In the article, “A Socially Relevant Philosophy of Science? Resources from Standpoint Theory's Controversiality,” by Sandra Harding, it addresses the controversiality of standpoint theory. Harding is a feminist philosopher that is well known for contributing to the discovery of standpoint theory. The article goes to explain what standpoint theory is, how it came about, and how it affects peoples’ thoughts. The theory is defined as an effort to develop inner-subjective discourses. Harding goes to explain that standpoint theory “organized and explained away the diverse ways women were oppressed and dominated” (Harding, 2004). This uncovers the sexism that still occurs in the world today to different extents. It also faces the question of how much of this ongoing sexism is okay, and to what degree it can be handled without it being detrimental to society.
This article also talks of the difference between dominant groups versus oppressed groups, and how their awareness varies on the above named issues. However, Harding’s focus is only on the controversiality of the standpoint feminist theory, and not whether or not it is good for a society.
Harding, Sandra. (2004). a socially relevant philosophy of science? resources from standpoint theory's controversiality . Hypatia, 19(1), Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3810930?&Search=yes&term=standpoint&term=theory&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dstandpoint%2Btheory%26wc%3Don%26dc%3DAll%2BDisciplines&item=5&ttl=92755&returnArticleService=showArticle
In the second article I found, titled “’Telling the Story Her Own Way’: The Role of Feminist Standpoint Theory in Rhetorical Studies,” by Glen McClish and Jacqueline Bacon, the focus is more on how standpoint theory can affect rhetorical studies. This article states that, “from the standpoint of an oppressed group such as women is more valid than the knowledge of those in dominant positions in society” (McClish & Bacon 2002). The thought is that the voice of a marginalized group accurately reflects a deeper knowledge of dominant groups. It gives a different perspective than the ones usually given by dominant groups of society, and allows a critique of such groups.
McClish, G, & Bacon, J. (2002). "telling the story her own way": the role of feminist standpoint theory in rhetorical studies . Rhetoric Society Quarterly, 32(2), Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3885975?&Search=yes&term=standpoint&term=theory&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dstandpoint%2Btheory%26wc%3Don%26dc%3DAll%2BDisciplines&item=12&ttl=92755&returnArticleService=showArticle
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tim Wise Review
Racism Awareness: A Wise Decision
Tim Wise has been quoted saying, “Racism is an ideology that says certain people, by virtue of their race, are either inferior or superior to others of a different race” (Wise qt. by Cook, 5). Wise has worked as a racial justice activist for many years and is a well renowned author. In a 2009 interview with The Sun, he spoke on how the issues of racism and privilege contribute to the setup of racial boundaries in America today, and how it still affects us.
Ever since Africans and Caucasians have interacted white people have been viewed as the superior race. However incorrect this perspective is people of light skin have been granted more opportunities, which Wise describes as privileges (By the Color). These privileges range from job opportunities to housing loans; in these cases, a person of color may have the same qualifications as a white person, but will not receive the same treatment, only because of their race. For example its known “that job applicants with “white-sounding” names are 50 percent more likely to get called back than those with “black-sounding” names, even if both have the same qualifications” (Cook 6) This fact shows that even today in normal situations racism and white privileges are still prevalent in society.
These issues in America are still present, but harder to target specifically. This is greatly contributed to by white ignorance, meaning that the belief that racism is nonexistent in America, as many would like to believe, only leads to the problem being ignored. Societies in different areas in the United States deal with racism and white privileges in many ways. As Wise described “Southerners know race is an issue, and that’s half the battle.” (Cook 11) This awareness is key to how race is constructed. Areas that are more aware of race and acknowledge it are more likely to eventually resolve or lessen the impact of racism then areas that falsely believe that people are all treated equally.
Hearing of this social inequality only makes us more aware of racism around us. This positively changes our perspective on society and how others are treated. Although we cannot change what has happened in the past, we may be able to prevent it in the future by being more understanding and less judgmental of others. Hopefully, racist tendencies will discontinue in America someday, allowing all a truly equal opportunity to afford better lifestyles—this includes access to healthy foods, and better eating communities, as discussed in paper three.
Tim Wise has been quoted saying, “Racism is an ideology that says certain people, by virtue of their race, are either inferior or superior to others of a different race” (Wise qt. by Cook, 5). Wise has worked as a racial justice activist for many years and is a well renowned author. In a 2009 interview with The Sun, he spoke on how the issues of racism and privilege contribute to the setup of racial boundaries in America today, and how it still affects us.
Ever since Africans and Caucasians have interacted white people have been viewed as the superior race. However incorrect this perspective is people of light skin have been granted more opportunities, which Wise describes as privileges (By the Color). These privileges range from job opportunities to housing loans; in these cases, a person of color may have the same qualifications as a white person, but will not receive the same treatment, only because of their race. For example its known “that job applicants with “white-sounding” names are 50 percent more likely to get called back than those with “black-sounding” names, even if both have the same qualifications” (Cook 6) This fact shows that even today in normal situations racism and white privileges are still prevalent in society.
These issues in America are still present, but harder to target specifically. This is greatly contributed to by white ignorance, meaning that the belief that racism is nonexistent in America, as many would like to believe, only leads to the problem being ignored. Societies in different areas in the United States deal with racism and white privileges in many ways. As Wise described “Southerners know race is an issue, and that’s half the battle.” (Cook 11) This awareness is key to how race is constructed. Areas that are more aware of race and acknowledge it are more likely to eventually resolve or lessen the impact of racism then areas that falsely believe that people are all treated equally.
Hearing of this social inequality only makes us more aware of racism around us. This positively changes our perspective on society and how others are treated. Although we cannot change what has happened in the past, we may be able to prevent it in the future by being more understanding and less judgmental of others. Hopefully, racist tendencies will discontinue in America someday, allowing all a truly equal opportunity to afford better lifestyles—this includes access to healthy foods, and better eating communities, as discussed in paper three.
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