Like always, I've been exposed to so much new, eye-opening information this week in our Social Justice class. I really appreciate that our discussions, class documentaries, and readings provide in-depth, real-life perspectives on different social issues. I like that I'm able to connect these topics to either my personal experiences or situations that I've come across. I'll begin today by talking a bit about instances where I've witnessed classism.
Adams's "Bonds of Sisterhood--Bonds of Oppression" chapter was very relatable to the treatment I've seen of domestic help in the United States and abroad. He hits the nail on the head when he describes the deferential behavior of the employer that "enhances the domestic's inferiority" (Adams, 197). As I read over the account of a domestic worker who was repeatedly undermined and called a "poor, uneducated Mexican," it reminded me of something I have seen personally. When I was younger, there was another Indian woman my mom new who would complain to my mom how Latinos were poor, lazy, etc. This woman hired the same domestic help my mom did (a Nicaraguan woman), and there's no doubt her attitude manifested in her treatment of the help. From what my mom told me this woman would say, it cringed to make me think about her behavior toward the Nicaraguan woman. My mom would get very angry at this woman's comments and repeatedly told her how wrong it is to stereotype and look down on someone else.
Classism is very prevalent in the Indian community in America. Although my family fights against racism and classism, there are members of the community that are quite apathetic. It has always bothered my parents, brother, and myself how so many Indians look down on other people of color and people of lower socioeconomic backgrounds. First of all, as a family, we have a wide range of friends of different ethnicities and backgrounds and the whole concept of prejudice just doesn't register for us. Second, my parents always taught us that being considered a "model minority" doesn't mean that we are in any way better than other people of color.
They always emphasized that just because many members of our community are doctors, engineers, and brokers doesn't mean we are superior to anyone. I really admire my parents for being the genuine and brave people they are. Even if it means speaking out against an off-hand comment at an Indian dinner party with 50 plus people, they will do it. I'm thankful that they taught my brother and myself these good values.
Another one of Adams's chapters I've found interesting was "White Poverty: Politics of Invisibility. It is definitely true that the media focuses a lot more on poverty among minorities than on the economic hardships of poor whites. There is an excerpt in the book discussing the plight of a girl called "white trash" by her black classmates. When I saw the quote, "And no matter how poor she was, she would always be white," (Adams, 202) it got me thinking. When I was younger, I was under the impression that race played more of a role in someone's life than class did, but I later realized that might not always be the case.
It seemed to me that well-off people of color would have it worse than a very poor white person. It really appeared that white privilege could go a long way in helping someone achieve economic success and social acceptance. However, as I got older, I realized this isn't entirely true. There's no clear cut answer regarding who would be better off since it depends on the individual situation. However, there are cases of underserved white communities in America that are looked down upon by others for their poverty and backwardness. Whether it is a mining community in the Appalachian mountains or a trailer community in Alabama, there are many white people who experience abject poverty. White privilege definitely exists, however, it doesn't seem to help all individuals. As social workers, it's vital that we reach out to as many communities as we can.
I"ll conclude today by saying a little bit about the Wal-Mart documentary we watched. From the time I was around 8 years old, my mom switched from shopping at Wal-Mart to shopping at Target. When I asked her why, she told me that Wal-Mart doesn't treat people well. As I got older, I gained a better understanding of what she meant. Before watching the movie, I knew that Wal-Mart exploited factory laborers and didn't provide good health benefits for its employees. However, I wasn't aware of the great extent it took place at. I felt my stomach churning when we watched the section discussing how the company owners removed clock-in hours from employees' records. How disgusting! As it is these people make barely $13,000 a year--aren't they the last people who deserve to be cheated?
For all the people that claim that "hard work" can alleviate poverty, I want to show them this film. Many of the Wal-Mart employees are honest, hard-working employees that are being manipulated by the system. They recieve so little finiancial assistance from the company and are taken advantage of by money-hungry business people. It broke my heart to hear about the woman who worked so many shifts under the condition that she would recieve a management position, only to find out that the employeer was cheating her all this while. It was truly sad to hear how she wished she could have spent that time with her family had she known this would happen.
It is really important for us, as a society, to be aware of the race/class prejudice and economic abuse by corporations in order to eliminate inequalities. The more people that speak out against these injustices, the quicker it will be that such oppression will at least be minimized. In my pursuit of knowledge pertaining to social justice, I try to learn more and more about these social issues every day. The way I see it, if I'm educated about these situations, I'll be better equipped to raise awareness.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Social Justice Blog Six: Deep-Rooted Class Inequalities In America
Adams's and Zinn's books have taught me a great deal about classism-a topic that I initially had a vague understanding of. I personally feel that the topic of class is kept under wraps even more than many other social issues. It's extremely rare to hear someone say "That's classist of the government," or "Colleges are biased against the poor." Nevertheless, a significant percentage of the discrimination that takes place is based on class. Due to this barrier, large numbers of Americans have been struggling to escape poverty for generations.
As Zinn describes the atmosphere of the railroad system in the 1890s, he gives a glimpse into the centuries-long exploitation of people by corporations. I found it interesting that the wages were $957 for engineers, known as the "aristocrats of the railroad," while they were $575, $212, and $124 for conductors, brakemen, and laborers, respectively. The fact that railroad work was one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, where thousands were killed and injured each year, didn't seem to mean much to the companies. To top it off, many of these companies had the audacity to classify these deaths as "acts of God" or "carelessness of the workers." The Locomotive Firemen's Magazine correctly asseses the situation as he describes how the workers are overworked and that the accidents are "chargable to the greed of the corporation" (Zinn, 278). It's heart-breaking to read about the harsh reality that the needs of low-income earners have been put on the backburner for such a long time.
Another issue prevalent throughout both Zinn's and Adams' readings is the link between racism and classim in America. During the time of farmers alliances in the 1890s, blacks hoped to share the benefits of reconstruction and achieve economic success. However, this was very difficult due to the barriers of prejudice and racism, especially in the South. In Zinn's book, the historian Goodwyn describes the apprehension felt by blacks when others encouraged them to join the Colored Farmers National Alliance. Although this organization brought many different races of people together, many blacks were skeptical that they would benefit from the economic reforms proposed by this party. Goodwyn describes how the curbing of "vicious corporate monopoly" didn't carry the "ring of salvation it did for white agrarians" (Zinn, 289).
In the present day, institutionalized racism continues to keep many minorities in low socioeconomic stratas. A study by the Federal Reserve shows that for mortgage applications, the poorest white applicant is more likely to get a mortgage loan approved than a black in the highest socioeconomic group (Adams, 165). If blacks of the highest income bracket continue to struggle, imagine the plight of poor blacks. It blows my mind how discrimination continues to impede the success of many individuals. It infuriates me when I hear people discussing how poverty is a choice and that if people worked hard they wouldn't be poor. Obviously, these people haven't examined the classism and racism that creates obstacles for so many hard-working people.
I also found the statistics on admissions to elite colleges to be eye-opening. While I have heard stories about connections and wealth playing a role in some students' admissions, I didn't know it took place at such a great extent. It's shocking that so many students who failed to meet the advertised requirements of the university got in due to these external factors. It's even more mind-boggling that white students of this category are twice as prevalent on campuses as minority students who recieve admissions breaks based on their ethnicity. What good does it do for our society if so many students are turned down in favor of half-qualified children of donors and alumni?
This weeks readings have really shown me how connected socioeconomic status is to one's background and the institutions around them. I've always been a firm believer that poverty is not a choice but rather the effect of society's apathy and generational cycles. The readings confirmed my belief that sometimes hard work isn't enough to alleviate someone's financial struggles. Hard work is oftentimes in vain because of biased economic policies and systems designed in favor of the elite. As a future social worker, I hope to make changes in public policies that promote racism and classism. It's my goal to help design policies that eliminate institutionalized racism and provide resources that empower families economically.
As Zinn describes the atmosphere of the railroad system in the 1890s, he gives a glimpse into the centuries-long exploitation of people by corporations. I found it interesting that the wages were $957 for engineers, known as the "aristocrats of the railroad," while they were $575, $212, and $124 for conductors, brakemen, and laborers, respectively. The fact that railroad work was one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, where thousands were killed and injured each year, didn't seem to mean much to the companies. To top it off, many of these companies had the audacity to classify these deaths as "acts of God" or "carelessness of the workers." The Locomotive Firemen's Magazine correctly asseses the situation as he describes how the workers are overworked and that the accidents are "chargable to the greed of the corporation" (Zinn, 278). It's heart-breaking to read about the harsh reality that the needs of low-income earners have been put on the backburner for such a long time.
Another issue prevalent throughout both Zinn's and Adams' readings is the link between racism and classim in America. During the time of farmers alliances in the 1890s, blacks hoped to share the benefits of reconstruction and achieve economic success. However, this was very difficult due to the barriers of prejudice and racism, especially in the South. In Zinn's book, the historian Goodwyn describes the apprehension felt by blacks when others encouraged them to join the Colored Farmers National Alliance. Although this organization brought many different races of people together, many blacks were skeptical that they would benefit from the economic reforms proposed by this party. Goodwyn describes how the curbing of "vicious corporate monopoly" didn't carry the "ring of salvation it did for white agrarians" (Zinn, 289).
In the present day, institutionalized racism continues to keep many minorities in low socioeconomic stratas. A study by the Federal Reserve shows that for mortgage applications, the poorest white applicant is more likely to get a mortgage loan approved than a black in the highest socioeconomic group (Adams, 165). If blacks of the highest income bracket continue to struggle, imagine the plight of poor blacks. It blows my mind how discrimination continues to impede the success of many individuals. It infuriates me when I hear people discussing how poverty is a choice and that if people worked hard they wouldn't be poor. Obviously, these people haven't examined the classism and racism that creates obstacles for so many hard-working people.
I also found the statistics on admissions to elite colleges to be eye-opening. While I have heard stories about connections and wealth playing a role in some students' admissions, I didn't know it took place at such a great extent. It's shocking that so many students who failed to meet the advertised requirements of the university got in due to these external factors. It's even more mind-boggling that white students of this category are twice as prevalent on campuses as minority students who recieve admissions breaks based on their ethnicity. What good does it do for our society if so many students are turned down in favor of half-qualified children of donors and alumni?
This weeks readings have really shown me how connected socioeconomic status is to one's background and the institutions around them. I've always been a firm believer that poverty is not a choice but rather the effect of society's apathy and generational cycles. The readings confirmed my belief that sometimes hard work isn't enough to alleviate someone's financial struggles. Hard work is oftentimes in vain because of biased economic policies and systems designed in favor of the elite. As a future social worker, I hope to make changes in public policies that promote racism and classism. It's my goal to help design policies that eliminate institutionalized racism and provide resources that empower families economically.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Article on Recent Affirmative Action Case
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/22/us/justices-to-hear-case-on-affirmative-action-in-higher-education.html?_r=1&hpw
I really hope that this case won't reduce diversity here at UT, or any other selective school. One of the most enriching parts of my experience here has been the wide range of people I've come in contact with. Additionally, affirmative action goes a long way in reaching out those from underserved communities. It's great to hear that minorities, people from low income backgrounds, etc have the chance to achieve their dreams through this policy. I understand that there are some glitches in the system and there are cases of unqualified people gaining admission over qualified people. However, I think that the success stories outweigh the other stories. I've met people who are extremely intelligent, yet they may not have had as strong grades, test scores, etc due to their environment and lack of preparation. This policy helps such individuals reach their potential and takes into consideration the struggles that may have impeded their success. I agree that the system can be modified in some ways, however, I feel that its general concept is in line with our American ideology. Affirmative action is one way that we can achieve equality in our society, and I truly hope that it isn't eliminated.
I really hope that this case won't reduce diversity here at UT, or any other selective school. One of the most enriching parts of my experience here has been the wide range of people I've come in contact with. Additionally, affirmative action goes a long way in reaching out those from underserved communities. It's great to hear that minorities, people from low income backgrounds, etc have the chance to achieve their dreams through this policy. I understand that there are some glitches in the system and there are cases of unqualified people gaining admission over qualified people. However, I think that the success stories outweigh the other stories. I've met people who are extremely intelligent, yet they may not have had as strong grades, test scores, etc due to their environment and lack of preparation. This policy helps such individuals reach their potential and takes into consideration the struggles that may have impeded their success. I agree that the system can be modified in some ways, however, I feel that its general concept is in line with our American ideology. Affirmative action is one way that we can achieve equality in our society, and I truly hope that it isn't eliminated.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Social Justice Blog Five: Racism-The Centuries Old Elephant In The Room
Zinn's excerpts regarding the plight of African-American slaves as well as Adams' narratives about discrimination portrayed racism as a real life situation experienced by real people. For many people, its seems that oppression is more of a concept than a reality. The likes of Zinn and Adams effectively utilize their positions as writers to show the world that which has been kept under wraps for generations---prejudice against people of color. From slavery to contemporary racism and my own personal experiences, I'll share my interpretation of the effects of racism on society throughout the course of time.
For starters, reading about the manner in which African blacks were enslaved and transported to the Americas infuriated me immensely for two reasons. First of all, the complete disregard for human life that seemed to be socially acceptable at that time is sickening. It was extremely painful to read about how they were "packed aboard slave ships, in spaces not much bigger than coffins....choking in the stench of their own excrement" (Zinn, 28). The slave Abream Scriven's letter to his wife telling her to convey to his parents "if we Shall not meet in this world I hope to meet in heaven," (Zinn, 173) is also heart-breaking. Second, it is unjust in my opinion that African-Americans in the present day still have to struggle with the effects of this deep-rooted oppression. The emotions, feelings, and concerns of enslaved people are unfortunately overlooked in school history classes, thus leading future generations to have a limited understanding of the suffering that took place. It's shocking how racism and maltreatment that occurred hundreds of years ago have made the journey forward much more difficult.
I also found Adams' short narratives describing racism in America to be very powerful and emphatic. The "minor and major advantages" of White feminist scholar Peggy McIntosh were interesting to read about since they address areas of life where people don't even realize they have a privilege. The fact that "she had greater access to jobs and housing, she could always find appropriate hair care products and make up, she could send her child to school confident that the teacher wouldn't discriminate against him on the basis of race, she could be late to meetings..."(Adams, 68) demonstrates more than anything else that she would be judged as an individual person. The whole concept of "white privilege" is indicative of the adaptations people of color have had to make due to set "norms" and "standards in our society.
Another narrative I found interesting was "Identification Pleas," discussing the marginalization of Native Americans. It was mind-boggling to me how the border patrol officer asked the man for his "real ID" when he showed his Native American Identification Card (Adams, 109). Due to the fact that Indians have been overlooked for centuries, people today often don't recognize them as a legitimate ethnic group. They percieve them instead as ancient figures found only in history textbooks.
Lastly, I felt like I could relate to the "Eyedentification" story (107). The whole notion of the "white standard" of beauty is something that many people of color have experienced. In the case of the Korean girl it's eyelid surgery, for many African-American girls it's the whole concept of "good hair", and for women of Indian origin it's the idea that lighter skin is better. Thanks to my mom's influence, I've grown up proud of my dark skin. However, I have experienced comments throughout my life implying that I would be better off with light skin. Many Indian people have told me that I'm a "pretty dark-skinned girl" and that I "would be even more beautiful if I were fairer." I find it heart-breaking that so many societies encourage their women to uphold colonial ideas of what is considered attractive. I hope there is a day when it's not a "privilege" to avoid experiencing such bigotry but rather it's the norm for all people.
For starters, reading about the manner in which African blacks were enslaved and transported to the Americas infuriated me immensely for two reasons. First of all, the complete disregard for human life that seemed to be socially acceptable at that time is sickening. It was extremely painful to read about how they were "packed aboard slave ships, in spaces not much bigger than coffins....choking in the stench of their own excrement" (Zinn, 28). The slave Abream Scriven's letter to his wife telling her to convey to his parents "if we Shall not meet in this world I hope to meet in heaven," (Zinn, 173) is also heart-breaking. Second, it is unjust in my opinion that African-Americans in the present day still have to struggle with the effects of this deep-rooted oppression. The emotions, feelings, and concerns of enslaved people are unfortunately overlooked in school history classes, thus leading future generations to have a limited understanding of the suffering that took place. It's shocking how racism and maltreatment that occurred hundreds of years ago have made the journey forward much more difficult.
I also found Adams' short narratives describing racism in America to be very powerful and emphatic. The "minor and major advantages" of White feminist scholar Peggy McIntosh were interesting to read about since they address areas of life where people don't even realize they have a privilege. The fact that "she had greater access to jobs and housing, she could always find appropriate hair care products and make up, she could send her child to school confident that the teacher wouldn't discriminate against him on the basis of race, she could be late to meetings..."(Adams, 68) demonstrates more than anything else that she would be judged as an individual person. The whole concept of "white privilege" is indicative of the adaptations people of color have had to make due to set "norms" and "standards in our society.
Another narrative I found interesting was "Identification Pleas," discussing the marginalization of Native Americans. It was mind-boggling to me how the border patrol officer asked the man for his "real ID" when he showed his Native American Identification Card (Adams, 109). Due to the fact that Indians have been overlooked for centuries, people today often don't recognize them as a legitimate ethnic group. They percieve them instead as ancient figures found only in history textbooks.
Lastly, I felt like I could relate to the "Eyedentification" story (107). The whole notion of the "white standard" of beauty is something that many people of color have experienced. In the case of the Korean girl it's eyelid surgery, for many African-American girls it's the whole concept of "good hair", and for women of Indian origin it's the idea that lighter skin is better. Thanks to my mom's influence, I've grown up proud of my dark skin. However, I have experienced comments throughout my life implying that I would be better off with light skin. Many Indian people have told me that I'm a "pretty dark-skinned girl" and that I "would be even more beautiful if I were fairer." I find it heart-breaking that so many societies encourage their women to uphold colonial ideas of what is considered attractive. I hope there is a day when it's not a "privilege" to avoid experiencing such bigotry but rather it's the norm for all people.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
A Little About Privilege (An Interesting Article Related to Social Justice)
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/world/asia/in-baad-afghan-girls-are-penalized-for-elders-crimes.html?_r=1&hp
The activity we did on Wednesday regarding self-identification and areas of privilege/oppression in our lives really opened my eyes. It really put my life into perspective for me by showing me how many areas where I have privilege. This really goes back to Adam's first chapter in Readings For Diversity and Social Justice, which discusses dual identities. Although I am a woman of color, two identities that are considered subordinate groups, I'm also a citizen of the United States, something that I consider a blessing. After reading this article about the plight of 8-year-old Shalika, it further confirmed what I claimed as a privilege in class. Due to the fact that this girl's uncle ran away with the wife of a district strongman, she was abducted by a group of men in the middle of the night. In his anger, the district strongman sent the men to take this girl in order to pay for her uncle's sins, through a practice called "baad." In Pashtun, Afghanistan's local language, this word describes an ancient practice of trading young girls and holding them in custody in order to pay for the sins of their elders. This system, which dates back to the time of ancient nomadic Afghan tribes, allows for these girls to be beaten and raped in retaliation for another's wrongdoing.
What I personally found to be shocking is that this girl's family isn't opposed to the practice of "baad." Her father even states in this article that he isn't against the system. His only concern is that his daughter is already the property of a man whom she was betrothed to at a young age. Another mind-boggling fact is that the provincial governments of the Pashtun states in Afghanistan don't find it necessary to take a stand against this practice. While male officials in the government claim that the effects of "baad" aren't that bad and the women are "only beaten a few times and give birth to one or two children," the women involved claim otherwise. It makes my blood boil to hear about how an innocent person is punished for another's mistakes as well as the fact that a woman's integrity, health, and well-being are put on the back burner. Not to mention the fact that the girls taken through "baad" are so young, way too young to be exposed to the treatment that they are in fact exposed to. Reading stories like this remind of what I have to be thankful for, and that I am privileged because there are laws in the United States that protect me 100%.
The activity we did on Wednesday regarding self-identification and areas of privilege/oppression in our lives really opened my eyes. It really put my life into perspective for me by showing me how many areas where I have privilege. This really goes back to Adam's first chapter in Readings For Diversity and Social Justice, which discusses dual identities. Although I am a woman of color, two identities that are considered subordinate groups, I'm also a citizen of the United States, something that I consider a blessing. After reading this article about the plight of 8-year-old Shalika, it further confirmed what I claimed as a privilege in class. Due to the fact that this girl's uncle ran away with the wife of a district strongman, she was abducted by a group of men in the middle of the night. In his anger, the district strongman sent the men to take this girl in order to pay for her uncle's sins, through a practice called "baad." In Pashtun, Afghanistan's local language, this word describes an ancient practice of trading young girls and holding them in custody in order to pay for the sins of their elders. This system, which dates back to the time of ancient nomadic Afghan tribes, allows for these girls to be beaten and raped in retaliation for another's wrongdoing.
What I personally found to be shocking is that this girl's family isn't opposed to the practice of "baad." Her father even states in this article that he isn't against the system. His only concern is that his daughter is already the property of a man whom she was betrothed to at a young age. Another mind-boggling fact is that the provincial governments of the Pashtun states in Afghanistan don't find it necessary to take a stand against this practice. While male officials in the government claim that the effects of "baad" aren't that bad and the women are "only beaten a few times and give birth to one or two children," the women involved claim otherwise. It makes my blood boil to hear about how an innocent person is punished for another's mistakes as well as the fact that a woman's integrity, health, and well-being are put on the back burner. Not to mention the fact that the girls taken through "baad" are so young, way too young to be exposed to the treatment that they are in fact exposed to. Reading stories like this remind of what I have to be thankful for, and that I am privileged because there are laws in the United States that protect me 100%.
Ghana Blog Four: More About Gender Empowerment in Ghana
As I've been continuing my research on the status of women in Ghana, I've come across some vital information that would be useful in helping us implement our service learning project. Specifically, I came across two articles that were quite informative: "Women Still Sidelined Politically as 2012 Election Approaches" and "Integrate Gender, Social Inclusion Into Monitoring And Evalution." Both articles highlight disparities between different genders in the present day as well as means for empowering and advocating for women.
The first article "Women Still Sidelined Politically as 2012 Election Approaches" discusses the adversity against Ghanian women in politics, despite the recent rise of Samia Nkrumah. Samia is the daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who is Ghana's founding father. She is the first female chairperson of a political party since Ghana's independence in 1966. Although Samia's victory is a great step toward ending the marginalization of women in Africa, there are still many hurdles for these women to overcome. In Ghana, women involved in politics are oftentimes expected to simply support the decisions of men. Those that go against the ideas of men are often considered "trespassers."
Although Ghana is recognized for its progressive government by international organizations, one area where many west African nations lag behind is in the involvement of women in politics. There has been considerable opposition toward Samia, who is considering running for presidency this year. The fact that a mere eight percent of the parliament is comprised of women demonstrates the adversity against women in power. Afua Ansre, coordinator of the United Nations Women in Ghana, notes that the reason why it is so difficult for women to become involved in politics is due to the presence of deep-rooted gender roles.
The other article, "Integrate Gender, Social Inclusion Into Monitoring and Evalution" touches on the idea that Ghana should work toward being a more egalitarian society and help its women participate fully in economic, social, and political activities. Senior Gender Advisor Francesca Poybee-Hayford spoke at the Ghana Monitoring and Evalution Forum regarding avoiding exclusion of different minority groups as well as the benefits working women provide for society. Regarding the subject of ostracism, she highlighed the need for Ghanian society to avoid shunning the poor, those with HIV/AIDS, women, those with disabilities, and people branded as "witches and wizards."
She also emphasized the importance of helping women achieve financial independence. Poybee-Hayford estimated that if women were to work Ghana's productivity would rise by 3-25% and that educated women would invest more in their children. If the children reap the benefits of having educated mothers, this would increase human capital for national growth. In order to keep track of the progress of women throughout Ghana, she suggested developing an evidence based framework that would monitor improvements over the years.
Both these articles gave me more insight regarding the treatment and expectations of women in Ghana. By gaining an understanding of day-to-day struggles they face, I'll have a better idea of what subjects to discuss in our group's gender empowerment program. Through these two articles, it has been made clear to me that while improvements are taking place, there is still a ways to go in terms of political involvement and economic self-sufficiency. On the whole, women still lack educational opportunities available to their male counterparts. It is my goal, through this project, to better understand the nature of gender roles in Ghana as well as what actions need to be taken in order to elevate the status of women.
The first article "Women Still Sidelined Politically as 2012 Election Approaches" discusses the adversity against Ghanian women in politics, despite the recent rise of Samia Nkrumah. Samia is the daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who is Ghana's founding father. She is the first female chairperson of a political party since Ghana's independence in 1966. Although Samia's victory is a great step toward ending the marginalization of women in Africa, there are still many hurdles for these women to overcome. In Ghana, women involved in politics are oftentimes expected to simply support the decisions of men. Those that go against the ideas of men are often considered "trespassers."
Although Ghana is recognized for its progressive government by international organizations, one area where many west African nations lag behind is in the involvement of women in politics. There has been considerable opposition toward Samia, who is considering running for presidency this year. The fact that a mere eight percent of the parliament is comprised of women demonstrates the adversity against women in power. Afua Ansre, coordinator of the United Nations Women in Ghana, notes that the reason why it is so difficult for women to become involved in politics is due to the presence of deep-rooted gender roles.
The other article, "Integrate Gender, Social Inclusion Into Monitoring and Evalution" touches on the idea that Ghana should work toward being a more egalitarian society and help its women participate fully in economic, social, and political activities. Senior Gender Advisor Francesca Poybee-Hayford spoke at the Ghana Monitoring and Evalution Forum regarding avoiding exclusion of different minority groups as well as the benefits working women provide for society. Regarding the subject of ostracism, she highlighed the need for Ghanian society to avoid shunning the poor, those with HIV/AIDS, women, those with disabilities, and people branded as "witches and wizards."
She also emphasized the importance of helping women achieve financial independence. Poybee-Hayford estimated that if women were to work Ghana's productivity would rise by 3-25% and that educated women would invest more in their children. If the children reap the benefits of having educated mothers, this would increase human capital for national growth. In order to keep track of the progress of women throughout Ghana, she suggested developing an evidence based framework that would monitor improvements over the years.
Both these articles gave me more insight regarding the treatment and expectations of women in Ghana. By gaining an understanding of day-to-day struggles they face, I'll have a better idea of what subjects to discuss in our group's gender empowerment program. Through these two articles, it has been made clear to me that while improvements are taking place, there is still a ways to go in terms of political involvement and economic self-sufficiency. On the whole, women still lack educational opportunities available to their male counterparts. It is my goal, through this project, to better understand the nature of gender roles in Ghana as well as what actions need to be taken in order to elevate the status of women.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Social Justice Blog Four: Social Problems
I found today's discussion about social problems to be intriguing and stimulating. The activity where we moved around the room based on our feelings toward an issue really put social justice into perspective for me. Although I moved a couple of times throughout the exercise, it really hit me towards the end that all the aforementioned are social problems. Due to the manner in which Diane phrased a couple of the statements it didn't seem like it, however, each issue had some aspect relevant to society as a whole.
Cancer, sexual orientation, and wealth were a couple of ones that I noticed myself and others struggling to categorize. They are not as clear cut as say, domestic violence or child abuse which the majority of people agree are definite problems. Cancer, in my opinion, is a social problem; this is why I stayed in the left side of the room. Although cancer is often caused biological factors and not necessarily by society, the impact it has on people without healthcare is definitely one for us to think about. As an intern for the People's Community Clinic, I'm well aware of the recent budget cuts affecting the likes of PCC and Planned Parenthood. Physicals and breast exams for women will no longer be offered at the low cost rate at which they once were, thus putting multiple people at a higher risk for cervical and breast cancer. It's no secret that cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the country, and unfortunately, many of the people who die won't make it simply because of a lack of adequate healthcare.
Sexual orientation seemed to stump quite a few people. About half of the people moved to the left of the room and the other half to the far right. I initially went to the right, because the way I percieve it, sexual orientation definitely isn't a problem. It's simply a part of someone's biological make-up and he or she shouldn't be treated differently because of it. However, when I noticed there were quite a few people on the left, it occured to me: maybe they are on the other side because they believe that while sexual orientation itself isn't a problem, the inequalities that someone may face because of their orientation is? It then hit me that sexual orientation is in fact a social issue. The issue isn't with orientation itself but rather the discrimination certain people may face in a society.
Lastly, wealth was one that puzzled many of us. People moved to far ends of both sides of the room. I moved left, since I believe the issue of wealth is something affecting society in a large scale manner. Obviously, wealth in itself isn't a bad thing; we wouldn't have access to the numerous luxuries we have in this world without wealth. However, the problem is with the disparity in wealth around the world. There is definitely a problem when Kim Kardashian has millions of dollars to blow on a fairy tale wedding while a three month old boy dies of exposure to cold weather in a refugee camp in Afghanistan. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/09/world/asia/in-grip-of-cold-afghan-family-buries-8th-child.html?_r=1&hp It doesn't seem just that some people in this world are struggling to survive while others have more than they need. Lack of wealth is a social problem, and it is up to us as a society to propagate resources and education in areas of need.
I also enjoyed discussing our frustrations regarding disparities in society. I found Diane's example of the well-being of Austin's tree vs homeless people to be an interesting one, as well as Professor G's about Ben Rothliesberger being let off easier for a more serious crime than Michael Vick for his dog-fighting. As we were on this subject, I thought about an instance that I had actually written about. When I was in high school, I wrote an op-ed about the plight of the Jena Six in Louisiana. To this day, it really irks me how unjustly they were treated. Although the students involved should have recieved some kind of punishment for physically assaulting a classmate, this doesn't excuse the fact that they were given disproportionately harsh charges. It is astounding how the judicial system and school board of Jena seemed to almost overlook the racial tensions leading up to the attack. Administrators were so quick to criticize the students involved in the attack, yet they treated racism toward African-Americans in the school as a non-issue. I find it appalling how someone can be treated so differently simply because of the color of their skin.
Cancer, sexual orientation, and wealth were a couple of ones that I noticed myself and others struggling to categorize. They are not as clear cut as say, domestic violence or child abuse which the majority of people agree are definite problems. Cancer, in my opinion, is a social problem; this is why I stayed in the left side of the room. Although cancer is often caused biological factors and not necessarily by society, the impact it has on people without healthcare is definitely one for us to think about. As an intern for the People's Community Clinic, I'm well aware of the recent budget cuts affecting the likes of PCC and Planned Parenthood. Physicals and breast exams for women will no longer be offered at the low cost rate at which they once were, thus putting multiple people at a higher risk for cervical and breast cancer. It's no secret that cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the country, and unfortunately, many of the people who die won't make it simply because of a lack of adequate healthcare.
Sexual orientation seemed to stump quite a few people. About half of the people moved to the left of the room and the other half to the far right. I initially went to the right, because the way I percieve it, sexual orientation definitely isn't a problem. It's simply a part of someone's biological make-up and he or she shouldn't be treated differently because of it. However, when I noticed there were quite a few people on the left, it occured to me: maybe they are on the other side because they believe that while sexual orientation itself isn't a problem, the inequalities that someone may face because of their orientation is? It then hit me that sexual orientation is in fact a social issue. The issue isn't with orientation itself but rather the discrimination certain people may face in a society.
Lastly, wealth was one that puzzled many of us. People moved to far ends of both sides of the room. I moved left, since I believe the issue of wealth is something affecting society in a large scale manner. Obviously, wealth in itself isn't a bad thing; we wouldn't have access to the numerous luxuries we have in this world without wealth. However, the problem is with the disparity in wealth around the world. There is definitely a problem when Kim Kardashian has millions of dollars to blow on a fairy tale wedding while a three month old boy dies of exposure to cold weather in a refugee camp in Afghanistan. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/09/world/asia/in-grip-of-cold-afghan-family-buries-8th-child.html?_r=1&hp It doesn't seem just that some people in this world are struggling to survive while others have more than they need. Lack of wealth is a social problem, and it is up to us as a society to propagate resources and education in areas of need.
I also enjoyed discussing our frustrations regarding disparities in society. I found Diane's example of the well-being of Austin's tree vs homeless people to be an interesting one, as well as Professor G's about Ben Rothliesberger being let off easier for a more serious crime than Michael Vick for his dog-fighting. As we were on this subject, I thought about an instance that I had actually written about. When I was in high school, I wrote an op-ed about the plight of the Jena Six in Louisiana. To this day, it really irks me how unjustly they were treated. Although the students involved should have recieved some kind of punishment for physically assaulting a classmate, this doesn't excuse the fact that they were given disproportionately harsh charges. It is astounding how the judicial system and school board of Jena seemed to almost overlook the racial tensions leading up to the attack. Administrators were so quick to criticize the students involved in the attack, yet they treated racism toward African-Americans in the school as a non-issue. I find it appalling how someone can be treated so differently simply because of the color of their skin.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Ghana Blog Three: Gender Empowerment
I'm excited to announce that I will be partaking in the Gender Empowerment Service Learning Project in Ghana this summer. I'm fully aware that this is an opportunity of a lifetime and I'm thrilled to bits that I will have a chance to experience Ghanian culture and interact with the Ghanian community in Accra. I'm trying to read as much as I can about the country before I leave in May. Here's a little bit about what I've learned so far about the status of women.
I recently came across an article discussing the Law and Women's Programme (LWP), founded by Ms Mary Ohenewaa Afful in Ghana http://www.modernghana.com/news/334884/1/law-women-programme-promotes-womens-rights.html. Afful initially worked with the Federation of International Women Lawyers where she supported grass roots causes. Her experiences working with underprivileged women inspired her efforts to end discrimination. LWP serves to give a voice to women who have been marginalized in addition to informing them of resources within and outside the government that can help them further their cause. Although there are multiple provisions within the nation's constitution that protect women and children, these laws are often overlooked due to economic barriers, illiteracy, and societal norms. LWP works to bring women together in order to share their struggles and find solutions to their oppression.
Nonetheless, Ghana isn't a society where women don't have any opportunities. As mentioned in the article, the constitution has provisions protecting women and there are women who hold respectable offices and positions. However, there are still many women who don't have access to adequate resources nor an education. I think it is very noble of Afful to recognize the disparity between men and women. Her organization has the potential to change the attitude of Ghanian society while helping women discover their personal worth. By addressing illiteracy as well as percieved gender roles, LWP can help women realize what they can make of themselves. I look to Afful as a role model and hope to emphasize the importance of self-sufficiency and education in the service learning project.
I also read an article about Global Mamas, a non-profit organization encouraging women entrepreneurs in Ghana http://www.modernghana.com/news/247417/1/empowering-women-entrepreneurs-in-ghana.html. This group was founded by two peace corps volunteers in 2003 aiming to help women achieve economic indepence at a grass roots level. Women working for Global Mamas gain an income by selling handicrafted goods, and by doing so, gain respect within their community. This organization encourages fair trade, where the artisans recieve full profit for their work. It also emphasizes sustainability, which benefits the women already working as well as women interested in working. All in all, Global Mamas does a thorough job of harnessing the skills and talents of multiple women while providing them with a sense of empowerment.
As I read about Global Mamas, it hit me that organization that I used to volunteer with actually had a connection with them. I used to be a marketing assistant at the fair trade non-profit Ten Thousand Villages of Austin, and I remember seeing products made by Global Mamas at the store. In fact, I think I actually bought my mom a skirt made by them for her birthday :). It was really interesting to read about the roots of this organization and the success it has achieved over time. The article notes that the Global Mamas network has made $500,000 in global sales throughout North America, Ghana, Europe, and Australia. This is highly beneficial for the women themselves as well as for their family members. By overcoming economic hardship, the women will quite likely attain sufficient funds to send their children to school. It is amazing the role that sustainable development efforts can have a domino effect on the lives of many people.
As I embark upon the Gender Empowerment Project, I hope to help the women learn valuable skills that can make them empowered and self-reliant. After reading about the likes of LWP and Global Mamas, I realize that it is important to emphasize the need for community as I work with the Ghanian women. It seems that by working together toward a cause, the women are able to commiserate as well as motivate one another. I'm looking forward to offering whatever skills I have in the project while learning from the women and seeing what they have to offer.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Social Justice Entry Three: Zinn, Native Americans, and Oppression in the Present
I found Zinn's chapter about early explorers and Native Americans to be fascinating and eye-opening. He is absolutely right when he states that history is taught from the perspective of conquerers, who are made out to be valiant and brave. The Native Americans, however, whether from North America, the Carribean, or South America, are all made out to be incompetent savages. Zinn provides a clear account of the magnitude of violence toward the indigenous groups of America and links it to oppression today. Nonetheless, it does make sense to me how the massacre and abuse of Native Americans is the foundation of subjugation in the United States today.
Coincidentally, I came across this article yesterday pertaining to the plight of people living on Indian reservations today http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/03/us/wind-river-indian-reservation-where-brutality-is-banal.html. As I read, it made very upset to think about how the effects of colonization and violence of Europeans hundreds of years ago continues to plague the remaining Native Americans today. I found some of the statistics I read to be shocking, namely the fact that the unemployment rate in the Wind River reservation in Wyoming is 80% and the average life expectancy is 49 years. Child abuse, teen pregnancy, low high school graduation rates, and infection through chemicals in the water are common problems faced by the 14,000 residents. To top it off, violence and brutal crimes are so rampant that President Obama actually had to end his two-year crime fighting initiative there.
Reading this article instantly made me think back to Zinn's chapter. At one point, he discusses how Columbus and his successors were not coming into an "empty wilderness," but into a well-adjusted society with an intricate culture and strong economy (Zinn, 21). Contrary to popular belief, the Native Americans actually had well-established systems to maintain their lifestyles which were only disrupted when the Europeans came. By taking advantage of their generosity and lack of adequate weaponry, the conquerors wiped out various Indian societies. It is this past exploitation that is contributing to the existence of crime-ridden and economically backward places like Wind River in the present day.
When we discuss marginalized groups, we, as a society, often skip over Native Americans. As a woman of color, I often believe that many ethnic groups deserve more recognition and support, however, my experience of being a "minority" isn't even comparable to those of indigenous Americans. At least people acknowledge the existence of my ethnic group and I have the resources to make something of myself. Imagine living in a society where virtually no one has an education and people are spending their time gambling, drinking, or trying to avoid getting killed. Imagine growing up knowing that your family has lived in poverty for generations and knowing that the situation may never change for you. Zinn's chapter as well as the New York Times article really made me think about the importance of lobbying for marginalized ethnic groups and advocating for their well-being.
Zinn discusses how in a world of victims and executioners, it is the job of the "thinking people" to not be on the side of executioners (Zinn, 10). This doesn't necessarily mean to constantly bemoan the plight of victims but rather to consider the thoughts and feelings of populations we don't hear much about. He provides multiple examples as he talks about wanting to tell stories from the perspective of the Arawaks, southern farmers, blacks in Harlem, etc in order to provide the whole story. History is often told from the perspective of the oppressors, and Zinn offers an alternative as he speaks from the viewpoint of minority groups.
Columbus's statement,"They would make fine servants...With fifty men we could subjugate them and make them do whatever we want," (Zinn,1) reflects an attitude that we have seen among dominant groups around the world for centuries. Whether it is Native Americans, blacks during the time of slavery, the Hutus in Rwanda, Jews during the time of the Holocaust, or the "untouchable" caste in India, oppressed people of different backgrounds are subjugated by a common mentality. The dominant group often prevails for generations, leaving countless minority groups to continue bearing the effects of oppression for years. It makes perfect sense to me why, especially in the case of America, why minorities often have a more difficult time progressing. The further a group has been set back, the harder it is for its members to move forward.
The first step to alleviating the status of marginalized groups is to acknowledge that there is a disparity in the first place. Zinn pinpoints how historian Samuel Morison only briefly acknowledges Columbus's treatment of the Native Americans and then moves on to other issues. He does use the word genocide, however, the fact that he provides a chunk of other information gives the reader the impression that the mass murder of indigenous people wasn't a big deal. I personally agree with Zinn that it is important to provide both sides of history in order to give people an accurate account of what really happened. Maybe if people were to have a genuine understanding of how oppressed groups have been treated they would be able to empathize with them. I truly believe in the saying that knowledge is power, and in order for society to work towards the empowerment of subjugated peoples, it is vital that we are all given the full story.
Coincidentally, I came across this article yesterday pertaining to the plight of people living on Indian reservations today http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/03/us/wind-river-indian-reservation-where-brutality-is-banal.html. As I read, it made very upset to think about how the effects of colonization and violence of Europeans hundreds of years ago continues to plague the remaining Native Americans today. I found some of the statistics I read to be shocking, namely the fact that the unemployment rate in the Wind River reservation in Wyoming is 80% and the average life expectancy is 49 years. Child abuse, teen pregnancy, low high school graduation rates, and infection through chemicals in the water are common problems faced by the 14,000 residents. To top it off, violence and brutal crimes are so rampant that President Obama actually had to end his two-year crime fighting initiative there.
Reading this article instantly made me think back to Zinn's chapter. At one point, he discusses how Columbus and his successors were not coming into an "empty wilderness," but into a well-adjusted society with an intricate culture and strong economy (Zinn, 21). Contrary to popular belief, the Native Americans actually had well-established systems to maintain their lifestyles which were only disrupted when the Europeans came. By taking advantage of their generosity and lack of adequate weaponry, the conquerors wiped out various Indian societies. It is this past exploitation that is contributing to the existence of crime-ridden and economically backward places like Wind River in the present day.
When we discuss marginalized groups, we, as a society, often skip over Native Americans. As a woman of color, I often believe that many ethnic groups deserve more recognition and support, however, my experience of being a "minority" isn't even comparable to those of indigenous Americans. At least people acknowledge the existence of my ethnic group and I have the resources to make something of myself. Imagine living in a society where virtually no one has an education and people are spending their time gambling, drinking, or trying to avoid getting killed. Imagine growing up knowing that your family has lived in poverty for generations and knowing that the situation may never change for you. Zinn's chapter as well as the New York Times article really made me think about the importance of lobbying for marginalized ethnic groups and advocating for their well-being.
Zinn discusses how in a world of victims and executioners, it is the job of the "thinking people" to not be on the side of executioners (Zinn, 10). This doesn't necessarily mean to constantly bemoan the plight of victims but rather to consider the thoughts and feelings of populations we don't hear much about. He provides multiple examples as he talks about wanting to tell stories from the perspective of the Arawaks, southern farmers, blacks in Harlem, etc in order to provide the whole story. History is often told from the perspective of the oppressors, and Zinn offers an alternative as he speaks from the viewpoint of minority groups.
Columbus's statement,"They would make fine servants...With fifty men we could subjugate them and make them do whatever we want," (Zinn,1) reflects an attitude that we have seen among dominant groups around the world for centuries. Whether it is Native Americans, blacks during the time of slavery, the Hutus in Rwanda, Jews during the time of the Holocaust, or the "untouchable" caste in India, oppressed people of different backgrounds are subjugated by a common mentality. The dominant group often prevails for generations, leaving countless minority groups to continue bearing the effects of oppression for years. It makes perfect sense to me why, especially in the case of America, why minorities often have a more difficult time progressing. The further a group has been set back, the harder it is for its members to move forward.
The first step to alleviating the status of marginalized groups is to acknowledge that there is a disparity in the first place. Zinn pinpoints how historian Samuel Morison only briefly acknowledges Columbus's treatment of the Native Americans and then moves on to other issues. He does use the word genocide, however, the fact that he provides a chunk of other information gives the reader the impression that the mass murder of indigenous people wasn't a big deal. I personally agree with Zinn that it is important to provide both sides of history in order to give people an accurate account of what really happened. Maybe if people were to have a genuine understanding of how oppressed groups have been treated they would be able to empathize with them. I truly believe in the saying that knowledge is power, and in order for society to work towards the empowerment of subjugated peoples, it is vital that we are all given the full story.
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