R.

In one of the most prominent metropolitan hubs of the world, New York City, you can see countless people lighting up. One Baruch Way (25^th street), between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue is usually filled with hundreds of students attending Baruch College. The residential neighborhood of Baruch College may be confused as the home to many smoking student, but Baruch is a commuter college. On one block there is the William and Anita Newman Vertical Campus (55 Lexington Avenue). The other side of One Baruch Way is the Information and Technology Building (151 East 25^th Street). These buildings are commonly called the “VC” and the “Library” by the students.

My attendance at Baruch makes this location a convenient and interesting place to conduct research and observation. Baruch has recently implemented a no smoking policy near the entrances of the college, but they have been essentially ineffective. The findings may possibly impact the student body and culture of the college. My father was a chronic smoker for over twenty years and suddenly decided to stop one day. Several of my friends smoke, and I am an occasional smoker.

Is the issue of smoking exaggerated? Is it really difficult to quit? Why do people smoke in the first place? Are there any differences between genders in smoking? According to “The Egg and The Sperm,” science has created a stereotypical male and female (Martin, 489). In class discussions, there were many stereotypical traits of females and males. Are any of these stereotypes present in the causes or mannerisms of smokers? There are many advertisements and warnings of why you shouldn’t smoke, such as Truth commercials. How effective are these advertisements? Does Baruch have its own ‘smoking culture’? Culture is composed of three aspects; behavior, knowledge, and artifacts (Spadley, 10). Let’s take a walk down Baruch Way.

If you were to walk down the VC side walk from Third Avenue, you would see a two food carts. The Halal food cart, at the corner is quite popular and the smell makes you hungry even if you weren’t before. While waiting for food, usually chicken and/or lamb with rice, you can observe people patiently waiting and lighting up a cigarette while they wait. As you walk down further, you notice a hot dog and pretzel cart right outside of the entrance in the middle of the block. You can never really tell if people are smoking to pass the time waiting for their food or simply smoking for another reason. On the same side there are metal tables and chairs. There is also a platform where students sit down and eat or just hang out.

On the Library side, there is another Halal food card. This one is located closer to the middle of the block and closer to the entrance of the library. In the morning, this one sells simple breakfast foods, like bagels. Bagels, hot dogs, and Halal aren’t the only foods you will smell though. The city has so many different places, that every few steps you take, your sense of smell is bombarded by something new. Subways, Popeye’s, Japanese, Latino, and Chinese are just a few of the countless types of foods you will notice. There is also a food court inside the VC serving salads, sandwiches, chicken strips, etc.

The size of the crowd and the noise varies through the day. In the morning, it is relatively quiet and there aren’t many people. Everyone usually goes their classes, rather than hang out. Around noon it becomes extremely crowded and loud. The cars are honking and the noises of city engulf the block. The morning is over and the city has awakened. After around five-thirty, the noises begin to fade away and return the morning levels. People are usually listening to music on their mp3 players, talking with friends, or on the phone.

The crowd also varies. In the morning the age of the majority of students are between 18 and 26, but later in the evening, the majority of students are older working class adults between the ages of 27 and 55. Baruch is made up of approximately a third Caucasians, a third Asians, a sixth Hispanics, a twelfth African Americans, and a twelfth non-resident aliens (College Board). Men and women are basically split even with men having a negligible majority.

Deon R.

You know many movies and books portray what Nancy Scheper-Hughes talks about. She discusses how people of all ages were being killed so that their organs may be sold on the black market. During a session last week, we watched a video talking about the body display at a museum. Someone in the class made a comment on the issue saying that the body was stolen. Most people would initially be opposed at the though of a child being kidnapped just for their organs or the thought of someone going around and stealing bodies for the purpose of research and display. While on youtube, I looked up “minding the body” and watch an interview with Joan Borysenko, who wrote a book called Minding The Body. During her interveiw she quote someone who said ” … the world is so busy that we often do good badly” and I began to think that maybe doing things the wrong way is justifiable if and only if something valuble is learned. For example, what if a cure to some disease or condition was found by using the DNA or some other part of a stolen body and the research had to been done this way because of the types of tests that were being run. Of course the fact that the body was stolen would be horrible but the fact that an unknown cure was discovered just might help to justify the cause. Because of this, I don’t know where I would stand on this situation.

Tags: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rsc9h_VinwQ

  Although my study will be done on one particular group in the company, it is important for me to describe to you the demographics of the entire company. If I only describe the group whom I am posing my question to, you will say that this is a very diverse group; which is true. I am very fortunate to land a position with one of the few groups in the entire company that is very diverse. Contrary to upper management, our group is dominated by females. Yes, there are more females than males in the group I work with. There are also a variety of cultures because many of my co-workers are originally from other countries. However, if you take a close look at our upper management, and executive officers this mixture of sex, race and culture is not mirrored; hence the reason for my study. The executive officers of my company are predominantly white males.Again I am fortunate to work with great group of people. Everyone is polite and respectful of others. We all get along quite well, I must admit. I take great pride in being a part of this particular group because we work well as a team. Of course, with every good team there is a great leader. Like all bosses, ours is demanding…………..but fair! He expects that the work will be done, and he accept nothing less. And yes……………he is white. Like myself, all my co-workers have a very good relationship with him and had nothing bad to say with respect to him.

I asked my colleagues about their opinion on the ratio of female to male executive officers, and to my surprise they were quite vocal. One of my co-workers, who are a white female, said “we have come a long way!” She continued to explain that she joined the company twenty-two years ago, right out of college, and back then it was ‘an old boys club’. She went on further to say that not only in this company, but the entire energy industry was dominated by males. It was considered ‘a male industry’, with the only female workers being Executives Assistance or Secretary. As time went by, according to her, more and more females were employed; but there should be more appointment of females in leadership positions.

Based on class studies, I would classify this as institutional segregation based on gender or sex. I do not think that this is a deliberate action on the company’s part but rather a continuation of historic cultures and behaviors. 

I can’t say that this is the first time that I’ve come across such a story. I thought, as I began the reading, that so much previous exposure to the topic would have desensitized me somewhat to this horrid fact. It did not… definitely did not. Although I knew of this sort of practice before, just reading about it again sends an indescribable chill down one’s spine. To think that us as human beings treat each other that way; it just reiterates the notion put forward by famous reggae artist the late, great Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley - “This is a rat race, not a human race”. The fact that the wealthy can exploit something, that ethically speaking, we should not put a preference on based on economic prowess, health, again throws the firm understanding that the class differences that exist in this world, give way to an unthinkable disadvantage to those with the smaller pieces of the pie.

It is hard to say out right, any one thing that could bring about any sort of change in the way things are done, but I will say that something… anything… needs to be done.