Concepts of Privilege and Oppression

Concepts of Privilege and Oppression Nathon D. Camacho-Morfin This paper will dissect a passage from Monica Caspers No Justice for Trayvon: White Women in the Jury Box, and argue that those of privilege are blind to the oppression of others or choose to stay ignorant of these matters. It will further argue that racism, capital, and the prison industrial complex, all contribute to sustaining privilege and the oppression of others. In No Justice for Trayvon: White Women in the Jury Box, Monica Casper writes about her experience when she and her colleague, a white woman, had a conversation about the infamous Zimmerman trial. In this conversation, her colleague stated, We need to trust the justice system . . . this was a case we never should have known about it was blown up by the media and it never even should have come to trial (No Justice for Trayvon). Casper goes on to say how they both had different feeling about this matter, she also points out how her colleague uses the term we say that it is used for inclusion as often as it is of exclusion (No Justice for Trayvon). It is the very same we that Dorothy Allison writes about in A Question of Class. Allison talks about how class and privilege are sustained by the Us vs. Them mentality. In that mentality, there is always a we and a they, this creates a disconnect from others and makes one ignorant of what privileges others lack. It also perpetuates the false belief that in order to maintain privilege and security the they must stay oppressed. Allison writes that the horror of class stratification, racism, and prejudices is that some people begin to believe that the security of their families and communities depends on the oppression of others, that for some to have good lives there must be other whose lives are truncated and brutal (35). Allison points out class stratification as one form of the oppression of others, class stratification can be characterized by the three forms of capital, which are economic capital, social capital, and cultural capital. Another form of oppression that Allison points out is racism, which can be seen in the transcript of George Zimmermans call to the police. He looks black Now hes just staring at me These assholes always get away (No Justice for Trayvon). Again, we can see a display of the Us vs. Them mentality in this quote. Another way racism is displayed is in the prison industrial complex as described by Angela Davis in Are Prisons Obsolete?. Davis discusses that prisons are ideologies of the middle class, but most importantly the white middle class. Consequently, the majority of the prisoners are people of color because they are seen as undesirables. This is a tool of oppression, which is then used to exploit prisoner labor force and generate profit for private corporations. Davis states, The fact, for example, that many corporations with global markets now rely on prisons as an important source of profit helps us to understand the rapidity with which prisons began to proliferate when official studies indicated that the crime rate was falling. The notion of a prison industrial complex also insists that the racialization of prison populations and this is not only true of the United States, but of Europe, South America, and Australia as well is not an incidental feature (Davis, p.85) In Racism and Feminism,, Bell Hooks, states that The first white womens rights advocates were never seeking social equality for ALL women; they were seeking social equality for WHITE women (p.124). Indicating that white women did not consider black womens oppression or black womens concerns, as their own concerns. We can see from Caspers colleagues response that she too does not view the Zimmerman verdict at all upsetting like Casper does, showing that she does not consider, or chooses to be ignorant in the oppression of black people, because of her white privilege; just like the early womens rights advocates were. Works Cited Allison, Dorothy. 1994. A question of class. In Skin: Talking about Sex, Class Literature. Ithaca, NY: Firebrand Books; pp. 13-36. Casper, Monica J. 2013. No Justice for Trayvon: White Women in the Jury Box. The Feminist Wire. July 17 Davis, Angela. 2003. Are Prisons Obsolete? New York: Seven Stories Press. 9-21 and 84-104. Hooks, bell. 1981. Ch. 4: Racism and Feminism. In Aint I a Woman? Boston: South End Press. Pp. 119-158.

Mark Twain :: Essays Papersw

Mark Twain Samuel Langhorn Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, was born in 1835. Twain was and still is a famous renowned writer of his time and still today. At an early age, Twain’s father died, forcing him to leave school to find a job to support his family. He was forced into â€Å"poor boys college†, into an apprenticeship at a printing press in his home town. As much as Twain didn’t like his job, he learned valuable information. While working at the printing press, he picked up good writing techniques, and learned from mistakes in bad writings. While learning in the printing press, he was also learning about life through his fathers mistakes. Twain concentrated on the importance of time. Twain felt that his father had died bankrupt from financing his money in things that failed because of bad timing. He soon learned the techniques of timing. Twain left his apprenticeship at the printing press and found another job apprenticing himself on a steam boat on the Mississippi River. Twain felt that this was valuable training and that it was the first time he really got to use his mind. Working on the steam boat made Twain become well known with nature. He also became aware of his ability as a writer and went to Navada. Twain dreamed of the riches his father never had. He often switched jobs looking for wealth. He worked a newspaper job and in gold fields, but his career was soon to be in writing. â€Å"The Lincoln of literature† is what Twain was soon called. His first famous writing was The Celebrated Jumping Frog. Twain would use personal past experiences in his writings from his boyhood, for example in his book Hannibal. Twain soon became the most famous man alive of his time, Twain, of course, gives all credit to his inner source of timing.

“Pride and Prejudice”: Lady Catherine and Elizabeth Bennet Essay

In Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, Lady Catherine and Elizabeth Bennet are absolute opposites. Jane Austen portrays Elizabeth Bennet as an intelligent, independent, yet strong character, in a soft and feminine manner. The cruel and dominating personality traits are left for characters such as Lady Catherine. In Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, Lady Catherine and Elizabeth Bennet are absolute opposites. Elizabeth is a realistic and masterful character, which makes all her qualities of strength and independence intensify and create an ideal stability between her emotions and what is reality. Her passion and overwhelming capability to stand her ground is just an introduction into her ability to be able to oversee the weak, the naà ¯ve and the dominating. Elizabeth proves her daring abilities in her meeting with Lady Catherine, which leads to a battle between respect and independence. Elizabeth tested Lady Catherine’s desires for personal information by holding back her true story, and Elizabeth suspected that she was â€Å"the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with such dignified impertinence†(124-125). Elizabeth is a character who has enough courage to acknowledge her faults and her inaccuracy. After reading Darcy’s letter, she distinguished the fact that she had judged him incorrectly. She scolded herself for her inaccurate opinions and for being blinded by her thoughts. She wasted no time in facing up to the unpleasant truth about herself â€Å"How despicably I acted. Till this moment I never truly knew myself†(156). Her character is greatly respected and creditable for admiration. She is a character that is undeniably strong and intellectual, and at the same time fascinating. Lady Catherine is introduced into the novel as an exceedingly wealthy character. She has a desire to let others know of their inferior rank. Lady Catherine takes pleasure in involving herself in other people’s affairs. Without any hesitation, she recommends her advice whenever she feels necessary. She believes it is part of her right to inform people of how they should conduct their lives. She voices her opinion periodically throughout the novel, and makes her opinions clear, You know I always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the idea of two young women traveling post by themselves†¦ I have the greatest dislike in the world of that sort of thing†¦ I am glad it occurred to me to mention it†¦(pg.158-159). One of Lady Catherine’s most evident characteristics is her necessity and enjoyment of receiving flattering compliments. She loves to hear compliments from others because it allows her to keep her authority intact. Lady Catherine isn’t full of independence and strength because she thrives off other people’s inferior status. â€Å"Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being poorly dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved† (Mr. Collins, p.120). Lady Catherine is an uncomplicated character that feels disgusted by others who try to contradict her. Throughout the novel it is evident that the characteristics of Elizabeth Bennet and Lady Catherine, are at many times, repealed against each other. Most noticeable to the novel is that Lady Catherine seems to completely lack the capacity for reflection and self-awareness, while Elizabeth masters these traits and is able to use them to strengthen her personal traits. The two personalities of Lady Catherine and Elizabeth are so offset that it creates a feel of constant hostility between the two characters. Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, represents the qualities of independence and lack of self-awareness between the two characters, Lady Catherine and Elizabeth Bennet, who differ completely.

Analysis Of The Book The Grapes Of Wrath - 2876 Words

Introduction In chapter one of the Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck paints a picture of the severe weather occurring throughout Oklahoma and its harsh affects on the farms and farmers. In the third chapter the he gives a symbolic story of a turtle who is trying to cross a road but then is purposely hit by a driver. The turtle lands on its back and then has to greatly struggle to cross the road. The harsh weather and the mean driver both represent the hardships in life that come as a result of outside forces that cannot be controlled by an individual (Steinbeck, 1939). This idea is discussed in chapter one of Poverty and Power by Edward Royce. Royce talks about how the hardship of poverty is not due to an individual s lack of ability or effort but rather economic, political, cultural, and social forces and structures beyond one s control (Royce, 2015). The various forces and structural forms of poverty and inequality that are discussed in the text Poverty and Power, can be seen in The Grape s of Wrath as the Joad family s poverty, inequality, and overall hardships are a result of various systems. The Economic System and Poverty In chapter five of Poverty and Power, it discusses the economic system and its impact on poverty. The lack of employment opportunities greatly contributes to the poverty problem and the text states that the lack of jobs/good jobs has to do with various economic forces including deindustrialization, globalization, corporate restructuring, and theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Book Grapes Of Wrath 1436 Words   |  6 PagesTyler Jordan Ms. Mittleman Honors American Lit. September 14, 2014 â€Å"Humanity’s Wrathful Curtain† In his historical fiction, Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck characterizes the Joad family as one of the many migrating farming families subjected to prejudice and seclusion on their journey to California. Similarly, in T.C. Boyle’s Tortilla Curtain, Cà ¡ndido and Amà ©rica are victims of animosity and discrimination after fleeing their homes in Mexico to seek a better life in Los Angeles. In their storiesRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Grapes Of Wrath 904 Words   |  4 Pages The majority of people in the United States are lucky enough to have a place they can return to every night and call their home. Unfortunately, for the Joad and Walls families, this is not the case. The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, tells the story of the Joads, a poor family of tenant farmers forced off their farm in Oklahoma due a bank foreclosure. Because of the circumstances they suffered, including being trapped in the Dust Bowl and economic hardship, the Joads set out for CaliforniaRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Grapes Of Wrath 1193 Words   |  5 PagesTo quote Ma Joad in the film The Grapes of Wrath, â€Å"I ain t never gonna be scared no more. I was, though. For a while it looked as though we was beat. Good and beat. Looked like we didn t have nobody in the whole wide world but enemies. Like nobody was friendly no more. Made me feel kinda bad and scared too, like we was lost and nobody cared....Rich fellas come up and they die, and their kids ain’t no good and they die out. But we keep a comin’, we’re the people that live. They can’t wipe us out;Read MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Grapes Of Wrath 2169 Words   |  9 PagesThis is also known because of the fact that he uses several of his life experiences, repeatedly, throughout his various novels. Everyday strife, effects his characters in any given book. Across Steinbeck’s different works, patterns of grieving, lifestyle, and culture, are often mirrored across plots. B oth The Grapes of Wrath and The Pearl embody Steinbeck’s archaic view of divine human culture. All his characters were real people. Through traveling and journalism, and his study of people, he has carvedRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Grapes Of Wrath 2253 Words   |  10 PagesThe Grapes of Wrath Introduction The devastating effects of the dust storms mainly in western Oklahoma and the preceding rain failure caused families to flee to California. The banks repossession for their property and homes pushes them further into depression. Unguaranteed about a better future or even about the next meal, the families take their chances. Their arrival into California is however a disappointment as there are no jobs for them. Most ‘okies’ in the Hovervilles end up dead dueRead MoreThe Grapes of Wrath: The Role of Ma Joad1252 Words   |  6 PagesThrough the roughest times in life, we come across crises that reveal the true character in those around us. Those who are strong are divided from the weak and the followers divide from the leaders. In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, author John Steinbeck presents the character Ma Joad who serves an important role as the rock that keeps the family together. The Joad family, apart from many families in Oklahoma, is forced to leave their h omes in search of work and better opportunities; CaliforniaRead More The Pain of the Okies Exposed in The Grapes of Wrath Essay1485 Words   |  6 PagesThe Pain of the Okies Exposed in The Grapes of Wrath      Ã‚  Ã‚   The Dust bowl was an ecological and human disaster in the Southwestern Great Plains regions of the United States in the 1930s. The areas affected were Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. The poor handling of the land and years of drought caused this great disaster (Jones History). During this time the Okies--a name given to the migrants that traveled from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, or anywhere in the Southwest or the northernRead MoreBlack Boy And The Grapes Of Wrath Analysis1728 Words   |  7 PagesThe bible is a pretty exhilarating book; tales of bearded men crossing deserts, talking snakes, talking bushes, forbidden fruits, floods, adultery, and pregnant virgins. What more could you want? Well, you might want to escape poverty. Logically, your next question is: can religion accomplish this task? And according to Richard Wright and John Steinbeck, the answer is a resounding â€Å"no.† Wright and Steinbeck, pump their books, Black Boy and The Grapes of Wra th, respectively, full of biblical allusionsRead MoreEssay about The Grapes of Wrath - Lifestyle in the 1930s1164 Words   |  5 PagesThe Grapes of Wrath is a historical and fictional novel that was written by John Steinbeck in 1939. He wanted to show his point of view of life in US during the years of Great Depression. This essay will talk about the lifestyle the public had during that time which dramatically changed conditions that the environment in we stern part of US had. The plot of Steinbeck?s work of fiction is rooted in the historical and social events of 1930s America, specifically the environmental disaster in OklahomaRead MoreThe Use of Symbolism in The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck1052 Words   |  5 PagesThe Use of Symbolism in The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck The Grapes of Wrath is a novel by John Steinbeck that in my opinion illustrates the terrible conditions under which the migratory farm families of America during the 1930s were forced to live under. This novel in a very descriptive and emotional way tells of one familys migration west to California from Oklahoma (the Joad family) through the great economic depression of the 1930s. The story revolves around the family having to