Fear of Difference — systematic social phenomenon based on difference between social groups Stereotype — generalization made about a person based on their group affiliation(s) Prejudice — attitude based on limited information, often stereotypes. Usually, but not always, a negative value is given. Discrimination — when a group or affiliation is used to motivate the actions of once individual over another Institutionalized Oppression — process by which group members begin to recognize/believe stereotypes about them (they think they fit them) Internalized Oppression — process by which group members believe stereotypes and change behaviors, consciously or subconsciously, to fit them |
The Answer:
From 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.
What does seem to create real and lasting change is highly-motivated individuals usually only handfuls at first- who are so clear and consistent on, insure that they serve as a heartbeat in a community, steadily sending out waves that touch and change those in their path.
What is an Ally?
An ally is a member of a dominant group in our society who works to dismantle any form of oppression from which she or he receives the benefit. Allied behavior means taking personal responsibility for the changes we know are needed in our society, and so often ignore or leave to others to deal with. Allied behavior is intentional, overt, consistent activity that challenges prevailing patterns of oppression, makes privileges that are so often invisible, and facilitates the empowerment of persons targeted by oppression.
Making a Difference
I use the term "oppression" to describe the combination of prejudice plus access the social, political, and economic power on the part of a dominant group. Racism, a core component of oppression, has been defined by David Wellman as a system of advantage based on race. Wellman's definition can be altered slightly to describe every other form of oppression. Hence we can say that sexism is a system of advantage based on gender, the heterosexism is a system of advantage based on sexual orientation, and so on. In each form of oppression there is a dominant group- the ones that receive the unearned advantage, benefit, or privilege- and a targeted group- the one that is denied that advantage, benefit, or privilege.
We also know that everyone has multiple social identities. We are all dominant and targeted simultaneously. Some are simultaneously dominant as a white person and targeted as a woman. A white able-bodied man may be dominant in those categories, but targeted as a Jew or a Muslim or as a gay person. Some people are, at some point in their lives, entirely dominant- but if they are, they won't be forever. Even a white, able-bodied, heterosexual, Christian male will literally grow out of his total dominance if he reaches old age.
Allies are whites who identify as anti-racists, men who work to dismantle sexism, able-bodied people who are active in the disability rights movement, Christians who combat anti- Semitism and other forms of religious prejudice. Allied behavior usually involves talking to other dominants about their behavior.
Available to each one of us in the categories where we are dominant is the proud and honorable role of ally: the opportunity to interrupt the cycle of oppression.
Reducing Violence
Recall that oppression is kept in place by two factors:
1. Ideology, or the propagation of doctrines that purport to legitimize inequality; and
2. Violence (or the threat of violence) by the dominant group against the targeted group.
According to the studies, the only factor that statistically increases a woman's changes of survival is if the victimizer himself is exposed to direct and ongoing anti-battering intervention.
In 1992, for instance, the model program in Quincy helped cut the incidence of domestic homicide to zero. The batterers Anonymous groups, in which men who are former perpetrators work with men who are current batterers, have also had remarkable success in breaking the habit of violence. These groups are allied behavior made manifest - their success in reducing the incidence of violence against women is now statistically proven.
Allied behavior is an effective way of interrupting the cycle of violence by breaking the silence that reinforces the cycle, and by promoting a new set of behavior through modeling and mentoring.
Choosing Our Own Roles
Quaker expression: "Let your life by your teaching."
When we stop colluding and speak out about the unearned privileges we enjoy as members of a dominant group - privileges we have been taught for so long to deny or ignore- we have potential to undergo and inspire stunning transformation. Consider the words of Gandhi: "As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world, as in being able to remake ourselves."
Preparing for the Long Haul
Finally two additional points about is in our role as allies: First, we don't always see the results of our efforts. Second, there is no such thing as a perfect ally. We are imperfect, but we are steady. We are courageous but not faultless. If we obsess about looking good instead of doing good, we will get caught in a spiral of ineffective action. Let's not get side-tracked or defeated because we are trying to be perfect.
From 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.
What does seem to create real and lasting change is highly-motivated individuals usually only handfuls at first- who are so clear and consistent on, insure that they serve as a heartbeat in a community, steadily sending out waves that touch and change those in their path.
What is an Ally?
An ally is a member of a dominant group in our society who works to dismantle any form of oppression from which she or he receives the benefit. Allied behavior means taking personal responsibility for the changes we know are needed in our society, and so often ignore or leave to others to deal with. Allied behavior is intentional, overt, consistent activity that challenges prevailing patterns of oppression, makes privileges that are so often invisible, and facilitates the empowerment of persons targeted by oppression.
Making a Difference
I use the term "oppression" to describe the combination of prejudice plus access the social, political, and economic power on the part of a dominant group. Racism, a core component of oppression, has been defined by David Wellman as a system of advantage based on race. Wellman's definition can be altered slightly to describe every other form of oppression. Hence we can say that sexism is a system of advantage based on gender, the heterosexism is a system of advantage based on sexual orientation, and so on. In each form of oppression there is a dominant group- the ones that receive the unearned advantage, benefit, or privilege- and a targeted group- the one that is denied that advantage, benefit, or privilege.
We also know that everyone has multiple social identities. We are all dominant and targeted simultaneously. Some are simultaneously dominant as a white person and targeted as a woman. A white able-bodied man may be dominant in those categories, but targeted as a Jew or a Muslim or as a gay person. Some people are, at some point in their lives, entirely dominant- but if they are, they won't be forever. Even a white, able-bodied, heterosexual, Christian male will literally grow out of his total dominance if he reaches old age.
Allies are whites who identify as anti-racists, men who work to dismantle sexism, able-bodied people who are active in the disability rights movement, Christians who combat anti- Semitism and other forms of religious prejudice. Allied behavior usually involves talking to other dominants about their behavior.
Available to each one of us in the categories where we are dominant is the proud and honorable role of ally: the opportunity to interrupt the cycle of oppression.
Reducing Violence
Recall that oppression is kept in place by two factors:
1. Ideology, or the propagation of doctrines that purport to legitimize inequality; and
2. Violence (or the threat of violence) by the dominant group against the targeted group.
According to the studies, the only factor that statistically increases a woman's changes of survival is if the victimizer himself is exposed to direct and ongoing anti-battering intervention.
In 1992, for instance, the model program in Quincy helped cut the incidence of domestic homicide to zero. The batterers Anonymous groups, in which men who are former perpetrators work with men who are current batterers, have also had remarkable success in breaking the habit of violence. These groups are allied behavior made manifest - their success in reducing the incidence of violence against women is now statistically proven.
Allied behavior is an effective way of interrupting the cycle of violence by breaking the silence that reinforces the cycle, and by promoting a new set of behavior through modeling and mentoring.
Choosing Our Own Roles
Quaker expression: "Let your life by your teaching."
When we stop colluding and speak out about the unearned privileges we enjoy as members of a dominant group - privileges we have been taught for so long to deny or ignore- we have potential to undergo and inspire stunning transformation. Consider the words of Gandhi: "As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world, as in being able to remake ourselves."
Preparing for the Long Haul
Finally two additional points about is in our role as allies: First, we don't always see the results of our efforts. Second, there is no such thing as a perfect ally. We are imperfect, but we are steady. We are courageous but not faultless. If we obsess about looking good instead of doing good, we will get caught in a spiral of ineffective action. Let's not get side-tracked or defeated because we are trying to be perfect.