Reflections Essay- Mark Barney

This course has been a very challenging experience. While none of the four course themes were new
to me I found myself entrigued in the details. Writings like; Letter From a Birmingham Jail, Walden, Civil
Disobedience, and Excerpts from the Diary of William Hosenfeld all touched on a basic understanding of
what it means to be human and the respect that humanity deserves. The importance of humanities is
that it is an academic discipline that studies the human condition. The material that led up to Journal 4
was absolutely fascinating. In this section we discussed freedom, responsibility, and our individual
Responsibilities to society. Initially I approached this course as a list of mindless assignments to quickly
read and then regurgitate facts for papers, discussions, and test. Instead I began to really become
interested in the material of the course. I was excited most of the time to read the assignments and found
myself diving in even deeper to the subject matter than the course required. I often found myself
disappointed when I finished the assigned material.

A major subject for theme one was the subject of racism. Racism is subject that we would like to think
of as just a dark time in our past. Unfortunately, racism is still very present in our modern society. Around
the world people are still openly being discriminated against based on color, race, religion, sex, and
sexual orientation. Here are a few examples:
Germany: Those who think anti-Semitic feelings died along with the Fuhrer, the contemporary
German neo-Nazi ideas could come as a rude shock. These groups think along the very lines
of Hitler himself, of a United Germany with its glory restored. Luckily pressure from the
government and United Nations, these groups have taken to underground activities.
Rwanda: In the months of April and June, 1994, close to 800,000 Rwandans were killed less than
100 days. Most of the people who were brutally murdered belonged to Tutsi ethnicity while the
perpetrators of the crime belonged to the Hutu tribe.Rwanda had witnessed Ethnic brutalities in
past but this particular event left even the native Rwandans lurching. Tension between the two
tribes continue to exist.
India: By far one of the least racially intolerant countries. In only two of 81 surveyed countries,
more than 40 percent of respondents said they would not want a neighbor of a different race.
Russia: There are currently no laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation
or gender identity and expression, and households headed by same-sex couples are ineligible
for the legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.

Section #4 of this course made me realize that we as citizens of the word need to remain vigilant against
any form of discrimination. As a citizen of the United states I have the rights to speak out against
discrimination. Here I have the freedom of speech that allows me to speak out against injustices. I
realized that I am more than just a US citizen, I am a citizen of the world. All members of the human race
are entitled have their civil rights protected. The biggest challenge is the realizing how can one
individual make a large positive impact when the world is so big and its problems so complex. The
readings of this course show that it is the small actions that over time can make the biggest impact.
Here are some of small changes that I personally have made since taking this course:
I set the example for my family by not watching TV shows and movies that are discriminatory.
For example: shows that exploit women and movies that stereotype races and other religions.
This has greatly reduced the number of action movies I watch.
I have been more active in following local, state, and federal politics so that I am a more informed
citizen.
I have stopped just ignoring when individuals that make overtly sexist, racist, or hurtful comments.
I now speak up and let them know that I disapprove of those hurtful comments. This is not
aimed at being politically correct it is aimed being a better person and setting an example for
others. It is a trait I hope my daughters learn.
Human rights should be seen as more than national rights only given to citizens of the United States.
These are natural rights that every individual should be able to claim. It is everyone responsibility to
enforce these rights, not only for your self but for others. These rights do come with responsibilities:
1. We must be active in maintaining not only our own personal rights and freedoms but the rights
of others, even if we disagree with their views. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
2. We must take personal responsibility for supporting ourselves so that we dont become a
burden to either the government or our fellow citizens who support the government through
taxes.