“Push” by Sapphire tells a story about a young girl named Precious from Harlem who lived with many sociological issues in her young life. Although this book seems very extreme on what can happen in our American society and very unlikely, this book presents itself as an educational warning to the public. Sadly, these situations that Precious lives through, can easily happen to anyone today because of our messed up American society. Each person has their different oppressions they struggle with every day that create their own unique intersectionality. Precious story can help comfort and educate others struggling in similar situation overcome these social oppression and issues. Even though Precious scenarios were very extreme, she lived through …show more content…
Precious grew up living below the poverty line and lived in a historically poor neighborhood as well. Since she lived in a poor neighborhood, the education system also becomes underfunded and lacks proper education tools to teach these students. Precious becomes pregnant in the story by her father and has to drop out of school for a few months due to her pregnancy. Since she had to drop out, Precious struggled even more in school to catch up when she came back. The school system left her behind and did little efforts to help Precious catch back up. Luckily, the school administrator saw Precious’s struggles and sent her to an alternative school. At this new school, she could receive the proper support to deal with her sociological issues back home that she brought back into the classroom every day. At this new school, her social moral and self-worth grew in a positive direction with the help of her new classmates and Ms. …show more content…
Some may live through being sexually abused, live in extreme poverty, or even fall victim of being physical or verbally abused. Whatever the reason is, this book shows an outlet for these struggles. The only way we can help others fight these intersectionality issues is by knowing your privilege and using it to help the oppressed with no voice. In Brittney Cooper’s article “Feminism’s ugly internal clash: Why its future is not up to the white women” she states that “the future of feminism is not up to the white women. Not by themselves anyway”. Educating and spreading the word on resources people have struggling with oppressed issues can make sure Precious’s story stays as a fictional story instead of becoming true story. Imani Perry states in her book review of “Push” that “…if we use the film to open the door to conversations about society, ones that are filled with knowledge, data, and careful analysis… then it can do some useful work in our social and political lives. Perhaps it can inspire solutions to problems of representation and policy challenges”. The best lesson this book teaches to all of American struggling through similar issues is to reach out to a support system. Break the silence and find help for yourself or for your friends, family, neighbors or
When examining “Crash” and “7 Seconds in the Bronx” we observe the injustice the injustice individuals face resulting in unforgivable offenses. When examining both stories it becomes apparent that between stereotypes, authoritative discrimination, and economic hierarchy, it is tough to be of a minority background. Stereotypes are an unfair representation that has been developed about a person or a race. In “Crash” we see the struggle of being a minority. We see this in the beginning of the story when Anthony and Peter, both young adults of colour, could see Jean clenched onto her husband and purse when passing them in the streets as she pre disclosed the assumption they
Danielle L. McGuire’s At the Dark End of the Street, “an important, original contribution to civil rights historiography”, discusses the topic of rape and sexual assault towards African American women, and how this played a major role in causing the civil rights movement (Dailey 491). Chapter by chapter, another person's story is told, from the rape of Recy Taylor to the court case of Joan Little, while including the significance of Rosa Parks and various organizations in fighting for the victims of unjust brutality. The sole purpose of creating this novel was to discuss a topic no other historian has discussed before, because according to McGuire they have all been skipping over a topic that would change the view of the civil rights movement.
In “The Sanctuary of School” Lynda applies her personal life to the fact that some people think cutting down budgets for public schools will benefit when times get tough. Also that art, music and the creative ideas will be the first to go when budgets are cut. Lynda had a rough childhood where her parents had money issues and family members that needed temporarily to stay at her home (Barry, 721). The lack of attention from her parents made her look for attention elsewhere in this case the school. Lynda saw her teacher Mrs. LeSane as a mother figure.
One’s environment plays a positive or negative role in shaping a person’s identity depending on where they live. Growing up in a bad neighborhood, one might be surrounded by gangsters, dangerous streets, and have a higher chance of becoming a burden on society. Growing up in a rich neighborhood, one might worry less and get whatever they want; so life is not a burden. But being exposed in a poor environment shapes one’s identity positively by motivating a person to grow and evolve for the better. Experiencing sufferings in an environment may inspire a person to change for the better.
“The Lesson” “The Lesson” was written by Toni Cade Bambara. This essay recounts the day Miss Moore took a group of neighborhood kids to the toy store F.A.O Schwartz. Sylvia and her friend Sugar make it clear that they’d rather be somewhere else and out enjoying the day. Sylvia and her friends are astounded by the price tags they see on some toys and are left breathless wondering why someone would pay “37$ for a performing clown or 1000$ for a handcrafted sailboat”. The conflict between the narrator Sylvia is external conflict and it is shown by self VS economic welfare.
The speaker is uneducated, so the writing in the first person is readable for beginners as well as educated adults. Walker addresses the audience specifically to to create deeper imagery, where the audience can add their own experiences to the story, such as “You’ve no doubt seen those TV shows” (46). The speaker directly addresses the audience, and so anyone reading the story, whether a minority, or the majority, will be connected to the story. Purpose: Walker describes the impact of oppression on the relationship between mother and daughter, and how the oppressed view themselves.
As counselors, we will be faced with unique and not so uniqueness family and individual issues. Often, we will have to listen to what is not being said to fully assess our client/family situation. The movie Precious is moving, thought provoking, disturbing, and brings awareness to the many different forms of abuse, and different types of mental illness. Three Identified Symptom in the Family Counseling Session
The symbols present in “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara, depict the economic and social injustices faced by specific members of society, specifically the children in the story. The characters in the story are being mentored by Miss Moore, a woman from their block who has taken up the role of taking them out on weekly outings. The story touches on the situation of the children that are stuck in living in almost poverty. “The Lesson” focuses on the socioeconomic disparities between the different racial groups and how. Bambara uses several techniques such as irony, othering, and second person point of view to make the story meaningful and demonstrate the characteristics of the characters.
As black women always conform under patriarchal principles, women are generally silenced and deprived of rights because men are entitled to control everything. Women are silenced in a way that they lose their confidence and hesitate to speak up due to the norms present in the society they live in. Hence, even if women have the confidence to try to speak, men wouldn’t bother to listen since men ought to believe that they are superior to women. In addition to that, women often live in a life cycle of repetitions due to patriarchal principles since women are established to fulfill the roles the society had given them. It is evidenced by Celie as she struggles to survive and to define oneself apart from the controlling, manipulative, and abusive men in her life.
Toxic Masculinity is the root of men’s oppression, and it requires our attention to be adequately addressed. This is because in the United States we teach boys that demeaning women make them more valuable to society. The idea is that women are only around to give men pleasure and to be seen as objects. In the documentary, we are also told by Joe Ehrmann that in addition to demeaning women we are taught that we need to strive for money and positions of power to obtain money with the help of media and film perpetuating the idea. He also added that if that we look at what society is telling boys, they will lose what is truly important in life.
Gloria Steinem: Female Activist Gloria Steinem rose to national fame as a feminist leader in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s for her work as a journalist, activist and political organizer. Her tireless efforts to lobby for social and economic equality allowed Gloria to emerge as an enduring symbol of female liberation. She advocates for intersectional feminism which examines the intersections where forms of oppression overlap and looks at the institutions and conditions hindering women from advancing as a whole. Gloria adapts her approach to issues as the social and political landscape transforms and she continues to promote an intersectional feminist agenda in a paradoxical world where many changes have occurred, but many issues remain.
Moreover, demonstrate consequences are taken to oppress racial and ethnic minorities to keep them in a subservient position. Overall, this film has provided me with a visual depiction of how stereotypes are a mental tool that enforces racial segregation and self-hate. The label of “White” became a necessity for Sarah Jane to achieve in society. To attain it she needed to move to a new city, change her name and deny her mother.
Black women are treated less than because of their ascribed traits, their gender and race, and are often dehumanized and belittled throughout the movie. They are treated like slaves and are seen as easily disposable. There are several moments throughout the film that show the racial, gender, and class inequalities. These moments also show exploitation and opportunity hoarding. The Help also explains historical context of the inequality that occurred during that time period.
The theme of marginalization in society and how it has impacted on people’s lives is a significant theme for all. Marginalization is where a certain group of people are treated differently than others due to their race, gender or beliefs. The marginalized are not usually considered “main stream”, which means to have the power in society, and thus have no say in how you are treated. We see this theme in four texts, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, To Kill a Mockingbird directed by Robert Mulligan (1962), The Test by Angelica Gibbs and The Worn Path by Eudora Welty. Each of my selected texts has a character who is marginalized (Crooks & Tom Robinson & Marian & Phoenix Jackson) and is considered not part of the mainstream of society, consequently
All the victims speaking up for the movement indicates that they will no longer tolerate the silencing of their voices because of political and social power. The movement is a great example of how intersectionality is considered in modern day issues and is a very effective tool for creating consideration of all factors in