Wow! There sure was a lot of
information this week. I loved that we opened with the “Love Has No Labels”
video—it served as a good reminder that people are people and everybody
deserves respect. I remember when that video came out—at the time, it was kind
of shocking to me (I grew up in an ultra conservative family in an ultra
conservative town!). Now, when I see it I just think, “Duh!”
The readings by Bobbie Harro really
helped me sort of figure out the science behind socialization. I liked that we
read both “The Cycle of Socialization” and “The Cycle of Liberation” because it
made me realize that as much of a bummer it is right now that we’ve been
socialized from the very beginning to think a certain way about different
groups of people in society, there is hope for freedom from this very school of
thought!
I think a lot of what Harro
described in “The Cycle of Socialization” was so evident in the video about
Park Avenue. We have been socialized to think that the rich, dominant people
are there because they deserve it—they worked harder, they are smarter, they
are all around better. Reading about the idea that we are first socialized by
the people we love and trust the most, our family, made a light bulb go off in
my head—since I was young, my parents have drilled the importance of hard work in
me and I have always equated that with success. This was, of course, enforced
by the people I interacted with growing up and by a fear of thinking any
differently. However, I recently listened to a podcast (I think it was This American Life) where a woman talks
about how, in fact, hard work does not always
equal success. It was really fascinating and I wish I could remember what it
was called (we even watched a video of her talk in Professor Rhodes class)!
The Park
Avenue video was a good reminder of what I already know—because if I’ve learned
anything in my government classes, it’s that our government is basically owned
by the wealthy, who then condemn the working class for not working hard enough.
I was pretty shocked by the amount of money we spend on saving banks when
they’re in a crisis—how incredible would it be if people we as eager to spend
that money on actual people instead?! While I understand it’s easy to have
contempt for the rich after watching this video, I am instead grateful for
people like Charles Butt (the grandson of the woman who started H-E-B). He is a billionaire who recently
announced he’s giving $100 million to improve schools in Texas (here is the
link to the story if anyone is interested: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2017/02/02/h-e-bs-shy-billionaire-explains-donating-100-million-improve-texas-schools).
How cool is that! Like someone in the video said, there's nothing wrong with being rich, but don't get to a place where you're rich and not thinking about anybody else. I think a lot of people would do well to look to Mr. Butt as
an example.
Sources:
Adams, Maurianne. Readings for Diversity and Social Justice. New York: Routledge, 2000. Print.
Park Avenue: Money, Power, and the American Dream. PBS, 28 Nov. 2012. Web.
Hi! I love your blog post, I can totally relate to it. I really enjoy the Cycle of Liberation, how much we can actually do to make a difference all starts right there within the information that is given in that chapter. The difference between the rich and the poor is not what it looks like; the rich work harder and the poor are lazy but instead, it is capitalism, corporate and government corruption, and all of the aspects within those structures that have been the root causes of inequality ever since. Being socialized by who we love and trust the most looks like it is really what starts it all, influenced by the root causes that are already in place. I hope that we could start to change the negative patterns that exist. I wish that I had paid more attention in my government and history classes because so much information either seems to be patrolled, rewritten, or I just don’t remember anything from those classes. But I have come to the conclusion based on everything that has been going on, what I see, what I can understand and comprehend in society, it just looks like government is the most influential social structure that causes inequalities. I don’t understand how it has all of this power to make changes, laws, jobs, and whatever else it does but it looks like nothing is being done like it needs to be. I also used to think that popular retail stores were also the culprit of some of these issues by stealing business from local stores but hearing about the HEB billionaire planning to give back to schools in Texas sounds like a good plan. I hope it successfully goes through.
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog! My parents drilled them same ideals into my head growing up. That success belongs to those who put in the extra elbow grease and time. Unfortunately, this is true for some of those who have the privilege to strive for their goals. But if you come from a place of disadvantage because race, sex, sexuality, religion, socioeconomic status or ability you do not receive success by just working harder than others.
ReplyDeleteI was also taken back by the large sums of money that are spent to get banks out of trouble, yet the government is constantly cutting the social welfare programs. I hope this is something that will change soon and the money will go to helping the majority of the population and not just looking out for the wealthy’s best interest. It is was crazy to me that some of these wealthy elite believe that if everyone worked as hard as they do they would be able to pull themselves out of poverty.
Thank you for sharing that story about Mr. Butt. It is great to see wealthy individuals using their money to give back to those who need it. I hope others will look at Mr. Butt and follow the great example he is setting.
Hey Sarah! I am also from a conservative small town, and I totally understand how you use to feel so much differently about diversity than you do now. This week I also wrote about overcoming a sheltered past. Coming to UT and being educated has done strides to change my opinions.
ReplyDeleteI found your thoughts about hard work fascinating. I have never heard of anyone separating hard work from success. I have seen a lot of hard working men and women that were not classified as successful. For example, my grandfather was a plumber and my grandmother was a nurse. They both had incredibly strenuous jobs but because they were not in a certain tax bracket they have never been considered successful. Maybe this example demonstrates exactly why the concepts of success and hard work should be separated.
I also think that it is great that you were able to see such hope in the cycle of liberation and not let that get overshadowed by the cycle of socialization as well as maintain hope for big business. Honestly your enthusiasm throughout your blog was very refreshing. When dealing with social justice issues it is difficult for me to see the bright side and you made it incredibly easy. I also found your example of Charles Butt endearing and empowering. Endearing because he was just so adorable, but empowering because of his social position. Mr. Butt is very wealthy, white, and male, he is taking notice of oppression, recognizing his privilege and doing something beneficial with his power. This is an ideal situation for a social worker and I don’t think there was a better illustration of what we have been talking about in these first couple of weeks.