Society is bounded by a set of often unspoken rules, that sets all individuals that are members in it on a social ladder. Chapter seven of Privilege, Power, and Difference discusses this idea and how there is oppression that coexists with privilege. The three characteristics of this established system, are that these privileged groups dominate, are identified by the whole and are centralized. The excerpt is centered under a patriarchal white, male-dominated system. Women of power are disregarded for their position, as an exception to the system that is dominated by males. The common thought to is that privileged groups represent the society as a whole, and are the most identified with altering the culture and even language, while also creating misconceptions. Lastly, society is centered around the privileged, dominating media representation (cinema for instance) and putting those not as the majority in a position of uncertainty for speaking against the established society. Transition to the next chapter is the discussion of racism among other -isms. Racism is …show more content…
This includes denying the validity, blaming the other, referring to it in a different way, blaming society itself for the misrepresentation, or even remaining on the sidelines and avoiding the issue. Living in America, the case example for the remaining, I am one of the ‘privileged elite’ though as the writing also mentioned not all those that are privileged act in the way of belittling others. I too have yet to embrace the oppression of others, nor have I had to stand my ground for who I am. The reading was quite revealing, well informing me to the idea of the society where privilege and oppression coexist. Though there remains order more often, there only remains order because of the omission of the voices of the unspoken and unheard, the underprivileged and the
Today in the United States of America people are both privileged and oppressed based on their diversity markers and social locations. These advantages and disadvantages are put in place by the people whom are in power, or otherwise known as the government and other leading officials. This is a major issue in today’s society that often tends to be masked by the many other issues within the country as well as by the privileged people. Many people who experience privilege tend to believe that privilege and oppression do not exist and that everyone has equal opportunity, but that is not the case privilege and oppression does exist and it can be seen every day in society. After a careful review of Dena Samuel’s “Matrix Model of Oppression and Privilege” I identified myself as rather privileged due to my social and diversity locations on her model.
Because of their simultaneity in people's lives we advocate using the approach of a "matrix of domination" to analyze race, class, and gender as different but interrelated axes of social structure. A matrix of domination posits multiple, interlocking levels of domination that stem from the societal configuration of race, class,and gender relations. This structural pattern affects individual consciousness, group interaction, and group access to institutional power and privileges (Collins 1990).
African American women are considered the most disadvantaged group vulnerable to discrimination and harassment. Researchers have concluded that their racial and gender classification may explain their vulnerable position within society, despite the strides these women have made in education, employment, and progressing their families and communities (Chavous et al. 2004; Childs 2005; Hunter 1998; Settles 2006; Wilkins 2012). Most people agree that race and gender categories are explained as the biological differences between individuals in our society; however sociologists understand that race and gender categories are social constructions that are maintained on micro and macro levels. Historically, those in power who control the means of production within a society have imposed race, class, and gender meanings onto the minority population in order to maintain their dominant position and justify the unequal treatment of minority individuals by the divisions of race, class, and gender categories (Collins 2004; Nguyen & Anthony 2014; Settles 2006;).
With all of these facts, the author tries to prove that racial differences and privileges appear exaggerated and unrealistic. The privileged and less privileged exist at all levels of society. Duke wants white people to understand that they are in the same position as all other races. The awareness of “white privilege” is only a fallacy that causes feel of guilt without foundation.
This social construction created the system of privilege and oppression. Under the system, “some have advantages in accessing resources while others are disadvantaged by unequal access to right to life and happiness” (44). Privilege
Throughout the essay, Gay makes it fairly easy for readers to understand every point she makes and the transition from one paragraph to the next flowed well. Gay was mainly speaking to Americans as she had noticed that people in developed countries were more likely to be the people who refuse to accept their privilege and may even make a game out of it by comparing who is more privileged and who isn’t. Gay also makes it clear that there’s not just one privilege and lists out some of the privileges that one can hold, which was really important as most people may have come to realize that they actually hold more privileges than they thought. Gay’s purpose in writing this was for acknowledge their privilege, and I believe she does this effectively by including her personal experiences and establishing her credibility. I personally felt convinced by this argument and am sure that many Americans who have or will read this may agree. There are definitely a lot of things that one can take away from the essay. If one can’t accept their privileges, then the least they can do is to at least acknowledge the fact that they do hold
As a member of the dominant race in America, I know that I possess certain unearned privileges that allow me to be more successful overall. I was raised with the mindset that racism doesn't affect me because I am white. The U.S. education system taught me about my racial and ethnic history, but it is likely that my classmates of different races could not say the same. I learned about racism in school but not to view whites as privileged or degrading towards subordinate groups. My group was never seen at fault for oppression or took any responsibility for it. Myself, nor my peers, were ever seen or viewed as unfairly advantaged or privileged. I grew up under the impression that any person could achieve what they wanted if they simply worked hard
Overall, minorities, especially females, carry many diverse social and economic struggles and barriers. Society remains constant in its male dominant and racial biases. These gender and racial stratifications are social norms and values that cripple society’s growth and must be broken. If the stigmas that limit female and racial equality do not halt, then women and monitories will forever reign beneath men and Whites and American will never truly be a land of the free and
To start off this essay, it is important to note what is meant when using oppression in the terms and context of a sociologist. Oppression causes certain groups of people to be or advantaged in a political system whereas other groups of people are considered to be subordinate (Glasberg, pg. 1) One of the major groups that has been oppressed Universally are women (there are exceptions, but not many). Women have typically had not had the rights, privileges, or participation as it relates to political
Both authors have recognized the fundamental structures behind privilege –specifically white privilege in America. Their purpose and that of many civil right activists of our era is to bring awareness to those who are in positions of privilege to bring change that fosters the spirit of inclusion, reform and progression into America’s social and mainstream environments.
Sex and gender inequality is one of the many issues handled in this book. This has always been a social problem in America and other nations. Sex and gender are different terms, where sex refers to the biological difference between men and women while gender refers to the differences between females and males that the society constructs between the two. These inequalities therefore, are society-created where men and women are treated differently not because of what they can do but who they are. The author dedication to portrayal of America as a society that disregarded their rights is therefore, in an attempt to create a society with gender equity and equality where a woman and man will be treated equally in work stations and other public places. The physical characteristics of women and their position as child bearers gave the men a convenience to use, exploit people who were their sex mates, companions and guardians of their children.
We live in a world full of many societal issues. The aspects that determine whether one will have a successful or unsuccessful life is due to their characteristics such as race, gender, and social status. In the book Is Everyone Really Equal, Ozlem Sensoy and Robin DiAngelo’s exigence is to express the following issues and to encourage the reader to work upon changing the world through social injustice, oppression, power, and community.
Patricia Hill Collins outlines the existence of three different dimensions of gender oppression: institutional, symbolic, and individual. The institutional dimension consists of systemic relationship of domination structured through social institutions, such as government, the workplace or education institutions. In other words, this dimension explains “who has the power”. This is completely related to a patriarchal society. Patriarchy is the manifestation and institutionalism of male dominance. This means that men hold power in all institutions, while women are denied the access to this power. The symbolic dimension of oppression is based on widespread socially sanctioned ideologies used to justify relations of domination. It reflects inequality
1. (a) Privilege is defined as a favor or right granted to some people, but not to everyone.
Money can give people a lot opportunities and privilege. Financially privileged people have no trouble getting materialistic things such as big houses, expensive cars, and jewelry. Being privileged can also provide better scholastic education as well as respect. On the other hand, a lack of money, as a person might guess, limits opportunity and lower a person’s status on the privilege pole. In order for an underprivileged person to have all of those things, they have to work hard to get to get the luxuries of nice houses, cars, and jewelry. As far as education goes, the underprivileged might not go to the best schools but they get an education that will prove to be more valuable in life; they learn to earn respect, appreciate what they have and how to survive with just the necessities and what’s really important in life. So when a person looks at each group and tries to decided with one gets the most out of life, they will see that underprivileged individuals get so much more out of life than a person who came up in affluence and privilege.