In the beginning of the year I entered this class with a very sheltered and ignorant view of current and past events. Through time and sociological evolution I have begun to see things in a different light. The development of my ability, to look at something or some kind of situation, lets me use the sociological terms in such a manner to relate them to micro and macro problems in society. This started with the assigned readings of the class; the aim was to decipher the messages the authors were presenting. The goal was then to dig deeper and use my experiences to help myself understand the concepts throughout the course. "The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited." Plutarch (46-120 CE--common era) I was no longer supposed to retain knowledge on a factual basis but to observe the problems and challenge my own thoughts, values, and beliefs. Challenging these aspects lights the fire that creates the ability to use working sociological terms in my analyses. Through my analyses of the authors in the course I developed questions about the particular readings that we were assigned. The questions I present from these authors are on the basis of learning and seeing the macro picture from micro events. The authors that we read from were: Allan G. Johnson, James W. Loewen, Jonathan Kozol, David Nibert, Arnold Arluke, Clinton R. Sanders, and Elie Wiesel. From each one of these authors we are able to relate a theme of sociology to what is happening in their books, which results in the discussion questions.
The book Privilege, Power, and Difference by Allan G. Johnson (2001) was the first that we were assigned, and the basis in which my ability to question what the author is saying, in relation to my own experiences. T...
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...s to relate their speech to our sociological themes. Put on plays or show movies that express the relationship of everyday life to our sociological terms. To inform the masses that even though it may not be spoken of doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem. There would be many obstacles to overcome and would involve a lot of cooperation. This takes efforts from members of a group, it cannot be done singlehandedly, who have different experiences, backgrounds, and ideologies to combine and form solutions and ideas toward our goal of peace. I know about cooperation and group effort from my experience with my picturing peace group. If we were able to find a medium and able to achieve success as a group, I think that even if people don’t get along they can come together for a cause. This effort in cooperation, sacrifice, and hard work are key essentials in achieving peace.
The two articles that had a profound impact to my understanding of race, class and gender in the United States was White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh and Imagine a Country by Holly Sklar. McIntosh explains the keys aspects of unearned advantage (a privilege that one group hold over another) as well as conferred dominance (the act of voluntarily giving another group power) and the relationship that these factors hold when determine power of a social group. Additionally, the purpose of McIntosh’s article was to demonstrate the privilege that certain individuals carry and how that translates to the social structures of our society. Furthermore, conferred dominance also contributes to the power of the dominant group
There is a marked silence and an invisibility surrounding the discourse of privilege, which few seek to dispel (Walls, 2010). However, dispelling these protective forces around privilege is vital for combatting oppression and pursuing a socially just reality; as such, the pedagogy of privilege is a requirement in this endeavour. A close study of Janet Mock’s (2014) autobiography and current literature reveals three key areas as being vital for an informed discourse on the topic of privilege: the complexity of defining privilege, the necessity for breaking the silence and invisibility surrounding privilege, as well as the need to examine the intersection of both oppressed and privileged identities in order to understand how
I believe that one of the most oppressive systems is “white privilege”, which is defined by Peggy MacIntosh as an invisible set of unearned assets and advantages held by white people. Although I agree with her definition, I disagree with her argument that “white privilege” is imperceptible. MacIntosh says that it is“like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools and blank checks”(83). Yet, I believe that it is not invisible to whites; rather it is their choice to ignore its existence which make “white privilege” invisible. By choosing to ignore it whites can continue to reap the benefits of their privilege without...
Macionis. J, J. Plummer, K. (2005). Sociology. A global Introduction. Pearson Education Limited. Essex. (UK) Third Edition.
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
America has had plenty of racial unrest, and what 's shocking is how we continue to ignore its side effects. Many people believe white privilege does not exist or it’s not a real thing even though America was built by white people, with a foundation for whites. White privilege is prevalent in America. They believe there is no way the color of someone’s skin, gives them a privilege. In reality, it does. No matter how much we ignore the fact, that the color of your skin can change the way you live, it’s true. It’s not fair, but it’s true.
With functionalism, racial and ethnic inequalities must have served an important function in order to exist as long as they have. This concept, of course, is problematic. A functionalist might look at “functions” and “dysfunctions” caused by racial inequality. Social Functionalism includes characteristics such as sex, race, and culture just to name a few.
In her article, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” Peggy McIntosh writes about the privilege white individuals get without noticing it. McIntosh talks about how whites are taught to not recognize their privilege. McIntosh having a background in Women’s Studies, she also talks about how men have more privileges than women, yet they rarely recognize it. In the article McIntosh claims that “After I realized the extent to which men work from a base of unacknowledged privilege, I understood that much of their oppressiveness was unconscious.”
Many white Americans are living with the fear that they didn't really deserve their success, and that maybe luck and privilege had more to do with it, than brains and hard work. There are numerous reasons for the widespread discrimination at all levels, but the main reason for the existence of discrimination is a privilege to certain groups of people, and widespread social prejudice towards certain groups of people. Differences between people have always existed, but they gain in importance only when are different importance given to certain differences, so it creates privileges. People who are privileged in one society are often not aware of their privilege. It is very easy to be oblivious to the privilege. The problem of discrimination is very complex and there is no unique formula that would solve it. There are general patterns in a white supremacist culture, that all white people have privilege, whether or not they are racist themselves.
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.
Peggy McIntosh wrote this article to identify how her white privilege effects her life. Each statement is written as a privilege that Ms. McIntosh does not need to consider or fear as a white woman. From financial credibility to national heritage, this article makes a valid point regarding the way white people can be arrogant and naïve when the same treatment is not being given to their neighbors, coworkers, and peers. There can be two responses when reading this. The first would be a person of color. They will appreciate the attempt at realization of what white people take for granted. The second would be the reality that smacks the white people in the face when they realize how true all 50 statements are. Once this begins to sink in, many will start to broaden their competence realizing the unfair treatment of the people in this world. Moving down the timeline, we can see how the acknowledgement can mend broken relationships. Owning the reality and doing something to change it can give the people of different races the treatment they deserve (McIntosh,
Throughout this class, there were many social issues and whom they affect discussed. I loved this class for the reason of getting myself more familiar with what is happening around me and around everyone else in the world. This class was an eye opener to major social issues that people are faced with so in this paper, I am going to talk about the seven objectives we were supposed to obtain from this class.
For the course, the Professor Healy made these objectives priority for the class; to develop and apply a sociological imagination, analyze the causes and consequences of social inequality, analyze social/cultural diversity and complexity, evaluate and implement social theory, and implement scientific methods in conducting research. These objectives were vital to becoming successful when applying it to the real world. This course relates to my educational goals of growing my mental capacity of formal knowledge. This formal knowledge
“Part of such feelings (negative) comes from the misconception that privilege is something that is just about individuals.”
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.