Murderball Movie Review

Jorge Turcios

Soc. 360

Professor: Williams

February 21, 12

Movie Review II

Murderball

            Murderball is a film that let us learn the other side of people with disabilities. It helps us understand that not everyone on a wheelchair wants to be look as fragile, incompetent, or unable. The movie re-enforce the fact that people with disabilities are in some cases more capable to do things mentally, physically, and emotionally, in comparison to those individuals that are consider “normal”.

            One of the main points that Mark Zupan address is the fact that a person is consider deviant when he or she is handicap or unable.  For the most part, some people feel sorry for them; or think that they are not capable of function like a person that is not on a wheelchair.  People with disabilities are consider deviant because the media plays a big role crating images winch are consider to be healthy, however those bodies are far from reality. The same role is play for obese people they are consider deviant because of their size, most people feel sorry for a heavy person thinking that they wishes to be skinny like those models on commercials. Erich Goode mentioned on his article, The Stigma of Obesity, that obese people are consider by society less worthy, the same happened with people like Mark as soon someone see him in a wheelchair, atomically we start making assumption or feel sorry for him.

            The thesis relates to the course because as we study “deviant bodies” we learn that most deviant incapacities are socially constructed.  It helps us understand how labels are created to dehumanized individuals. However, Mark Zupan is the opposite of that, he show us that being “deviant” can have a positive outcome if you ignore what society believe.

            One of the points I found more convincing is that the actual stigma is the one who make those individual feel insecure and unable to accomplish things. In the case of Emanuel the autistic child that his father refused to get him diagnosed because he felt that having a diagnosis will actually stop the child reach his maximum potential. That the way I believe stigma works on individuals, as soon society puts labels it help  unable the maid to function.

            I will like to study the effect Mark Zupan is having on individuals that are just finishing treatment and are put back to live their life. My experiment will follow individuals throughout sections of self therapy, speaking with mark and the team and measure their motivation in comparison to those individuals that don’t received any coaching on how to cope with the outcome of an accident.

References

WC: 485

Works Cited

Goode, Erich. “The Stigma of Obesity”  Readings in Deviant Behavior. Eds. Alex, Thomas, Addrain. Boston: MA, 2010. 161-167. Print

Jad Abumrad, Robert Krulwich “The Frowners” Radiolab. 29 Dec. 2008. http://www.radiolab.org/2008/dec/29/the-frowners/ Web. 27 Feb. 2012.

Muderball. Dir. Henry A. Rubin, Dana A. Shapiro. Perf. Joe Soares, Keith Cavill, Mark Zupan. MTV Films, Participant Media. 2005. Film

Middle Sexes

Jorge Turcios

Professor: Williams

Sociology 360

February 13, 2012

Middle Sexes: Defining He and She

1. What is the main thesis of this film?

Thesis of the film bases the argument that human beings are not sexually equal. That according to Western society, we are born either male or female, but this is not true. It is not black and white there are many variety of genders but socially it is hard to accepted and incorporate them into our society.

2. How does the thesis of this film relate to the course?

We are learning different social constructed ideas of what is “normal” and what is not. In our discussions we touched on topics that are very sensitive, and many of us are ignorant to these issues. For example, watching the film “Middle Sexes Redefining He or She”. Help me understand more about gender and that there are many more genders. That is not only about male and female, but also that there are varieties. Also, this film relates to the course because for it focus in understanding that if a person is not male or female, this person is consider deviant winch is the main topic of our course.

3. Which arguments/points did you find the most convincing?

From the beginning of the movie I noticed the parents being very concern about the child’s wellbeing. At the beginning of the movie Sylvia Guerrero, Gwen’s Mother said, “…during her transitioning that was my biggest fear.” Richard, Noah’s father also shared the same fear that Mrs. Guerrero, that someone will hurt their boys because of their gender identity. Our culture does not accept any other forms of gender base on cultural, religious, social norms.

4. Which arguments/points did you find the least convincing?

Religion is very difficult to understand, as we watched the film, the Indian people believe that cutting their genitals it is considered a sacrifice for the “God” However, for me religion and sexuality are two different things that are to complicated to combined I respect all opinions, however I don’t think they should be put together.

 5. Choose one argument, point or question that most stands out for you from the film. How would you study this point? Briefly design a research study around that point.

It is important that parents understand how difficult it is to make the decision for fixing their kids genitals. It is a process that the kind has to be involved. It is hard to know what the future will bring therefore it is better to wait.  For some of those kids that have gone under treatment can be very difficult to adjust when they grow older, especially if they feel different then what the parents choose for them. My research will study the different approaches families can take and provide solutions that will benefit the children.

Credits

WC-493

Works Cited

Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She. Dir. Antony Thomas. Perf. Gore Vidal, Calpernia Addams. HBO, 2005. Film

Why I am/Not Deviant

Jorge Turcios

Professor: Williams

Sociology 360

February 1, 12

Why I am/Not Deviant

            I consider myself deviant for many reasons. I have always being labeled by society as different; especially in middle school. I remember being bullied particularly by the males in my classroom. They bothered me because my voice was soft. They said I sounded it like a girl. This type of aggression carried over into my family. They believed I did not meet the social standards, or the stereotype, of the “macho man”.  I was too feminine, I was always playing with the girls, and sports were not my strongest achievements.  My grandfather was a carpenter, a very masculine occupation, and he was always trying to get me to help him, which I did want to do it. I preferred to help my grandmother in the home chores. I thought that was fun, and I felt comfortable doing it. I remember  my aunt was always telling me “be strong, like a man,” or  “men do not cry.” Obviously they have all these ideas on how a male should act, and I was far away from being the strong “macho” figure; I was seen as too weak. All these reflections raised one question in my head. Who gives power to society to judge, discriminate, and put down another human being just because he or she looks or acts different? What can we do to change peoples’ mentality and create a world that can tolerate those individuals who are different than us?

            According to Howard Becker, deviace is created by society (Becker 39). What this means is that everything that is man made has it own flaws. We as humans create all these social constructed norms, which are not always perfect. The constructions of these are of special interest to those individuals who have money and influence. Therefore, it is unfair to treat other human beings different, based on social norms. In addition, Becker agreed that deviant acts may change from time to time based on human needs. He mentioned that sometimes-official enforcement declares some acts deviant to actually create pressure on a certain groups. For example, in the 1950s the United States government added emphasis on a law that was applied to any individuals practicing sodomy. Those found guilty were charged and incarcerated. This was considered a crime, mainly attacking homosexual activities. In this case the government created a label and created oppression and marginalization on this type of behavior. Also, in the documentary, Before Stonewall, the United State government attacked all homosexual activities as deviant acts. Ronald Reagan even said that homosexually is “…tragic illness” (Before Stonewall film).  The government and the media had influence to make citizens believe that homosexuality was a crime and it should be punished. 

            This brings us to another theory “Conflict Theory” which was created by Richard Quinney. He introduces the idea that “ definitions of crime are composed of behaviors that conflict with the interest of the dominant class” (Quinney 45). It relates to the Labeling Theory in the way that social constructed norms are rules regulated by those in power. In my case, I remember that when I went to talk to the my teachers about the kids bothering, one of the teacher my teacher laughed and told me I was being too sensitive. He said to me, “ your friends were only playing, and that they did not mean what they said.” I felt that no one really cared; I knew it was my fault being feminine and having a voice that sounded like a girl. The system was set up to protect those individuals that were more masculine, just because they play sports and won trophies for the school. I was considered a minority because I did not play any sports and also I was too girly. 

            Being deviant can be fun sometimes. Who wants to look like everyone else anyways? We love to claim our individualism, but in reality we are afraid of being labeled as the “other”:  those individuals that are going against social norms. For my experiment I decided to pick my nose during dinner, and in public places. I did it in front of my co-workers, at the restaurant, and in front of my family. Everyone responded in different ways. In my family my mother right away jumped in and told me what I was doing was nasty, and asked me to stop. My dad did not care. In the restaurant, I was offered a napkin and the waiter keep coming back to ask me if everything was okay. At work my coworkers just looked at me like I was a crazy person, but no one said anything.  I saw that picking your nose is something private like sex.  You do not do it in public or people will react with disgust.  I was not harming anyone with my behavior, but it was definitely not appropriate. Therefore, if we want to have an impact in our society we need to start revising those norms that are considerer “normal” and try to expand them to fix everyone’s personalities and behaviors. 

Credits:

Word Count: 857

Work Cited

Becker, Howard. “Labeling Theory.” Readings In Deviant Behavior. Eds. Alex, Thio. Thomas, Calhoun. Addrain, Conyers. Boston, MA. :2010. 39-41. Print

Before Stonewall. Dir. Greta, Schiller. Robert, Rosenber. Perf. Rita Mae Brown, Red Jordan Arobateau, Ann Bannon. 1984. Documentary.

Quinney, Richard. “Conflict Theory.” Readings In Deviant Behavior. Eds. Alex, Thio. Thomas, Calhoun. Addrain, Conyers. Boston, MA. :2010. 45-49. Print