Sam Quinn Blog #6 woops

Playing catch up here--my bad.

I think it is interesting how there are a variety of opportunities in the U.S. to be involved in a 'group' that is, or could be considered dominant. Race, Language, Socio-economic status are some of the first standards that come to mind, that can tend to marginalize minorities.

Race is visible, and for a long time so was the exclusion and marginalization that was a result of being a minority race in a majority 'White' nation. However, something I find significant is that in my social psych class, we talked about how racism has obviously moved from being explicitly acted upon, to something that can still exist but remains either more dormant, or is acted upon in more subtle/discreet ways.

Language is another barrier in the U.S. that can marginalize many, although those of us who have been raised speaking English hardly ever think of it. Nevertheless, immigrants and visitors definitely must fight an uphill battle when in the U.S., because despite our 'melting pot' impressions, we are not very accommodating to foreigners. There is this American attitude that seems to innately believe that if you come here, you should speak our language. While I feel like it is fair to have a nationally recognized language, there is no denying the severe threat it poses to true national discord when those who aren't yet completely fluent are given less opportunities to advance.

Thirdly, socio-economic status can be an extremely crippling factor in which dominant groups can control from the top who gets to advance in this area. I am very lucky to have been born in the situation I was born into...I have 4 brothers and sisters, and my mom and dad worked hard to make sure we had enough food, a house, and books/toys as we grew up. (See how I moved from needs to wants there ha.) My mom sewed a lot of our clothes when I was younger to help save money, and even as we were older we never wore brand name stuff until very recently. My parents seem to me to be the example of how the right amount of thrift, a little bit of spoiling, and very hard work can pay off...I have them to thank for my college education, and for all of the priviledges I've received, from cars to clothes, etc. Now I compare my situation with some of those less fortunate, and realize that depending on how far down the socio-economic totem pole you are, the hearder it is to climb up it. My brother works at high risk schools in D.C. as a physics teacher, and shares stories that make my skin crawl with guilt. When I would complain about gas money and permission to stay out later, he tells me his students don't always have cars to get to their jobs, which they work at in order to raise money for their families.

When I look at just these examples, I see different forms of marginalization, some that we can work to change, and others that will be more difficult to work around. The way I see it, there is always someone who feels like they are excluded, and on the outside: but that doesn't give the dominant folks an excuse to look the other way when such people are crying out for help! If only we lived in a Utopia haha.