| | I realize this is going to be a pretty damn controversial post, but I feel compelled to speak on the subject. I sometimes become concerned that classism becomes too easily conflated with racism in our world.
There's many draws to calling a certain policy racist: | | | If you read the whole article, you may find Benjamin's mathematics to be problematic, and some of his conclusions to be ill-evidenced (how did Zimmerman know Martin wasn't a resident in such a big community? were there no other children in the community?), but there's something to be said for expanding the dialogue to merely a white vs. black one. Certainly racism was a problem, but perhaps not the only one. The full article is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/opinion/the-gated-community-mentality.html?_r=2.
| |
<
< | After class today, I talked with Kipp about about this thread and he asked me to read it. I know it's a long post, but I wanted to address a lot of points. If you are really interesting in correcting the issues that were discussed earlier in this thread, please read on: | >
> | After class today, I talked with Kipp about this thread and he asked me to read it. I know it's a long post, but I wanted to address a lot of points. If you are really interested in correcting the issues that were discussed earlier in this thread, please read on: | | | First, I believe it is necessary to understand why this system, which results in the existence of several marginalized groups, came to exist. Then, also to examine what happens to people or those groups when the system is resisted. Third, ask ourselves how we can we change the system. Finally, we should really think about if we are willing to deal with whatever consequences come in changing it. | |
<
< | 1. Reading through the posts, whether dealing with economic, gender based, or racial discrimination, the source of this injustice is how the United States decided to create a caste system which has resulted in an aristocracy today in which people have a difficult time figuring who the "oppressor" or "enemy is." We can all agree the United States began and continued to flourish through slavery. To legitimize this practice, "racial" distinctions were created to place blacks and whites in certain "positions" in society. This maintained a certain power structure that is subconsciously engrained in the minds of countless Americans. However, white men "at that time" explicitly wanted to place themselves at the top of this power structure, so they discounted and subjugated women using any method necessary (e.g. religion - Adam and Eve, for example, etc.). This structure or inherent social "order" is still purposefully ingrained in our "system" today causing enormous differences in wealth, massive violence, and “psychological slavery.” | >
> | 1. Reading through the posts, whether dealing with economic, gender based, or racial discrimination, the source of this injustice is how the United States decided to create a caste system which has resulted in an aristocracy today in which people have a difficult time figuring who the "oppressor" or "enemy is." We can all agree the United States began and continued to flourish through slavery. To legitimize this practice, "racial" distinctions were created to place blacks and whites in certain "positions" in society. This maintained a certain power structure that is subconsciously engrained in the minds of countless Americans. However, white men "at that time" explicitly wanted to place themselves at the top of this power structure, so they discounted and subjugated women using any method necessary (e.g. religion - Adam and Eve, etc.). This structure or inherent social "order" is still purposefully ingrained in our "system" today causing enormous differences in wealth, massive violence, and “psychological slavery.” | | | 2. In finding ways to justify the system, the people who have the most power in this country divert attention away from themselves and create the "other" so the 99% fights against one another while the 1% laughs and carries on unabated. Those who have attempted to overthrow the corrupt system (e.g. Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc.) were murdered. For years, these murders were carried out by those in the highest rungs of power. However, since the system has now become entrenched, everyone else subconsciously and some consciously do their dirty work for them. For example, black and black crime is increasing at alarming rates, when in the past the KKK or white racist groups were the widespread murderers of black communities. | |
<
< | 3. This system has only strengthened despite what may appear to be “incredible progress.” Kipp wants to help, but I mentioned to him, similar to comments made by Prashant and Rumbi, that it is necessary that he understands his “white privilege” and how he is subconsciously affected by it. In addition, as Meagan pointed out, we also cannot let ourselves, no matter our color or gender, continue to strengthen the system by doing nothing at all except following conventional norms. If a friend is bragging about how he “runs” things at home and his wife does not speak unless spoken to, you should condemn those actions. If private conversations are occurring blaming a “minority” for taking someone’s job or spot at a school, you should condemn these racist actions. | >
> | 3. This system has only strengthened despite what may appear to be “incredible progress.” Kipp wants to help, but I mentioned to him, similar to comments made by Prashant and Rumbi, that it is necessary that he understands his “white privilege” and how he is subconsciously affected by it. In addition, as Meagan pointed out, we also cannot let ourselves, no matter our color or gender, continue to strengthen the system by doing nothing at all except following conventional norms. If a friend is bragging about how he “runs” things at home and his wife does not speak unless spoken to, you should condemn those actions. If private conversations are occurring blaming a “minority” for taking someone’s job or spot at a school, you should condemn those actions. | | | | |
<
< | 4. As soon as we find a common cause and work together (e.g. with the Trayvon Martin case), governmental social control will be powerless against the will of the people. It may mean risking one’s life, since the system is so entrenched and those in power will stop at anything to keep it that way. However, this is the harsh reality. We also have to ask ourselves do we really want to fight this battle. Really helping these communities, as I told Kipp, will also result in a reduction of “white privilege,” which is a privilege that is not always visible but one that some will do anything to keep intact. I want to work with Kipp and anyone else who really wants to confront these issues. However, law school works to keep the system intact and justifies it. Most people who graduate from CLS will do nothing to change it due to individual gain. But anyone who really wants to work at this, please let me know. We can make law school work for us (i.e. classes, events, meetings, collaborations, etc.) I’m looking for people I can go to battle with. I’m looking for people who really want to make a difference. I’m all in and want to know if anyone else wants to go all in too. | >
> | 4. As soon as we find a common cause and work together (e.g. with the Trayvon Martin case), governmental social control will be powerless against the will of the people. It may mean risking one’s life, since the system is so entrenched and those in power will stop at anything to keep it that way. However, this is the harsh reality. We also have to ask ourselves do we really want to fight this battle. Really helping these communities, as I told Kipp, will also result in a reduction of “white privilege,” which is a privilege that is not always visible but one that some will do anything to keep intact. I want to work with Kipp and anyone else who really wants to confront these issues. However, law school works to keep the system intact and justifies it. Most people who graduate from CLS will do nothing to change it due to individual gain. But anyone who really wants to work at this, please let me know. We can make law school work for us (i.e. classes, events, meetings, collaborations, etc.) and take it from there. I’m all in and want to know if anyone else wants to go all in too. | | |
| META FILEATTACHMENT | attachment="American_Juggalo.pdf" attr="h" comment="" date="1334173616" name="American_Juggalo.pdf" path="American Juggalo.pdf" size="3890596" stream="American Juggalo.pdf" user="Main.MatthewCollins" version="1" |
|---|
|
|