Blog 4: Broadcast Our Past To Better Our Future

Our  past is what inevitably shapes our future. Not everyone can always agree, people often disagree, have different beliefs, different ways of living, that is what being human is all about. These differences date all the way back to the first groups of people specifically the Indigenous groups and the European colonists. These two very different groups of people not only have different relationships with their land, their relationship to nature and their relationships with each other but they also treat genders very differently. These beliefs have shifted with the time and maybe are not identical to what they once were but they have definitely marked their people in ways that still affect us today. These societal differences and completely different ways of thinking are what shape our acceptance to new ways of life such as the LGBTQ+ community. As we see in “Trans in Trumpland ” we see people are being not only discriminated against but being denied care for not following the same path as others. This ties back to history because the way societies functioned with different values is important to understand if we want to make sense of the harm being done to others today. I believe we can learn more than we think from diving into the past and the beliefs of the indigenous groups in comparison to what our society has chosen to follow, which is the European mindset. This essay is to examine the contrasting views on gender between indigenous and  European worldviews and to explore how these perspectives affect us today.

To understand the cultural and societal differences between the Indigenous and the Europeans there are a few key elements which really struck me. Firstly their relationships with the land. The Indigenous often viewed land as sacred and believed in a reciprocal relationship with nature, where they were stewarts rather than owners. They had immense respect for the land and took care of it very well. This contrasts the European colonists who viewed land as a commodity, to be owned, exploited and transformed for profit. They had no respect for it and used it for their own personal well being. This difference in worldview is what I believe drove their opinions on genders. While indigenous cultures embraced fluidity and inclusiveness in gender roles, European colonists imposed rigid norms and wanted everyone to act the same, feel the same and especially carry the same beliefs and way of thinking.

Drawing directly from Keough and Campbell’s perspectives, “Indigenous societies and the early contact period”. The early contact period has had an impact on indigenous gender dynamics, the European colonisation disrupted traditional practices and imposed their patriarchal structures. This affects today’s society because we have completely followed the european standard when looking in the past the indigenous community was much more inclusive and could have bettered our society.

“Trans in Trumpland: Idaho” gives us a view of discrimination and lack of acceptance that is faced by gender-diverse individuals in today’s society. They were comparing certain scenarios to historical ways of thinking and there is a continuing influence of colonial legacies in today’s society. If we embraced indigenous perspectives on gender it would give us a big step towards a better and more inclusive society. The indigenous worldview is full of respect and there is ample room for diversity which is something our society today is lacking. The European mindset was pushed and made the norm in today’s society because it was a more powerful thought process to have. To objectify people and utilise land, everything and everyone was used as machinery and once it lost value it was often pushed aside. The European mindset also had a large influence because of the church and the power it held to convince the people to believe what it says.

Moving on, if we focus on today and what to expect for our future all we have to do is dwell in the past, history often repeats itself. Whichever belief holds the most power and control will be pursued in our society but if we decide to come together and change the mindset as a whole we could better our future. As the younger generation has been taught through literature such as Keough and Campbell who explain the differences in beliefs with two societies and the impact it could have for us. This should be a class taught in highschool, by knowing we can prevent mistakes to reoccur , therefore the mindsets of older generations should definitely be broadcasted to all the youth of today so we can be smarter and make better choices.

The Indigenous were more in touch with their spirits which made them respect everything much more than others. They are a very accepting group and care deeply about what is in their lives. European societies often were disconnected from these spiritual roots. This disconnection led to a different approach to nature and community, one was more exploitative and less harmful. In contrast, indigenous values emphasised respect, reciprocity and balance which can offer valuable lessons for modern society. How might we integrate these principles into our lives to create a better world for the people around us to feel comfortable and happy with who they are.

Bibliography

Andrea Edinger, October 21, 2020 “History Of Gender Roles in Canada” the Canadian encyclopaedia https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/history-of-gender-roles-in-canada

Keough, Willeen G. and Lara Campbell “Gender and Cultural Diversity in the Early Contact Period.” Gender

History: Canadian Perspectives, Oxford University Press, 2014, pp. 16–28

Zosherafatain, Tony. “Trans in Trumpland: Idaho.” Kanopy, The Film Sales Company, http://www.kanopy.com/en/vaniercollege/video/11561418. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Blog 3; What difference does colour make

In today’s society we will often say that people’s mentality’s have changed, and the old way of thinking is no longer current but that is not true for many reasons and certain people were brave enough to speak up or in some cases artistically display their beliefs. In Desmond Cole’s book “The Skin We’re In” and Jordan Peele’s movie “Get Out,” we get a close look at the challenges Black men face in Canada and the United States. These works show us the deep-rooted racism Black men deal with daily, making us face the hard truths about racism in both countries. Although the movie could be an exaggerated reality, this blog post will discuss how Cole and Peele highlight the experiences of Black men with society in Canada and the US and what we can learn about the ongoing issues of racism from their stories.

Desmond Cole’s book, “The Skin We’re In,” talks about the tough experiences Black men face in Toronto. He mixes his own stories with the history of racism in Canada to show that these problems have deep roots. Cole points out that the unfair treatment of Indigenous people in the past has led to racism that still affects Black men today. He shares personal stories about being unfairly stopped and questioned by police, showing how Black men in Toronto often feel watched and judged. Cole also talks about how racial profiling affects people’s mental health and trust in the community. He discusses how issues like money, education, and social attitudes add to the challenges Black men face. Throughout the book, Cole challenges common ideas about Black men and how they should act. He says these stereotypes can lead to more racism and unfair treatment. By breaking down these stereotypes, Cole wants people to understand and empathize more with the experiences of Black men in Canada. In “The Skin We’re In,” Cole wants to show the real problems of racism in Canada today. He uses his stories and arguments to push readers to see and tackle the racism that’s still a big issue in Canadian society. The book reminds us that fighting racism is an ongoing effort that needs everyone’s attention and commitment to make real change.

Jordan Peele’s movie “Get Out” is an impactful look at what life is like for Black men in the United States. The film mixes suspenseful storytelling, clear messages about society, and even some twists to keep people watching interested while making them think. One important thing about the movie is how it turns around common stereotypes about Black men. Instead of showing them in the usual, limited ways we often see in movies, Peele makes characters that feel real and multi-dimensional. Chris, the main character, is shown as someone who thinks deeply about things, and his story helps us understand more about the challenges Black people face in America. The movie also works as a scary story that tells us something deeper about race. It shows how people of color can feel when they’re around mostly white people, feeling like they’re being watched or judged all the time. Through Chris’s experiences, Peele points out both the small, subtle ways people might be racist without realizing it, like making offhand comments, and the bigger, more obvious ways racism shows up. “Get Out” also makes us think about how racism works today in America. It shows that racism isn’t just about people being openly mean or hateful. Sometimes, it’s about the smaller, everyday things that can still make people feel unwelcome or less valued. Peele shows us that racism can be deeply rooted in the way society works, affecting everything from how people are treated in public to how they feel about themselves. In the end, “Get Out” is a movie that makes you think hard about race and identity in America. By breaking down stereotypes, telling a scary story that’s also a message about society, and showing how racism can be part of everyday life, Jordan Peele’s film pushes us to think more about these important issues. It reminds us that fighting against racism is something everyone needs to be aware of and work on to make real change. 

Desmond Cole’s book “The Skin We’re In” and Jordan Peele’s movie “Get Out” both give us a close look at the challenges Black men face in Canada and the United States. Even though these two countries have different histories and cultures, Cole and Peele show that Black men in both places deal with many of the same problems because of systemic racism. These works make us think hard about the uncomfortable truths of racism in both Canada and the US. They point out that the racism we see today has its roots in past events like colonialism and slavery. Cole and Peele help us understand that these old problems still affect Black men and other people of colour today, shaping their lives and opportunities in unfair ways. Also, Cole and Peele stress how important it is to listen to and understand the experiences of Black men when we talk about racism and social justice. By sharing their own stories and perspectives, they create space for important conversations about race. They show us that tackling racism is not just about individual acts of kindness or tolerance, it’s about working together to change the bigger systems and structures that keep inequality and unfairness in place.

In conclusion, “The Skin We’re In” and “Get Out” are both powerful and thought-provoking works that help us understand the ongoing challenges Black men face in Canada and the US. Through their writings and storytelling, Cole and Peele show us the deep-rooted racism Black men experience every day and challenge us to face the hard truths about our countries’ histories. These works remind us that fighting racism is an ongoing effort and that we all need to work together to create a fairer society where everyone, regardless of their race or background, is treated with respect, dignity, and fairness.

Oral; The Godfather Influence

In Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic film “The Godfather,” Vito Corleone stands as a towering figure, emblematic of a particular brand of masculinity. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that Vito’s portrayal encapsulates a deeply flawed and harmful conception of masculinity. His reliance on violence, manipulation, and a distorted code of honour perpetuates damaging stereotypes and sends troubling messages about what it means to be a man in society.

Vito Corleone’s reliance on violence as a means of maintaining control is a glaring red flag in his portrayal of masculinity. While it may be expected for the head of a powerful crime family to exhibit toughness, the extent to which Vito employs violence as a tool for dominance is troubling. His willingness to “crack some skulls” in pursuit of respect reinforces the dangerous notion that physical aggression is synonymous with strength and masculinity. This perpetuation of violence as a means of asserting power only serves to reinforce harmful stereotypes and contribute to a culture of toxic masculinity.

Another aspect of Vito’s character that exemplifies toxic masculinity is his mastery of manipulation. Behind his façade of honor and loyalty lies a man who is not above using deceit and cunning to achieve his goals. By constantly scheming and conniving, Vito sends the message that being a “real man” means being sneaky and underhanded. This portrayal not only glorifies dishonesty but also undermines the importance of honesty and integrity in masculine identity. Instead of encouraging open communication and transparency, Vito’s manipulative tactics promote a culture of deceit and distrust among men.

Vito Corleone’s supposed “code of honor” serves as yet another façade for his toxic masculinity. While he preaches loyalty to his family and associates, his actions often result in harm to innocent bystanders and contribute to the overall decay of society. Despite his claims of honorability, Vito’s criminal activities have far-reaching consequences that cannot be justified by notions of loyalty alone. His distorted sense of honor not only rationalizes immoral behavior but also perpetuates the idea that masculinity is inherently tied to dominance and selfishness.

In conclusion, Vito Corleone’s portrayal in “The Godfather” offers a troubling depiction of masculinity that is deeply flawed and harmful to society. His reliance on violence, manipulation, and a warped sense of honor perpetuates damaging stereotypes and sends troubling messages about what it means to be a man. By glorifying aggression, deceit, and selfishness, Vito Corleone represents a toxic version of masculinity that we must actively challenge and deconstruct in order to promote healthier and more inclusive ideals of manhood in society.

Blog 1: Feelings Equal Repercussions

In a world where emotional vulnerability is often associated with weakness, men must navigate a maze of societal expectations and learn how to truly be themselves. From an early age, boys are taught to suppress their emotions, to put on a front and be strong, hiding the complexities of their inner world behind a mask of toughness and an emotionless person. This essay digs into men’s emotional experiences, shedding light on the societal pressures that make them hide their feelings and deny aspects of themselves as “feminine.” 

The suppression of emotions among men is something that is deeply engraved in our society, it has become a cultural norm. Expressing any form of sensitivity or vulnerability is something more often than not associated with women which is then interpreted as a sign of weakness because today people believe ‘women are weak.’ This leads men to adopt a persona that could resemble someone who is heartless or invulnerable which makes them fit in with societal norms. By doing so they are hiding their true emotions and their true selves, which could be detrimental to their mental health in the long term. When men wear this mask, it is like a shield, shielding them from potentially being judged and shamed by society. This way of thinking stems from when these men are just boys, at a youthful age they are taught what they should and should not do. In the book Man Up by Carlos André Gomez the main character is a young boy and in one of the chapters, he wants to paint his nails as his sister does, his mother advises him not to, yet he goes along with it anyways and gets beat up by a group of boys he then says “What did I do that was so wrong” (Pg 66 of Man up). This book truly highlights what a child goes through when discovering how cruel the world is. We are all born with innocent minds but the world around us is what shapes who we become and the society we live in today is turning men into fearful people who are not always accepted. 

Moreover, the repression of so-called “feminine” emotions further highlights this internal conflict men might have with themselves. Society’s narrow definition of masculinity often excludes qualities like sensitivity, compassion, and vulnerability, often labeled as feminine. Consequently, men are conditioned to reject these aspects of themselves, viewing them as weaknesses rather than strengths. In doing so, they deny themselves the opportunity for authentic self-expression and genuine connection. In the book Man Up you can clearly tell that he is hiding his identity which can really damage someone’s mind, he is constantly worried about what his father will think or what his friends will think and i believe that as a society we should work to make it easier for people to open up and to be themselves. 

Being unable to show a feminine side is only one part of how much goes through a man’s mind. In comparison to Gomez’s story, the movie Invincible by Vincent-René-Lortie, both boys are trapped, while Carlos is mentally unable to express himself the way he wishes he could Marc is physically trapped in an institution. These two boys are living two quite different lives, they both feel the same frustration and loneliness of not being free. In the short film it is clear to us that Marc is not like the other kids in the institution and they portray that by reading his poem aloud Infront of the class. He wants to be free, and he wants to be able to be with his family and the burden of it all was too much for him to handle, which is why he decides to take his own life at the end of the short story. 

These two characters deal with huge emotions, but the result is different. This shows us that everyone is different, and your surroundings can significantly impact how your life goes and what path you take. As a society we need to see the signs of someone struggling and we need to make sure people feel at ease speaking up and never bottling their emotions in because it could end with them battling themselves.