Introduction To Sociology Class Reflection

If I were to describe my understanding of these issues when I first began this class in one word it would be: fragmented. I have been studying many of these issues, whether it be poverty, environmental justice or economic and political disenfranchisement; but it was, and often still is in a very separate and fragmented approach. Partly, because of the nature and structure of the academic classes and subjects are taught through different departments, I had only approached these issues from very different, often singular perspectives. Furthermore, the approach through traditional academic means is portrayed as being objective and separate so I never felt the need direct need to address what can be done about these issues being talked about directly …show more content…
For example while I had studied race and class issues through my sociology classes I had never been asked what my own experience was with these issues was. Obviously I had thought about them especially when reading things about working class people entering academic spaces, however in the class I read that there was never space to process that as a person who has experienced that myself. But with the opportunity to read other peoples personal narratives with their experiences of class and race and other identity locations effects on understanding these issues it was easier to explore my own personal narrative and experience. It was difficult and I was really resistant to this process at first, but now see it as a valuable point of entry into talking about these issues. One thing I learned from our community partners was that we can have all the head knowledge but if we don’t come at it with our heart knowledge and with our personal experiences then we won’t be able to realize our personal investment. It’s even easier then to see the complexity once we enter understanding these issues from our experience as our experiences are complex in …show more content…
While there are so many lessons I am greatful to have learned about community organizing I think most of these are related to intersectionality as a practice of theory and in oraganizing. A few things specifically is knowing and accepting that we bring ourselves, whoever that may to to the work we do as organizers. This is so important in being able to work thorugh group dynamics as well as working with people in general to be able to put our theory into practice. It’s with this acceptance, wilingness to meet people where they are that we can begin to connect in order to get where we need to go. I think this is inherently an intersectional practice as it has to value people’s multifauceted experinces. Not that it is easy but it is so neccisary when it comes to organizing. I also think about organizing and intersectionality as it affects other aspects and areas of my life. Organizing to me isn’t then just the political knowledge, or the logistics of setting up meetings and coordinating events, but it’s the connections made, the bridges built across difference and the people involved that make organizing a more complex and complete