Race

Even though we have only watched the film Crash for one day so far, it is clear that racism is the main theme. Blacks, whites, Hispanics, Asians and more are all targeted for their race, while having their own prejudices as well. It's sad to think that this is what America is actually like, because there is so much racism and even violence occurring in the film. One example is when Sandra Bullock's character assumes the man changing her locks is going to give her key to his friends so they can rob her. In reality, we see that the man is hurt by Bullock and is a hardworker and a loving father who would never do anything to hurt Bullock or anyone else. Many Americans are truly not sociologically mindful and don't think about how others are affected by what these people say and do. I myself have often heard many kids and even adults being clearly racists and giving into hurtful stereotypes. One time when I was in the car with my friends we saw an Asian woman in an accident on the side of the road and one of my friends went on to say how they weren't surprised it was an Asian since they are typically such poor drivers. It is a shame to hear people being so openly racist and allowing stereotypes to be so prevalent in today's society. Many people don't stop to think about how they would feel if they were the ones being targeted for their race, which is something people have no control over and don't deserve to be ridiculed for. I feel that it is important for Americans to be more aware of other races and try harder to tolerate others and try to ignore stereotypes and give everybody a fair chance, regardless of their race.

Community Service

For my community service I chose to volunteer at a temple. I had other hours because I am a Class Board officer, but that isn't as meaningful to me as this volunteering was. Temple B'nai Shalom is not the temple that my family and I belong to, so it was more out of my comfort zone that it would have been to volunteer at my temple. On select Saturdays I helped work in the office, set up for Kiddushes, which are receptions held after services, and did what ever was asked of me. Setting up for the Kiddushes took some time, because I had to get food ready for a lot of hungry congregants. However I thought it was rewarding to be so heavily thanked and appreciated by many different people. The temple is fairly small, so I got to know most of the paid workers on a more personal level. At the temple I belong to the atmosphere is much different because it is so large and it is hard to make real personal connections in a congregation with so many people. Volunteering at B'nai Shalom felt special to me because its size allows everyone at the temple to know each other and helped make a more positive atmosphere and experience for me. Before my grandma became ill, she worked at this temple, so I felt that it was a really rewarding experience to get to see what she normally would do when she was able to attend work. Everyone treated me well because they know my grandma and welcomed me into their temple with open arms. Even though for my community service I didn't get to help people with disadvantages, or help people who were severely in need, I still think I learned a lot. Helping people at all and doing it out of the goodness of my heart was great because I felt really good after I left and thought about making a difference. I learned from this that you don't need to have a grand gesture to make a difference and even the little things you do count.

Congregation B'nai Shalom
701 W Aptakisic Rd
March 19, April 2nd 10am-2pm
Marsha Schelsky, 847-415-1370

Class Interaction

In the film we watched in class, it was interesting to see how people of different classes lived their lives and acted. However, what I found to be most interesting was seeing the way people felt about others in different classes. It was fascinating to hear nearly every rich person interviewed say that they only would like to associate with people who are just like them and that they don't understand, nor do they care to understand, people of different lower societal statuses. The one woman who was getting lessons on how to appear "high class" actually made me laugh. It seemed rather ridiculous that there was a woman actually getting paid to teach someone how to appear classier and wealthier than she was and probably would ever be. Americans greatly value status and materialism, so it makes sense that this woman would try to come off as something she isn't. I think this idea can be applied to my life, but also most other high schoolers. In my opinion, most people can relate to me when I say that I know plenty of "social climbers", or kids who were never satisfied with where they stood on the popularity totem pole. Many of my good friends from junior high felt that they were unsatisfied with their social status and needed to inch their way up to the "cooler" kids, even though a school as big as ours doesn't actually have a "cool" clique. In my opinion it's pointless for people to care so much about their social ranking and I believe that people would be much happier if they accepted who they truly are. If you can manage to be happy with the place you live, the friends you have, and the material items you possess, why feel the need to be better, cooler, richer, or anything of that nature? Be happy with who you are and what you have!