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Respectability Politics: A Systemic Oppression Study

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Nowadays, there are people like Bill Cosby and everyone who supports him. Yes, they have overcome systemic oppression individually, however, have they overcome it in a social group? (Wallace, July 14, 2015). This is one of the issues with respectability politics; the ideology that suggests people can overcome their systemic oppression by improving their personal behavior. The other issue with respectability politics is if you genuinely believe that each individual must single handedly overcome their structural oppression. To a sense, this is true. An individual can overcome their structural oppression on their own. For example, Cosby is a respected man, despite his beliefs. However other African- Americans are not looked at the same way as
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Plessy v. Ferguson (1896, 163 US 537) For centuries people of African descent have suffered of inhumane treatment, discrimination, racism, and segregation. Although in the United States, and in other countries, mistreatment and marginalization towards African descendants has stopped, the racism and discriminations has not.

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According to (Rev. Dr. Andrea Ayvazian); author of “Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression: The Role of Allies as Agents of Change”; many of us feel overwhelmed when we consider the many forms of systemic oppression that are so pervasive in American society today. We become immobilized, uncertain about what actions we can take to interrupt the cycle of oppression and violence that intrude on our everyday lives. According to (Merriam Webster); oppression, is treating someone unjustly; or cruelly exercising authority or power; weighing down body and mind (www.merriam-webster.com). The concept of oppression examines the “isim’s); racism, sexism, heterosexism, and class privilege as interlocking systems of oppression that ensues advantages for some and diminished opportunities for others; (p. 02/03).

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It is also said that having an understanding of race and slavery, does not stop racial oppression.

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In “The Common Elements of Oppression” by Suzanne Pharr, she writes that isolation is a “major component” to the oppression of “minority groups”. The LBGT community depicted in the Harvey Milk film were disowned by their own communities that they lived, worked and were even born in. They were treated as “others” and had no say-so, no voice, no authority- that is until Harvey Milk decided enough was enough. Just as Pharr stated, it wasn’t until those afflicted by these actions, came together and created a movement, a uniformed voice for a call to do something to change the wrongdoings of those who were considered a

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There have been many stories about discrimination. It has affected people of color. Those stories explained how uneasy it can be for outsiders. Stories like that have had an impact on society. Two stories that are an example of that are “Black Men and Public Space” by Brent Staples and “The F Word” by Firoozeh Dumas.

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The struggles and the right of the less privileged are being ignored constantly. I do not agree with the authors reasoning that an individual making themselves self-appointed privilege police is a selfish attempt to discredit achievements or experiences of privileged individuals. I simply believe that this behavior is a cry out for equality. I have been in a situation where I had to stand almost two hours under the burning sun to get a bucket of water.

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Title Discrimination occurs everyday, and many choose to remain passive. Throughout these passages the three individuals Elie Wiesel, Martin Luther King Jr. , and Nelson Mandela refuse to accept passivity within the world. These man stood up for their belief that passivity is unacceptable. Elie Wiesel, has experienced discrimination for his religion during the holocaust, and because of this he refuses to remain pliant towards discrimination. Wiesel explains his refusal to remain passive: “The world did know and remained silent.

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Additionally, Francis faces job rejections despite his qualifications, highlighting racial biases in employment. These examples illustrate the pervasive impact of racism on individuals' lives and call attention to the need for societal change. Explain what structural racism is, and how it is showcased in this text. Provide 2 examples. 4 points

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Factors that contribute to privilege, power, and oppression include who has power, how is that power being used, and what social groups are being affected. This year I began working in Target’s return department where employees are supposed to, what feels like stereotyping, call out shady and weird-acting people who are most often appearing to be houseless or on drugs. Because of certain types of individuals that frequent our story in Janzen Beach, we do not return certain products without proof of purchase. However, one day we made an exception for on customer and did not for another by a manager. Later in the day I confronted the manager and expressed my frustrations that our personal biases were getting in the way of helping our customers equally and expressed that certain people or groups are less likely to express their frustrations or ask for a manager when they are denied a return in comparison to others.

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His experiences with stereotyping and prejudices are eye opening and help create a sense of sympathy for him, as well as other African Americans facing such biases. Modifying the way you go about your daily activities, trying to ease tension in others, and attempting to avoid conflict whenever possible is not a comforting way to live. We Americans need to look outside of our comfort zone and welcome what we may fear. This may not be as perplexing of a task as some may think, and it will initiate change in how we view people different from

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Blacks have been victims of severe discrimination for centuries, “African Americans had been fighting against racial discrimination for centuries; during the 1950s, however, the struggle against racism and segregation entered the

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