The Observation Deck

Bill Call wrote:I never understood sociology. It seemed too much like a "there are no wrong answers" kind of course.

Anyway, what does it mean to say "try to fit them within your own social framework?"

Basically it's the premise of ethno-centrism. You look at an outside culture and try to compare them to your culture and view the differences as wrong. That's not to say sometimes things aren't wrong, but rather that often times the differences are just that, differences.

Rather than wondering "why can't these people behave or act like me" it's about understanding what makes each culture distinct and work from that angle to understand better. After that, dialogue is much more productive.

This is the same for white people who say "why can't those black people just get over themselves and get some personal responsibility" without understanding how that feeling can exist. Or the black person who blames "the man" or some other white racist conspiracy for keeping them down anytime something doesn't go their way. Both groups need to look outside the box they've built for themselves.

Bryan Schwegler wrote:Both groups need to look outside the box they've built for themselves.

Thanks.

That seems like good advice. One of my News Years resolutions is to take good advice so I guess I'll give it a try.

I commend Regina Britt for becoming more realistic in her writings over the last year. However, her request to black leadership for ideas about how to thwart the thug culture could well have been extended to white "leaders" as well. For, as Mr. Warren has indicated, its a behavior problem.

Many of Reverend McMickle's points make sense. However, I wish he would have suggested emphasis be placed upon personal responsibility beginning at the earliest age.

I am surprised Reverend McMickle did not emphasize knowledge of and adherence to the Ten Commandments, regular church attendance, and the importance of religious training.