Ideology: Write a “slogan” on your card for a cause that you believe in (can be anything). Show these to the class, loud and proud

Dominant Discourse/Hegemony: On the flip side of the card, what is the dominant (majority) opinion about the issue you feel strongly about (if there is more than one, list the most dominant thoughts even if opposing). How does your ideology compare in the face of the dominant discourse?

Wire 1: Social Sanction

Aspects of difference that are social sanctioned as OK. Society says its OK to note the differences, and possibly to express and act on power differentials based on difference.

Wire 2: Legal Sanction

Aspects of difference that are legally sanctioned. Laws are passed that justify different courses of action based on a perceived difference, or that legally dictate differences in civil rights based on aspects of difference.

Wire 3: Institutionalization

Difference is so integrated into the social and legal system that its assumed to be a “truth” or natural functioning of society to have that difference as a part of daily life. The dominant discourse becomes the only allowable discourse either because there is no (voiced) opposition.

Prejudice: Holding a fixed opinion about treatment based on difference. Prejudice is a complicated web of both internal responses (bias) and external actions.

Stereotypes: Can be positive or negative. What are some common stereotypes that are a part of the dominant discourse in the United States?

Idealizing: What groups to we look to in an idealized manner? How can this create harm for an individual?

Bias: What groups do we tend to look at more or less favorably? What happens when the dominant discourse is biased in favor of (or against) one group in particular?


Thinking about stereotypes, idealizing, and bias...consider participating in the following exercise (warning: results do often indicate some levels of bias of which we may not be aware):

Implicit Associations Test http://www.understandingprejudice.org/iat/

Slurs: Words that are used to diminish or demean the status of a particular group. Words that may once have been a slur may move into the “dominant discourse” which actually further perpetuates the depth with which a group may be stigmatized.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/poll-just-kidding-doesnt-make-online-slurs-o...

Microaggression: brief, everyday exchanges that can denigrate...or dis-empower...individuals because of their group membership. Usually, a dominant group may (intentionally or unintentionally) engage in microaggressions that impact a minority group.

How do we respond to microaggressions in daily life? “It’s the little things….”

http://www.microaggressions.com/

Discrimination: Literally, the ability to detect difference. In how we apply it, detecting difference when different shouldn’t be an issue (i.e. housing discrimination, employment discrimination)

Profiling: When does a “suspect” become suspect? Is it just based on one characteristic? Profiling can become oppression when it is one-sided (i.e. about one’s status) rather than a collection of facts being used to help investigate a crime or disappearance, for example.

Know your legal rights if you are profiled:

https://www.aclu.org/drug-law-reform-immigrants-rights-racial-justice/know-...

Segregation: Separating groups with the presumption that there is some benefit to groups not mixing together. Political systems like Apartheid in South Africa, as well as the “Jim Crow” laws and policies in the United States are examples of segregation.

How can we change segregation by changing our preferences? Here is an online logic game to help illustrate how a change in preferences can lead to a more integrated society:

http://www.understandingprejudice.org/segregation/

Birdcage: illustration of the various “wires” that intersect to shape the way that interpretations of difference impact daily life. Read, “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou

Caged Bird

A free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wing in the orange suns rays and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage
can seldom see through his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings