The chapters started off with the idea of identity and how
we identify ourselves. Which one would automatically state what it is who makes
them, them.For me, I'm a hard worker, loyal, persistent....etc. But to know that the way we see ourselves could be completely
different than the way society sees us
or tells us we are, it is unjust but yet
very real. Our identity allows us to be
grouped in a dominate and or subordinate group. After said that, my whole identity changes to: women, hispanic, and working class.In regards to this chart that is on page 11 I am only privileged by being heterosexual, christian and young, which is pretty sad. I never use those 3 things that make me dominant when identifying myself, simply because I don't see them as important. I digress,I just thought of a funny movie I
seen called Down to Earth, where a black men dies but comes back to be in a
body of a white man who is rich but yet still acts the way he always had as a
black men. Reminds me of the whole notion of identity: (Just a little bit of humor to lighten up
this very serious topic).
Genocide, poverty, slavery, hate crimes and so many other things have been a result of oppression. For being something so small as identity , it has had such a great effect on many people.
I seen this documentary last semester in my sociology violence class and thought it was very interesting and a form of oppression based upon race/ethnicity. It's called Torturing Democracy.
A "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."-M.L.K
Loved the post! The movie Down to Earth is a perfect example when talking about identity. I also enjoyed the other video as well. And well I completely agree with you about how oppression can seriously affect people. In one of my other social work classes, we watched a video about how oppression seriously affects the health of people. Therefore you made a great point! great post!
ReplyDeleteCatalina, thanks and I beleive I know what video that is and that too is interesting to know. Where one lives, education and stress level really does affect our health.
ReplyDeleteI love that movie to start things off:)! Because of the reasons that you explain about defining how you are privileged, is exactly why I choose not to take that test. I don't want to be defined at all as a matter of fact. I really just don't want to be reminded of how oppressed I really am. I believe that you hit the nail on the head with your ideas, I look forward to reading more:)!
ReplyDeleteI remember you bringing up a point in class about seeing people as individuals and not by any color or other label. I believe you have a very good point and understand where you couldn't wrap your head around the discussion in class. Yes, we should see people as individuals and that is all but unfortunately that's not the case. The video of Down to Earth is a great way to cut across with your point which makes sense. The second video seems extremely interesting and I feel as if it was very appropriate for the topic at hand.
ReplyDeleteSymone- I agree, I disliked noting all the things that make me not privileged. It's a harsh reminder that that is the way society can see me-through their eyes.
ReplyDeleteIrene- Thanks! Yes, that is how I would have it in my world:) but I know its not the case. Like in prayer they always say when you have someone to pray in agreement with you its stronger.“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 ... Same holds true for us as a whole.
I agree that as a society there is way too much of a focus on what makes us "different." I honestly feel that one of the ways to lessen the presence of discrimination and oppression is to raise awareness about the importance of celebrating diversity. Like you were saying, when many of us describe ourselves in terms of characteristics that make us dominant or subordinate,it's kind of unfortunate when we realize where we are lacking privileges. Although it may sound a little cheesy, I really think that the key to seeing people as individuals is to teach the message of embracing others. It bothers me when people talk about teaching "tolerance" of others because that sounds to me like "oh I'm tolerating you but I don't care to really understand what you're about." I think that as a society, we should focus on teaching current and future generations how to embrace one and other. Moreover, we should make it known that although there might be many surface differences between all of us (race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc), we are actually more similar than different.
ReplyDeleteThe media is definitely a reflection of our society (and also influences our society). I really like the clip from Down To Earth, besides being hilarious, it does reflect how race is such a sensitive subject in our community...And how even though the white man felt black, he was not given membership into their group.
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