Meritocracy: Or the Lack of it

In “The Meritocracy Myth” by Stephen McNamee meritocracy is viewed as a myth. I agree with this idea that it is often not only merit that decides the place you will have in life. As McNamee states, “factors other than individual merit play a role in getting ahead: ‘It takes money to make money” [. . . .] (Provine, 2010, p. 391). When looking at the opportunities that must fall into place for the “American Dream” to be achieved, it is true that it is not just merit that makes this happen. Education is the first part. I have known children to go to school while homeless. How can you excel, have access to the technologies you need, and be able to concentrate on school when you have no money to have shelter? America often hides this view, and instead paints a picture of a white house, a white picket fence, a dog, and an entire family. The truth is this is not reality.

There are many ways in which you can obtain awards that have nothing to do with Merit. One example is with school districts and school ratings. If you live in an area that has a 10 school rating, then you get the benefits of an excellent education and with that often come more opportunities. Yet, if you live in a place that has a rating of 1 for your area schools, unfortunately you may not get quality education. You may suffer in the long run, not because of your work ethic, but because you are not given the proper tools to develop. The lottery is another example of how you can become successful by luck. As McNamee stated, “what matters is being in the right place at the right time” (Provine, 2010, p. 391). This can surely hold true to many of the millionaire winners from scratch off tickets.

America is a country where many people look at being different as something that is bad. Often you hear people say that all they want to do is fit in. Individualism is not valued in society, and therefore I think a system of rewards would change society a lot. Giving people rewards for their accomplishments would make a lot more people want to work different jobs. I truly believe there would be a lot less lawyers and Doctors, but instead more teachers. I think working hard would be the only determining factor in success, and being an individual would be a lot easier because there wouldn’t be set guidelines outlining that success. Yet, many people would disagree on a system based on rewards. Many people use their connections, and want to keep their connections. People who never worked hard for what they have, may not have anything. The same people voting to take away the aid in this country, might instead be the ones who need it. As McNamee states a true system of merit would be one where, “you may not be held responsible for where you start out in life, but you are responsible for where you end up” (p. 392).

There is a large difference between “equality” and the concept of “equality of opportunity”. Often people are not given equality through the class they were born in, the race of their skin, their sex, and sometimes even a handicap. In “Ruth Milkman” by Sí Puede demonstrated is how financial status can sometimes hurt the chance of having a “meaningful” life (Provine, 373). This is shown to be true by the lack of opportunity and connections some of the poor have. When dealing with “equality of opportunity” we look at two people given the same opportunity and equality becoming the actual work they put into that opportunity. Sometimes that can happen in the work place, where two people have the same opportunity to get a promotion. They have no more opportunity than the other, but one may work harder for that promotion. Yet, when I look at “equality of opportunity” I still see a society of too many differences, to be obtainable.

When dealing with people who cannot provide for themselves I believe that it is important to help them. It is often not just them, but the children, who had no choice what family they were born into. Many people struggle and anyone can lose everything at any moment. Yet, I believe that when you give someone a crutch for too long, you take away the opportunity for them to learn to walk again. I believe that it is important to help through job training, and opportunities. When dealing with people who just do not want to work, I think that those people should not be taken care of. There is a large difference between the two.

When looking at globalization and sustainability I agree with M Yunus in his article “A New Kind of Business” he describes globalization to be less important than aid. Yunus states that if we aided the poor all over the World and helped them obtain financial accomplishment, we would be doing more for the world (Provine, p. 355). I agree with this because just by giving a loan, women in other countries that are suffering can start their own businesses. Giving a person opportunity is true justice. Even though equality may never truly be existent, sometimes what matters is that people are able to have their basic needs: a safe shelter, food, and clean water.


REFERENCES

Provine, D, Chapple, R, Gray, K, Sefiha, O, & Walker, M. (2010). Perspectives on justice. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

IMAGE REFERENCES

Sampson, T. (Producer). (2011). The american dream and the pursuit of happiness. [Web]. Retrieved from http://thomassampson.com/?p=66


Rosales, L. (Producer). (2011). Has the american dream of homeownership been tainted by the economy?. [Web]. Retrieved from http://agentgenius.com/real-estate-news-events/has-the-american-dream-of-homeownership-been-tainted-by-the-economy/


Village, N. (Photographer). (2009). Homless in america. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.nativevillage.org/Archives/2009%20Archives/APRIL%20News/April%202009%20News%20V3/report%201%20in%2050%20American%20Children%20are%20Homeless.htm

Justice, Social Policy, and Law

Change does not come easily; often it is accompanied by strong effort and a constant fight for rights. Stigmas, prejudice, and ignorance are difficult things to change. Usually it does not happen with just force, but instead with education, support, and “protest”. In _Perspectives on Justice_ by Doris Provine (2010) change is described as, “[. . .] a complex process because it involves both institutional readjustments and changes in prevailing thinking about social issues” (p. 284). This expresses how there is not just one step in change, but many; making the progression multifaceted, and often lengthy.


The Women’s Movement began in July 13, 1848. The online site “Living the Legacy: The Women's Rights Movement 1848 – 1998” by Bonnie Eisenberg (1998) describes the movement beginning at a “tea party” with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. This movement was an attempt to help women have more of a part in society. The tea party planned out a convention and followed through; which began the movement that is now known today. Other women that played a large role in the movement were Sojourner Truth, Lucy Stone, and Susan B. Anthony. These women traveled around speaking and establishing the movement for 40 years, and even eventually secured the right to vote. The article “The Women’s Liberation Movement: Its Origins, Structures and Ideas” by Jo Freeman (1971) describes how feminism ended ahead of its time. Though the right to vote was accomplished, there was still more to be fought for.


The civil rights movement ran from 1954 all the way to 1963. The movement began in order to end segregation and the lack of human rights for African Americans. In “The Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1963” by Dennis Simon (2002) Chief Justice Earl Warren is the judge who is said to publicize the judgment on Brown vs. Board of Education. The result was that “the system of segregated public schools in the United States was unconstitutional” (Simon). Rosa Parks was a large influence on the civil rights movement when she got onto a public bus on December 1, 1955. Parks was arrested because she would not leave a seat in the white section of the bus. Martin Luther King Jr. was the main person behind the bus boycott (Simon). This boycott went on until 1956, until bus segregation was also judged by the Supreme Court as against the US Constitution. The fight continued with the integration of Central High School in Arkansas, “the freedom riders” (who would sit-in at “black only” and “white only” segregated places in 1961), project “C” was what was referred to as MLKJ and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (continuing the fight of desegregation), and June 11, 1963 John F. Kennedy and the bill to congress (The Civil Rights Act of 1964) (Simon). The civil rights fight continued as many leaders were assassinated including Medgar Evars, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. “The Civil Rights Era” by African American Odyssey described the civil rights movement as, “[r]esistance to racial segregation and discrimination with strategies such as civil disobedience, nonviolent resistance, marches, protests, boycotts, "freedom rides," and rallies received national attention as newspaper, radio, and television reporters and cameramen documented the struggle to end racial inequality. There were also continuing efforts to legally challenge segregation through the courts.” The civil rights movement is seen as a successful movement ending segregation, and beginning the attempt to a future of US cultural equality.

Both of these movements depended on key players to help the movement continue. The strength and determination of these players were shown by standing up through violence, hatred, and even a risk of death. Both the women’s movement and the civil rights movement fought for equality and the right to vote. They both accomplished the things they set out to accomplish. Yet, the women’s movement still lives on. Women often still fight for the right to equal pay and equality in the work place. Both of these movements prove that policy is in fact the motivating factor in social change. With the civil rights movement it was Plessy v. Ferguson the “separate but equal” policy that created a demand for change. It was then that “Brown v. Board of Education” played a huge role in beginning the Civil rights fight. In the Women’s movement both the policy disallowing women to vote and the lack of equal treatment that encouraged Elizabeth Cady Stanton to discuss her discourse among her friends at the tea party. It was this discourse that began the movement and change in the 19th century. In the article “The Policy Connection: How Movements Matter” by David S. Meyer the relation between social movement and public policy is described, “[w]e’ve seen how social movements are the product of public policy and how they sometimes can change public policy” (Provine, p. 301).

As we see from the past, both laws and social change are important to the social construction of justice. In the article “Struggle for Freedom: Disability Rights Movements” by Willie V. Bryan we are taught that policy alone does not always construct justice. Bryan describes how legislation before the “Rehabilitation Act of 1973” was made without contribution of those who were actually disabled, causing more of a limitation to them. Often this ignorant attitudes of the disabled lacking the capacity to express their needs, in return held those disabled down more. In the end, society needs to be educated and change needs to be employed. With laws and social change, justice is truly assembled. The laws that have influenced me and my perspectives of justice are the many policies against homosexual marriages in the United States. I feel for people who are not treated like humans, but instead treated like they are second class citizens. I would hope that we have learned from our past oppression, but instead I am saddened that people have to continue to fight for equal rights in the United State. Therefore, the LGBT movement is the movement that tells me that complete justice in the US is not truly existent. We still have a long way to go in order to not only change laws, but also create complete social change.



REFERENCES

Eisenberg, B, & Ruthsdotter, M. (1998). Living the legacy: the women's rights movement 1848 - 1998. Retrieved from http://www.legacy98.org/move-hist.html

Freeman, J. (1971). The women's liberation movement: its origins, structures and ideas. Retrieved from http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/wlm/womlib/

Provine, D, Chapple, R, Gray, K, Sefiha, O, & Walker, M. (2010). Perspectives on justice. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

Odyssey, A. (n.d.). The civil rights era. Retrieved from http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart9.html

Simon, D. (2002). The civil rights movement, 1954-1963 . Retrieved from http://faculty.smu.edu/dsimon/change-civ%20rts.html

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Jane. (designer). 7, okay 8 quotes for women’s history month, part one. (2009). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.sevenof.com/?p=1288

Peacemaker. (Designer). Women’s rights….then and now (come on we want them). [Web]. Retrieved from http://peacemakervoices.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/womens-rights-then-and-now-come-on-we-want-them/

Social Media

Technology has come a long way since the beginning of time: where language was developed, to telephones, televisions, the internet, and social media. As Mike Laurie (2009) explains in his online article “7 Technologies Shaping the Future of Social Media”, technology has allowed our lives to be easier, allowing us to use less effort to complete a task. In “Technorati Top 100” a list of top social media sites are listed listing “The Huffington Post” as number one. Yet, what are these sites motivations? Often we have to take a deeper look into the development of social media, the uses, and the incentives behind them.

The strengths and limits of social media, when thinking about democracy, is that it allows people to have freedom of speech. Blogging allows people to not only see what is happening all over the world, but also allows them to spread their opinions on the government, social happenings, and much more. These media’s help emerge new ideas because everyone has a voice that can easily be heard. People are able to communicate with each other, support certain ideas, and deliver them over a wide spread audience. One example of this is twitter, where one person can tweet an idea, and that idea can be retweeted over and over indefinitely. Another example on twitter is trends. If people use trends repeatedly by putting a “#” symbol before their idea, it will link together all people talking about the same trend. Then the discussion can be headlined over trending topics; allowing more people to comment on the current hot issues conversed. Social media with its positives also bring negatives. Some of the negatives to “the freedom of speech” on social media sites are bullying, partiality, lack of courteous attitudes, prejudice, and lack of honesty or truthfulness. The real question is does the positive effect of democracy through social media, outweigh the negative effects it may have on society?

When dealing with “spin” and the media it is always crucial to remember that there may be motivation behind ones opinions or web based media. In _Perspective on Justice_ by Doris Provine (2010) Richard Kahn and Douglas Kellner wrote an article called “New Media and Internet Activism: From the ‘Battle of Seattle’ to Blogging”. In this article they described the internet as “[. . .] a contested terrain, used by Left, Right, and Center of both dominant cultures and subcultures in order to promote their own agendas and interests” (Provine, p. 237). When dealing with media it is important to look at everything objectively. A popular saying is “do not believe everything you read”. A person never knows what truth is behind things said, and how much things were changed or omitted to make ideas or agendas appear right.

In my opinion, both media and technology are important in dealing with justice. As we saw in Egypt, the media allowed citizens to speak out against their current dictator and force him to step down. It allowed them to communicate not only with each other, but the world anonymously and effectively. As Khan states, “[t]he new internet subculture that has erupted around ‘blogging' is particularly deserving of analysis here, as bloggers have demonstrated themselves as technoactivists favoring not only democratic self-expression and networking, but also global media critique and journalistic sociopolitical intervention” (Provine, p. 235). I have also personally been influenced by media since childhood. Often you are taught what is right and wrong by not only your parents, but the cartoons you grow up on. For example, you may watch Mulan where you learn that being brave and oppressing women, based on their sexuality is wrong. Justice in the media is displayed from cartoons, to movies, to television shows, internet, and much more. That is why it is important to remember that there sometimes are political and other motivations behind media outlets, and they can sometimes shape your opinions and help cultivate your beliefs.

Overall, social media has many benefits and many negatives. Technology forms the future and brings people together helping them display their opinions in a democratic fashion. Yet, it is important to constantly keep in mind that there may be motivations behind what people post, say, and display. Technology is important for the future of many nations, helping to provide justice to people who may not have it. Technology and social media is crucial because it has the power to display what is right and wrong to a large audience, while changing basic needs and perspectives.



REFERENCES

Provine, D, Chapple, R, Gray, K, Sefiha, O, & Walker, M. (2010). Perspectives on justice. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

IMAGE REFERENCES

Atagana, M. (Designer). (2011). Social media bandwagon. [Web]. Retrieved from http://memeburn.com/2011/01/social-media-before-facebook-and-twitter-infographic/

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Stereotypes, Media, and Identity

The community that I currently find myself identifying with is that of female and daughter. My role in this community is to become educated, get married, have children, and achieve as much as possible. My behaviors have been influenced by gender roles and Catholic school. At first I was brought up on fairy tell stories, where every girl dreams of her wedding and being a princess. Then when I went to an all-female college preparatory, I was taught that women can achieve, become educated, and have the family and the job. All of this has made me want family but want success also.

Images are crucial in society because they can either portray the truth of a group or individual, or that image can portray a stereotype. In _Perspectives on Justice_ by Doris Marie Provine (2010) there is an article called “The Power of Images” by Majorie S. Zatz and Coramae Richey Mann. Zatz and Mann state that:

“The media play very important roles in portraying members of some groups as normal and others as Other. In particular, films and television programs use the power of visual images to create and reinforce stereotypic imagesof Others as scary or different”(Provine; p. 139).

Gender can often be that “Other” that Zatz describes. As “Sexual Stereotypes in the Media” states gender stereotypes in the media goal may not be to wound the gender it is stereotyping, but often can make people feel like they are different and not the same as the norm. Often women are stereotyped as someone who needs to be saved or only gratifies other through selfless devotion or sexually.

My image would be one that does not portray stereotypes but that of what is often untold: the normal mixed, woman, educated, successful, dressed professional, and leading a business meeting among attorneys at her firm. I would hope young women would see this image and know that they do not have to seek attention with sex, as the media portrays, or that they do not have to only be the housewife and mother.

Culture also plays a huge role in media stereotyping. “Fertile Matters: The Politics of Mexican-Origin Women’s Reproduction” by Elenea R. Gutierrez pointed out the difference among images and cultures. I never thought about how different stereotypes are associated with different countries. While the American stereotype is often one of the women house wife that has many children; the Mexican stereotype is something completely different. Gutierrez expresses that woman in Mexico stand against the “overpopulation stereotype”. Many are forced or talked into being sterilized. Gutierrez explored this idea of overpopulation to American stereotype, “On the one side we have a culture concerned with overpopulation. On the other is a culture that ‘highly values a woman’s ability to procreate a family’” (Provine; p. 152).

When exploring the concept of social identity, I found it both bitter yet sweet. I thought about stereotypes that fall on these communities, communities fight for rights, and privileges gained from communities. For example the article “Assistance and Treatment” by Jaquline Vaugn Switzer we find that stereotypes such as “pathetic”, “evil”, “criminal”, “his or her own worst enemy” are often portrayed to the handicap by the media (Provine; p. 155). The media, stereotypes, and the lack of appropriate policies can be tormenting to social identity. But then I look at movements, groups, and the fight for change, and realize the importance of social identity. There is importance in knowing that there are people out there like you, and that can fight for change and acceptance along-side of you. The other day I watched an episode of “Home Makeover” where a handicapped man in a wheel chair was featured. They portrayed the handicap as strong, athletic, and kind. The man had even won a medal in the Olympics. I also watch a family member who has Down syndrome and has won many medals in his bowling league. These things have shown me that there are also certain benefits to being part of a group, and being able to identify with a social identity.

Power is important because it gives people a voice that is heard. We often hear that there is ‘power in numbers’ and it is true. When people come together and form an organization, or a group they are able to fight for change, or relate to each other through circumstance; often giving each other strength and confidence.




REFERENCES

Provine, D, Chapple, R, Gray, K, Sefiha, O, & Walker, M. (2010). Perspectives on justice. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

Sexual Stereotypes in the Media. Films Media Group, 0. Films On Demand. Web. 27 February 2011. .

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Human Rights

“Constitutional rights” are rights that are given to you at birth by birthplace. “Human rights” are legal rights that allow people to have essential human worth and security. Humans are given these rights just by being born a human being. Our readings for week four described “human rights” differing from many others in the fact that the rights hold four main features: “inherent”, “universal”, “inalienable”, and “indivisible”. In having these main features these rights prove that they are rights of all born human despite religion, creed, or sex that human is. “Constitutional rights” instead are the rights that pertain to the rights given to a citizen. These rights are defined in the Constitution. Though someone’s race and sex cannot take away their constitutional rights, someone’s citizenship can. These two ideas intersect by giving people birth given rights and protection under the law.

After playing the victim of human rights violations “Against All Odds” I feel like there need to be more protections in place. More laws and alliances may help protect citizens of country’s who are violating “human rights”. Right now the UN often helps in human rights violations of universal law. The laws are stated in the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. Our protections are not effective because when there are human right violations it often goes unreported. Human rights violations often produce fear which can be another thing to overcome when reporting. An additional reason that makes it difficult to find human rights violations and stop them is that it is not the UN’s responsibility to uphold these rights. As week four readings state, “[t]he obligation to protect, promote and ensure the enjoyment of human rights is the prime responsibility of States, thereby”.

To assure peoples’ protection against human rights violations, there needs to be more ways to handle such violations. There need to be more people working on the inside, and giving information to the UN and peace keepers. It is also important that there is an understanding of human needs and interest, without this we will not know what the people need, in order to feel like their needs are met. We already have assemblies where leaders come and make treaties, and promise peace. We need more truth in these peace treaties, and more responsibility taken when peace is not accomplished and human rights are ignored.

The “human rights” game I played was a lot like the “road to citizenship” game played whereas both faced many difficulties that they had to surpass. Having to escape from persecution was difficult, and then having to come here as an outsider was even harder. The citizenship game was much the same when fighting for citizenship. I often did not know the answers too many of the questions, besides someone seeking citizenship, and hoping for a better life. In “Against All Odds” I had to get beaten, escape from being imprisoned, give up my rights, leave behind possessions, leave behind family, leave friends, pay for my deportation out of the country, and enter a country where I was labeled an outsider”.

Yes, it is a fair criticism to state that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is culture-bound and limited to the time of year in which it was written because as Doris Marie Provine (2010) states in _Perspectives on Justice_ the definition of human rights has changed over time. Therefore, it is not helpful to the people if these laws and declarations do not also evolve. Rights to having a job, a home, and to have a family do not define human rights to many anymore. What many define as human rights are now called “individual rights” (p. 66).

In my opinion a lot can be done to raise awareness for the issues dealing with injustices. Provine (2010) explains ways to raise awareness through “civil disobedience” and “using moral example to make a point” (p. 67). Often, through disobedience (as Rosa Park showed through sitting on a bus and refusing to be removed) the need for human rights protection can be pointed out. When people act out with non-violence they can point to atrocities, and can lead in awareness without violence.

REFERENCE
Provine, D, Chapple, R, Gray, K, Sefiha, O, & Walker, M. (2010). Perspectives on justice. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

IMAGE REFERENCE
Rhymes for rights. (2008). [Web]. Retrieved from http://wiki.provisionslibrary.org/blog/index.php/category/call-for-entries/