Mzungu movie reflection

Mzungu Reflection Questions

What stood out the most in this film?

I wasn't expecting the projects to develop as much. Mainly, the Come, Let's Dance group was continued into a big project. To be fair the guys were only there for 6 weeks and did also make an impact. I wasn't expecting Grace to pass away and that was hard to witness.

What inspired you in the film?

I was inspired by the resilience that the African people had acquired. I was already aware of the problems with American consumerism but this was afresh reminder that there is a great need for change, always, and I may not be able to do much, but to recognize that and make whatever efforts I can is important.

Would you pick up everything and leave if it meant you were going to be making a difference?

I think I would if I had a plan. I have a path so ingrained in me about what is important in life. College, nice things, nice reputation, etc. In reality these aspects of my future are so shallow. I would need to know that I could do more than my a presence, I would need to have work.

What changes do you wish to see in the world and what changes do you think are possible?

It seems so impossible but the western world needs to see it's privilege and recognize that there is more you can do than watch a movie and think about it. Everywhere, leadership needs to create a positive change. There are enough resources to spread to the world, we just need to share.

Song Reflection

Song: Change - Christina Aguilera (co-written by Aguilera and Who Is Fancy)

I chose this song because it was written shortly after the Orlando massacre, and dedicated to the victims of that hate crime. Although it is more focused on LGBTQ+ rights, it also reflects on racial issues. The co-writer Who Is Fancy wrote part of the song following riots and protests in St.Louis surrounding the treatment of minorities. During that time, the bill that granted gay couples the right to marry had not passed yet. However, after Orlando it was clear that even with that bill passed, the LGBTQ+ community is still an oppressed community. This issue is very central to me, as I believe that the horrendous and vicious hate against the queer community needs to be addressed and change. No longer can people justify their hate with religion, because the massacre was so distinctly evil and hateful it could not represent any peaceful religion that people in the U.S. claim to back their hate. Orlando was the worst mass shooting in United States history, and it deserves all the attention in the world because it highlighted hate, both racial and LGBTQ+ related, and also the issues of gun violence. It just seems so blatantly obvious that hate cannot be tolerated, especially when it manifests to murder. Orlando was a wake-up call for me, I hadn’t been that touched by an act of violence like this. I haven’t been able to move on or forget because I keep feeling the hate radiating from that shooting. It represented all the hateful rhetoric that has been perpetuated far too long.

Character Trait Development

This week, my goal was to focus on my ability to be optimistic. As generally an anxiety-ridden person, I knew this wouldn’t be easy. But being so down and hard on myself causes me trouble in my life, and I am motivated to change my outlook to better myself. Starting with right after class, I went and sat with some girls from class. I had started talking to this friend group and really enjoyed their company. My natural instinct was to assume everybody hated me and that was I was annoying, and thus isolate myself. I instead chose to just go with it and actively try to be outgoing. I found that I was able to mesh well with this group and being happy and optimistic became second nature. Yesterday (Thursday) my optimism was really challenged. I woke up with a head ache, missed my first class, and by the time I got to school I had to be in a meeting (environmental club), but also keep up with the other group I was committed to (journalism). I was able to do both, then with my 6th period I make up the classwork from the class I missed. I underestimated how much prep I needed for the in-class essay, and ended up writing one of the worst essays I had ever written. I started to hate myself so viciously, and doubt my ability as a writer and AP student. I was so angry, and was telling my friend about it, but then I realized that I could use this lesson. I chose to instead focus on the learning experience. I learned that next time, I shouldn’t go into it as blind, and really focus on prepping myself adequately. I told myself that there will be other opportunities to prove myself, and that I could improve from here on out. I also reminded myself that the environmental club meeting had gone wonderfully, and I was officially elected president. As one of the original founders, and the one who had consistently kept up with the project, it felt really good to be nominated for the leadership position. Since then I have been trying to focus on my good qualities instead of hyper-focusing on the negative aspects of myself. I hope to continue this method of thinking, because a permanent change would truly benefit my life and relationships.