I am currently taking my first ever sociology class this semester. The first day of class I was so elated that even the simple action of walking to class was more of a sternly restrained jog. I was fortunate enough to grow up all around the world hopping from country to country, that I naturally took up interests in politics and world issues. After two weeks, however, it is nearly impossible for me to find the motivation to go to class.

Mom if you’re reading this I swear I’m attending; it just becomes increasingly difficult to understand the direction this class is going. Every lecture, class discussion or group project consists of an exuberant amount of people just complaining about why every country sucks. The solution? End world hunger start world peace. Thanks, I had no idea.

Out of all the people in our class, only 23% including myself, are minorities. I wouldn’t point this out unless I feel like it would make a significant difference in the dynamic of the classroom. And it definitely does. Tell me what is the point of a bunch of educated white people sitting around complaining? Yes, you may have great ideas, great points and are extremely effective at memorizing facts, but what is the point in ranting about worker abuse in textile factories in India when you then proceed to buy a product from Walmart the same day?

I am tired of hearing, “Oh I’ve been there and it’s not a great place.” Volunteering for two weeks in a third world country isn’t enough to make any real impact. Do we really need another 20-year-old with no real constructive work skills to volunteer in Nepal, only to still then stubbornly insist that Asia is a country?

Why don’t any minorities in the class participate? This is the most powerful observation made in my sociology class. Wouldn’t it make more sense that in order to improve society, one would need more input and attention on people who can actually experience a diverse amount of problems and oppression first hand? It is something that, I included, seem guilty of, but maybe the only real ways to find solutions (even if metaphorically) is to encourage minorities to actively participate. Why be in a class discussing world politics if discourse is controlled and only has input by the same group of people?

I still have weeks to go in this class, and since I’m stubborn I will definitely stick through it. There are many things, however, that I think should be changed, just in the class alone, before any real world discussions can further take place.