Blog Post 1: free choice/response to passage on page 102
When our unit about race was introduced, I immediately began to prepare for the reiteration of our
previous yearly race units, typically consisting of relatively dry historical fiction writing that I found
difficult to relate to and hard to enjoy. What I was not ready for was a book that covered such modern
events, framed by a topic I find quite interesting, psychology, and whose content I found so engaging
and relatable, despite my being white. I found myself recognizing situations of racial importance in
my life, where I had not noticed before, and thoughts and observations burrowed deep in my mind were
surfaced.
previous yearly race units, typically consisting of relatively dry historical fiction writing that I found
difficult to relate to and hard to enjoy. What I was not ready for was a book that covered such modern
events, framed by a topic I find quite interesting, psychology, and whose content I found so engaging
and relatable, despite my being white. I found myself recognizing situations of racial importance in
my life, where I had not noticed before, and thoughts and observations burrowed deep in my mind were
surfaced.
One of these observations was talked about explicitly on page 102 (“Common across… conscious
attention.”). The main idea of the passage is that the significance of race, gender, religion or sexual
orientation is much less important to those who are of the advantaged group, for example, white or male.
attention.”). The main idea of the passage is that the significance of race, gender, religion or sexual
orientation is much less important to those who are of the advantaged group, for example, white or male.
In the pages preceding this passage, author Beverly Tatum talks about what her students defined
themselves as when asked to complete the statement “I am ____.”, and also how they defined themselves
in their own autobiographical essays.
themselves as when asked to complete the statement “I am ____.”, and also how they defined themselves
in their own autobiographical essays.
In the “I am ____.” statements, she found that students of disadvantaged groups tended to finish the
sentence with something that tied them to that group, whereas students of advantaged groups chose
words that explained their personality, for example. Tatum found repeatedly that students of color
included their ethnic or racial group, members of the LGBTQ+ community included such, and girls
included that they are female. On the other hand, for instance, she found that “in general, White students
rarely mentioned being White,” and “men don’t usually mention their maleness”.
sentence with something that tied them to that group, whereas students of advantaged groups chose
words that explained their personality, for example. Tatum found repeatedly that students of color
included their ethnic or racial group, members of the LGBTQ+ community included such, and girls
included that they are female. On the other hand, for instance, she found that “in general, White students
rarely mentioned being White,” and “men don’t usually mention their maleness”.
Her conclusion was not only that these disadvantages were of great significance to her students but that
that the advantaged groups are also considered the norm. Advantaged groups have no need to state that
they are, for example, white, male, heterosexual, etc. because that is what society has labeled as normal.
Only disadvantaged groups must specify.
that the advantaged groups are also considered the norm. Advantaged groups have no need to state that
they are, for example, white, male, heterosexual, etc. because that is what society has labeled as normal.
Only disadvantaged groups must specify.
Throughout my life, this has been evident, whether it be in describing myself, or describing others, but
I never gave it much thought because the concept is upsetting. It is clear that even at this point in time,
many people in society are still unaccepting of people of these disadvantaged groups, for reasons that
are purely unfair, and it is difficult to think about this topic without feeling a little guilty, as I frequently
allow these social norms to control the way I think.
I never gave it much thought because the concept is upsetting. It is clear that even at this point in time,
many people in society are still unaccepting of people of these disadvantaged groups, for reasons that
are purely unfair, and it is difficult to think about this topic without feeling a little guilty, as I frequently
allow these social norms to control the way I think.
If I were to do the exercises that Tatum assigned her students before reading the passage, I have no
doubt that I would fail to mention my race, sexual orientation or religion.
doubt that I would fail to mention my race, sexual orientation or religion.
And while I’ve always been aware that there are differences between what people in different groups
consider significant information, it’s unsettling that certain groups are considered more normal than
others.
consider significant information, it’s unsettling that certain groups are considered more normal than
others.
I overall found this passage, and the book so far, to be not only informative but refreshing, resurfacing
things I have noticed in society regarding race that are not stressed as issues but are nonetheless unfair.
things I have noticed in society regarding race that are not stressed as issues but are nonetheless unfair.
I too found the results of the exercise that she did with her students about the "I am___" statements very interesting. I was surprised by the number of people that specifically identified their race and gender while others didn't feel that they "had to." I agree that it's very sad that discrimination in our past has caused people to feel as though they are inferior today. Regarding the exercise we did in class, I think that it's also upsetting how some people don't realize how fortunate they are to have things that others have to work much harder for as a result of where they live and how little money they have. However the thing that troubles me about your blog post is how you address these separate "groups" as "advantaged" and "disadvantaged." I would just be interested to hear the specifics as to how people of color in our current society are more disadvantaged than whites. Much like in the book where there isn't always relevant evidence that supports all of Tatum's claims about how white privilege still exists. Other than that, I also found the psychology in this part of the book intriguing and feel that this post is very well-written!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Caitlin in how eye opening the I am___ section was. I was a thinking lot about the section about that males don't identify with being male. It never occurred to me how much minorities of every kind cling to labels as their identity, when asked I am__ I would answer a student or a girl or American, because those are the my identity but I never would identify myself as white, that is the same is as a man would not identify as a man. That was such an interesting quotes to pick and showed you have a deep understand of the reader. I also love the layout of your blog, its classy and gives your writing a good backdrop. The only thing I would say was I wish you had a bit more personability or commentary because I would have loved to see more of you in your writing.
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