Supreme Court Justice Henry Blackmun said, “ To get beyond racism we must first take account of race. There is no other way. ” Some contextual information: Blackmun was arguing  against  a colorblind approach. A colorblind approach is one that assumes that the best way to end discrimination is by treating individuals  "blindly"  without regard to race, culture, or ethnicity. When Blackmun stated that we must "take account of race" he meant that in order to mitigate or end racism we must first "see" or "recognize" or "pay attention to" race and its effects in our society. Thereafter, in Blackmun's view, we would need to create policies founded on  equity  (not equality), which would attempt to level the playing field by giving a helping hand to the disadvantaged. Now, in your role as an educated member of society, respond to this statement. Make use of any combination of 157SL materials (readings, documentaries, discussions, etc.) to explain and support your position, but be sure to put everything in your own words (no quotations). Note that you can take any position you want. Regardless of what your position is, you will be graded on the quality of your argument, including how effectively you explain and support your position using 157SL materials. Now consider the following argument:  "[B]uilding a democratic and just society requires critical understandings of unequal social structures and engaging in emancipatory political struggles. Citizenship as agency, then, has to do with the willingness to ask difficult questions, with the confidence that one's agency can influence changes (political efficacy) and with the collective capacity to address injustices and build a better society. ” (Schugurensky, 2010) Reflect on Schugurensky's argument. How do you feel that you are developing understanding of critical social issues through your participation in 157SL? How do you feel that you are developing a willingness to ask and/or reflect on difficult questions (about in/equality, and/or other subjects) through your participation in 157SL? How do you feel that you/we have the capacity to build a better society? Refer to 157SL materials and/or experiences, but don't quote. Rather, put everything into your own words. (350-400 words - state your word count on top of your answer.) Finally, respond substantially and thoughtfully to  two of your classmates' discussion posts.  This is a small group discussion. You have to post first before seeing your group members' responses. .

1. Supreme Court Justice Henry Blackmun said, “
To get beyond racism we must first take account of race. There
is no other way.
” Some contextual information: Blackmun was arguing
against
a colorblind approach. A colorblind approach is one
that assumes that the best way to end discrimination is by
treating individuals
"blindly"
without regard to race, culture, or ethnicity. When Blackmun
stated that we must "take account of race" he meant that in
order to mitigate or end racism we must first "see" or
"recognize" or "pay attention to" race and its effects in our
society. Thereafter, in Blackmun's view, we would need to
create policies founded on
equity
(not equality), which would attempt to level the playing field
by giving a helping hand to the disadvantaged. Now, in your
role as an educated member of society, respond to this
statement. Make use of any combination of 157SL materials
(readings, documentaries, discussions, etc.) to explain and
support your position, but be sure to put everything in your own
words (no quotations). Note that you can take any position you
want. Regardless of what your position is, you will be graded on
the quality of your argument, including how effectively you
explain and support your position using 157SL materials.
Now consider the following argument:
"[B]uilding a democratic and just society requires critical
understandings of unequal social structures and engaging in
emancipatory political struggles. Citizenship as agency, then,
has to do with the willingness to ask difficult questions, with
the confidence that one's agency can influence changes
(political efficacy) and with the collective capacity to address

2. injustices and build a better society.
” (Schugurensky, 2010) Reflect on Schugurensky's argument.
How do you feel that you are developing understanding of
critical social issues through your participation in 157SL? How
do you feel that you are developing a willingness to ask and/or
reflect on difficult questions (about in/equality, and/or other
subjects) through your participation in 157SL? How do you feel
that you/we have the capacity to build a better society? Refer to
157SL materials and/or experiences, but don't quote. Rather, put
everything into your own words.
(350-400 words - state your word count on top of your answer.)
Finally, respond substantially and thoughtfully to
two
of your classmates' discussion posts. This is a small group
discussion. You have to post first before seeing your group
members' responses.