This quarter has been transformative.
Throughout the quarter, I saw many of my fellow student body members having eye-opening experiences. For me, Social Justice was a practice in patience and realizing and accepting the differences between people. It was hard for me to accept people's different places in the Social Justice sphere. Group discussions and individual, one-on-one discussions revealed to me how imbedded racial/ethnic labels and stereotypes are.
In my own life, I began to increasingly identify myself as Asian American. My racial identity as defined in America became more prominent throughout the quarter. In my early 20's I struggled with identity. I had done extensive traveling in Korea and Japan. At this time in my life I felt American, but when I went to Korea suddenly I was surrounded by people who looked like me. However, these people did not accept me as Korean, I was American. Then in Japan, I was once again surrounded by people who I blended in with. I saw them as Japanese, but the Japanese saw me as nominally Japanese. Of course when I spoke they realized I was American and eventually realized that I had a Korean ancestry. When I returned to America, the norm was no longer people who exuded my physical appearance. Thus the existential journey continued. No one looked like me, but I was American. I was an individual and nothing could have made me more American. Yet somehow, I did not feel that I belonged in American culture.
Social Justice has created this awareness again. I am the Asian American when I am in public. People acknowledge and see me as an Asian. My daily interactions over the quarter have felt more influenced by the fact that I look different from the norm - living in Portland, one of the whitest cities in America does not help.
On top of this, a friend that I got to connected with has decided to start a blog for Korean Americans to discuss identity and the Korean American experience. Thus far our posts have been introductory, but the overarching themes thus far exhibit similar notions. Where do we belong in a society that champions individuality, but by institutionalized racism and implicit norms shuns differences from the status quo?
Through the last intensive I had many great small group conversations about Social Justice. I came to realize that many of my peers were exhausted from feelings of privilege. Also, there was a point of insight that was not being reached, collectively. Speaking together in a smaller, intimate setting allowed each of us to truly delve into the sensitive subjects of personal privilege and our different cultural experiences.
My final takeaway from Social Justice is the realization of how institutionalized racism is in America. Although we spoke about many forms of privilege and about many different spheres of influence, the discussion always came back to race. It is the easiest to identify and spans across other Social Justice spheres, such as gender, sexual orientation and age. As I come to terms with this realization and my ego subsides I believe I will see the great progress society has made.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
America - An Experiment in Diversity Training
I have found Social Justice to be a test of patience. Jill mentioned in response to my last post, "In discussions of race, it's my perception that people of color are "privileged" to speak the truth of their experience and perception in ways that "white people" are not."
I guess, as an 'other' of American society, it is frustrating to 'get it,' to see the underlying race implications throughout American culture and society, and then see how few people truly understand the tacit social norms and moors that reinforce the separateness of American society. People are deathly afraid of being racist. The moment you are labeled as 'racist,' the witch-hunt begins and suddenly your entire existence is negated. It truly is one of the worst things you can be called in America - a bigot, a racist...
There are personal experiences that surface when discussing identity politics. As a child I went to a diverse elementary. There were multiple times that I was selected to present my work before the school or to perform in front of an assembly of students. Once, I recited the morning Pledge of Allegiance; another time I read an essay aloud about why Francone Elementary is the best school (although I was 8 years old and had no other comparison - a great PR cuteness-scheme); another time I was the lead role in the 3rd grade play about How Cowboys Learned to Say YipeeKieYay...
These selections instilled an idea of 'privilege' within myself and created the dangerous snowball of being someone 'special.' Throughout much of my life, I attributed the selections to merit and talent within me. It was not until later in life when I searched through my own definitions of identity, that I begin to realize the other viewpoint. I was the posterboy for diversity at Francone Elementary.
Undoubtedly, I was not just selected due to my ethnic background, but there is a level of "let's get the cute Asian boy up on stage." I appeared on the news as a child during "Western Day." I was a very visible facet of Francone Elementary's, Cypress Fairbanks ISD's public relations strategy.
Later in life I worked at a law firm. The firm was largely conservative and had a very traditional, professional work culture. Until recently I had not noticed that months before I was hired, there were two Asian attorneys and one Hispanic Legal Assistant. Starting with the Legal Assistant, whom was hired a couple months before me, there was a string of 4 hires in a row that were all people of color. Two of those hires were completely unskilled for the positions they were hired for. So ultimately, I may have been involved in a diversity strategy.
I do not necessarily believe that the aforementioned situations involved deliberate discussion and strategy to select me because of my 'coloredness' or 'ethnic-qualities,' but it does hint at a deep unconscious strategy that permeates through American culture. There is an idea that to be a good American one consumes, works hard, champions equality, votes and raises a good family.
My selections in these processes may have, to some extent, tugged at the American quality of equality. I was a trendy selection in a society discussing affirmative action, race relations, diversity of workplaces, etc.
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As we move forward in delving deeper and deeper into how our social minds have been developed, it is my hope that people will give credence to the fact that our minds are shaped by the surrounding world. There is much that we do that is cultural; in fact I would make the argument that every decision we make is cultural. Blame my sociological perspective and my BA in Sociology and American Studies. My studies of American society largely focused on identity politics and American identity from the Cold War up to the 70s.
It boils down to the same idea every single time. To be American is to be different. It is to be an individual. It is the fact that we are all different, individuals that makes us all the same. Now if we could only realize this AND accept these facts then maybe we can began to truly understand each other and speak from a similar place.
People often ask how to expand their minds, how to approach differences (of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc). I still believe the answer is extremely easy and in front of everyone. Just talk to each other. Do not avoid people because you think they are different or you will not be able to communicate. Inquiry and genuine appreciation exposes the core traits we all share. We all eat, breathe, sleep, love, hurt... These are the facts.
I guess, as an 'other' of American society, it is frustrating to 'get it,' to see the underlying race implications throughout American culture and society, and then see how few people truly understand the tacit social norms and moors that reinforce the separateness of American society. People are deathly afraid of being racist. The moment you are labeled as 'racist,' the witch-hunt begins and suddenly your entire existence is negated. It truly is one of the worst things you can be called in America - a bigot, a racist...
There are personal experiences that surface when discussing identity politics. As a child I went to a diverse elementary. There were multiple times that I was selected to present my work before the school or to perform in front of an assembly of students. Once, I recited the morning Pledge of Allegiance; another time I read an essay aloud about why Francone Elementary is the best school (although I was 8 years old and had no other comparison - a great PR cuteness-scheme); another time I was the lead role in the 3rd grade play about How Cowboys Learned to Say YipeeKieYay...
These selections instilled an idea of 'privilege' within myself and created the dangerous snowball of being someone 'special.' Throughout much of my life, I attributed the selections to merit and talent within me. It was not until later in life when I searched through my own definitions of identity, that I begin to realize the other viewpoint. I was the posterboy for diversity at Francone Elementary.
Undoubtedly, I was not just selected due to my ethnic background, but there is a level of "let's get the cute Asian boy up on stage." I appeared on the news as a child during "Western Day." I was a very visible facet of Francone Elementary's, Cypress Fairbanks ISD's public relations strategy.
Later in life I worked at a law firm. The firm was largely conservative and had a very traditional, professional work culture. Until recently I had not noticed that months before I was hired, there were two Asian attorneys and one Hispanic Legal Assistant. Starting with the Legal Assistant, whom was hired a couple months before me, there was a string of 4 hires in a row that were all people of color. Two of those hires were completely unskilled for the positions they were hired for. So ultimately, I may have been involved in a diversity strategy.
I do not necessarily believe that the aforementioned situations involved deliberate discussion and strategy to select me because of my 'coloredness' or 'ethnic-qualities,' but it does hint at a deep unconscious strategy that permeates through American culture. There is an idea that to be a good American one consumes, works hard, champions equality, votes and raises a good family.
My selections in these processes may have, to some extent, tugged at the American quality of equality. I was a trendy selection in a society discussing affirmative action, race relations, diversity of workplaces, etc.
----------------------------------------------
As we move forward in delving deeper and deeper into how our social minds have been developed, it is my hope that people will give credence to the fact that our minds are shaped by the surrounding world. There is much that we do that is cultural; in fact I would make the argument that every decision we make is cultural. Blame my sociological perspective and my BA in Sociology and American Studies. My studies of American society largely focused on identity politics and American identity from the Cold War up to the 70s.
It boils down to the same idea every single time. To be American is to be different. It is to be an individual. It is the fact that we are all different, individuals that makes us all the same. Now if we could only realize this AND accept these facts then maybe we can began to truly understand each other and speak from a similar place.
People often ask how to expand their minds, how to approach differences (of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc). I still believe the answer is extremely easy and in front of everyone. Just talk to each other. Do not avoid people because you think they are different or you will not be able to communicate. Inquiry and genuine appreciation exposes the core traits we all share. We all eat, breathe, sleep, love, hurt... These are the facts.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
What does Social Justice mean to me?
What is most interesting about defining “social justice” is the way in which most people claim to have no experience with social justice. I believe most people’s main assumption is that experience to social justice, is working on a project that incorporates ideas of social justice, or experiencing moments of social injustice. I believe that these ideas can be used as lenses to unravel two large fallacies of American culture:
1. You are your career/Your career is what you do; and
2. Inability to talk about differences.
When meeting people, it is most common to be asked, “so, what do you do?” Of course the assumption within this question is an inquiry into a person’s career. Americans believe that what you do day-to-day is your defining characteristic. Hence, people are defined by their careers. There are many reasons why this could be, but to the core it’s how we define the American-self. Even on game shows, introductions include what the person does for a living. It is not likely that you will hear someone being introduced by the relationships they are involved in, by their interests or passions, etc. e.g. “This is John Smith from Anywhere, USA. So, what do you do in Anywhere, USA, John?”
Since we, as Americans, default to defining our identity to a career, it makes sense that most people when asked their experience with social justice would choose to answer based on experience at jobs, in projects or in. As a result, many people claim to have no experience in social justice. I am bothered by this answer, but not surprised.
Social justice is heeding attention to the equality of groups across the board. Every person in society exists somewhere in the social justice sphere. Daily, we make choices that affect others; hence we are all constantly involved in some way with the idea of social justice.
Maybe one reason why most people hesitate to claim experience with social justice is the stigma that, the privileged are to blame for society’s inequities. I know as a racial/visual minority that I can speak about racial issues with ease, without fear of being judged. I am not of the privileged ethnic race in America and thus am given free reign to speak out on race issues. However, I have known many Caucasians who hesitate to speak about racial issues for fear of saying something wrong or exposing their racial assumptions in a public forum. This is the second fallacy in American culture. We are taught, and it is a reinforced social norm, that we all deserve the same opportunities regardless of our background or differing qualities. As a result, when people see someone as different they avoid acknowledging that observation for fear of being considered racist, ageist, sexist, etc. When you are the culprit of observation, you take on the responsibility for having noticed that difference. For example, if someone states that I am Asian, suddenly I am not just anyone to them, I am “that Asian.” For me, now that this person has labeled me as Asian, when they make decisions that involve me, I assume that label is connected to the decision.
It is a complicated subject and a difficult idea/thesis that I am obviously still working out. What I do know with certainty, is that Americans are inherently all the same and all very different at the same time. Our similarities and differences are complex to the core and we avoid discussion of both. We are a politically correct culture, and we avoid genuine conversation about our differences.
My father has said that when he offers to buy everyone lunch, his black employees usually requested that he buy fried chicken. This is a fact. I worked with him for 8 years and his black employees often made this request. Now, these statements will bother the majority of people who read the beginning of this paragraph. Isn’t that racist? That’s a generalization. Etc. However, my father has made this observation based on his experience. Empirically he is right. I do not believe that he would be right in assuming that because his experience has shown that his black employees like fried chicken that all black people must like chicken – that would be too small of a sample to make such an inference. What my father has done in these statements is something that I have seen many first generation Americans and older Americans do. They state obvious observations and use race as an identifying factor. I am not supporting or condoning this use of racial labels; however, if people truly think this way, having them hide their thoughts and censor themselves only avoids the problem. It is my firm belief that differences need to be brought out into the open. We are not the same. We are different. Let’s appreciate those differences and learn from each other’s strengths to create opportunity between different peoples.
I hope that Social Justice as a course will give people the opportunity to explore their own identities and learn the differences between themselves and others. I hope that an environment is created that is safe and comforting, so that people can take risks and say things they are afraid to say in public. What we think is our own personal truths, and only by speaking our own personal truths can we ever reach a collective reality and agreement.
1. You are your career/Your career is what you do; and
2. Inability to talk about differences.
When meeting people, it is most common to be asked, “so, what do you do?” Of course the assumption within this question is an inquiry into a person’s career. Americans believe that what you do day-to-day is your defining characteristic. Hence, people are defined by their careers. There are many reasons why this could be, but to the core it’s how we define the American-self. Even on game shows, introductions include what the person does for a living. It is not likely that you will hear someone being introduced by the relationships they are involved in, by their interests or passions, etc. e.g. “This is John Smith from Anywhere, USA. So, what do you do in Anywhere, USA, John?”
Since we, as Americans, default to defining our identity to a career, it makes sense that most people when asked their experience with social justice would choose to answer based on experience at jobs, in projects or in. As a result, many people claim to have no experience in social justice. I am bothered by this answer, but not surprised.
Social justice is heeding attention to the equality of groups across the board. Every person in society exists somewhere in the social justice sphere. Daily, we make choices that affect others; hence we are all constantly involved in some way with the idea of social justice.
Maybe one reason why most people hesitate to claim experience with social justice is the stigma that, the privileged are to blame for society’s inequities. I know as a racial/visual minority that I can speak about racial issues with ease, without fear of being judged. I am not of the privileged ethnic race in America and thus am given free reign to speak out on race issues. However, I have known many Caucasians who hesitate to speak about racial issues for fear of saying something wrong or exposing their racial assumptions in a public forum. This is the second fallacy in American culture. We are taught, and it is a reinforced social norm, that we all deserve the same opportunities regardless of our background or differing qualities. As a result, when people see someone as different they avoid acknowledging that observation for fear of being considered racist, ageist, sexist, etc. When you are the culprit of observation, you take on the responsibility for having noticed that difference. For example, if someone states that I am Asian, suddenly I am not just anyone to them, I am “that Asian.” For me, now that this person has labeled me as Asian, when they make decisions that involve me, I assume that label is connected to the decision.
It is a complicated subject and a difficult idea/thesis that I am obviously still working out. What I do know with certainty, is that Americans are inherently all the same and all very different at the same time. Our similarities and differences are complex to the core and we avoid discussion of both. We are a politically correct culture, and we avoid genuine conversation about our differences.
My father has said that when he offers to buy everyone lunch, his black employees usually requested that he buy fried chicken. This is a fact. I worked with him for 8 years and his black employees often made this request. Now, these statements will bother the majority of people who read the beginning of this paragraph. Isn’t that racist? That’s a generalization. Etc. However, my father has made this observation based on his experience. Empirically he is right. I do not believe that he would be right in assuming that because his experience has shown that his black employees like fried chicken that all black people must like chicken – that would be too small of a sample to make such an inference. What my father has done in these statements is something that I have seen many first generation Americans and older Americans do. They state obvious observations and use race as an identifying factor. I am not supporting or condoning this use of racial labels; however, if people truly think this way, having them hide their thoughts and censor themselves only avoids the problem. It is my firm belief that differences need to be brought out into the open. We are not the same. We are different. Let’s appreciate those differences and learn from each other’s strengths to create opportunity between different peoples.
I hope that Social Justice as a course will give people the opportunity to explore their own identities and learn the differences between themselves and others. I hope that an environment is created that is safe and comforting, so that people can take risks and say things they are afraid to say in public. What we think is our own personal truths, and only by speaking our own personal truths can we ever reach a collective reality and agreement.
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