I used the above photo to demonstrate the way in which this class has opened my eyes. It also seemed to it with the sub-heading, "A look at what I've learned." My eyes, like the one in this photo, are also blue, so this photo fits well. I represents my experience and below are more photos which I considered using and the reasons behind those considerations.
Left: Photo by Bryan Minear on Unsplash
This man is looking off into the distance with determination. As the light shines from ahead, there seems to be hope or goals for the future. This is what this class has done for me: given me drive and motivation to do better in the future, to make a difference. Top Right: Photo by Kiwihug on Unsplash This person appears to be running through the forest, going towards the light The light could be seen as representing a brighter, better future. Being in the midst of a forest could show confusion. This class has helped me recognize the forest around me, the denseness of the problems and the complexity of it all. The subjects and ideas are something to be easily lost in, whether lost in thought or confused by the diverse problems and ideas. Going toward the light is meant to represent me working towards becoming better and getting through the forest of trees. Bottom Right: Photo by Riccardo Annandale on Unsplash This photo of light within the person's hands shows the power we hold within ourselves to pass on the light of these ideas. We can make a difference when we hold the light of understanding.Top, |
Left: Photo by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash
This dandelion related to class in a couple ways. To begin with, I like the fact that dandelions are weeds because many of the topics covered could be considered like weeds in that the subjects are tough and often lead to contention. The hate and lack of understanding that encompasses many of the topics which we discussed only spread. Social reproduction and the continuation of issues generation after generation means that these weeds are being planted in more and more places. However, if we look at the dandelion as a flower and one which we often wish upon, we can talk about the seeds like ideas for a better future and as we take action and blow upon the dandelion, doing something about our hopes and desires for improvement in society, we can make the world a better place. Hopefully.
Middle: Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash
Finally, l included a picture o a say reading, “change: This was because more than anything else, this class changed me. For more on how, see the collage below.
Right: Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash
I appreciated this picture because the message portrayed exactly what I learned in this class: there is always room to grow. Despite how much I have learned with this class, I know that I have a long way left to go and that I likely always will. That is actually part of the beauty of life: we can always improve. I liked the sunflower because they follow the sun and this class helped me think more about how to follow the Son of God. It made me think more about charity and about not judging others. It humbled me to really realize how much room I have to improve and how much work I need to do to truly try and understand other people. I think, as one who tends to follow the hegonomy of the culture and identifies with much of majority culture along with a very opinionated family, I have often believed my way was the one right way. Being among the majority has given me opportunity to be arrogant and self-centered in my beliefs without having to consider others much. This class helped me on the road to changing that, to consider other right ways, to consider the experiences of others.
This dandelion related to class in a couple ways. To begin with, I like the fact that dandelions are weeds because many of the topics covered could be considered like weeds in that the subjects are tough and often lead to contention. The hate and lack of understanding that encompasses many of the topics which we discussed only spread. Social reproduction and the continuation of issues generation after generation means that these weeds are being planted in more and more places. However, if we look at the dandelion as a flower and one which we often wish upon, we can talk about the seeds like ideas for a better future and as we take action and blow upon the dandelion, doing something about our hopes and desires for improvement in society, we can make the world a better place. Hopefully.
Middle: Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash
Finally, l included a picture o a say reading, “change: This was because more than anything else, this class changed me. For more on how, see the collage below.
Right: Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash
I appreciated this picture because the message portrayed exactly what I learned in this class: there is always room to grow. Despite how much I have learned with this class, I know that I have a long way left to go and that I likely always will. That is actually part of the beauty of life: we can always improve. I liked the sunflower because they follow the sun and this class helped me think more about how to follow the Son of God. It made me think more about charity and about not judging others. It humbled me to really realize how much room I have to improve and how much work I need to do to truly try and understand other people. I think, as one who tends to follow the hegonomy of the culture and identifies with much of majority culture along with a very opinionated family, I have often believed my way was the one right way. Being among the majority has given me opportunity to be arrogant and self-centered in my beliefs without having to consider others much. This class helped me on the road to changing that, to consider other right ways, to consider the experiences of others.
A Collage of Ideas
This collage portrayed various thoughts on my experience with this class. The biggest words on this page indicate the overall message: the power of knowledge. Off to the side of the power of knowledge are several thoughts intended to follow those words. The power of knowledge to help us let go, learn, learn maturity, and better understand. The power of knowledge to help us dramatically improve, desire to continue, desire to continue building self or simply to help us building self. The power of knowledge to help us make change, work on yourself, and impact the world. The power of knowledge to become forever changed, a defender. This class taught me knowledge which did all these thing. It helped me to learn maturity by learning how to better understand other people and consider other perspectives. It helped me to face difficult topics and learn to humble myself and realize the validity of other's thoughts. I definitely felt that this course - the readings, videos, and conversations - led me to dramatically improve. That said, it also led me to desire to continue building myself because I realized how much work I have left to do. When I first started this class, I could not understand the views contrary to my own. I did not see any fault in the opinions I had formed growing up around my family. I felt I could defend them well, and perhaps there are points to defend, but this class has opened my eyes to other perspectives. It has led me to question my own beliefs which has been incredibly difficult. I am a people pleaser to a fault and many of the views I held were simply because they were the views of the people I cared about pleasing most. I had adopted them without thinking much about the other perspectives even though I knew some of the counterpoints to my opinions. I felt, and still feel, that accepting views different from my family members could lead to me not being accepted and this has been a fear of mine. Am I willing to risk that? At first, I wasn't quite sure. Then, I realized that I needed to figure out what I personally believed and do whatever I felt was right because that is the one thing which helps me hold opinions contrary to the crowd or say things that others may disagree with: believing that I am following God and that nothing should stand in the way of me doing what is right. This related to the part of the collage which says, "stop waiting for outside forces to decide for you." I need to decide myself. However,it has also taken maturity for me to learn that there are points on either side of an opinion and that there may be numerous ways to be following Christ. People see things differently and I have to remember that. Sometimes the pain and struggle of trying to figure out how this all works and what perspective i should be taking makes me just want to close my eyes to it all, but at this point I have gone too far. We are judged according to our knowledge and understanding and though there is still much that I do not understand, there is much that I have learned and with knowledge comes great responsibility. This class has been about resolving conflicts, as this collage says, and sometimes there is no immediate resolution. Accepting that has required maturity too. It has been a meaningful class/experience and involved a lot of meaningful conversation inside and outside the classroom. I feel like it has given me more exciting topics to discuss with people, though those topics can be surrounded by risk of conflict. I have worked through a lot by talking thoughts out and learning what others think too. I have learned to be a defender and encourage others to think about these things too. Though I feel more argumentative than I may need to be in the way I approach things, this class has helped me to challenge ideas when people say things that just don't sound right after taking this class and learning what I have learned I try to encourage them to ask questions just as I have and as so many in this class have. I get frustrated because I want for others to understand what I have learned in this class, even though I know I have so much farther to go. I still have conflicts. I still disagree with some of the ideas we talked about in class. I am not sure I am willing to pay the costs of agreeing with certain opinions. However, I have learned to try and understand things from the other side, to try and realize what President Uchtdorf taught about rivals generally coming from a place of love. I feel like this class has helped me to consider that. It has caused me to look at perspectives which may be new to me with the idea that “when we step into unfamiliar territory, we feel alive. It is where we see God’s hand in our lives. It’s where we discover.” This class has shown me that knowledge is power and that by being more aware, I can make more of a difference, because I actually see a little more of why people feel the way they do. It has taught me necessary information to get along in society, and it is necessary to remember what I have learned. I hope that this knowledge will help me cultivate meaningful relationships, encourage and act in ways which promote a feeling of community, and to love others. I would like to hope that in time, as I come to better understand what to do with what I have learned, that I be able to use this knowledge to help connect with others, and better be able to connect meeting new people, people with new ideas (at least to the ones I have had). The understanding that this class has led me to have for other people will help me to connect meeting new people around the world, people who have grown up different from me and who may see life or have different values than me. This class has taught me to think before I speak and to think of how I thought before and see the change. It has taken time and it has by no means been easy. I haven’t just floated by. It hasn’t always been clear what the answers are or how to understand duality of thought (and more often than not, not just duality). It has helped me to be more empathetic – I hope. These words I placed on the right side so I could say “yeah right” to it being easy or a float. Rather than being comforting, it has been pinchy and tough. However, it is also comforting to hope for better intentions in people and to see good where I grew up thinking bad. This class emphasized the point “you just need to put in some effort and you get return way past what you deserve.” I don’t know if this is true entirely or not, but I definitely feel like putting effort into this class is something which pays off.
The bottom of this poster, though made last, is actually intended to be at the bottom because these concepts which have had issues can be seen as relating to lower levels of thinking (than being compassionate and understanding and caring about everyone – or at least trying). They are also on the bottom because the top shows progress and I hope to work up from these issues. I hope that as a community we can. I hope to “sew” a better future. I hope that we can find a better way than having so many injustices. The old sewing machine reminds me of factories in the early 1900s and the terrible conditions there. While most Americans no longer have to deal with these sort of working conditions, others throughout the world do. Sweat shops are not okay and yet it is because of them that our economy is what it is and that we as Americans can afford what we do. The big words “We know how you want to live!” are meant to symbolize both how this class has helped me to understand this, but also how the majorities often assume that they know how others want to live and that they are bold and overbearing in their opinions, just like the size of these words. Ahead of the majority, they face opportunities and advantages – luxury. White privilege is something which I have come to better understand through taking this class. Behind then, there is repeated distortion and hate because those who act this way are so often blind to how their actions or ideas come across or really are. Other issues are also behind them because they do not see or look right past the obstacles that some endure. Below them are other concepts, which are below “the issues” that many majority Americans believe they are responsible for worrying about. They get to live above those concerns, without those concerns. Concerns like the discriminatory laws and offensive statements made by Trump in the past year and foreign language struggles and education which leads them students to end up in the same circumstances and lifestyle with which they began, going against the concept of the American dream and keeping people trapped in the same circumstances. While location and price in housing may matter to all citizens, it may be more difficult for some and where people live impacts the safety and education for them and their kids. There are so many issues to face and this class has opened my eyes to only a fraction of it, I am sure.
I am thankful for this class because while in some ways it has made my life significantly more difficult, I think that it has really pushed my thinking and helped me to understand differences better. It was interesting to be dating a young man who aligned with so many of these concepts already and to be pushed to work on these ideas because of not just the class, but him as well. I think that this class has helped me to have better understanding for those views and opened my eyes to at least being able to consider other viewpoints, even if I still may not entirely understand or agree. It has helped me to be open to others, to think about others, and to challenge old ideas. I think that while it has been hard, things that are really worth it are rarely easy. There is beauty and strength in effort and trials. I am grateful for the ideas which this class has caused me to consider, for the facts presented in a different way. It has helped me want to make the world a better place for everyone, not just most. I want to be understanding and think the best of people. This class has helped with that (for the most part) and I want for my classroom to be a good place for all my students. I want to work hard to consider the students in my class and do my best to accommodate for all of them. I want them to be happy and to learn and to feel loved. While I have struggled with a love/hate attitude towards this class, I am grateful for the growth it has brought.
The bottom of this poster, though made last, is actually intended to be at the bottom because these concepts which have had issues can be seen as relating to lower levels of thinking (than being compassionate and understanding and caring about everyone – or at least trying). They are also on the bottom because the top shows progress and I hope to work up from these issues. I hope that as a community we can. I hope to “sew” a better future. I hope that we can find a better way than having so many injustices. The old sewing machine reminds me of factories in the early 1900s and the terrible conditions there. While most Americans no longer have to deal with these sort of working conditions, others throughout the world do. Sweat shops are not okay and yet it is because of them that our economy is what it is and that we as Americans can afford what we do. The big words “We know how you want to live!” are meant to symbolize both how this class has helped me to understand this, but also how the majorities often assume that they know how others want to live and that they are bold and overbearing in their opinions, just like the size of these words. Ahead of the majority, they face opportunities and advantages – luxury. White privilege is something which I have come to better understand through taking this class. Behind then, there is repeated distortion and hate because those who act this way are so often blind to how their actions or ideas come across or really are. Other issues are also behind them because they do not see or look right past the obstacles that some endure. Below them are other concepts, which are below “the issues” that many majority Americans believe they are responsible for worrying about. They get to live above those concerns, without those concerns. Concerns like the discriminatory laws and offensive statements made by Trump in the past year and foreign language struggles and education which leads them students to end up in the same circumstances and lifestyle with which they began, going against the concept of the American dream and keeping people trapped in the same circumstances. While location and price in housing may matter to all citizens, it may be more difficult for some and where people live impacts the safety and education for them and their kids. There are so many issues to face and this class has opened my eyes to only a fraction of it, I am sure.
I am thankful for this class because while in some ways it has made my life significantly more difficult, I think that it has really pushed my thinking and helped me to understand differences better. It was interesting to be dating a young man who aligned with so many of these concepts already and to be pushed to work on these ideas because of not just the class, but him as well. I think that this class has helped me to have better understanding for those views and opened my eyes to at least being able to consider other viewpoints, even if I still may not entirely understand or agree. It has helped me to be open to others, to think about others, and to challenge old ideas. I think that while it has been hard, things that are really worth it are rarely easy. There is beauty and strength in effort and trials. I am grateful for the ideas which this class has caused me to consider, for the facts presented in a different way. It has helped me want to make the world a better place for everyone, not just most. I want to be understanding and think the best of people. This class has helped with that (for the most part) and I want for my classroom to be a good place for all my students. I want to work hard to consider the students in my class and do my best to accommodate for all of them. I want them to be happy and to learn and to feel loved. While I have struggled with a love/hate attitude towards this class, I am grateful for the growth it has brought.