Black Lives Matter

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- Define the concept of meritocracy. Explain how our belief in meritocracy can perpetuate classism. Give an example of classism.

Meritocracy is defined as the belief that it is hard work alone that enables people to become middle-class. This is commonly ingrained into the US American identity. Our belief perpetuates classism because it implies that if you do not work hard, you will not achieve a higher social class. An example of classism is treating someone differently because of how they dress or where they live.

- Explain how we judge people by their occupational status or what they do for work. How does this relate to classism? Make an argument that classism is just as important as the other “isms” we have studied such as racism or sexism.

We often judge people by what they do for work. For example, if someone does not have a job, we may stereotype them as being lazy and if someone works as a lawyer, we assume they are well-educated and wealthy. This relates to classism because we are stereotyping based solely on what someone’s economic status appears to be. Classism is just as prejudice as racism. Having prejudicial thoughts based on someone’s job causes segregation economically and separates our nation further apart.

- One of the strategies for change is called liberation politics, explain the requirements or elements of liberation politics. Which elements do you think are the most important? Why?

Liberation politics seeks social and economic justice for all people. It incorporates some of the following: the willingness to help someone reach their full potential; fostering the freedom and mutual responsibility for others; treating everyone as a valued person- not as someone to be controlled; and seeing cultural differences as expanding possibilities. In my opinion, I think all of the elements are all equally important in achieving justice for all. By accepting people of all fashions and ways, we can better achieve a world free from hate and segregation.

- Choose two readings from the strategies for change section of the textbook that you think provide the best solutions. Explain why you think their solutions are the best.

I think “Developing a Liberatory Consciousness” and “What Can We Do?” provide the best solutions in the strategies for change section. I think “Developing a Liberatory Consciousness” encourages us to be aware of our thoughts and actions, analyze situations, act through what has to be done and encourage others to act as well in ways that are liberatory conscious, and finally it encourages being accountable for the ways we act and holding accountability for how we understand others. I think “What Can We Do?” provides us ways to be aware of the problems of prejudicial and discriminatory thoughts and actions. It also teaches us to acknowledge privilege and oppression, pay attention, learn to listen, and to take risks to support those who may be oppressed. Both of these readings teach us ways in which we can better understand and incorporate ways to be more accepting of all people in what we say, think, how we act, and what we do.