Today’s society is filled with many unique and fascinating people. Each person has had their own experiences. Some people have traveled the world, and others have participated in marathons. However, everyone is not equal in the world. While times have in fact changed dramatically over they years, such things as racism and discrimination still exist in today’s society.
In chapter 4 of Allan G. Johnson’s Privilege, Power, and Difference book, he discusses the problems of privilege and oppression that are present in today’s society. According to Johnson, “inclusion and acceptance are key aspects of privilege.” Often times, these things occur without anyone intending harm, such as, one’s tone of voice shifting causing their remark to sound sarcastic therefore making someone feel unaccepted.
Racism happens all around the world every day, openly and on purpose. Real estate agents may steer people of color away from certain neighborhoods that are predominately white despite their backgrounds or personalities. “Where people live makes a huge difference in the jobs they have access to, the quality of community services, and their ability to affect those who govern them.” This forces blacks to live in areas simply because of their skin color. In the working scheme of things, it is shown that there is a glass ceiling, meaning the dominant group (white males) has the ability to move above the ceiling rising higher and higher in their line of work while the minority groups are stuck underneath the ceiling.
Today, for minority groups such as blacks, there is a struggle to earn a living or a degree. It has been noted that whites just brush off their hardships and believe they know what it’s like to be in their shoes. But in reality, how would they know that it’s not?
According to Johnson, “problems of privilege and oppression are far from over.” The patterns of history are continuing and there’s no sign of them stopping unless people take action and make it change. Today, people are ignoring reality and believe that if they replace it with good intentions, it will go away. But this idea depends on one’s ability to work together and discover the truth on the other side. I agree with this idea. Many people want to see change in the world but do not realize that action must be taken in order for that to happen.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Takaki Chapter 2 “The ‘Tempest’ in the Wilderness: The Racialization of Savagery
William Shakespeare’s Tempest was written for understanding American history although few realized this. The English were developing the difference between “civilization” and “savagery.” The Irish were classified as “savages” partially because they lacked good manners or knowledge of God and were thought to be criminals. The new world labeled English over the Irish, thus reinforcing social separation on the Irish. The English believed that, “nothing but fear and force can teach duty and obedience” which lead to cruelty to the Irish in such awful ways as beheading. However, the English did not see their actions as violent and instead they believed they were teaching the Irish their culture. In doing this, the English began comparing the Irish with the Indians and began to wonder if there were different kinds of “savagery.” “Savagery” was originally defined in relation to the Irish while incorporating the Indians into it as well.
According the English, Indians lack everything the English consider to be civilized. The English did some very odd things such as magnetizing a sword to impress the Indians and make then believe the English had some great power. This would make the Indians fear and love the believed power the English had at the time. Although the overall idea is inhumane, I thought this was very intelligent on their part and it allowed them to better achieve their goal. After all, the Indians are far more naïve and did not know any better than what they saw.
Once people found out about the things that were going on, it was soon realized that America wasn’t what they thought it was. The English began raiding Indian territory in Virginia and taking it out from under them. The English did not see is as robbery and decided they want more than just a “part.” These raids in Virginia were based on the fact that “savagery” was cultural.
According to people during this era, “to become 'Indianized' meant to serve the devil.” The devil was dark and represented Indian and to be “Indianized” meant one was decivilzed. Puritans believed that to become an Indian was the most horrible thing. At that time, “Puritan authorities hanged an English woman for worshiping Indian ‘gods’.”
“Perhaps the Indians might be different from the English in kind rather than degree; if so, then the native people of American would be incapable of improvement because of their race.” Therefore, the Indians would never be able to change into what the English were trying to change them into.
According the English, Indians lack everything the English consider to be civilized. The English did some very odd things such as magnetizing a sword to impress the Indians and make then believe the English had some great power. This would make the Indians fear and love the believed power the English had at the time. Although the overall idea is inhumane, I thought this was very intelligent on their part and it allowed them to better achieve their goal. After all, the Indians are far more naïve and did not know any better than what they saw.
Once people found out about the things that were going on, it was soon realized that America wasn’t what they thought it was. The English began raiding Indian territory in Virginia and taking it out from under them. The English did not see is as robbery and decided they want more than just a “part.” These raids in Virginia were based on the fact that “savagery” was cultural.
According to people during this era, “to become 'Indianized' meant to serve the devil.” The devil was dark and represented Indian and to be “Indianized” meant one was decivilzed. Puritans believed that to become an Indian was the most horrible thing. At that time, “Puritan authorities hanged an English woman for worshiping Indian ‘gods’.”
“Perhaps the Indians might be different from the English in kind rather than degree; if so, then the native people of American would be incapable of improvement because of their race.” Therefore, the Indians would never be able to change into what the English were trying to change them into.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
ROSENBLUM & TRAVIS framework essay- Group 3
In the Aggregating and Disaggregating portion of the Framework Essay, it begins by discussing the various nation-origin groups. Today, Hispanics consist of several groups such as Puerto Ricans, Cubans and Mexicans. However, these groups may not agree and may think of each other as different and are likely to disaggregate. It will then be difficult to differentiate between shared properties among the many established groups. Recently, names given to groups such as Asian Americans are not given based on culture, race, or religious commonalities. Instead they are more focused on geography and this has become a problem.
Within the essay it is stated, “If ‘we’ are in the boat looking at ‘them,’ who precisely are ‘we’?” This question poses an interesting concept and addresses the category of people who have been ignored throughout the essay. The group of people that have been referred to as the “we” in the prior quote; have the power to determine difference. However, the question of who makes up this group is not yet known because how and who would decide make the decision?
The concepts discussed throughout this essay were things I had never given thought to. The names of certain groups and whether or not they were historically and culturally adequate was interesting to think about. As stated earlier, names given to groups are based more on geography. I feel that it is important to classify groups under proper standards. This will give groups the recognition and credit they deserve. Most people are proud of their title and combining multiple groups into one common name does not show it as well.
Within the essay it is stated, “If ‘we’ are in the boat looking at ‘them,’ who precisely are ‘we’?” This question poses an interesting concept and addresses the category of people who have been ignored throughout the essay. The group of people that have been referred to as the “we” in the prior quote; have the power to determine difference. However, the question of who makes up this group is not yet known because how and who would decide make the decision?
The concepts discussed throughout this essay were things I had never given thought to. The names of certain groups and whether or not they were historically and culturally adequate was interesting to think about. As stated earlier, names given to groups are based more on geography. I feel that it is important to classify groups under proper standards. This will give groups the recognition and credit they deserve. Most people are proud of their title and combining multiple groups into one common name does not show it as well.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Zinn
In chapter 1 of Howard Zinn’s book, A People’s History of the United States, he discusses the real history of Columbus and the current problem within the United States. For years, the story of Columbus has been taught to many as a pleasant story of the discovery of America in the year 1492. This is true but there is more to the story of Columbus. Columbus and his successors created a genocide after the discovery. Within this chapter, Zinn is questioning why the story of Columbus was changed in the beginning and why all the murders that occurred during the time were hidden and made into something it wasn’t. He states that he is not trying to condemn Columbus for his actions in the past because it is too late for that. He wants the truth to come out to those who see Columbus as a hero. However, it is too late now to tell the truth and change the false, well know story of Columbus.
One thing that confuses me about the Columbus controversy is why was the real story of Columbus changed in the beginning and what were they trying to hide? I agree with Zinn and feel that the truth about Columbus should be known instead of the make-believe story that many people are familiar with. One reason the story of Columbus came to what is it today is because at the time perhaps people were horrified as to the murders that were occurring and were too scared to spread the true story of Columbus because of the authority he held at the time. Another reason could be that those who where aware of what was going on may have died leaving only a few left that were aware of the truth.
After having read this chapter on Columbus I was bewildered. Personally, I was not aware of the genocide that occurred during the time of Columbus and that he was the leader of it. Everything I have learned about Columbus throughout my life was a lie. Like most people, I saw Columbus as some kind of a hero. To learn that he killed thousands of people along with his discovery of America is shocking.
One thing that confuses me about the Columbus controversy is why was the real story of Columbus changed in the beginning and what were they trying to hide? I agree with Zinn and feel that the truth about Columbus should be known instead of the make-believe story that many people are familiar with. One reason the story of Columbus came to what is it today is because at the time perhaps people were horrified as to the murders that were occurring and were too scared to spread the true story of Columbus because of the authority he held at the time. Another reason could be that those who where aware of what was going on may have died leaving only a few left that were aware of the truth.
After having read this chapter on Columbus I was bewildered. Personally, I was not aware of the genocide that occurred during the time of Columbus and that he was the leader of it. Everything I have learned about Columbus throughout my life was a lie. Like most people, I saw Columbus as some kind of a hero. To learn that he killed thousands of people along with his discovery of America is shocking.
About me
My name is Stephanie Thomas. I am from Bloomfield Hills, MI and this is my first year here at Bowling Green. I am taking this class to learn more about the United States. I would like to learn more about race and ethnicity in the United States. I am looking forward to this class.
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