There are majority groups and minority groups in every situation, in one way or another. Minority groups are described as target identities while majority groups are non-target identities. Dominant and targeted identities are forced to coexist in everyday life, maybe misunderstanding the other side completely. Being a female, I experience this targeted identity fairly often. However, being white, I also experience this non-target identity in my everyday life.
Females are often viewed as nurturing, motherly, and domestic. As I am going into the business world after I graduate, it is bothersome that there are fewer and fewer females in higher up positions. Men are seen as better leaders, and it seems much more difficult for a woman to obtain these leadership positions. Not only are women hired less often, but they are also paid less than men for doing the same work. For instance, five members of the US women's national team recently filed a wage discrimination action against the US Soccer Federation with the Equal Employee Opportunity Commission. The US women's national team generated almost $20 million more revenue than the US men's team and have made it further in the World Cup and Olympics than the men most years, but the women are paid nearly four times less. Women should receive equal pay for equal work, as should any minority, but they are not. This concerns me because I will soon be in the work force in an industry dominated by males, and I hope to have equal opportunity in everything that I do.
On the other hand, being white also gives me certain privileges those of other races may not have. I have never had to deal with racism or any other act of hatred having to do with the color of my skin, and for that I am very lucky. I grew up in a community where the majority of people are white, so have never had to witness any acts of malicious racism. However, I know that racism is a real problem in our country, and it has no place in today's society. As a white individual who has never been subjected to unfair prejudices because of my race, it is not enough to simply acknowledge the fact that racism needs to be stopped. Now that I live in a more diverse community, I am ready to stand up against any act of racism I see, however big or small.
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ReplyDeleteHaving heard about the wage discrimination grievance filed by some of the women from the national team, it's very alarming that even at the highest level of Sports, women are still being discriminated against. Hopefully they win and equality will make a push in the right direction. As for being white I unfortunately have been on the side of being discriminated against. Although as a society the progress we have made this far is tremendous, racism is still very much an issue. But as you stated we as people need to be ready to stand up against any act of racism.
ReplyDeleteJackie,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about both stances that you talked about. I am talking about how woman are not paid enough in sports unlike men. This is a huge problem and women are now standing up for what they believe is right. I also believe that yes being white has privileges, but racism is still an ongoing problem and should be stopped. If not, then there will be many years of racial discrimination.