The immigrant teens from the Caribbean feel they can be more
successful if they do not identify with African American blacks due to the
stereotypes that are associated with this group. The Caribbeans feel they have a higher status
(p69) and their parents view “African Americans as criminals, lazy, violent,
and uncaring about family.” (p72) Yet,
one parent worries that her child is becoming lazy, like the American
blacks. It makes me wonder if we are
talking about a generational problem more so than an ethnic problem. Are not many young, white, urban kids
considered lazy and even violent? Yet
again, I wonder if the socioeconomic issues are equally important to consider
as the racial, ethnic, and sexist issues in considering what students think
they can achieve. Also, the
discrimination they are exposed to makes it easier to lay the responsibility
for their failures, or lack of achievement, on others because of the difficulty
they have to overcome stereotypes.
Unfortunately, many kids, and adults, do not look inwards and reflect
and take responsibility for their own failure and this keeps them from learning
and moving forward.
As for Masculinity and Homophobia…
The stereotype of the classic male: “young, married, white, urban,…” (Kimmel,
p125). Is this still the case today
twenty years later? I just don’t see
it. Masculine, I think, would have
different descriptors today. I do agree
that men act differently when there are other men around than when there is a
woman, but I think women do the same thing.
Men have a burden to prove
themselves, whether as sons, brothers, boyfriends, husbands, fathers, or
friends. Each one involves different
levels of proof of love (or sex), power, responsibility, achievement, even
compassion. Not all of these can be ‘manly’,
nor should they be, and happiness in each of these roles comes in finding a balance
and demonstrating outwardly comfort with your own self – masculine or not.
On another note…
I just read an article on how new prenatal tests could lead
to more women aborting Down’s Syndrome babies – at a time when caring for a
Down’s baby has become ‘easier.’ Aren’t
these children a minority that is now being discriminated against?
I also read an interview with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He was asked if the US was ‘in a post-racial
era in professional sports and he answered, “ I don’t think we’ll ever be post-racial,
because of the fear and anxiety of dealing with the other – people who aren’t
like you. But the ability of racism to
distort and corrode our society has become a lot less.” I tend to agree with him, and I wonder if
there is some more current research that indicates this might be true.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing up the point about Down’s Syndrome babies and prenatal testing. It is true that they are a minority yet I would guess that many people would not consider them to be a minority. I think it’s a tough subject because anything relating to women’s reproductive rights usually raises an eyebrow. I remember reading an article similar to this a year or two ago. It was somewhere in the Midwest and they wanted to stop having prenatal testing because some women were deciding to have abortions after they found out their child would be born with a disability. Now the issue has come back into the spotlight with the presidential election coming up.
It’s a tough issue because you can see both sides of it but at the end of the day I think that women should have the right to any kind of prenatal testing that they want done. If a woman is going to abort a baby because the baby is MR, then that person needs to evaluate her life and morals. If it were me I’d want to know just so I could prepare properly by finding the best doctors and getting ready for the particular needs of a special needs child, not so I could just give up on that child. But I do agree with you, these unborn children are being discriminated against because of something that is beyond their control much like countless others are discriminated against because of the way they were born, but they were lucky enough to be born.
Thanks, Kim.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, and I am not about to tell anyone what they should do with their life or the decisions they make (well, except maybe helping my own kids). It just makes me sad when I read about how many more abortions are being performed as a result of pre-natal testing. I feel, like you, that it would be helpful to know if there were problems as a way to prepare. It is a sensitive issue because special needs run the gamut from very severe to cases to where life expectancy and quality of life are very high.
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteCaribbean Teens:
I liked how you highlighted the possibility of a "generational disconnect." I liked, too, how you highlighted the socioeconomic factor. Waters does seem to mention this, but doesn't "pull it out" enough, I think.
It's quite interesting that her findings show that those who "distance" themselves from the "Black American" stereotype seem to move toward an identity that seems more "open." The "Black American" stereotype is, of course, a stereotype itself from the Caribbean perspective.
Homophobia:
Being ignorant of much of this literature, Kimmel's article resonated with me; but, I can understand how you would find it "dated."
I still think it "holds up," though as a kind of anchor. Hopefully, we, as 'men,' as 'males,' are shifting our perspectives. I hope so. But, I do have to say that the model he describes is very real, nevertheless.
Discussion on Down Syndrome / Pre-Natal Screenings:
This is GREAT that you both brought this subject up—especially in light of ALL our readings thus far.
Why? Because all of our readings thus far operate on an "environment" based argument—i.e., a "socially constructed" reality. And hence, "influence" is put forth over "determinism."
This subject you've raised directly puts in relief examples of how some children / young adults' quality of life / or life at all will be "determined." Fate. Horrible.
Abdul-Jabbar:
His point is, I think, "right on the money." While progress has been made—(and we shouldn't forget that progress), we still have a ways to go.
Thanks for bringing up all these different issues.
Your quote from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar really helped put into focus the feelings I've had while reading the articles regarding race. I agree that by all means race issues still exist, but not nearly as much or as strong as they used to be. You also raised a good point regarding the need of masculinity to be proven by different parties. While I don't feel the need to flash my genitalia each day, I do admit that there is a constant need for approval, as there is almost always an unspoken competition for top-dog.
ReplyDelete