Post Reading Questions for Week 6

Intersectionality definitely plays a role in domestic violence in the sense those certain categories, if not multiple ones put you in a more vulnerable situation.  In the first article, Kimberlee Crenshaw talks about how the intersecting of racism and sexism play into domestic violence. We can also see how that plays into the traditional view of domestic violence, in terms of the women being abused and the men being the abuser; this shows the example of sexism.  Then, when it comes to racism, we often see differences in punishment when it comes to who the abuser was and who the victim was. For example, if a black man abused a white women, you know that man would be immediately put in jail vice versa, if a white man abused a woman of color, it seems as though more justifications would be made. Another thing, I also thought about this was the idea of status and how, if you are an immigrant man or woman, you probably would not even say anything because of the fear of being deported. It just goes back to another intersectional, and how the idea of status can put you at a more vulnerable area for domestic violence to occur.

I think in comparison to the traditional views of domestic violence, the views of today have changed or I guess altered over time. Now, I feel that even though the man is often blamed most times for abusing the woman, we see that it is in fact both ways, woman are also abusive towards men. Before, I feel like that was a hidden topic, but not so much anymore. For example, at the beginning of the year I remember hearing a story about a female teacher hitting one of her students that was in second grade.  Overall though, I think what surprised me the most was Kibria’s article when it talks about how in some cultures domestic violence is accepted. I’m trying to process this one, in a way; I think it is like the issue of hitting your child for discipline. At one time, that is what people did, hit their children with belts or shoes and no one said anything, but now it’s like CPS gets involved and at times it can turn into a huge misunderstanding.  In retrospect, I think in either situation it can become violent quickly and unacceptable, as someone will always end up hurt. I think those cultures that do accept domestic violence do not talk about it because they know other cultures will think differently about them.

Word Count: 428

Post Reading Questions for Week 6

To me, intersectional theory is a theory about how different categories intersect within one another to make up a whole picture. For example, like often times in math, the idea of a pie being cut up into pieces, regardless if people take a slice of the pie or even a sliver, the pie is not whole unless it has all its parts. Taking it a step further though, when you cut a pie there are different things to look at like the crust, what flavor is it, was it fresh or was it baked a while ago? All these different factors play into how the pie taste, and if you would eat it, right? Well I feel like it is the same concept with the intersectional theory; race, ability, education, etc. make up the whole you. What makes this theory different than understanding racial, gender, or class oppression, is that those are looked at on individual levels, whereas this theory is based on all those combined. In a way, I feel like it can either complicate situations or make them more understandable. Learning this for the first time, I feel the theory of intersectionality to be confusing because you won’t really know what strikes are against you. For example, when applying to college, say you are a good student with a good gpa, good test scores, Latina, and are graduating from a public high school, but you don’t get into the school you want. It’s natural to wonder why you didn’t get in, so with intersectionality, you think was it because I’m latina and they hit their quota, maybe it is because I went to a public high school that is not ranked so high, or maybe my scores weren’t as great as I thought, and finally it could be a combination of all of those.  See before, I used to just think “ok I did not get in,” now it is like “ok I did not get in, but was it because of a,b, or c, or all the above reasons. In retrospect though, another way you could look at intersectionality is that it is better that you look at the overall picture versus pick at the small flaws. I would hate to know that one of the several categories looked at during the college process out weighted all my other achievements, when it came to making that decision of accepting or rejecting me.  

Word Count: 412

Post Reading Week 5

We study colorblind racism in ethnic studies because it is important to realize that racism still exists today, despite what some people might think. Even though it might not be as obvious as it once was and we do have our first African American president, racism has not gone away, but has transformed. From the time of race riots and lynchings, society has changed that into the idea of colorblind racism, an idea basically saying that people do not look at race as a factor when deciding on who should get the job or who should get into college. We all know that is not the truth, and that there is still white privilege going on. As for the social justice of people of color, it is important to discuss the idea of colorblind racism so that people become more aware that racism is still alive and that there are reasons and justifications behind everything.


Learning about colorblind racism is a very useful tool in understanding race in the United States today because of how society keeps changing. I think if you just look at the world in a birds eye view, you may not see racism existing. But then, when you watch any TV show, movie, or even go shopping and see who your sale associates are, you may see a different story. On TV or movies, most of the time the people who start the conflicts or have the conflicts are people of color and the white people are the saviors. When you go shopping, depending on what store you are in, it may be obvious who the target audience is by the associates or how they look. Nobody is saying these are racists things, but this just how things are, which is what colorblind racism does, it hides these facts.

I think after reading the two articles, and having the discussions in class have made me more aware of the realities of today. Before, I knew racism still existed, but to the extent in which it did not some much. I feel like I have fallen into the justifications that colorblind racism has provided, the idea of this how the world is, when in reality everything clearly has an underlying meaning. Something that has really resonated with me throughout the discussions were the amount of scholarships for people of color. How that is just a way for white people to feel like they are contributing to something. Overall, this week has provided me with examples of life experiences that seemed to have double meanings, but at the time were not that clear.

Pre Reading Week 5

Racism definitely still exists today even with the presence of our first African American president. Even though it still is evident in society, I do believe it has changed since say the 1960’s. No there have not been race riots or lynchings and you do not see the Klu Klux Klan ridding around terrorizing people, but I see somewhat more subtle racism. For example, it is clear more than ever that immigrants, not even Latinos just immigrants in general, are not wanted in this country and the obvious “white privilege” which can cause racism. With just these two examples alone and not to mention a handful of others, it is evident that racism still exists despite having a African American president, more so it may have even turned back the clock a little. When Obama was elected, it seemed the people of color and others gained a sense of hope, a feeling of racism vanishing and possible equality for all coming. Quickly though, people were quick to judge about where he came from, his religion, how he was raised etc. Furthermore, when some of his propositions did not go through or pan out the way he wanted, people were quick, again, to name call. With all that said, I think because we have an African American president, people are now less likely to label themselves as racist. Also, people do not want to be known as racist because people of color are now the majority and they know that by banning with them they can keep those “white privileges afloat.

The commentators in the video feel that because Obama won the election that race does not matter anymore and because of the race that he is, people of other nations can stop saying that we are a “racist nation.”  As a counterargument though, another person in the video says, “Any racism is more than overcoming individual bigotry…we must still continue to strive for a more perfect union.” Obama winning the election was by far “a powerful achievement”, but did not kill the racism of this nation.

To me, diversity means people with all different ethnicity and races scattered through places. For example, I feel like San Francisco State has good diversity for the most part. Yes, I believe it is evident that one ethnicity is the majority on campus, but in terms of where people are coming from (background and where they lived) and how they identify themselves, I think SFSU has a lot of variety.  

 

 

Word Count: 416

Post Reading Questions Week 4

The exercise on Wednesday was interesting. I think it really opened up people’s eyes in class when it comes to the idea of diversity and backgrounds. By having our eyes closed, the class did not get to see who felt the same way or endured the same encounters, but what they got to see after was who stood where they did. It just went to show that no matter what your ethnicity/race is, there are always going to be people on the same level, on a higher level, or on a lower level. When it came to things I stepped forward for, or my advantages, having books in my house, having my parents say I was beautiful, and knowing someone who is a doctor, lawyer, therapist etc. were things that I moved up for. Working as an afterschool program leader for underprivileged families, I see how important and how privileged I was growing up to have those things and still to this day do. Not only do some of my students not know how to read, I know they do not have books at home to practice. Then, I am able to witness first hand when the students get picked up, how their parents interact with them. Sometimes it is not always obvious who is getting the proper attention at home, and other times it is like “what can I do, to provide that child with love for the three hours I see them Monday through Friday?” Sometimes the simplest things, that you think, like owning books and having encouraging parents can be the most challenging to provide and that has such a negative impact on a child’s education and self-esteem.

As for McIntosh’s quote, I agree with it because I feel as though it goes back to this idea of there being “silences,” things we do not say out loud because it might strike a chord in people. The quote of “Keeping most people unaware…serves to keep power in the same groups that have most of it already,” really stands out to me because I feel it is the basis for our social structure today. It is almost like the saying of, “the less you know the better,” which is what the hierarchy wants you to think, but in reality it only leaves you out of the loop on things that pertain to your everyday life.

The reverse racism blog was not only humorous, but I feel a good representation of the idea of reverse racism. To me, it is showing a flip side to the way things are but should be. People of color are now the MAJORITY in this country, yet for some reason we are still fascinated with the “white” ideals. Why? It is because of fear or laziness, or maybe a little of both? The point is though, we are now the MAJORITY and I think once people start realizing that we can move forward with banning together and making a change.

 word count:497

 

 

Pre-Reading Week 4

To me, privilege can be defined in two ways. The first way I look at privilege is something that you can work hard for and receive, like health care through your company after working for 6 months. Second I see privilege as something you do not work for, but rather it is handed to you, for example if you come from a family that can pay for you to go to college and you don’t have to work for tuition. Either way, I guess someone had to work hard at one point in order for that privilege to be passed down.

In today’s society, I see people of lighter skin color as being privileged. I also different privileges among people of classes, if you are considered to be that of high class because of the amount of money you make per year, you are offered more privilege in areas of health care, living in certain areas, and affording name brand clothes. In retrospect, if you are considered middles class, you basically, nowadays, looked at as lower class because of the gap between middle and lower class is almost no longer existent. Back then though, maybe about ten years, to be middle class was average and you were pretty at par with everything. Privileges were given to the middles class, but just not as fast as they were given to the higher class.

In my opinion, White privilege stems from the idea that if you are of lighter skin or considered “white” you are more pure and worth more. To me, it’s an idea of white people receiving things because they are of purity and say people of color having to work for it.

Just going off the two words of structure and unequal, structural Inequality sounds more like unfairness based on society issues rather than individual, referring to the idea that more people of color live in poorer neighborhoods than those who are not.

Then, the words advantage and disadvantage bring about two different definitions. Advantage means you have at least one thing above the next person. For example, when applying for a job and all you have is a high school diploma and your opponent has a high school diploma and a Bachelor’s degree, it is like which one will most likely get the job, the one with more. The person who only has a high school diploma then finds themselves at a disadvantage, or something less than their opponent.

When it comes to people of color being racist, I say absolutely, and in my view it is mostly within the race. I can say from experience, especially with my elders that they always have to say about Mexicans, even though we are Mexican. I think it comes from the idea of you can say things about your own race and it is ok, but when you talk about someone elses, it is not okay. It is almost like a hidden rule, but not so hidden.

word count: 497

 

Post Reading Questions Week 3

I think what Hattam is trying to say is that we need to stop looking at the race and ethnicity factors and focus on the bigger problems of society. It’s almost like why does everyone have to look at everything in a racial perspective and not a “just regular human perspective.” In addition though, Hattam says “we must remain alert, and seek to change, the ways in which ethnic privilege has long been secured by defining ethnicity against race.” How I look at that quote is ethnicity is looked at more highly than race, but most times when you look a person you only see their race, or you assume what race they are based on physical characteristics, and because of that, it has caused chaos among the two categories.  Agreeing with the statement Hattam makes, I believe the ignorance people have about the differences between race and ethnicity and how they are defined cause those problems of ethnic privilege staying the way they were back then and now. Looking at cultural practices in terms of defining ethnicity can be more exciting because you are learning how people view the world. Then, when you look at the physical aspects of a person, often assumptions can be made immediately about their background and where they come from, do they look rich or poor based on clothing, accessories, shoes, etc. It is at that point, I think when the term race becomes something of not the much status. For example, if you look at someone and think they are Mexican because they have darker skin, then you look at them again and assume they are an immigrant. Next, you look at someone of light skin tone and you think they are white and they have money because they are wearing a coach bag. In reality though, they are of the same status financially, because of the term race, the physical appearance between these two people has caused you to look at them in different perspectives. Basically, I see race as a more negative term and ethnicity as something to embrace, and I feel that Hattam tries to distinguish some of those issues by the quote he makes, especially in terms of “defining ethnicity against race.”

As for Flores, he offers three approaches for identifying a Latino community.

1.       Demographics- referring to the number count where people come from.

2.       Analytical- the constructed terms that come out, i.e. immigration, labor market

3.       Imaginary- your personal identification, cultural practices, shared memories, etc.

I think it is important to look at these three areas because this is the foundation of identifying the Latino community. You have to look at where people came from, what they are called by people, and what they call themselves. Once people understand that not everyone is Mexican, or likes the term Hispanic, the quicker society can have happier people and a more diverse country.

Word Count: 484