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access to resources, illustrating the political power of language. The traditional names that dominant groups use for minoritized groups have their roots in racist history and were not chosen by the minoritized group (such as “Colored People” “Oriental” or “Eskimo”, which are all terms that should be avoided). Further, it really isn’t that difficult to […]

Rejecting the Politics of Language “What do they want us to call them now?” “You mean I have to watch everything I say?” Language is a form of knowledge construction; the language we use to name a social group shapes the way we think about that group. To think critically about language is to think

What does this insistence rationalize or excuse? Refusing to Recognize Structural and Institutional Power “Women are just as sexist as men.” “I’m the only male in my group so I am oppressed.” “People of Color are racist too.” Given the deeply embedded patterns that develop from our group identities, simply being the only dominant member

Ignoring Intersectionality “I am oppressed as a lesbian, so I might be White but I have no privilege.” 246 “I think the true oppression is classism. If we address class, all the other oppressions will disappear.” People who raise this kind of objection have usually spent a lot of time thinking about their own oppression.

Insisting on Immunity from Socialization “I was taught to treat everybody the same.” “My parents raised me to believe that it didn’t matter that I was a girl, I could be anything I wanted.” “That’s not my experience.” In addressing the claim that one has been immune to the forces of socialization, we offer the

Appealing to a Universalized Humanity “Why can’t we all just be humans?” “We all bleed red.” “It’s focusing on difference that divides us.” Biologically we are all humans, of course. But socially we are members of hierarchically organized groups. Where we are in dominant groups, we are taught to see our perspectives as neutral, objective,

  Arguing That Oppression Is Just Human Nature 244 “Injustice exists in every society—it’s just human nature.” “Somebody has to be on top.” Because it’s virtually impossible to separate nature (biology) from nurture (culture), claims that specific human dynamics are natural are very difficult to substantiate. There is no line at which we can say

  Citing Exceptions to the Rule “Barack Obama was president so racism has ended in the United States.” “I have a friend who’s Latina and she’s the CEO of the company.” “My professor is openly gay and he still got tenure.” There are two types of exceptions that people commonly raise. One type is citing

Claiming That Schools Are Politically Neutral “Politics has no place in schools.” “It’s not a school’s place to teach values.” Many people believe that schools are apolitical spaces and that the knowledge taught in them is neutral. However, schools have a very long history of political struggle. Specific debates such as whether creationism and/or evolution

How are race and gender embedded in the patterns identified above Patterns to Practice Seeing 1. Consider your friends, family, and most trusted business associates. What classes are they from? Do you notice a pattern in the class positions of those in your closer social circles? 2. How do you and the people in your