C. Wright Mills implored us to use our sociologicalimaginations by connecting our seemingly 'private troubles' to'public issues.' In this week's essay, I'd like you to reflect on aparticular 'private trouble' in your life. However, instead ofthinking about this trouble--as we so often do--at the individuallevel (e.g. 'It is my fault', 'This is my problem,' or 'I'm theonly one that can fix this'), I'd like you to use your sociologicalimagination by connecting its cause to the more macro-level of'public issues.' In short, what is the social, cultural, political,and/or economic roots of this 'private trouble'? Finally, how canwe, as a society, work to address this 'public issue.'
