I must say the reading in the Adams book really caught my attention, and was actually pretty interesting to read. I have to admit that when I started reading I kept thinking, "Ok, it's so annoying how they frame Whites as being the bad guys. I'm not even like that." As I continued to read I had to realize and remind myself that it's not myself being personally targeted because i'm white. I had to understand that it's talking about whites as a whole, not individuals. Honestly, it's really irritating to me when I think that people are "accusing" or assuming that I am certain ways. I don't always stop and think that it's not personal. I realize that it's just something that is hard to take in when you grew up for so long not having to think about things like that. Like the book says, we don't always recognize our "priviledge" of being in the dominant group. However, i'm not totally priviledged either because I am a woman. While I was reading, the first thing that really stuck out to me was the example the book gave about white men being the ones that are tested on for new medical drugs. It was a little scary when it mentioned that they use the results equally on men and women and give us the same dosage as men (who are usually larger and stronger). It made me think about how people just assume that whatever they are taking is safe and approved. I know I don't ever give much thought to a medication once it's prescribed to me.
Another thing that caught my attention was when the book said that African American novelist, James Baldwin, stated "It took generations and a vast amount of coercion, before this became a white country." He then noted that although it is a fact that skin pigmentations vary, unless you are in a culture that recognizes these differences as significant, they virtually do not exist. For example, people in Africa don't see each other as "black". They see each other as Africans and men and women, not the color of their skin because they don't live in a place that is dominated by white priviledge. I'm not sure why this stuck out to me so much. I guess it's because even though it seems like something so obvious, it's just not something we think about often.
Today I had a job interview at a western wear store and noticed some of the issues brought up in the book about women being part of an oppressed group. While I was in the interview, the man interviewing me (the manager) asked me if I was married. I told him not yet and then he told me that all I have to do is flirt with the men that come in and they'll buy the boots from me. He said I should just "bat my eyelashes" and i'll make alot on commission. He also mentioned that most of the time he'll have me working in the MEN'S boot section and also in the hat section because women can get good tips there. This was the first time that i've had a boss actually say out loud that i'll be using my looks at work. It was really weird...
^^^So I saw this posted on facebook today. The comments on it were all saying stuff like "This is so true!!" What does the fact that he is "african" or black have to do with his political decisions? This just shows how people are just being racist and hate the fact that he's the first black president. Since the presidential elections are being held this year, I've heard and seen so many comments saying he shouldn't be re-elected based on the fact that he is black.
Just thought i'd share this...
In regards to the medication part, that same thing shocked me. Like you, I never pay mind to the medication being prescribed to me. Makes me wonder who do they do the testing on for children medication? Gee, these readings just keep my mind racing...in a good way.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, facebook is blowing up with many slurs about our president. Maybe it is because he is black, something we can only speculate. But why does all these bad remarks/opinions get thrown out in the public just because of the time frame we are in(presidential elections.And why does the color of his skin have to be mentioned so often? I concur though. Great post!
"I had to understand that it's talking about whites as a whole, not individuals" i couldn't agree more. It's not YOU personally it's the idea of all ALL whites being a certain way that usually gets to people. Like you said, being part of a dominant group you typically don't realize the "privileges" of being in that group. Until you take a moment to look at it is when you realize what the bigger picture is. That's how i felt when it came to Mexican Americans being dominant to Mexicans.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand what you mean about everything that you touched on, especially about your boss wanting you to use your looks to your's and the stores advantage. It's extremely degrading for me to hear that, or to think that someone would say that. I think about that all the time especially when walking pass, champs and footlocker (mainly stores that are partial to men) and see nothing but women working their. It sucks that this is how the world works at times :/. Great blog by the way:)!
ReplyDeleteNikki-
ReplyDeleteI can relate to each of the different points you brought up, but the one I identify most is how I feel about whites being "framed as the bad guys". I know logically that it is not a personal attack or description but I don't want to be associated with a description as an 'oppressor' when I as an individual have worked to empower certain subordinate groups. I don't want people to think that I am encouraging the continuance of this cycle because that is exactly what I try to work against. In a way I feel as though this helps me relate (in a very small way) to oppressed groups in the sense that we are both stuck with labels that might be unfairly given due to a group membership!