For my interview reflection paper I decided to interview my little sister Jaynene Rochelle Mason. She is a 22 year old student, who is getting her certification in Audio Engineering. I decided to interview her because she is a woman of few words. When it comes down to topics such as race, sexual identity, and social justice her answers can be very surface. I believed that she would be the best candidate for an interview not only because it would force her to dig deep into herself to really think about these issues, it would give her a chance to express her thought in a judgment free environment.
We first discussed the issue of Social Justice. I first asked her about her concerns for society. She said that one thing she was concerned about was that society was becoming calloused. She expressed that this world has become more apathetic than then sympathetic, and that people are more concerned with getting ahead then the needs of others. My sister then proceeded to share with me a story I had heard before, but still never ceases to break my heart. She was on the train platform not feeling well and she ended up passing out. Everyone on the platform assumed she was drunk and did not help her plus a train was coming so they ended stepping around her. A homeless man assisted my sister to a seating area and waved down the police to help my sister and assist her till she was able to get home safely.
I then asked her what she was willing to fight for concerning her beliefs. She declared very confidently that she would fight for her right to party. She then seemed uncomfortable and said she didn’t quite understand the question so I proceeded to bring up random vague topics such as equality and justice. My next thought was religion and that struck a cord in her. She said that religion is a problem and that people need to refocus their fight to allowing people of different religions to believe what they want regardless. For example, she explained, because she is a Christian who does believe in that marriage should be between a man and a woman, that she should not be bashed for believing that. She added onto that statement by saying that she wouldn’t condemn someone who did believe in same sex marriage. I then decided to play devil’s advocate and ask her about beliefs that may hurt other people. Also you say that people should be able to do what they want yet you judge others for living a specific lifestyle. I brought up my sisters arch nemesis Rihanna who is a singer,, who has a reputation of being a woman of loose values and is very vocal about it. I reiterated that this is her decision and she seems happy so why do you not respect her wish to be sexually loose. What if I was Rihanna who was sexually loose, would you judge me because of my decision. My sister then said that it was different, that she isn’t a nice person and that she has no talent. We really never finished that topic, but my goal was to get her thinking about the dichotomy between what she believes and how that measures with what she actually does.
Afterwards I asked her what she thought made someone a success. She answered when you accomplish whatever it is you want to accomplish. I then asked her what if what you set out for is never accomplished. She thought for a second and then said, just settinga goal and taking the steps to try is successful. My sister loves seeing live rock shows, and one the things that truly inspired her was that these talented men were not making millions and their name was not in a magazine, but they love what they do. I then asked her about “phat beats”, and if she would consider them successful . (Phat beats, is a nick name for a certain group of people in her school, who sit around and make ‘phat beats.’ They are reputed for not really making music but more inlove with the idea of being a musician). They are doing what they want so why do the other students in your school find this group of people annoying? She was quick to answer that these people are stuck. They do not think anyone can teach them anything. She said its fine to be confident in what you’re doing but the moment you think you know everything your done.
I then asked her some questions which I assumed to be lighter and less intense but I was proved wrong. I asked her has she ever been affected by her gender. She said yes and explained that her field is very male dominated. Guys would receive more opportunity because they were male. She proceeded to give an example of when she was interning at a production company. They allowed the men to work on set and get the hands on experience while my sister was just the receptionist and coffee maker.
I asked if she had ever been affected by the color of her skin. She said never from a white person but she has dealt with racial issues concerning other black people. My sister is of a lighter complexion and she does not speak with an African American dialect.
I asked her if she ever was affected by her age. She said that being the youngest in the family (even though she is 22) we still talk to her like she is 12. I admitted that I still do see her as only 8 years old and that I wouyld try to work on that.
She has never been affected (at least to her knowledge, concerning language socioeconomic, and even though we grew up in a single family home, she did not feel like that had any effect on her at all.