Autonomous

I had anticipated writing a post last night after I came from the workshop that was being hosted the Teacher’s College at Columbia University. However, I was really tired and fell asleep. It was an awesome experience that I was able to attend to with my best friend. Moreover, the name of the workshop was, Afro-Latin@s in the Americas, History and Culture of an Invisible Majority.

Please notice the “@” sign on the Latino/a. It is used because it is inclusive to both genders male and female. To recapitulate the workshop some of the key points that I took note of were the terms:

Castas: Are paintings that were created to illustrate how we are socially structured
Phenotype: visible traits
Genotype: heredity, blood traits

I found it interesting that I was able to re-define how I defined the word assumptions. My definition for assumptions used to be what people think about you based on first impressions. As of yesterday I am going to alter my previous definition to:
An assumption is based on phenotypes which are based on first impressions which are influenced by stereotypes.

Overall, there is a difference between ethnicity and race; Latin@ vs. Hispanic etc. So, do we have to accept a term even though we don’t like it?

That is just food for thought.

Moreover, I am so proud of myself because I have been keeping up with my New Year’s Resolution for 2010. I have recently updated my list and added the following:
-Learn how to swim
-Learn how to ride a bike

Word of the day:
Knowledge: (noun)
Definition acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition
Source: www.dictionary.com

Foreign Phrase of the day: (French)

" Nous devons apprendre de nos limites. Nous sommes tous quelque chose, mais aucun d'entre nous sont tout. "- Blaise Pascal

It means: “We must learn our limits. We are all something, but none of us are everything.”- Blaise Pascal
Source: My French dictionary