2ND_Quarter_Week 6_Reflection

 REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Give at least 5 VALUES that Norman learned from his family (particularly from his mother) or experiences and explain each using your own words and understanding.

a. The color of one’s skin does not reflect the color of one’s heart. Racism has been rampant in our world to the point where it is deeply rooted within ourselves. Stereotypes about skin color do not justify the true essence of the people themselves. Only our actions and intentions define us as humans. A kind heart is not limited to those who are light in color, and a corrupted mind is not limited to those who are dark in color.

b. Only a corrupted heart defines a corrupted person. Our appearances do not define our character. Our values and how we act upon them define our personality as good or bad. Being ugly or dark in color does not mean that a person is ugly/dark on the inside too. Only people who judge a person based on appearance would be so evil to think otherwise.

c. A person who has passed through hardships is more admirable than a person who has led an easy-going life. Overcoming hardships is a feat that not all people can achieve. To do this, a person would have to adapt and change for the better just to complete their goal. This is why people who overcame their circumstances are praiseworthy. Living an easy-going life means that a person does not experience hardships. This means that that person will not have the opportunity to grow and develop into something more.

d. We don’t have to change for other people. We don’t have to live to please others. In doing so, a person will only lose their sense of self. We just have to live to please ourselves and the ones we love. Acceptance is the key to everything. However, if you have a bad personality, then change for yourself, but not for others.

e. Love yourself because you are enough. The feeling of inadequacy and inferiority is something that all humans feel at some point in their life. It is alright to feel that way. However, feeling this way all the time is not good. Loving yourself is the key to loving other people. If you love yourself, you will empathize and connect with other people on a much deeper level. If you can’t love yourself, how can you love other people?

2. In the video, what gave you the greatest impact or touched you the most? Why?

                What really touched me the most was when Norman King stood up on the stage and stared into his proud mother’s eyes. Seeing his head held up high made me realize that the boy who used to be filled with insecurities is no more. He has stood up in the face of adversities, especially the ones coming from the judgemental looks and whispers he receives from other people. He does not need the approval of others as his mother is the only approval he needs. Truly, he has developed into a great man who has enough love for himself and his color because of his mother.

                Sometimes I wish that I can have a loving parent like he did while growing up. Still, I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for my misfortune.

3. Give your reaction, insights, lessons, etc. after watching the video.

               This video touches upon the importance of self-acceptance and self-love. Norman King was a boy who grew up in a poor family. He was insecure and ashamed about his color and family background due to the taunting of other people. It once got to a point where Norman changed himself to conform to society’s standards. Thankfully, he soon found his way with the help of his mother’s love and care. Norman was not able to love himself before. However, his mother’s guidance led him to become the self-fulfilled man he is today.

Our family (especially our parents) are the ones mainly responsible for the values and outlook we will have in life. This is why the nurture and guidance we get from them growing up is a setting stone for our development. Their teaching methods will dictate how we will grow as a person (for the most part).

As a child who grew up in a neglectful environment, I can say that the way we are raised is a great factor in how we will deal with society when we grow up. Due to my parent's lack of love, I became an emotionally unattached child. With this, empathizing and understanding other people is hard for me.

They usually forget my existence until someone mentions me. Because of this, I have a hard time remembering other people too. Bonding with them is out of the question. With the help of my friends, I am now a more empathetic person than I was before. Still, the habits that I’ve learned from my parents are hard to wash away. I still have trust issues, and I still am a clingy child who has abandonment issues. I don’t know if years of teachings can be undone. Yet, I hope that I can open up to other people as I did with my close friends when I graduate.

In a way, I am jealous of Norman King. He was lucky to be born in the family that he was in. If it were my family, I would have killed myself long ago in his circumstances.

4. From which university did Norman King graduate? (1 answer/sentence only).

                Norman King graduated from the University of the Philippines.