Please respond to the activity below. Your initial post is due on Friday by 11:59pm. You then must respond to two of your classmates posts by Sunday by 11:59pm. This will count toward you online participation points. Late posts will not be graded.
Below is a picture of all of the United States Presidents. After looking at the picture, answer the questions below the picture.
presidents.png
In your own words, describe how this photo demonstrates oppression?
Do you feel that the lack of diversity in the photo relates to institutional racism? Why or why not?
Do you feel that the lack of diversity in the photo relates to ethnocentric monoculturalism? Why or why not?
also please reply to classmates post separate
This photo demonstrates oppression because it tells a story about history, of how people of color were not awarded the same opportunity as other groups were, they did not have equal access and the same privileges as their counterparts (White Americans). Due to discrimination, African Americans have encountered unbalance treatment and have faced many hurdles, and have received a “late start”, at being placed in positions of authority.
In my opinion, I do feel the lack of diversity in the photo relates to institutional racism. There was a time when accepted normative patterns oppressed African Americans from voting, and even after the 15th Amendment was passed, their was still discriminatory practices that were used to prevent African American citizens from using their right to vote or have equal opportunities, such as the Jim Crow Laws.
I feel that the lack of diversity in this photo has a direct relation to ethnocentric monoculturalism. My reasoning is based on our history as Americans, minorities do not have the power to impose their standards on other ethnic groups and therefore can not oppress others. This photo shows how White Americans were/are seen by some as superior and have easier access to privileges in the larger society than African Americans. There is a belief that other ethnic counterparts are inferior or beneath them. From the lack of diversity in the photo it can be said that there has been discrimination in institutions. Hence, from the photo we only see 1 out of 45 presidents that is a person of color, which is former President Barack Obama.
