Race, Class, & Gender

Danielle Karkkainen Prof. Shaleen Seward SOC. 301, Race/Class/Gender Writing Assignment celestial latitude 4, 2012 I am an American, says over 308,745,538 people in the get together States this year (2010 Census Data. ) These people go from everywhere America is a melting pot of culture, and that can unfortunately cause friendly inequalities to reverse through the Matrix of Domination, a theory that mirrors the intersectionality of race, distinguish, and gender, as coauthor of Race, Class, & Gender, an Anthology Patricia H sickish Collins claims (Andersen, and Collins xi-xiii. These deuce conditions give label to the commonplace phenomena of race, class, and gender work indoors a system of social relationships. The understanding of people from different cultures has grown in many another(prenominal) ways over the history of the United States. America is starting to realize that the ethnocentric, or judging of others culture through the values of their own, is no eternal an acceptable way to approach others. There is still a long way to go to much(prenominal) firmly develop a earth with a general appreciation of diversity and inclusive thought.Knowledge is the tycoon that will preserve populations in peaceful, cultural awareness and harmonious equating. Anderson and Collins share many views of American life and morality through the different cultural perspectives of its citizens (and noncitizens. ) These articles prove that race, class, and gender tout ensemble play discover, self-propelled roles in the interrelated origins of discrimination. In the article, The destination of B drop Femininity and School Success, the realization that downcast women require histori birdsongy been raised to consciously be more(prenominal) aggressively determined to succeed as they had the least amount of power in the didactics system.The conflict mingled with young, black females and school officials usually terminate up in a positive social swop becau se the understanding that their race, class, and gender is constantly pinned up against them (Lewis, Mueller, and et al 187-193. ) In our patriarchal society, women lack power. In addition to that, these women are African American, which creates more issues in fighting against discrimination from those who have more power, such as a potential employer. Speaking of employment, black women in America generally add up from a abase-class background, which works against them in gaining power to change their status in life.The people with power in America are generally the ones who dont have issues obtaining wealthiness or status. This social construct has perpetuated many centuries, and today, it is seen most clearly by the white, enlightened males who are educated to become those with the power, that is, the white-collar employers and employees. On the flip-side of this case, minorities are educated in technical schools often, those with blue-collar or lower status jobs. For this, A merica has adopted laws like Affirmative Action as a protective rhythm to eliminate discrimination issues in the workplace.Some people think this law is un indispensable as America bureau comparison for all however, this color-blind approach keeps those with the white privilege in ignorance (Gallagher 91-95. ) Inclusive thinking is necessary from a young age to create a more accepting atmosphere and society within the United States. To teach these concepts, the hidden agenda initiated from toddler-age on, which keeps the power slight under the thumb of the stringy must be eliminated. Understanding and accepting differences will be the easiest and most valuable, long-lasting way to boost the position of the powerless, i. . the minorities of America. yet when an equal percentage of minorities and Caucasian people obtain degrees and sufficient income will equality be a tangible possibility. American educational facilities have adopted the Black History Month as a role model for in clusion, however, why a single nonage of a population have a single month of history created to what seems like a pacification of the lack of recognition of the importance of African Americans in America since the countrys birth. The hidden curriculum keeps social constructions of discrimination alive in our schools.We have a long way to go, as author Jeanne Theoharis proves in her article, I Hate It When People Treat Me sweetred a Fxxx-up the students of color in one school (as surface, assumed in other schools) received incommensurate treatment, services, and materials because school officials believed the students did non care about their education. However, the minority students kept a journal of how important their education was and the tolerance of the unfair treatment toward the minorities was exposed and corrected (Theoharis 409. The idea that minorities, particularly African American, do not care about their education or are a problem population because of their race, and the typical disadvantages that come along with that is primitive. From the days of Harriet Tubman and slavery, to the powerful resolution of Rosa Parks, to the incredible civil rights acts in the 1960s, to the most pissed woman in America being African American, black people have changed their cheek and the face of our history throughout time. African Americans have a grapheme of double consciousness created by society.The legal age (white people,) have created a belief shared amongst much of the black population on some kind of level. This perspective is that of an acceptance of a secondary race and not as worthyy as Caucasians. The other perspective that may be what powers the young, black female in particular as aforementioned is that of violence and faith. The African American community has always had a strong connection with one another, yet excluded from the mainstream of America. In the days of slavery, the seeds of this double consciousness were planted in the Afri can American culture.Upon rowing on overcrowded ships, ill with plague, and maliciously shake upen by the white man, Blacks began to see themselves as white people did- property. This was the lowest bode in African American history, and many black people rose as a type of Over-Man in order to save their peoples culture and lives. Harriet Tubman saved hundreds of different African Americans from slavery by concealment them in an underground tunnel to the more free North, which was the first step in abolishing slavery by the African American population.Many years after slavery of African Americans ended, Jim Crow laws still segregated the minority group from the rest of society. Jim Crow laws were not necessarily legal, nor written, simply they were implied, and explicitly enforced. These laws kept the less powerful African Americans away from and in service to white Americans. In the 1940s and 1950s, Americas law of the land was Separate but Equal, meaning there were separate are as for facilities, separate lines for tickets, restricted seating, etc. This was further obvious through the lack of proper education for African Americans.If Jim Crow laws were broken, African Americans were severely punished. This could have mean despise beatings, lynching, or imprisonment. Representation of African Americans was entirely lacking and causing a rising tension between the rivaling African Americans and white Americans. With rising violence and aggression, leaders such as Malcolm X and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. arose with two separate types of action calls for African Americans. Muslim activist Malcolm X proposed emanation at any terms.Linked with the Black Panthers, a lower-class black activist group, violence was encouraged if peace did not reap reward and cost this leader his life. This caused many riots, resulting in police brutality and discrimination towards people of color. The Hammurabi-like code an nerve center for an eye approach does not work wh en attempting for understanding and acceptance. For this, Martin Luther King proposed a solution to the racial discrimination to end. This was to keep a steady, calm head and proceed with absolute resolution to positive social change and peaceful rioting.This approach seemed to work better, although only with complete determination and self-control. After many marches, protests, and exchanges, as well as Dr. Kings assassination, the power of black Americans was starting to be recognized by the world. The Equal Employment Opportunity accostion was created in 1967 to assist minorities receive the jobs they deserve, reviewing and protecting applicants from employer discrimination. This created over 4,000 injuries in ensuing riots and a revived call to action for equal treatment of minorities (Jackson Sun. ) This was the result of yet another attempt at equality for all American citizens. However, this attempt joined forces with the Affirmative Action law President John F. Kennedy cre ated in order to stop racism bleeding into the employment world. Giving black Americans more power, the social class of African Americans rose for a decade before hitting a bump in the progression of African American historical timeline when crack cocaine hit the streets along with the influx of HIV/AIDS. African Americans were amongst the hardest hit by these two pandemics.Bringing African American morality down, and degrading back to the poverty lifestyle, gangs boomed, creating a family unit and source of income for many urban African Americans. In the 1990s, gang violence skyrocketed. In direct opposition, so did police brutality, particularly of African Americans. The teachings of gang members grew exponentially through the powerful words of American rap by gangsters like Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, who both grew up in the slums of opposing American coasts and shared the exorbitant life occurrences they witnessed or took part in.Not only did these artists glamorize the thu g lifestyle, but the women in the music videos of these artists created a further degradation of females as sexual objects, not humans to be respected. Tupac addressed these issues with his poetry I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself Is life worth living should I blast myself? Im tired of bein poor & even worse Im black My stomach hurts so Im lookin for a purse to snatch Cops give a damn about a negro bend the trigger kill a ***** hes a hero Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares One less hungry mouth on the welfareFirst ship em dope & let em deal the brothers Give em guns step back watch em kill each other Its time to fight back thats what Huey said (Changes. ) This is an explicit ideal of the war-like lifestyle African Americans maintained in the streets of urban centers. Police officers and government officials were discriminating against African Americans more than any other minority. The consistent oppression of black people lead by police roused ma ny riots. Perhaps the most well-known of all instigators of civil rights call to actions is the infamous 1992 Rodney King beating.Four police officers beat Rodney King, a mad guilty of a DUI until he had broken 11 facial bones, among other injuries (Rodney King. ) Americans were revolt by the unnecessary brutal treatment of this man and deemed it an extreme example of police discrimination. This tension between African Americans and police officers created 53 deaths, 2,383 injuries, more than 7,000 fires, damage to 3,100 businesses, and costlyly $1 billion in pecuniary losses (Rodney King. ) Finally, African Americans were making their case for equality known.The United States has just re-elected Democrat, Barack Obama for a second term in office. This man is half African American, half Caucasian. It is almost unfathomable that we finally have a man of color in the Oval Office upon seeing the constant failures of activists who desire to see equality for all. These failures are no t what they seem, as collectively, they catapulted African Americans to a much more comfortable position in the United States. Just because our President is half black does not mean the fight for African American equality is over.Unfortunately, there are still plenty of hate crimes heard in the headlines are the country to this day. African Americans are gaining status in society now that there are much more firm laws in place deterring employers, instructors, or officials to discriminate based on race, class, gender, or orientation. In the near future, the minorities of America will no longer be considered the minority as our global as well as country-wide population is ever-changing and increasingly becoming more well-rounded.Hopefully, this will assist in eliminating the hate crimes, prejudice, and discrimination against those who do not have the luxury of inherently obtaining the white privilege. Understanding that race, class, and gender all works for and against us constantly due to social construct will create a more positive awareness of the importance equality and the beauty of each individuals unique qualities, experiences, and characters. Race, class, and gender still stiff unequal amongst American individuals, so teaching positive social change and appreciation of a multicultural society will always remain a necessity.Works Cited Andersen, Margaret, and Patricia Collins. Race, Class, & Gender. 8th ed. . Belmont Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010. xi-xiii. Print. Gallagher, Charles. Color-Blind Privilege. Trans. swan Race, Class, & Gender. Margaret Anderson and Patricia Collins. 8th ed. Belmont Wadsworth & Cengage Learning, 2010. 91-95. Print. Lewis, R. L, Jennifer Mueller, et al. The Culture of Black Femininity and School Success. Trans. Array Race, Class, & Gender. Margaret Andersen and Patricia Collins. 8th ed.Belmont Wadsworth & Cengage Learning, 2010. 187-193. Print. National Civil Rights Timeline. Jackson Sun Jackson 2003, n. pag. Web. 2 De c. 2012. . Rodney King. 2012. . Shakur, Tupac, writ. Changes. 1998. Song. 1 Dec 2012. Theoharis, Jeanne. I Hate It When People Treat Me Like a F&up. Trans. Array Race, Class, & Gender. Margaret Andersen and Patricia Collins. 8th ed. Belmont Wadsworth & Cengage Learning, 2010. Print. United States. U. S. Census Bureau. 2010 Census Data. Washington, D. C. , 2012. Web. .