Brian Gerker
ETHN 101
Reading Journal Entry #9
9-25-2007
Ronald Takaki “The ‘Giddy Multitude’: The Hidden Origins of Slavery”
In “The ‘Giddy Multitude’: The Hidden Origins of Slavery,” Takaki’s thesis is pointing towards how slavery cam about in America, and the negative effects it would later lead to. He starts by telling the story of Caliban and how slavery all started, and he ends by telling how people like Thomas Jefferson wished slavery to be abolished because of what was coming from the slave populations.
To sum things up in “The ‘Giddy Multitude’: The Hidden Origins of Slavery,” Takaki tells the story of how slavery began in the Americas. He stated that both whites from England and blacks from Africa were used and abused of slave trading ships and brought overseas where they were sold. Takaki also offers details and information on how the slaves were poorly treated under their masters control. Also, examples of punishments were given for misbehaved slaves, and whites that mixed with blacks in any way were severely punished. One big example is the list of “criminals” and their punishment to work for a number of years to work off certain pounds of tobacco. Along with this, the “Giddy Multitude” of people wanted their own land that big land owners would not give them, or not allow them to settle. Free men were also not able to gain land ownership of land they were promised and took anger against it. With all these indentured servants and free man being taken advantage of for many years would lead to revolts. This is why Jefferson was so worried about a race war in America, which eventually did happen.
One question that can be raised about Takaki’s arguments is, wasn’t this all necessary to make America the country it is today? In society today, many recognize that what happened in the past was wrong and they attempt to make things right, with new laws and privileges. The question could mean that America had to go through these times of slavery and mistreatment to become the great multicultural country that it is today. The answer could be yes or no really. It could have been the only possible way to make America so great, or no, that things could have been handled better from the beginning, which is also true.
Personally I gained a good deal of information from the reading. Many include the details of the slaves mistreatments, but I was not so aware of many of the smaller sort of revolts that took place and the “Giddy Multitude” of people was new to me. Overall I thought this was a good reading with great details and information.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Entry #8 Johnson, A "Getting Off the Hook: Denial and Resistance"
Sorry doesn't cut it, I know I missed this one, I will do better in the future.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Entry#7 Johnson, A "What it all has to do with us"
Brian Gerker
ETHN 101
Reading Journal Entry #7
9-16-2007
Johnson, A PPD Chapter 6 “What It All Has To Do With Us””
In, “What it all has to do with us,” Johnson begins with his thesis that “The discomfort, defensiveness, and fear come in part from not knowing how to talk about privilege without feeling vulnerable to anger and blame. Facing privilege, and confronting it is easily avoided, most often by following the path of least resistance. Johnson believes that individualism and following the easy path are all linked together with systems and individuals.
In “What it all has to do with us,” Johnson starts by discussing individualism and how “society encourages us to think that the social world begins and ends with individuals.” He says that privileges do not even exist through individualistic thinking. He says how people can either talk about something, or not talk about it. Issues of controversy such as sexism and racism are usually avoided in this way, or not talked about, because people choose not to talk about it, which is the easy path. It all ties in together in social systems. Individual participation within a system is also important, because different systems can cause people to behave differently. Johnson tells about individuals and choosing the “path of least resistance.” His one example shows individual behavior acting in a system was of a person telling a joke. If someone would tell a joke about racism, the easy path would be to smile or laugh, and the hard path would be to resist the joke, or tell someone about the “evil” in it. Johnson says that “as long as we participate in social systems, we don’t get to choose whether to be involved in the consequences they produce . . . whether to be just part of the problem or be part of the solution.” This is the best summary of the passage. Social systems are everywhere, and individuals have to participate in the, there is no way around it. Whether at school, or with your family, or with your friends, you are in a social system that will change behavior of people, taking away their individual “power and also their responsibility.”
One example used by Johnson could raise differences in his arguments. He states that he was on an elevator and faced the opposite way, not looking at the door, and people stared at him or looked at him oddly. In this way he was breaking the social system of the elevator ride, or choosing the path of most resistance. However, if people always took the path of most resistance as Johnson did, there would be nothing but complete chaos. What if everyone in an elevator faced the wrong way, then no one would know when they got to their floor. These systems that Johnson seems to look down upon bring order to society. Even though people would be looked down upon for acting out rashly, it is a way to keep things balanced. People could start walking on the roads and cars would drive on the sidewalks for one example of how people would not follow the path of least resistance. The social systems that people have created are not always a terrible thing.
What Johnson wrote in “What it all has to do with us” was all relatively new to me. At least his point of view in the discussion, I have never seen before. I did not however enjoy the reading very much. It did not offer much, but seemed to look down on how society runs itself. It all seems to work, even if everyone does choose the easy path.
ETHN 101
Reading Journal Entry #7
9-16-2007
Johnson, A PPD Chapter 6 “What It All Has To Do With Us””
In, “What it all has to do with us,” Johnson begins with his thesis that “The discomfort, defensiveness, and fear come in part from not knowing how to talk about privilege without feeling vulnerable to anger and blame. Facing privilege, and confronting it is easily avoided, most often by following the path of least resistance. Johnson believes that individualism and following the easy path are all linked together with systems and individuals.
In “What it all has to do with us,” Johnson starts by discussing individualism and how “society encourages us to think that the social world begins and ends with individuals.” He says that privileges do not even exist through individualistic thinking. He says how people can either talk about something, or not talk about it. Issues of controversy such as sexism and racism are usually avoided in this way, or not talked about, because people choose not to talk about it, which is the easy path. It all ties in together in social systems. Individual participation within a system is also important, because different systems can cause people to behave differently. Johnson tells about individuals and choosing the “path of least resistance.” His one example shows individual behavior acting in a system was of a person telling a joke. If someone would tell a joke about racism, the easy path would be to smile or laugh, and the hard path would be to resist the joke, or tell someone about the “evil” in it. Johnson says that “as long as we participate in social systems, we don’t get to choose whether to be involved in the consequences they produce . . . whether to be just part of the problem or be part of the solution.” This is the best summary of the passage. Social systems are everywhere, and individuals have to participate in the, there is no way around it. Whether at school, or with your family, or with your friends, you are in a social system that will change behavior of people, taking away their individual “power and also their responsibility.”
One example used by Johnson could raise differences in his arguments. He states that he was on an elevator and faced the opposite way, not looking at the door, and people stared at him or looked at him oddly. In this way he was breaking the social system of the elevator ride, or choosing the path of most resistance. However, if people always took the path of most resistance as Johnson did, there would be nothing but complete chaos. What if everyone in an elevator faced the wrong way, then no one would know when they got to their floor. These systems that Johnson seems to look down upon bring order to society. Even though people would be looked down upon for acting out rashly, it is a way to keep things balanced. People could start walking on the roads and cars would drive on the sidewalks for one example of how people would not follow the path of least resistance. The social systems that people have created are not always a terrible thing.
What Johnson wrote in “What it all has to do with us” was all relatively new to me. At least his point of view in the discussion, I have never seen before. I did not however enjoy the reading very much. It did not offer much, but seemed to look down on how society runs itself. It all seems to work, even if everyone does choose the easy path.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Entry #6 PPD Chapter 3 "Capitalism, Class, and the Matrix of Domination"
Brian Gerker
ETHN 101
Reading Journal Entry #6
9-11-2007
Johnson, A PPD Chapter 3 “Capitalism, Class, and the Matrix of Domination”
In “Capitalism, Class, and the Matrix of Domination,” Johnson’s apparent thesis is that Capitalism, throughout the years, has formed slavery, classes, and social differences. Johnson states that “Capitalism played a major role in the development in white privilege,” and he also raises an important question, “What did Capitalism have to do with the origins of white racism?”
To summarize “Capitalism, Class, and the Matrix of Domination,” Johnson begins by explaining what Capitalism is, and why it had a big role in creating class, slavery, and privileges. Capitalism began by people, mainly whites at the time, wanting to make a profit. A way slavery is connected with Capitalism is that white men sold Africans to make a profit, and it became their business. Chinese were also used as cheap labor in making the railroads. This is also the first steps in creating social order and classes amongst the Capitalist system. This set up that whites were above the enslaved peoples. Capitalism also created differences among gender as well as race. Women were, and are, not treated or compensated the same as men. Capitalism seems to have put men above women in working society. Also, the moving of businesses, and threatening employees is another way the Capitalism has led to differences. Moving a business over seas will allow a business to possess very cheap labor, but it takes those jobs away from those who deserve them more. Capitalism, and peoples craving to make money seem to create classes essentially. The fact that the bottom 60% of people in America are fighting over ¼ of the nation’s wealth is quite significant. This is another reason why classes are so different, that the upper class is hording 75% of the wealth and letting the middle and lower classes dog fight over the bones that are left.
A question that can be raised against Johnson’s thoughts on Capitalism, in reference to moving jobs overseas, is if we kept all jobs here in America, wouldn’t it inflate prices of everything? Johnson states that moving jobs is an unfair advantage to white workers and that it is one way for capitalists to just make money. However, using this cheap labor is a way for Capitalist society to provide cheaper goods to consumers. If we kept the jobs in America and gave them all to white workers, they would expect wages and benefits far beyond that of foreign workers. Therefore, if production costs more, so will the goods, and that will cause inflation of prices, and possibly even more poverty. This is one aspect of Capitalism that could cause much controversy.
Personally, I was not too enthused about this reading. I already knew about mostly everything discussed. Also, I may have interpreted some portions differently, but I don’t believe Capitalism has as much of a negative impact that Johnson makes it seem. Capitalism is formed to produce the best for the greater good. Sure it makes only a few people significantly wealthier than others, but it also makes the standard of living better for America.
ETHN 101
Reading Journal Entry #6
9-11-2007
Johnson, A PPD Chapter 3 “Capitalism, Class, and the Matrix of Domination”
In “Capitalism, Class, and the Matrix of Domination,” Johnson’s apparent thesis is that Capitalism, throughout the years, has formed slavery, classes, and social differences. Johnson states that “Capitalism played a major role in the development in white privilege,” and he also raises an important question, “What did Capitalism have to do with the origins of white racism?”
To summarize “Capitalism, Class, and the Matrix of Domination,” Johnson begins by explaining what Capitalism is, and why it had a big role in creating class, slavery, and privileges. Capitalism began by people, mainly whites at the time, wanting to make a profit. A way slavery is connected with Capitalism is that white men sold Africans to make a profit, and it became their business. Chinese were also used as cheap labor in making the railroads. This is also the first steps in creating social order and classes amongst the Capitalist system. This set up that whites were above the enslaved peoples. Capitalism also created differences among gender as well as race. Women were, and are, not treated or compensated the same as men. Capitalism seems to have put men above women in working society. Also, the moving of businesses, and threatening employees is another way the Capitalism has led to differences. Moving a business over seas will allow a business to possess very cheap labor, but it takes those jobs away from those who deserve them more. Capitalism, and peoples craving to make money seem to create classes essentially. The fact that the bottom 60% of people in America are fighting over ¼ of the nation’s wealth is quite significant. This is another reason why classes are so different, that the upper class is hording 75% of the wealth and letting the middle and lower classes dog fight over the bones that are left.
A question that can be raised against Johnson’s thoughts on Capitalism, in reference to moving jobs overseas, is if we kept all jobs here in America, wouldn’t it inflate prices of everything? Johnson states that moving jobs is an unfair advantage to white workers and that it is one way for capitalists to just make money. However, using this cheap labor is a way for Capitalist society to provide cheaper goods to consumers. If we kept the jobs in America and gave them all to white workers, they would expect wages and benefits far beyond that of foreign workers. Therefore, if production costs more, so will the goods, and that will cause inflation of prices, and possibly even more poverty. This is one aspect of Capitalism that could cause much controversy.
Personally, I was not too enthused about this reading. I already knew about mostly everything discussed. Also, I may have interpreted some portions differently, but I don’t believe Capitalism has as much of a negative impact that Johnson makes it seem. Capitalism is formed to produce the best for the greater good. Sure it makes only a few people significantly wealthier than others, but it also makes the standard of living better for America.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Entry #5 "Differences, Privileges and Oppression"
Brian Gerker
ETHN 101
Reading Journal Entry #5
9-9-2007
Johnson, A PPD Chapter 2 “Privilege, Oppression and Difference”
In “Privilege, Oppression and Difference” Johnson’s thesis is based around people’s differences and privileges associated with them. Johnson states that “The trouble that surrounds difference is really about privilege and power.” Johnson seems to believe that people with higher ranks on the social pyramid have more privileges and power in society, specifically in America. Johnson also brings about that oppression is conceived in the same manner. People that are “normal” force people that are different into oppression because they believe they deserve greater power.
Johnson begins in “Privilege, Oppression and Difference” by promoting the idea that differences are created through people’s fear. He says it is “. . . inevitable that you’ll fear and distrust people who aren’t like you and, in spite your good intentions, you’ll find it all but impossible to get along with them.” Johnson thinks that people are afraid of strange things that are new. Johnson then presents the Diversity Wheel. The wheel presents categories in which people discriminate others such as race, gender, age, ethnicity, and sexuality. He then later uses the categories and gives examples of differences between people who are male or female, white or colored, older or younger, and heterosexual or homosexual. These examples Johnson uses are how he shows how privileges are given to people that are more prestigious, or are dominant. McIntosh in Johnson’s writing believes there are two types of privileges known as “unearned entitlements” and “conferred dominance.” Johnson then presents real life examples of privileges that exist such as how people that are male or white can get cars for cheaper, or that heterosexuals can display pictures of their partners without being harassed. All of these privileges also relates to unfair treatment of people in acquiring jobs, wealth, and income. “To have privilege is to be allowed to move through your life without being marked in ways that identify you as an outsider, as exceptional or ‘other’ to be excluded, or to be included but always with conditions.”
A consequence for our world in today’s society, from Johnson’s view could be that privileges and oppression could become worse. Some people may read “Privilege, Oppression and Difference” and think that these differences are okay. Specifically, white males could realize the privileges they receive in society, and they will therefore always expect preferential treatment. This document shows some very important things about differences and their relationship to privileges and oppression that people face in the real world.
Personally, I already was aware of differences in society, but Johnson provided more details of some things that I was not aware of before. After the reading I thought that the privileges that people have just because of their race, gender, age, or ethnicity are not really fair to others in society. Ones who are disabled, celebrities, farmers, whites, blacks and anyone who is different in any way should have the same privileges as everyone else.
ETHN 101
Reading Journal Entry #5
9-9-2007
Johnson, A PPD Chapter 2 “Privilege, Oppression and Difference”
In “Privilege, Oppression and Difference” Johnson’s thesis is based around people’s differences and privileges associated with them. Johnson states that “The trouble that surrounds difference is really about privilege and power.” Johnson seems to believe that people with higher ranks on the social pyramid have more privileges and power in society, specifically in America. Johnson also brings about that oppression is conceived in the same manner. People that are “normal” force people that are different into oppression because they believe they deserve greater power.
Johnson begins in “Privilege, Oppression and Difference” by promoting the idea that differences are created through people’s fear. He says it is “. . . inevitable that you’ll fear and distrust people who aren’t like you and, in spite your good intentions, you’ll find it all but impossible to get along with them.” Johnson thinks that people are afraid of strange things that are new. Johnson then presents the Diversity Wheel. The wheel presents categories in which people discriminate others such as race, gender, age, ethnicity, and sexuality. He then later uses the categories and gives examples of differences between people who are male or female, white or colored, older or younger, and heterosexual or homosexual. These examples Johnson uses are how he shows how privileges are given to people that are more prestigious, or are dominant. McIntosh in Johnson’s writing believes there are two types of privileges known as “unearned entitlements” and “conferred dominance.” Johnson then presents real life examples of privileges that exist such as how people that are male or white can get cars for cheaper, or that heterosexuals can display pictures of their partners without being harassed. All of these privileges also relates to unfair treatment of people in acquiring jobs, wealth, and income. “To have privilege is to be allowed to move through your life without being marked in ways that identify you as an outsider, as exceptional or ‘other’ to be excluded, or to be included but always with conditions.”
A consequence for our world in today’s society, from Johnson’s view could be that privileges and oppression could become worse. Some people may read “Privilege, Oppression and Difference” and think that these differences are okay. Specifically, white males could realize the privileges they receive in society, and they will therefore always expect preferential treatment. This document shows some very important things about differences and their relationship to privileges and oppression that people face in the real world.
Personally, I already was aware of differences in society, but Johnson provided more details of some things that I was not aware of before. After the reading I thought that the privileges that people have just because of their race, gender, age, or ethnicity are not really fair to others in society. Ones who are disabled, celebrities, farmers, whites, blacks and anyone who is different in any way should have the same privileges as everyone else.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Entry #4 "Race" The Power of Illusion: The Difference Between Us" Screening
Brian Gerker
ETHN 101
Reading Journal Entry #4
9-4-2007
Video Screening “Race: The Power of Illusion: The Difference Between Us”
I was unable to watch the video on this subject, but I did however, read the transcript that was provided along with the movie. The transcript which I read was quite interesting. It told of how there should not be any racial differences among human beings, because the genetics of any human beings is so similar, that biology cannot be used as a way to classify races. I also thought that the por
tions on Jesse Owens and Jewish basketball players was quite significant. Athletes are probably the best known people that can be compared biologically to show differences. I believe this mostly because of the stereotypes of races and sports. How African-American’s are best at basketball and Mexican’s are best at baseball. It is important that biology has shown that even though it seems some races are better at certain sports, there is no biological differences that make it so.
I also found to be amusing that the panel of selected people were tested for biological differences and found surprising results. It seemed logical for the whites to believe they would have the most in common, and the blacks would have the most in common, and the Asians would have the most in common, but it did not turn out that way. I think this is essentially important in the way that we look at others. They should not be judged by their skin appearance, but what they are inside that. The experiment done in the movie, or the transcript, proves this.
After reading the transcript, I felt that if everyone would see the movie, or read about it, there should be no questioning about racial differences. We should all realize that having a different color of skin does not make a human any different, other than their outside appearance. We should be able to see that on the inside, through the biological studies that were performed, we are almost completely the same. It was stated that any two humans are more closely related than any two fruit flies. The transcript mentioned that comparing two fruit flies would be like comparing a human to a chimpanzee. This is very significant because comparing two humans would just be like comparing two humans, because they are so closely related genetically. I think that after all this genetic evidence, differences and even stereotypes of races, should be forgotten.
ETHN 101
Reading Journal Entry #4
9-4-2007
Video Screening “Race: The Power of Illusion: The Difference Between Us”
I was unable to watch the video on this subject, but I did however, read the transcript that was provided along with the movie. The transcript which I read was quite interesting. It told of how there should not be any racial differences among human beings, because the genetics of any human beings is so similar, that biology cannot be used as a way to classify races. I also thought that the por
tions on Jesse Owens and Jewish basketball players was quite significant. Athletes are probably the best known people that can be compared biologically to show differences. I believe this mostly because of the stereotypes of races and sports. How African-American’s are best at basketball and Mexican’s are best at baseball. It is important that biology has shown that even though it seems some races are better at certain sports, there is no biological differences that make it so.I also found to be amusing that the panel of selected people were tested for biological differences and found surprising results. It seemed logical for the whites to believe they would have the most in common, and the blacks would have the most in common, and the Asians would have the most in common, but it did not turn out that way. I think this is essentially important in the way that we look at others. They should not be judged by their skin appearance, but what they are inside that. The experiment done in the movie, or the transcript, proves this.
After reading the transcript, I felt that if everyone would see the movie, or read about it, there should be no questioning about racial differences. We should all realize that having a different color of skin does not make a human any different, other than their outside appearance. We should be able to see that on the inside, through the biological studies that were performed, we are almost completely the same. It was stated that any two humans are more closely related than any two fruit flies. The transcript mentioned that comparing two fruit flies would be like comparing a human to a chimpanzee. This is very significant because comparing two humans would just be like comparing two humans, because they are so closely related genetically. I think that after all this genetic evidence, differences and even stereotypes of races, should be forgotten.
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