Ana Zapata

HD 497 Capstone
Summer 2016

HD 361: Social and Political Contexts of Human Development

Core Class Reflection
A lot of learning took place in HD 361: Social & Political Contexts of Human
Development. Paired with class lectures, Ted Talk video presentations and assigned topics to
share about, we dove deep into examining issues that affect and impact our current society. This
class was such an eye-opener. I have always found history fascinating, and experiencing topics
like manifest destiny, social justice, privilege and entitlement, and my favorite, gender equality,
was beyond rewarding.
Reflecting on this course, I have gained a lot of knowledge about the social and political
contexts that we experience in today's society, and how these have been present from the
beginning of the nation. Our professor Dr. Giraldo had a distinct way of touching on these
topics, making them relatable to us and himself as a minority affected by these. When asked to
define Manifest Destiny I discovered I had the wrong idea. I did not realize that it refers to a
belief, shared by the early settlers, that they had the God given right to take from others. This
was ignorant and unjust. Europeans used this justification not only for their territorial ambitions
but for the overall expansion of their social and political ways, religious beliefs and practices,
and their cultural influences in this new land.
As we dissected the origins of our sweet America, I made meaningful connections as I
compared and contrasted my Mexican-American culture to that of Native Americans. One
comparison being that I am a first generation immigrant, and though I wasnt forcefully removed
and relocated from my native Mexico I did, like many Native Americans, endure turbulent
travels during my long three day by foot journey into this country. My mother, older brother,

Ana Zapata
HD 497 Capstone
Summer 2016

younger sister and I endured harsh temperatures, danger all around us, animal decay and scarce
food and water. Once settled, I was expected to adapt to the culture, learn the language, struggle
in poverty and make a new life. I connected my own personal journey with the Trail of Tears.
Although my experience cannot compare with the more than 5,000 of the 20,000 Cherokees who
died making that journey, I find it relevant as day after day, hundreds of immigrants are faced
with similar obstacles. The readings from Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History
of the American West and The Long Haul support my understanding of the Native American
culture.
Gender equality is another justice issue of great importance to me. In this course we
addressed many topics that relate to this, such as womens suffrage, the right for a woman to
decide matters concerning their own bodies, and the current gender wage gap. Upon reflecting
on the topics discussed during the length of the semester, I took with me that women have
endured so much. I feel irate at the injustices that this great nation has and is still putting women
through. Sure we have made some progress, slow, steady progress, but we have not progressed
enough. It is fair to say that women have come a long way but there is still more work that needs
to be done. Taking womens suffrage as an example, the fight for a womans right to vote took
nearly 100 years of humiliation of women, incarcerations, hunger strikes, violation of their
bodies, and treatments that crippled their spirit and left them powerless. Progress is duly noted
as women now not only have the right to vote, but can run for office. As I write this, the
presumptive Democratic candidate for our next President is Hillary Clinton.
As women, we are beginning to break free from the barriers of oppression. As women
we are resilient. Societal norms and expectations are changing. Our influence is beginning to

Ana Zapata
HD 497 Capstone
Summer 2016

make a positive change. And it is not because men are becoming inferior, it is because women
have become superior within themselves.
Upon reflecting on my experiences and addressing key issues, Ive learned that gender
has greatly impacted my developmental process. I understand that my experiences lived and
learned have shaped who and what Ive become. I have found the strength to overcome key
issues like inferiority, and discrimination that arose from the biases, entitlement mentalities,
misconceptions, and injustices derived from gender inequality and social and political issues,
issues which effect the socialization and understanding of ones human development.
Becoming aware of the social and political contexts that affect our development as
humans, I am more involved through advocacy and resources. I am better able to facilitate a
learning environment. As a woman, I empathize with the struggles that we carry just for being
women. Moreover, I am more capable to serve my community, have a voice, and making it
count.