Response Summary - Blog 5

Blog 5 Summary

Sarah Wees & Bret Zingula

Chapter 10

Question 1: Which clip do you think portrays each respective time? Do you think there is a racial bias in either of these representations and why? What motives do you feel white women would have in practicing discretion with respect to race during these liberating times?

            Understandably, most of the responses were in congruence with each other. All of the responses easily labeled the clips to their respective times, and went on to identify racial bias within both, often in the form of the suppression of colored women. Many of you aligned yourself with Hooks’ suggested motives, identifying attitudes toward race and superiority typical of the time period and the fear of “asking too much” as reasons for discrimination and ignorance by white women. One comment I found insightful referred to the hierocracy of these empty motives stating, “They lacked substance because they were not being true to themselves and the movement they believed in due to their denial.”

Question 2: Do you feel this "evolution of perspective" is paralleled in our generation today with respect to the many issues of humanism such as sexism, racism, ageism, violence etc.? What external factors perpetuate this change? Do you believe this to be positive or negative?

            The majority of responses upheld the idea that we as an incoming generation do hold perspectives that challenge those that preceded us. To what degree however, varied. Many of you acknowledged that we’ve come a long way in mitigating issues of racism and sexism, but some still claim that the issues are just as prevalent today as in the past; although they may not be as authoritative or consciously accepted/acknowledged. Complimenting this was a statement that talked about how racism today is evasive and ignored, rather than strict and obvious. Some cited the lack of formal oppression that exists today in comparison to the past and the spread of ethical awareness and knowledge as factors that perpetuate these perspectives. The majority of you believed this phenomenon to be a positive transition as one person stated, “Being aware of how that is a wrong, we can better communicate with others, and with ourselves, to become better people.” However, in contrast, not necessarily realistic stating that “These issues are part of mankind and will never go away because I don’t think we can function as a society without their presence. Can we?”

Chapter 11

Question 1: What do you think could be some of the underlying causes of this violence? Hooks also notes that much of the public refuses to link the violence to patriarchal thinking or male domination, why do you think this is?

            Most people supported and cited that one major underlying cause for violence was insubordination both within and outside the home or family life. One statement saying, “Some underlying causes of patriarchal violence … [is] because they have no power outside of the home.” supported this. Feelings of low self-esteem and patronizing attitudes foster a distorted self-image and create hostility aimed at those who we view below us. Other contributing comments identified the way in which we attach violence to notions of power, masculinity, strength, and superiority. Another common approach to explaining violence concerned the way in which men and women are conditioned in childhood experiences with regard to the acceptance of violence.

            One argument that explained why we refuse to identify the link between violence and patriarchal thinking was the autonomous nature of our country, and how we focus on taking care of ourselves, instead of looking at underlying issues and the root cause of problems. In a similar light, others suggested that individuals try to reason or attribute the violence to causes that conflict less with their hegemonic ideals stating, “…[they try to] find easier and more poignant examples of what is causing violence, and not point the finger at the system itself.”

Question 2: After watching this video and thinking of some responses on your own, how do you think domestic violence between spouses and children can be related? Also, after the video, how do you think this issue of the two forms of violence being closely related each other can be brought more to light so that the issue can be more of a topic to be worked on being resolved? What steps do you think need to be taken to resolve this form of violence? (Sorry the clip is not in English, but the point still gets across.)

            As to how the occurrence of violence is related, many people cited the social learning theory, or how children learn the cycle of violence by observing it from their parents. Also these examples of violence are often triggered by similar emotions such as resentment, humility, anger, and aggression; held between both the spouses or the parents and children in question. Suggestions for combating the issue included educating both children and adults on how to reasonably and respectfully communicate emotions, and spreading awareness of the issue through educational institutions and tools with high exposure like the media and Internet.