Getting Around Networks: Thoughts on Everyday Conversations

I am reminded of the complex networks I cross daily as I read Working Paper 2 by Andries du Toit and David Neves and Social Dynamics: Diffusing Domesticity by Fiona C. Ross. These networks are complex webs of links, trade, and interaction that influence how I live my life. I will talk about the networks I travel through and the interactions that occur inside them in this reflective blog.

Network 1: Friends and family

My social circle is made up of my family and friends. Strong forms of love, trust, and support for one another underpin this network. We barter material resources like food, housing, money, psychological support, and guidance. Our connections are strengthened by the stories we share and memories. I feel safe and like I belong in this network, and I appreciate all the love and care that I receive which gives me a sense of security and belonging.

Network 2: Social and community

My neighbours, friends, and social media connections make up my neighbourhood and social network. We exchange information, staff, and support one another developing a sense of community and social responsibility we volunteer join part in neighbourhoods’ events, and engage in activism all of which advance social change and the growth of communities.

Network 2: Scholarly and Expert
In my academic and professional network, mentors are included. We develop our abilities, and we understand things in different ways then we share our knowledge and expertise. We work on projects, and trade materials, and offer reprehend to advance our careers. In addition, this network provides access to resources and information, as well as networking and professional advancement possibilities.

I observe that these networks are not exclusive of one another. A complicated web of relationships and exchanges is created when they pass over and intersect. As an illustration, a family member or a friend could be a part of my community network.

The readings by Ross, du Toit, and Neves focus on how acute it is to understand these networks and the relationships that occur between them. They stress that power dynamics, social norms, and cultural values all influence networks, which are not only impartial entities. I've seen that auctions aren't always equal or done in my networks. While some partnerships are more emotional or supportive, others are more transactional. Additionally, I've come to understand that my agency and power are greater in some networks than in others, which has an impact on the relationships that occur.

The networks I traverse daily are intricate and diverse. They share a variety of resources, such as details, emotional support, and material goods, and they are formed by power relations, social conventions, and cultural values. I now have a better grasp of the complex web of connections that influence my day-to-day activities because of thinking back on these networks and the relationships that occur within them. I will be able to move through these networks more thoughtfully, build deeper connections, and have more fair and reciprocal relationships with others because of this insight.

Examining the Inmate Wisdom: An Analysis of Swati Culture and Sight Blindness

The importance of knowing and seeing the systems that influence our perception of the world that brought us to light. I’ve been raised to accept some endogenous teachings and beliefs exclusive to ethnic groups as a Swati person. I will discuss these two teachings that have greatly influenced my perspective in this blog along with discussing Frances B. Nyamnjoh’s essay “Blinded by Sight Diving the Future of Anthropology in Africa.

First teaching: Ubuntu viewing someone as a ham being who needs to be respected

One of the concepts taught to us in Swati culture is called Ubuntu, which means "humanity towards others." The emphasis of this philosophy is on how intertwined we are with the natural world and other people. We think that the effects of what we do extend beyond, and this gives me a responsibility to respect and see humans.

This teaching is reflected in Nyamnjoh's essay, where he challenges the prevailing Western lens in anthropology and its frequent disregard for the interdependence of human experiences. He contends that African civilizations like the Swatsi provide enlightening viewpoints on the value of community and everyone's well-being. By acknowledging and respecting these intrinsic lessons, we may work toward an anthropology that is more inclusive and decolonized.

Second Teaching Sibhali means Respect and Humility

Our Swati culture, Sibhali is a core teaching that promotes the value of respect and humility. Respect for our elders and our parents as the myth says respect our elders your time of living will be long. My perspective has been changed it taught me to approach people with respect and dignity the knowledge and experiences of those who were here before me I must learn from the past for a better future.

The Nyamnjoh’s essay shows the value of having humility when learning cultural knowledge. People must according to their views rather than forcing someone, anthropologists should know their own biases and limits. Sibhali's teachings highlight the value of humility in our dealings with other people.  "Blinded by Sight" by Nyamnjoh demands the Western lens that is prevalent in anthropology and frequently disregards the innate wisdom of African cultures. He faces that because of this ignorance, colonialism, and injustice have continued since there is a lack of knowledge of and regard for African cultures. I say that we can move toward a more inclusive and decolonized anthropology by noting and honoring indigenous teachings like Sibhali and Ubuntu how our ancestors used to do things.

If we are willing to listen to others and learn from them instead of manipulating our own opinions and guesses, we can move toward a more delicate understanding of cultures and communities.

 As a Swati, my beliefs have been greatly influenced by the teachings of Sibhali and Ubuntu. Through contemplating these innate lessons and looking into the essay of Nyamnjoh's composition, I have developed a more profound recognition of the importance of identity, dignity, and respect in my environment and community. Let's make an effort to recognize and value the various teachings and beliefs that have shaped our worldviews as we proceed on our academic and personal journeys to work toward a society that is more compassionate and inclusive and continue to respect our teaching from our ancestors for the better future.

MY LIFE

It was an early morning in 2018. I was in the 8th grade then. My classmates told me stories about how they met new friends and how they even chatted with celebrities and got to experience many amazing things. I was intrigued. I wanted to experience these exciting things they always talked about. Every child wants to partake in the childhood fantasy. So, I went on to create a Facebook account; this was the beginning of my journey through the virtual world. As time went by, I became accustomed to checking my social media more frequently. I immersed myself in the social media culture by chatting with friends via Messenger and WhatsApp. I started to share more content with my friends via my newsfeed to let them know that I was also virtually informed. Within no time, I was already a member of eight different social networking sites. This new online world now played an integral role in my life. For example, social media sites were now my teachers; they taught me news from around the world. It was also like attending school every day because I could look up information online. A virtual library, it was. Instead of blogging in my diary, I took to social media and posted about my life and daily routines. Social media was now a source of happiness and more so, it brought along a sense of motivation, pain, and frustration.            

My newfound interest started to interfere with my education. Instead of checking my school notes, I would rather check social media to see what was happening with the lives of people around me; the food, clothes, events, or activities they were involved in. I started doing things for content I guess that wasn’t life for me always checking in social media instead focusing on schoolwork.

I did all this because I felt lonely, I saw myself focusing on social media too much than myself and school, but I started to notice things that were lacking since I was busy on social media. Leaving social media life, I wasn’t easy, but I decided to gain confidence on making new friends who are schooling at my school and joining soccer team even attending classes(focusing).

Sometimes it’s hard to make friends I don’t blame people who are always on social media learning going lives and making new friends it’s easier to make friends on social media. But since I gained confidence in making friends it’s easier for me and since I ‘ve arrived here as a first-year university student I have made quite lot friends.

"DON'T JUMP TO CONCLUSION"   T MOKOENA 47235853

Stereotypes are like mental shortcuts that our brains use to make sense of the world. We see people from different groups, and based on limited information or past experiences, we might jump to conclusions about them for example someone who’s coming from the country where by they see us as poor people. STOP yourself before making snap judgements other consider what you have common with other people it can be more that you think.

Having a roommate who don’t give you a chance or her/him self a chance to know you but they will assume we don’t know how to use technology things that were supposed to be known by blacks.

The Danger of a single story creates stereotypes and the problem with stereotypes is not that they untrue but they are incomplete where Americans judge us Africans on how we live and how we don’t know some of other things we are talking about.

I find this as a stereotype when John Lock after he was referred to the blacks Africans as “beasts who have no houses they also people without heads having their mouth and eyes in their beasts” and which is not true as Black African we have houses and we got brains that hold multiples of ideas. Some they don’t develop empathy for others.

I experienced stereotype this year when I was in group with some of my teams there were two whites and three of us blacks so they asked each group to discuss certain answers about the questions they were asking us so I had an idea how to put an answer I guess I didn’t know that the whole black person can say we can’t take your answer “white people they give matured answer that have a proper meaning” I guess they didn’t let me finish my idea of the answer or get to know me first but they already made a decision for me because they didn’t want to hear my idea of the answer I say not only white people who stereotype blacks even black they are towards on their own people.

So I say don't jump to conclusion without knowing someone, what that person got for the team. "DON'T JUDGE THE BOOK BY IT'S COVER" it's gonna surprise you.