Topic: Hidden epidemic of Celiac Disease
Source: http://www.celiaccentral.org/Celiac-Disease/21/?gclid=CK-3s-TinbcCFScV7Aod9l0Aew
Description: The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness has a website dedicated to information and statistics about the disease. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.. Essentially the body is attacking itself every time gluten is ingested (National Foundation). The article continues to state that Celiac Disease is triggered by the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. When Celiacs eat gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the nutrient absorbing finger-like villi of the small intestine. When villi are damaged, the body is unable to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream, which leads to everlasting malnourishment. When left untreated, Celiac can lead to other complications such as osteoporosis, thyroid and liver disease, or cancer.
Analysis: Since May is Celiac Awareness Month, I thought I would pay my dues and discuss the horrifying disease, which I myself am diagnosed with. Celiac is a lot more serious than an allergic reaction or a bad intolerance, because when an individual has Celiac, his or her body attacks itself, destroying their insides. Growing up in America, it took my doctors 17 years to diagnose me with Celiac Disease. I had been hospitalized several times within my first 17 years, but no doctors thought to ever test me for Celiac. On the other hand, every individual in Europe is testing by age 6, because it is mainly a European disease. Since I am half Scottish, I am assuming I carried a gene from my European side. A frightening statistic states that Celiac Disease is the most common autoimmune disorder in America, affecting 1 in every 133 Americans; the scariest part being only 6% of Celiac patients being diagnosed. I was lucky enough to discover I had Celiac, but to think about all the individuals globally that have this disease, and cannot afford to stay away from gluten. A gluten-free diet is extremely expensive, because a lot of wheat is mass produced and genetically modified to try to sustain the world's hunger. It is very inexpensive, and is a grain to satisfy people's hunger. The most consumed food in America is bread, which is frightening, because our consumption of gluten in America is what is triggering Celiac in all these Americans. If gluten was eaten in moderation in America, I'm sure that the statistics would drop lower. But with the poverty rate, sometimes all families can afford are cheap, processed foods that contain gluten fillers. Celiac Disease is a hidden epidemic that is now haunting America as well as the rest of the world, and the diagnostics keep rising, because of the amount of gluten an individual consumes daily. If we want our society in the best shape, it would be ideal to have mandatory Celiac Disease testings at a young age, following the footsteps of Europe, to help keep every generation energized and healthy for the future.
Topic: Social inequity due to racism
Source: "Racism Statistics." The Council for Human Rights. N.p., 2012. Web. 06 May 2013.
Description: The article from the Council of Human Rights describes different statistics that determine a variety of acts committed by certain ethnicity groups in America. For example, "Blacks and Hispanics remained approximately 3 times as likely to be poor as whites in 2001" (Race, Ethnicity, and Economic Well-Being). It also describes that of the 7, 722 hate crime incidents reported to the FBI in 2006, 2,640 were anti-black related (1). The article continues to describe statistics like these with comparisons of the Hispanic, African-American, and White population.
Analysis: The idea of racism still occurring in America sickens me. I do not classify people by skin color, hair color, financial income, or anything else that is mainly uncontrollable, I base my opinions on people based off of how they treat other people. I believe heritage has something to do with the make-up of a person; not to mistake that with defining an individual, just that it helps develop certain traditions and morals, just like the culture that an individual grows up in. These statistics are very heart-breaking, because it shows the lack of equality in America in numbers. The African-American and Hispanic populations in America have hardships that are very difficult to face, such as not being able to get an education as easily as a white individual, or that they experience more food and housing hardships versus the white population as well. But what I found most interesting is that no article I looked up on statistics of social inequity in America did it list the hardships any other races experience, in my case being an Arab. Ever since 9/11, the Arab population has been frowned upon by so many, and now has an extremely low reputation to some individuals. Last November, I was taking the Greyhound from Los Angeles to Santa Cruz by myself (the express bus that takes off at around 11pm). I sat down on the bus, and immediately the man sitting across from me stands up and makes yells, "SHE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT SHE IS GOING TO BLOW UP NEXT. GET HER OFF THIS BUS!" I was very much offended and saddened by this man's harsh words, but the only person that ended up defending me was the bus driver. The man later got arrested for threatening to kill me, but it was shocking that not a single person on that bus stood up for me. This is obviously not just because I'm an Arab (or hopefully not!), but the idea that individuals do not have the courage to speak up for themselves in order to defend another individual's sense of equality is degrading to everyone. America has worked so hard to become a country of acceptance and equality, yet people are so terrified of being confident enough to speak up. I believe this is a responsibility of everyone in America, to defend each other's equality and freedom, and I firmly believe that our country will be a more confident and safe place. But if this country keeps letting race get in the way of progression, our society is going to fall backwards.
Topic: Destruction of Facebook
Source: Cain, Kevin. "The Negative Effects of Facebook on Communication." RSS. Social Media Today, 29 June 2012. Web. 09 Apr. 2013.
Description: Cain discusses that humans have a much harder time communicating in person in today's society because of the all time high in Facebook's society. He also discusses Americans in general spend too much time on Facebook, saying an average American spends fourteen minutes on Facebook daily. He notes that the crazy amount of energy Americans put into Facebook needs to change immediately.
Analysis: It seems as though with each following generation, the youth becomes more demanding for the latest technological devices. I got an "emergency" cell phone at the age of thirteen and was told to only use it to call either of my parents when needed. The thought of having a phone at such a young age terrified my parents, yet I was allowed to have a Facebook in middle school, where anyone from around the world could notify me. Looking back, I would have never let myself have an account on a social media site, because not only are they dangerous but a lot of people on these sites are exposed to sorts of nudity, violence, and negativity. Throughout the last decade, social media sites have become so large that 51% of Americans are on Facebook. Back when I was in middle school, all of the posts I would see were little meaningless statuses, or pictures of friends and family; but in today's society, my page is filled with nudity, negativity, violence, and drugs. Facebook is now a place to been seen, a place to get attention from every person following you. This is due to the media in today's society, always giving individuals the impression that they are not seen unless they stand out and grab everyone's attention. I cannot tell you how many mirror pictures that young girls take of themselves half-naked everyday with the hashtag #selfie. It's becoming a place where there is too much exposure and too much nonsense. That is why I did not approve my ten year old sister signing up for Facebook. Facebook needs to have more regulations, to restrict more of the material that can be posted on this site. In theory, it is a great site to get in touch with family and friends; it was created for college students to get in touch with each other. Now it has taken a complete spin, and needs some mending. My little sister gets teased and made fun of on Facebook all the time by people who are supposedly her friends. One time, she was supposed to hang out with a friend who cancelled because she was sick, then an hour later saw a picture of her friend and a few others that was uploaded to Facebook with a comment that said, "We just didn't want to see your ugly face today." The negativity that is found throughout social media sites like Facebook is very detrimental to today's youth, and suicide rates are on the rise because of it. As a society, we need to take a step back and really figure out how to control social media sites in a more positive way.
Topic: American Dream is translated to consumerism
Source: Novotoney, Amy. "What's behind American Consumerism?" What's Behind American Consumerism? American Psychological Association, July 2008. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
Description: The article describes the psychological patterns seen in Americans as to why they consume all the material items that they do. It states, "Researches says that new ways of advertising, paired with cultural shifts to consumerism, seem to be driving the trend" (Novotney 1). It continues to state that millions of dollars go into advertising each year, and advertising companies are manipulating Americans by find possible ways to dig deeper into their minds. The article continues to state the with every generation that passes, consumerism is becoming more extreme.
Analysis: The correlation between consumerism and wealth in America is outstanding, both are so greatly craved in today's society. The disillusion of the American Dream heightens pressure for Americans to succeed with an abundance of consumption. The American dream was originally defined as an individual who comes from an empty background and masters the idea of success. In today's society, people have changed the definition to mean consumption creates happiness and success. Also, it is very uncommon for an individual to rise above from an empty background, and most extremely rich people are born into it. The false American Dream has led the United States to be selfish and individualized. This does not only apply to the wealthy Americans but to all; a lot of Americans are more concerned about their individual aspirations than anybody else's. With that being said, I have noticed that in my case, as well as many other not so wealthy American families, we seem to take a slightly different outlook. For example, I grew up in a household with a single mother and five siblings; we were and continue to fall below the poverty line. Growing up, we were taught to make sure we were taken care but to make sure everyone around us was taken care of as well. We always shared our meals, our clothes, and our shelter with anyone who needed it. While I was in grade school, most of my friends were a lot wealthier than my family, but I seemed to be the only who knew that material objects did not just get hand-fed to every individual, that only some families could afford it. None of my friends understood that, and were always so confused on why I didn't own the same designer tennis shoes or backpacks like they did. It seems to be more and more common as American youth are growing up now; they are raised and exposed to copious amounts of consumerism in their households and the media that is seems taboo to not be wealthy. The idea of the American Dream is being implanted into the youngest of generations, and it's teaching our society to be very consumed in one's self. I propose the true American Dream to be the idea of being comfortable with one's own life. It has nothing to do with the items that one owns, but to be truly content and appreciative of what one earns and is provided. If all Americans lived a lifestyle of appreciation, the idea of consumerism would not be nearly as selfish as it is today.
Title: Media's Influence in Today's Society
Topic: Relationship between football and mass media
Source: Robbins, Richard H. Cultural Anthro. Student ed. Belmont: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic, 2008. Print.
Gorman, Bill. "No Surprise: 64% Of Americans Watch NFL Football; 73% of Men, 55% of Women." - Ratings. TV BY THE NUMBERS, 14 Oct. 2011. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.
Description: In the text Robbins explains that, “Anthropologists have found that football is carefully controlled by fixed rules so there is only one outcome: almost always there is a winner and loser” (Robbins 23). Robbins explains the importance that football has in the American culture and that some opposing cultures are enraged by the idea of football. The level-playing field in society is made out to be a common theme in society, when really it is more difficult than it appears. Robbins describes football leading to the idea of success, as well as fixed directions on how to attain it.
Analysis: Media’s influence controls more of today’s society than most are aware of; one of the largest cases being the information that is being fed to society through football. Football is an American tradition that is watched by 64% of Americans, over 70% of viewers being male (Gorman 1). Watching football may be a cultural tradition, but Americans get too trapped and involved in media’s manipulation, without even truly noticing it. For example, The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins is a futuristic novel where their society is split into twelve districts, and once a year, a teenage boy and girl are sent from every district to fight until death, to thank the Capitol (its government) for providing for them. The event is a televised bloodbath that the entire society is dedicated to viewing. This shares a common theme with today's society; the Superbowl is the most viewed sporting event in America. When the concept of the Hunger Games is put into perspective, it does not seem too different from football, just that the concept of the Hunger Games is a more extreme case of media’s manipulation in society. The dystopia in the Hunger Games is related to today by the influence the media has on both of these events. Football is America’s most well-known reality show, because society feeds off the thrill and excitement of the unexpected. Men in today’s society take great pride in football, because they tend to feed off of the masculinity of the players. The idea of football could be comforting, because it has the potential to bring a society together to enjoy entertainment as a whole, but since media is involved: women are on the sidelines cheering on the men in minimal clothing, men are in tight clothing to show off their masculinity, and the commercials that advertise alcohol beverages create a sense of happiness and an ideal society. The media holds too much power over society, because aspects like football and reality shows are meant to be addictive and entrap individuals. Many Americans become so enslaved by football that Superbowl Sunday is ranked the highest day of reported domestic violence annually. As a society, we allow the media to have too much influence in our lives, and it seems to get more severe with each passing generation.
Title: Justification of Ethnocentrism
Topic: Human Nature of Ethnocentrism
Source: Robbins, Richard H. Cultural Anthro. Student ed. Belmont: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.
Description: Robbins describes an ethnocentric fallacy as “the idea that our beliefs and behaviors are right and true, whereas those of other peoples are wrong or misguided” (Robbins 8). Ethnocentrism is opposed by relativism, which states that no certain belief system can be judged or compared to one’s own. Robbins makes a point that if all humans thought they had all the answers in life, everyone would reach an “intellectual and social dead end”. While relativism seems open minded, Robbins explains that relativism has its own fallacy--”the idea that it is impossible to make moral judgments about the beliefs and behaviors of others” (Robbins 9). He describes this as being intolerable, because it would imply that every act in this world could be justified. The textbook offers an example of the Wari population, who believe in cannibalism. The Wari culture believed that their acts were justified by domination. The book then explains that in 1503, the queen of Spain declared that Spaniards could enslave Native Americans who were partaking in cannibalism; and then in 1510, the pope declared that Christians could physically punish cannibals (Robbins 9). Robbins then covers the idea of moral superiority, which then determines the outcome of cultural differences.
Analysis: I was born and raised in Humboldt County, and because of that I have been exposed to a very open minded and welcoming community. If the definition of ethnocentrism was announced to the population of Arcata, I can say with confidence that it would be frowned upon. And yet it seems so contradicting to me, because the people who frown upon ethnocentrism are making the point to not accept it, when acceptance is what relativism is all about. Of course I do not perceive my beliefs as extremely educated nor am I close-minded, but it seems like ethnocentrism is more of a humanistic trait than humans would actually like it to be. A great example of this is religion; while Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all are heavily based on the roots of Abraham, some of the greatest conflict in the world is due to the differences between each text. As two different nationalities, Kuwaiti and Scottish, I have been exposed to the differences between Christianity and Islam my entire life, but neither side of my family has ever explained the similarities between the two religions. Instead, they criticize each other’s religious texts, when there are more common factors between them than differences. When a topic such as religion or a certain spiritual belief comes into play, believers take it very personally, because of the morals and manners that these texts teach, which assists creating an individual and his or her beliefs. It seems that religion has to do with the existence of ethnocentrism, because religious texts teach that their teachings are the correct ones, and therefore, many take that mindset out of religion and apply to everyday life, judging other’s actions. I am not criticizing religion or trying to generalize, I think the idea of religion is fantastic; I am just stating my opinions on where I think a root of ethnocentrism can be traced back to. When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait back in 1990, he thought his actions were justified by Allah, and therefore, was confident about his decision to kill the thousands of Kuwaitis that him and his troops did. When it comes to relativism, I believe that it can be applied in many cases throughout the entire human population, but when digging deeper into topics such as religion, it gets more difficult to accept other beliefs as equal to one’s own.
