Thoughts from Today

I'm definately thinking I should pull a "superman" and quickly switch into my costume at some social gathering sometime. (Dual personality = Fun!) It might help get me practiced up. I think one of the major challenges with this whole thing is going to be the ability to maintain two characters, at least I've had some experience in acting! :)

Is the American dream anything more than a simple illusion of our sleeping state? We claim that anyone with a passion to do hard work will succeed, but the state of our society would show otherwise. It's not equal, it's simply not: some groups have to work much harder to gain anything. The great inequality stems from the priveledges we have received from those who have gone before us. Although we don't always realize it, many of us would not be where we are today without our parents. The benefits or burdens are passed down from one generation to the next, this explains why certain racial groups are economically disadvantaged. The prejudice against them by racist groups led to their parent's economic disadvantage (leading to subsequent disadvantages)

Persistant Injustice

This last week I've been reflecting quite a bit and a couple reoccuring question have been bothering me in particular. With the exception of various hate groups, are there any individuals who don't shift the blame for their various forms of prejudice?

Will equal oppertunity for all people ever exist so long as we aren't willing to admit our own downfalls in upholding such justice?

Although I may only be an average college student, minding his own business and leading a quiet life, even I have fallen short in this area! Whether it be discrimination based on race, class or gender, it's very hard not to allow the subconscious thoughts about others become directly translated into actions. As people continue to say things like "I'm racially color-blind" somehow it has been collectively decided that rather than realizing and dealing with the various small manifestations of discrimination, we should rather ignore them or write them off as a normality. Such means of dealing with our differences should not be encouraged!

The United States must either decide to be pluralistic, or have all peoples amalgamate, for in our pursuit to do both we have caused a great deal of injustice. Although we encourage diversity in our schools, we are teaching uniformity in the workplace! "The American Dream" cannot exist in the same realm as a people who seek preservation of diverse values, for this American Dream has come to represent a value set possesed only by the Euro-American Male and not the collective desires of every member of our society.

I decided today that under no circumstances should I reveal my real identity to those exposed to the experiment, a secret is better left a secret. I should probably also ensure that those who know of the experiment don't leak information about my identity to others who have been exposed.

How do I see you?

Profiles. We use them every single day, as they are an essential peice in our interactions with other people. As a result of quick interactions with strangers, we make judgment calls based off of gut feelings and prior experiences. For example, if you worked in security you would learn quickly to determine what kind of person presents an immediate threat. ("Gangster" type, a gun or violent demeanor would probably trigger something as well) Unfortunately, we often choose to use profiling in a negative, deconstructive way.

What would life be like if we redefined how we profile people? Too often do we judge people off superficial characteristics, instead of what really matters: their humanity, their character! Try to look beyond someone's clothes, weight or race and gaze into their eyes: it can reveal so much more. What are they feeling deep inside? Many times an angry glance is the result of something much deeper. Come to understand the pain inflicted by the prejudice of others and the weight carried from countless presuppositions. Inside we're all the same, the essence of humanity is within us all.

Moving right along!

Today has been quite eventful for this experiment! I got my wig in the mail, which looks pretty spiffy if I do say so myself. After opening it and posing in front of the mirror for a good half hour or so, I decided it was time to put it away until my "photo shoot", which I'm planning on doing myself. (How lonely am I!?)

On the agenda now is picking out the perfect outfit to go along with it. So many options, where to begin? This could affect so many outcomes of this experiment, I'm a little worried.
I better start with a good ol' list!

- Lightweight
- Reflects the "character" personality --- Plain?!
- Blend-in-able, I don't want to stick out too much.
- Easy to put on / Take off

My father is coming home from a month-long trip tomorrow, I hope he doesn't think I've completely lost it while he's been away. This whole thing doesn't exactly fit into the whole "what a normal person should do" paradigm, but that's why it's going to be so much fun!

And So It Begins!

Inspiration seems to always come from the strangest of sources. My had been playing Nancy Drew - Danger by Design video game and she had called me for help. I was soon sucked into the world of mystery! In this game the main character Monette, wears a mask at all times to cover up her face. The French Fashion Designer says that society pays too much attention to a face, and not enough to the person's real character. That got me thinking: What happens if I become a "Monette" in real life? How would people respond to me if I were faceless?

A Mask, a Wig and an unforgettable experience. That's what I was looking to accomplish when I started some online shopping this last Monday night. I searched for "Blank Male Mask" and looked for the cheapest option! (Being a college student and all..) I decided to get two, just in case. The next step was to find a wig to suit. Although there were many flambouyant options, I decided to stick with the casual-looking "L.A. Joe" haircut.

What comes now? Well, I don't know. I've been talking to my Sociology professor and fellow Phi Theta Kappa (Honors Society) members about the experiment. They think it sounds interesting, but each have given me their caution or words of wisdom. I better post them here so I don't forget:
1. Do it quickly in each location, you don't want to draw a huge crowd! - Professor Madzura
2. Give it a shot, then maybe try watching someone else with it on. - David Adams
3. People are going to think you're a criminal! Be careful... Why are you doing this again? - Mom
4. That's way coolio. This mask is awesome, we should take a picture when they get here. - Sister

The masks just came in the mail, I can't wait to open it! FedEx sure is speedy..