We all have different experiences going through life. Those experiences shape how we view the world and how we behave in it. In this assignment you are going to look at your own experiences of the world and culture we live in by being reflexive. As you have learned over the past few weeks, reflexivity is “disciplined self-reflection” meant to build deeper understanding, not just of ourselves, but of the larger world.
The goal of reflexivity is to understand others so that we can understand ourselves and grow. To be disciplined, the reflection needs to be purposeful and directed, meaning we need to look at something specific in the world and then compare it to our own personal experiences and decide if this new knowledge changes how we think and feel.
This assignment provides an opportunity for you to delve deeper into your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and gain a better understanding of your own personal lens. By being reflexive, you will better understand how social and cultural norms, assumptions, biases, environment, and background shape your worldview.
Requirements
Find an article published within the last 18 months that discusses issues related to one of the following topics:
Economic inequity.
Racial inequity.
Global inequity.
Health care inequity.
Gender and sexuality.
Then in a 2–3 page paper, discuss the following:
Summarize the issue presented.
Describe your overall impression of the issue as presented in the article:
Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why?
What in your personal experience may have influenced your thinking about this issue? Consider social/cultural norms, religious beliefs, environment, and background.
Full Answer Section
The article concludes by calling for policymakers to take action to reduce racial inequality, such as investing in education and job training programs for Black and Hispanic people, and reforming the criminal justice system.
My Overall Impression of the Issue
I agree with the author that racial inequality is a serious problem in the United States. I believe that the article does a good job of highlighting the economic costs of racial inequality.
I was particularly struck by the finding that racial inequality reduces the productivity of the U.S. economy and slows economic growth. This finding suggests that racial inequality is not just a moral issue, but also an economic one.
How My Personal Experience Has Influenced My Thinking
I grew up in a predominantly white suburb. I did not have much personal experience with racial inequality until I went to college. In college, I met many Black and Hispanic students from different backgrounds. I learned about the challenges that they faced, both in college and in their lives outside of college.
My personal experience has influenced my thinking about racial inequality in a few ways. First, it has helped me to understand that racial inequality is a real and pressing problem. Second, it has helped me to appreciate the diversity of Black and Hispanic experiences. Third, it has made me more committed to working to reduce racial inequality.
Conclusion
I believe that it is important to be reflexive about our own experiences and biases. By being reflexive, we can better understand how we view the world and how we interact with others. We can also identify ways to reduce our own biases and promote equity and inclusion.
Sample Answer
Article Summary
The article I chose is "The Economic Cost of Racial Inequality in the United States" by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The article discusses the economic costs of racial inequality in the United States, including the lower wages, higher poverty rates, and less access to healthcare that Black and Hispanic people face.
The article finds that the economic cost of racial inequality is borne not just by the individuals directly faced with limited opportunities, but also has spillovers to the entire U.S. economy. For example, the article finds that racial inequality reduces the productivity of the U.S. economy and slows economic growth.