Oh boy. I knew that going back to college was going to be a shock to my system. Without any pretense of being anything other than a class on the oppressed and the oppressors, I am taking a class called "Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class."
Allow me to present you with the definition of a "minority group" (quoting almost entirely from the textbook):
"A minority group can be quite large and can even be a numerical majority of the population... Minority status has more to do with distribution of resources and power than with simple numbers..."
A minority group has five characteristics:
1. The members of the group experience a pattern of disadvantage or inequality.
2. The members of the group share a visible trait or characteristic that differentiates them from other groups.
3. The minority group is a self-conscious social unit.
4. Membership in the group is usually determined at birth.
5. Members tend to marry within the group.
It is important to define and characterize minority groups so that society can help equalize the group's access to jobs, education, wealth, health care, and housing with that of the dominant group.
I've got to tell you that this class is already pushing all my buttons; I'll be lucky to curb my right thinking ways in order to get a good grade. I'm maintaining a 4.0 GPA at this point after four classes. Don't want to blow it but SHEEESH!
Allow me to present you with the definition of a "minority group" (quoting almost entirely from the textbook):
"A minority group can be quite large and can even be a numerical majority of the population... Minority status has more to do with distribution of resources and power than with simple numbers..."
A minority group has five characteristics:
1. The members of the group experience a pattern of disadvantage or inequality.
2. The members of the group share a visible trait or characteristic that differentiates them from other groups.
3. The minority group is a self-conscious social unit.
4. Membership in the group is usually determined at birth.
5. Members tend to marry within the group.
It is important to define and characterize minority groups so that society can help equalize the group's access to jobs, education, wealth, health care, and housing with that of the dominant group.
I've got to tell you that this class is already pushing all my buttons; I'll be lucky to curb my right thinking ways in order to get a good grade. I'm maintaining a 4.0 GPA at this point after four classes. Don't want to blow it but SHEEESH!
Comments
Now, where's my midnight basketball court? And no cracks about definition point number 5 or I'll see you in court with my brother/nephew/son-in-law the lawyer!
Kad and ShortDaddy, you'll be surprised to know that in the world of "college online" (aka, University of Phoenix) most of the students seem to profess some very strong Conservative values. I was flabbergasted at the number of "thank you for your service to our country" and "you're in my prayers" comments that hit the chatroom and some of the assignments. It seems we Conservatives have excused ourselves from the socialist classrooms and found our way into what is fast becoming the true stomping grounds of Conservatives -- the internet. I'm pleased so far. Although, one of my next classes is "Environmental Science." Guaranteed to be some mythology on Global Warming there, don't you think? ;-) Evidently for a BS in Computer Science, you have to wade through some "BS" Liberal Arts (and I do mean LIBERAL) classes!
Master Chief, I am a "Celtic/Hillbilly American" my danged self. I won't make any cracks about point #5 if y'all don't!
El Jefe, the textbook is "Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class" (Third Edition) by Joseph F. Healey. I highly recommend it for raising blood-pressure and/or guilt-tripping for we non-slave-owning white immigrant descendants about the disgrace of slavery in America in which we played no part... GRRR.
I'll be posting more on this class for sure. Chapter 2 on Assimilation and Pluralism is already raising my hackles and I'm only on the first page of that chapter!