The four I’s of Oppression Blog 3

     This week in FNED 246, my class had to read about the Four I’s of Oppression by Luna Malbroux which further described the four main aspects of oppression. First Luna talked about ideological oppression which ultimately is the belief and ideas that promote inequality. I thought of an example of what makes a “real girl” or a “real boy” and how there are certain beliefs as to what makes a guy or a girl. Next, she introduced interpersonal oppression. Interpersonal oppression includes micro aggressions which happens between people and includes words that hurt others. Micro aggressions are small, often unintentional actions or comments that convey disrespect or bias. For example, asking a person of color, "Where are you really from?" implies they are not fully accepted. Then she discussed institutional oppression. This type of oppression is imbedded in organizations, laws and systems. One prime example would be schools in wealthier areas often receiving more funding than those in poorer areas. Last, she discussed internalized oppression. Internalized oppression is when people internalize negative stereotypes about their own identity, leading to self doubt and low self esteem. By understanding these forms we can better recognize and address systematic oppression to create a more inclusive society. All of these levels are interconnected, leaving the oppressed group feeling vulnerable to judgement and ridicule. After reading this I realized the system of oppression is not recognized so much that I know I would like to avoid it in my classroom at all costs.

Blog 2- Other people’s Children-The Silenced Dialogue

      This week we read “Other people’s children-The Silenced Dialogue” by Lisa Delpit, a reading that focused on issues with power in the education system. Students come from all sorts of different backgrounds, and speak different languages and Lisa brought attention to the “culture of power” which benefits the typical white, middle-class students. “Those with power are frequently least aware- or least willing to acknowledge- its existence. Those with less power are often most aware of its existence.” (Delpit 26.) Lisa stated this and it is in relation to Alan Johnson’s speech and short novel which also touched on the obliviousness from white people and their privilege. Delpit has 5 main aspects of “the culture of power” that she brought up and the first stated, issues of power are enacted in the classroom. The way I interpreted this was different ways another group could have a higher4 level of power over the other such as the power of teachers over their students. The first three of the aspects are used in the sociology of education and they focus on the power between liberal educational movements and that of non-white, non middle class teachers and communities. I do believe as a white person I understand my privilege as I see oppression towards other groups, and especially when I visited and observed other classrooms here in Providence I even had better opportunities with my education as I was growing up. Some students come from low-income families which doesn’t make them any less than the other students from the middle of upper class and knowing that Distar was being used to question the ability of non- white students while learning was disappointing. The approach that Distar was using was described as “The teacher is supposed to use continuous eye contact, finger snaps,, hand claps and other gestures…”(Delpit 27). Distar had discouraged students and had them lose motivation to continue a lesson although it was not because of their instructional efficacy, but because of the “expression of explicit power in the classroom” (Delpit 28).

    While reading this I understood the power behind her message and no, race is not the only deciding factor of power in the classroom, but I would not have portrayed that as her message. Lisa Delpit expressed how marginalized student of color are taught in the classroom and how language and power both play a factor in how they are taught. Another scenario that caught my eye was when one East Indian man went in for a interview for an all white committee and it quickly turned to a fail because the interviewees became more and more indirect with their questions and made them nearly unanswerable which tripped up the applicant and he did not get the job. This was a prime example of abusing their power as an all white committee and therefore added to the culture of power. After reading this article I really feel knowledgeable about the culture of power, and intend to stop the cycle rather than continuing it on. 

Allan Johnson Power, Privilege, and Difference Blog 1

     After reading Privilege,Power and Difference by Alan Johnson I realized the impact he was trying to portray to the reader. Alan Johnson gave a presentation on privilege and difference between races and the oppression that people face. He brings attention to inequality and how people struggle talking about or feel uncomfortable talking about it. Why do we feel uncomfortable talking about racism? According to Dr Alan Johnson’s presentation he believes silence is perpetuating racism because it’s racist to think of any other race as an uncomfortable topic. Alan emphasized that it is systematic but not to individuals and becoming uncomfortable or defensive to these topics was embedded in social normals. Why is it that we as humans in this systematic society find it hard to break the cycle of racism? 

    As Alan Johnson stated, “I’m a human being, not a part of the white people”(Johnson), this statement was meant to make a lasting impact on the audience and have them realize the way we talk about communities we are associated as a white person. If you were a person of color, would you like to be known as ‘the black person’? Probably not, that’s because we put the idea in our heads that it’s okay to classify someone by their skin color. The acronym ‘SCWAAMP’ stands for straightness, Christianity, whiteness, Americanness, able-bodieness, maleness, and property ownership.While reading through the article about SCWAAMP I realized a theme of ideology, “The Christian, white, straight, male, able-bodied, property owner, and American”. My ideology is different than what this article talked about and this ideology was imperfect. When I become an educator in the near future, I want my students to feel safe and welcomed in the classroom, I do not want them to have their eyes opened to an ideology where they think they are not good enough for everyone around them. 

    While listening to the presentation by Dr. Alan Johnson I quickly made the assumption that he might not know what he’s talking about, and I realized I can be part of the issue with early judgments. Although, I am pretty good at avoiding the typically ideology standards I do think Alan Johnson made a good point in white identification and how we are part of a dominant group of people. To break the white identification cycle is to really show improvement and not be quick with judgments. To wrap up this blog, Alan Johnson wrote a great book overlooking privilege and power of one certain group and with his words of empowerment to break the cycle I believe we as humans can change the standard ideology, and overlook one’s race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religious stand points.