The mission here is to select at least 5 of the statements from pages 58-60 and reflect on them using the four prompts. To aid reading, I was overly complete in my notation.
Statement 1: The city manager of a town in Florida was fired after he revealed that he was going to have surgery to be able to live as a transgender person.
A) Are there any stereotypes involved in the statement or in society that might have led the person to make the statement or take part in the action described?
There are several stereotypes in society that encouraged and enabled a group of people to take part in such a stereotype-based decision. There is the notion that people who have gender identity disorder are crazy or unbalanced and therefore unable to manage an important job. Sometimes people think they are protecting a person which GID by not exposing him or her to the public through a public position, a defense often used for isolating transgender people or keeping them behind the scenes. Far more than anything else present here is the stereotype that people who would be willing to go through such a procedure are just way too weird and embarrassing to work with and explain to others.
There are several stereotypes in society that encouraged and enabled a group of people to take part in such a stereotype-based decision. There is the notion that people who have gender identity disorder are crazy or unbalanced and therefore unable to manage an important job. Sometimes people think they are protecting a person which GID by not exposing him or her to the public through a public position, a defense often used for isolating transgender people or keeping them behind the scenes. Far more than anything else present here is the stereotype that people who would be willing to go through such a procedure are just way too weird and embarrassing to work with and explain to others.
B) Can you determine which of the five theories of prejudice formation listed in this chapter may have led the person to make the statement or take the action?
While the racial and cultural difference theory could slightly be applied here, this event is probably far more a result of the social control theory of the formation of prejudice. This person did not fit into the gender norms dictated by the smaller community, and an effort was made to remove that person from authority.
While the racial and cultural difference theory could slightly be applied here, this event is probably far more a result of the social control theory of the formation of prejudice. This person did not fit into the gender norms dictated by the smaller community, and an effort was made to remove that person from authority.
C) Is the statement influenced by individual or institutional racism?
There is always a sort of institutional prejudice that goes with discriminating against transgender people. It is present in our gender-regulated restrooms, our gender-defined clothing shops and departments, our gender-specific public documents, and our gender-centered rules on marriage. However, there have been other cases of transgender people serving as both public and political leaders in the last couple of decades. When individuals are willing to work to overcome fear and misunderstanding, the effects of institutional racism can be diminished. What I mean here is that although the group acted by institutionalized fear, each individual in the group had a choice to vote his or her conscience.
There is always a sort of institutional prejudice that goes with discriminating against transgender people. It is present in our gender-regulated restrooms, our gender-defined clothing shops and departments, our gender-specific public documents, and our gender-centered rules on marriage. However, there have been other cases of transgender people serving as both public and political leaders in the last couple of decades. When individuals are willing to work to overcome fear and misunderstanding, the effects of institutional racism can be diminished. What I mean here is that although the group acted by institutionalized fear, each individual in the group had a choice to vote his or her conscience.
D) Which views and practices in society make up the institutional racism within the statement or action?Our society puts a strong value on adhering to gender roles. You’re either a girl or a boy, with no gray area allowed. While there has been some change in the freedom some people may feel in expressing gender nonconformity, there are also elements of both sexism and homophobia from our society woven into the feeling and actions against transgender people that cause people to confuse or mistakenly connect those prejudiced.
Statement 2: As of 2007, 70% of the hazardous waste facilities in the United States are located in communities with “disproportionately high” percentages of people of color.
A) Are there any stereotypes involved in the statement or in society that might have led the person to make the statement or take part in the action described?
A stereotype I hear and see far too often, even in my own school, is that “colored folks don’t care about their communities”. Another famous statement is, ‘If they don’t like living next to a dump, they can always move.” These things are most often said by people who don’t live near dumps or in these communities. I imagine it is an easier fight to attack a place where most residents are not acquainted with all the members of the city council than it is to attack the neighborhood with more established power.
A stereotype I hear and see far too often, even in my own school, is that “colored folks don’t care about their communities”. Another famous statement is, ‘If they don’t like living next to a dump, they can always move.” These things are most often said by people who don’t live near dumps or in these communities. I imagine it is an easier fight to attack a place where most residents are not acquainted with all the members of the city council than it is to attack the neighborhood with more established power.
B) Can you determine which of the five theories of prejudice formation listed in this chapter may have led the person to make the statement or take the action?
While it was somewhat difficult to choose one here, I think I can make a case for the economic competition theory as the root. The owners of the companies involved with these waste facilities know there is only so much land left in America for our hazards. Rather than ruin their own neighborhoods and school areas, they would rather find a place that will affect them less. In the competition for land safety, these owners need a win for their own backyard.
C) Is the statement influenced by individual or institutional racism?
Considering that this sort of thing has been going on for quite some time and that it remains relatively easy to continue, this statement is more institutional than individual racism, but once again, there is always an element of an individual making the decision to dump.
While it was somewhat difficult to choose one here, I think I can make a case for the economic competition theory as the root. The owners of the companies involved with these waste facilities know there is only so much land left in America for our hazards. Rather than ruin their own neighborhoods and school areas, they would rather find a place that will affect them less. In the competition for land safety, these owners need a win for their own backyard.
C) Is the statement influenced by individual or institutional racism?
Considering that this sort of thing has been going on for quite some time and that it remains relatively easy to continue, this statement is more institutional than individual racism, but once again, there is always an element of an individual making the decision to dump.
D) Which views and practices in society make up the institutional racism within the statement or action?
In earlier America, folks who were not white lived on the poor side of town, in lesser quality homes with lesser quality sewage and garbage facilities, on “the other side of the tracks”. These housing differences were not made out of preference by the poor or colored folks; it was a kind of geographical segregation, slightly similar to the one Ponce de Leon Avenue has historically provided for Atlanta. It is not a far reach I think to continue to dump on “the other side of the tracks” even if we are increasing the lethality of what we are dumping.
In earlier America, folks who were not white lived on the poor side of town, in lesser quality homes with lesser quality sewage and garbage facilities, on “the other side of the tracks”. These housing differences were not made out of preference by the poor or colored folks; it was a kind of geographical segregation, slightly similar to the one Ponce de Leon Avenue has historically provided for Atlanta. It is not a far reach I think to continue to dump on “the other side of the tracks” even if we are increasing the lethality of what we are dumping.
Statement 3: A security guard for a Los Angeles store routinely follows around Latinos as they shop in the store.
A) Are there any stereotypes involved in the statement or in society that might have led the person to make the statement or take part in the action described?Whenever a security guard makes a decision to target based on race, he or she has usually mentally worked out this equation: Latinos are poor + Poor people steal => Latino people steal. Here we easily could substitute “teenager” “Black” or “elderly” or “homeless”. There is also huge error in the “Poor people steal” stereotype.
B) Can you determine which of the five theories of prejudice formation listed in this chapter may have led the person to make the statement or take the action?
I am having trouble finding an exact fit for this particular situation. I could guess that the security guard has had previous issues that might lead to a traumatic experience theory; I could also surmise that the security guard is angry about shoplifting in the store and has worked out a frustration-aggression theory. There is still room for the other 3 theories to be related to this situation. I would probably want to ask the security guard before making that assumption.
B) Can you determine which of the five theories of prejudice formation listed in this chapter may have led the person to make the statement or take the action?
I am having trouble finding an exact fit for this particular situation. I could guess that the security guard has had previous issues that might lead to a traumatic experience theory; I could also surmise that the security guard is angry about shoplifting in the store and has worked out a frustration-aggression theory. There is still room for the other 3 theories to be related to this situation. I would probably want to ask the security guard before making that assumption.
C) Is the statement influenced by individual or institutional racism?
Unless this security guard has been directed by his or her supervisors to target Latino shoppers, I would guess this one occurrence is more based on individual racism enabled by institutions.
Unless this security guard has been directed by his or her supervisors to target Latino shoppers, I would guess this one occurrence is more based on individual racism enabled by institutions.
D) Which views and practices in society make up the institutional racism within the statement or action?There is a pervasive view in our society that poor people steal. There is also some amount of anger and frustration that store owners feel about theft that leads them to look for what they think are the “likely suspects”. Already maligned groups make easier scapegoats.
Statement 4: As of 2007, women were paid $0.77 for every $1.00 that men were paid for their jobs.
A) Are there any stereotypes involved in the statement or in society that might have led the person to make the statement or take part in the action described?
There is still a belief in this nation that women do not need to make as much money as men because they have no families to support or are never primary income earners. That idea enables the continuation of the practice, but sometimes at its heart is a sexism-based fear that women will not be as reliable or competent at a job as men and will have to take more time off because of their “caregiver” duties.
B) Can you determine which of the five theories of prejudice formation listed in this chapter may have led the person to make the statement or take the action?As women began to enter the work force in droves in the previous century, I might have been able to support the social control theory as the reason for deliberately underpaying women, and if competition were that cutthroat between the sexes for jobs, I would look to economic competition theory, but at this time in history, I would say that the racial and cultural difference theory is the most prevalent factor in denying equal pay for equal work. There are people who do not believe that men and women do equal work, which further enables the theory to grow more prejudice.
A) Are there any stereotypes involved in the statement or in society that might have led the person to make the statement or take part in the action described?
There is still a belief in this nation that women do not need to make as much money as men because they have no families to support or are never primary income earners. That idea enables the continuation of the practice, but sometimes at its heart is a sexism-based fear that women will not be as reliable or competent at a job as men and will have to take more time off because of their “caregiver” duties.
B) Can you determine which of the five theories of prejudice formation listed in this chapter may have led the person to make the statement or take the action?As women began to enter the work force in droves in the previous century, I might have been able to support the social control theory as the reason for deliberately underpaying women, and if competition were that cutthroat between the sexes for jobs, I would look to economic competition theory, but at this time in history, I would say that the racial and cultural difference theory is the most prevalent factor in denying equal pay for equal work. There are people who do not believe that men and women do equal work, which further enables the theory to grow more prejudice.
C) Is the statement influenced by individual or institutional racism?Because this is a statement of economic averages rather than an individual incident, this is more an example of the influence of institutional sexism. Still, it takes a culture of individuals to overturn an institutional wrong, so society alone cannot fix this one.
D) Which views and practices in society make up the institutional racism within the statement or action?Here is a partial list of views in society that enable the institutional sexism prevalent here: Women are weaker than men. They are not as smart as men. They do not work as hard as men. They will take too much time off work for their babies and children. They are not interested in a career; they just need a supplemental income. Women do not perform as well at the same work tasks as men do.
Statement 5: A sign in a motel window in the 1980s stated, “No dogs or Indians allowed.”
A) Are there any stereotypes involved in the statement or in society that might have led the person to make the statement or take part in the action described?
When I first saw this statement, I needed to research it to see if “Indians” referred to people from India or Native Americans. The event mentioned here was one referring to Native Americans. Considering how our nation has struggled over the last 300+ years in understanding and treating the original tribes of this land, it is no surprise to hear that someone has equated a tribesperson with an animal. From being described as lazy to cheaters to savages, there is probably not one mean thing that has not been said about the Native Americans in writing or verbally since we arrived in Plymouth Rock.
B) Can you determine which of the five theories of prejudice formation listed in this chapter may have led the person to make the statement or take the action?
At its mildest, this is an example of racial and cultural difference theory at work in the development of prejudice, but I see a great deal of hatred when one equivocates dogs and humans in terms of being unwelcome, I see more frustration-aggression theory than anything else when we so boldly deny things like access to lodging.
C) Is the statement influenced by individual or institutional racism?Considering the time period (1980’s) that this sign was displayed, I would say that this was a case of the influence of individual racism possibly enabled by an institutional prejudice in the community.
When I first saw this statement, I needed to research it to see if “Indians” referred to people from India or Native Americans. The event mentioned here was one referring to Native Americans. Considering how our nation has struggled over the last 300+ years in understanding and treating the original tribes of this land, it is no surprise to hear that someone has equated a tribesperson with an animal. From being described as lazy to cheaters to savages, there is probably not one mean thing that has not been said about the Native Americans in writing or verbally since we arrived in Plymouth Rock.
B) Can you determine which of the five theories of prejudice formation listed in this chapter may have led the person to make the statement or take the action?
At its mildest, this is an example of racial and cultural difference theory at work in the development of prejudice, but I see a great deal of hatred when one equivocates dogs and humans in terms of being unwelcome, I see more frustration-aggression theory than anything else when we so boldly deny things like access to lodging.
C) Is the statement influenced by individual or institutional racism?Considering the time period (1980’s) that this sign was displayed, I would say that this was a case of the influence of individual racism possibly enabled by an institutional prejudice in the community.
D) Which views and practices in society make up the institutional racism within the statement or action?
The notion that certain races are not as clean as other races is one not so far away from us historically, as evidenced by the still-architecturally-reminiscent rest areas on I-75 in southern Georgia that once held signs saying Whites Only. That other identical restroom that is sometimes closed for cleaning used to be the ones labeled Color. We used to regularly have ambulances that refused to pick up non-white patients as well as Whites-Only lodging. To see people of another race as a lesser species is not new to our society; it merely seems that we change the race’s identity every few decades.
The notion that certain races are not as clean as other races is one not so far away from us historically, as evidenced by the still-architecturally-reminiscent rest areas on I-75 in southern Georgia that once held signs saying Whites Only. That other identical restroom that is sometimes closed for cleaning used to be the ones labeled Color. We used to regularly have ambulances that refused to pick up non-white patients as well as Whites-Only lodging. To see people of another race as a lesser species is not new to our society; it merely seems that we change the race’s identity every few decades.
Statement 3: A security guard for a Los Angeles store routinely follows around Latinos as they shop in the store.
ReplyDeleteSomething very similar to this statement happen here at Georgia month ago when Wallmart store allow immigration officers to stop Spanich speakers costumers and asked them for thei documents. This was really amaizing and sad that thing like this still happens.....
Statement 5: A sign in a motel window in the 1980s stated, “No dogs or Indians allowed.”
How about immigrant or "ALIENS" when I saw that expression for first time in my life was when I moved here from Puerto Rico in 2007. That was horrible for me to be compare with an Alien at least ET is the cutest alien in the world, jijiji. and dogs are the man's best friend and the most loyal partner a man can have!!!
Melanie-Thanks so much for making me think! I appreciate your comments. In regard to statement 1, it reminded me of a documentary I saw years ago about 2 twin boys. 1 had a surgical procedure that did not turn out very good...the doctors told the mom that the mistake could be "fixed" by raising him as a female. The doctor believed at the time that gender was a matter of nurture not nature. In the end the boy ended up being raised as a female and obviously suffered tremendously throughout his whole life. He ended up living as a man and winning a lot of money in court.
ReplyDeleteMiriam- You are so funny! I loved ET growing up and have to agree with you. They should really consider changing the term Aliens.
Reflection on racism. Stereotyping and prejudice
ReplyDeleteThe reality of racism, stereotyping, and prejudice is quite evident in our society to date. My concern is always the role educators need to play in the lives of our students to help them understand the evil of racism, stereotyping and prejudice; after all they are going to be the future leaders. Educators shape and mold students lives by the things they teach them either explicitly or otherwise. Let us plan to fight against these three evil from our classes.
Statement 5 reminded me of a time when I first heard (or saw in a picture...I can't remember)about the sign "No dogs or Indians allowed". It was before I started really getting into school and specifically studying history. I didn't think much about it back then, but now that I'm not as ignorant as I once was, I look back and it makes me feel sad. The way that Native Americans have been treated historically, and still are in this country, is very depressing. Native Americans were not even considered citizens in our country until 1924, and they didn't get to vote until much later. We have so many different groups in this country that have been historically oppressed that we sometimes forget that the people who were here before Europeans, Africans and Asians, were the last group to be enfranchised in this country. In this "politically correct" world we live in, we still have a football team named the Washington "Redskins", and some of us go to Braves games where we do the "tomahawk chop" without even thinking about how offensive these actions may be to a Native Americans.
ReplyDeleteI stated that it made me feel "sad" to think about the sign. What I'm really sad about was that there was a time in my life when I didn't give a second thought to the idea that the sign was offensive. I'm sad that as a kid, I wasn't taught the truth about how Native Americans and other groups have historically mistreated in this country. I feel like I now have the power to ensure that students do know the truth about America's past.
It's historically been tough for American History to admit the complexities of its "fails" in human rights and treatment of "others".
DeleteSome find it difficult to find national pride in admitting our national mistakes and fallacies, but I know I myself feel stronger when I admit my wrongs.
On a similar note about historical American sad moments, here's a shout out to George Takei who has recently taken on the American detention of Asians during WWII in his new musical Allegiancs: http://www.allegiancemusical.com/show (Not a commercial - just an FYI)