Monday, September 28, 2009

Facts on Fabric of Oppression

Mmmm…..fabric of oppression, very interesting but only if I could of discussed it in class today. However, fabric of oppression according the article I read is some groups that are dominant or privileged by it and other groups that are targeted or oppressed by it. Very clear definition of fabric oppression, but do many individuals understand what it really means. Fabric of oppression touches base on gender, race, class and also different culture around us. Therefore, we are encountered by much oppression, which basically mean according to the article, a structural arrangement characterized by unequal access to resources, privilege and social power.
One of the oppression is called institutionalized oppression, which is basically the unfairness around society. There is legal and illegal, when it comes to institutionalized oppression. For an example women back then did not have a tremendous amount of opportunities, but just to stay at home and take care of the kids. There is also self perpetuating, but is difficult to change as a whole. There are times where there is power in fabric oppression, but those who do not receive power are called hegemony. Hegemony is taught in many ways especially through ones education in school and the media. Those who have access power in fabric of oppression are males who are white and very wealthy in their lifestyle.
Fabric of oppression is found in video games, especially the one that I am playing on my old Nintendo. There is always a certain group that is dominant while playing my video game. Individuals, who are interested in karate video game, would pick an Asian character over a Hispanic. There is a tremendous amount of stereotyping that occurs around us, but we never pay attention, because we are so caught up in society and what we grasp from the media on a daily basis.

The Connections: Life,Knowledge, and Media


Wow, this article the Connections on life, knowlegde and Media is amazing in so many ways, and made me see a different outlook on life. In reconstructing knowledge is very important to me, because I always view life situations based on what I know. Reconstructing knowledge made me realize that I am not right at all times, but takes in consideration of other individual’s point of view on life. However, I realize that I should practice understanding others point of view, on their issues and belief in life in general. This article touch on so many theories, but the one that was very interesting to me was the social learning theory.
Therefore, social learning theory is basically what we as individual take in, as what we are told and perceive around us in society. When we are told what to do, we are then rewarded for our accomplishments. After the reward, there is reinforcement, which is then it becomes internalized. Social learning theory is very straightforward and easy to understand the teaching to other.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Prince of Persia relation to Culture of power and Race &Ethnicity

Control is set, game is installed; now let us get ready to play “The Prince of Persia. Taking place in India, the Prince of Persia is a man that is very dominant and has great authority over his territory, as he makes his way to Azad. He honor his father dearly, and wants to show his father how great power he has to defeat the enemies.
We as individuals can clearly see how culture of power plays a role in this video game. Therefore, he is defeating male enemies so he can arrive to his treasure. Women are hardly seen in the game, accept once when a lady appeared playing a role to try to seduce him. However, her plan did not work and he was his way to capture his treasure. It shows that women were important at the time, going back hundred years ago. One may ask a question, “Why was there a woman character in the game”? I would think it was an entertainment for the male audience who plays the game.
Nevertheless, Ethnicity is related to the video game due to the common ancestry and the blood ties among the Indians. In this game, one can see that there are power issues towards the prince, because he wants to be accepted by his father. As he goes on his adventure he says, that he will win his father praise and not winning. This was a key he was determined to achieve his goal as the prince.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Viewpoint on Ethnicity and Race

White, Black, Hispanic, Asian and the list goes on with the different race and ethnicity that we as individual encounter each day. In the article Mapping the Terrain, one can clearly understand the meaning of Ethnicity and Race. One will understand that ethnicity is self-defined, meaning we give our own definition of the word ethnicity. According to the author of the article, “Ethnic ties are blood ties” (page 16).Ethnicity is part of a larger group of society, and constructs a change in identities.

However, race is how other defines the meaning, which is usually linked to blood types, hair texture, and the skin color. In society today, race is a huge factor that is quickly judge when an individual makes their first appearance. Does it matter what skin color you are? Do you have better hair texture than the other? These are questions that I ponder on while reading about race in this article.

Therefore, how can the issues we have with race and ethnicity get resolve if society makes a huge problem on the appearance? Ethnicity and Race are both linked to power, but have different concepts of how other perceive the meaning. According to the author of the article, “race refers to a group of human being socially defined on the basis of physical characteristic”(page 32) In the world that we are living in today, I wonder if they will stop judging us for what they see on the outside, but the characteristic that were portray.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Culture of power with video gaming

Culture of power is an interesting topic to discuss about, but for other it could be uncomfortable if they feel marginalized. According to the author Paul Kivel. of the article "Culture of Power", he stated that the problem with a culture of power is that it reinforces the prevailing hierarchy. In society, it does not matter what gender, race, ethnicity you are, on some level one will be marginalized. The main point of this article is to realize that we as individual need to change the way we go about culture of power and as Paul Kivel says to move it more to a culture of inclusion.
Therefore,after reading the article I realized that culture that culture of power is in video gaming today and also in the movie EXistenz.One will see that the gender of Caucasian male is predominant in the movie and in regular video game. If one would have to go back to the question in the article, of Paul Kivel to find out who have authority, they will see that Caucasian are in power. Individuals who are marginalized might feel that they are not included in anything because of their gender or race. Even the inventor of the game was a woman, it was still dominant with males. In my opinion, I feel that they show more respect to the one that has higher hierarchy. However, the one with higher respect is the one that gets to depict certain situation and make decision.

What is the film Extistenz saying, we as society are afraid of when it comes to virtual reality and video gaming?

In the film, we as society are afraid of the outcome, when it comes to virtual reality and the video gaming. We are basically combining technology, which is the bio-port, and human beings in reality that we are living in today.However,this is an issue that many would critique on,because of the fact that they would have to implant a machine into their bodies to play the game.This is an issue that we do not face in society today, because individuals are used to playing video on the sofa and not really moving around as much. It is also the fear of what will happen next, without any warning from the other players. Therefore, in the movie one will see that they are playing the game, but not sure what to do next or if they are back to their normal life.This video game is very interesting, because it makes me think if this game will be popular in our day and time.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Social fears vs reality of cultures in video gaming

In the movie EXistenz, one will understand that it is just not a game, but a video game that challenge you through different adventures. In these adventures, one is encountered with death and evil. However, after watching the movie many may fear to play this game, because of the outcome and also having an identity switch. Many individuals are used to sitting on the sofa, and just playing a regular video game and not receiving nothing out of it. Therefore, leading into this strange adventure and not knowing where one will end up is very scary. In reality, many cultures are anti social against evil around them. On the other hand, one will really appreciates the movie at the end, because it teaches one in reality that you have to challenge yourself and be willing to take chances to achieve your goal.