BLOG 3 - Violence in the workplace

Violence in the workplace? Yes, it exists. You know it does….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_OQg3pe5ec

Here is how it happened to me: 

Finally, I got to my promotion at work after 7 long years of 60 hours per week work.  Thought, finally, it is time to celebrate….  I raised above all the differences that shaped my past … I survived with the hard work to prove that although I am different, I can survive and rise above all prejudices.  

I always believed that all social injustice is a myth… minorities cannot shape society… and if indeed the current society has come to different views, that’s fine….  UNTIL the day when all believes shacked and I had to face the real truth of inequality, the truth that equality does not fully exists.  All happened because who I am, a woman, an Arab American woman..  This was the truth that caused severe pain all the way to the core of my heart and made me struggle finding the unknown, the reason behind this violence.  How can someone be this unfair to another, when I didn’t have a choice of my country, my color, my look, my religion?  I was so lost especially when my supervisor ignored my pain because I am different woman with no voice..

In the subtle comments that make your way, in the way that your being a woman or a man is considered a hurdle in your career growth, in the way that a certain task always comes your way because of your gender; or in the way that it is taken for granted that you cannot handle a particular task cause you're a woman or a man. All these are examples of sexism, violence, racism

Society norms, rules, and roles instruct and encourage men to value (or devalue) women even in the United States even where there are anti-discrimination laws in place to discourage such attitudes.

In the workplace, women are frequently subjected to subtle discrimination by both sexes. Qualified women may be passed over for promotions because they become pregnant (pregnancy discrimination) or because they might become pregnant (gender discrimination.) Jobs may be offered to a less qualified male applicant just because he is male.

Women are also more likely to be judged by their looks and how they dress than are their male counterparts. On a note of contradiction, women are not only discriminated against for being “pretty” or “provocative” they are also discriminated against for being not pretty enough, too old, or, in some positions (especially sales and public relations) for not being sexy enough.

The “glass ceiling” is also a form of gender discrimination. The term refers to the invisible barriers that prevent women from climbing the ranks of management because upper level and executive positions are given to men. Glass ceiling policies are unwritten, and sometimes referred to as the “old boys network,” but whatever it is called, it is another form of gender discrimination.

If men get more time off, better compensation packages or benefits than women based on unfair gender bias — it is gender discrimination and it is illegal.

Ending Violence

In my experience as a woman with a different accent, religion and maybe color, despite protective anti-discrimination laws making gender discrimination illegal, management practices at small, mid-size, and even giant corporations often still favor the advancement and the protection of men. I was attacked physically by a man colleague that was outraged by my promotion.  A promotion for an Arab American woman with different religion, and unequal race.

After struggling with loss of identity for more than a year, I was able to rise from the ruins.

The attempts to silence me will not succeed to stop my voice. Fear will not be in my heart.. I had the courage to say no for violence… I decided that to shape the future is my right. I am the future… I am the Woman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1n6_J27wRg

References:

http://protectgirl.blogspot.com/2013/01/discrimination-against-women-is-main.html

http://lawdoctorlee.hubpages.com/hub/Racism-and-Its-Effect-on-Society

BLOG 2 - Oppression

Oppression signifies an authority over another group, disengaging that particular group from the rest of society. “The term oppression encapsulates the fusion of institutional and systemic discrimination, personal bias, bigotry, and social prejudice in a complex web of relationships and structures that shade most aspects of life in our society” (Bell, 1997). In one way or another every individual experiences some form of oppression, whether it be through race, sex, gender, religion, age, wealth and/or sexual orientation. These cultural minorities experience inequality where a dominant culture casts its authority and power through exercises of unjust and cruel methods; these methods have been experienced through the Women’s Movement, the Civil Rights Movement and now the Gay Liberation Movement.

Where United Sates stands compared to the word?  Would racism, gender and class significantly compound the effects of class in society?

https://www.ted.com/talks/richard_wilkinson

When people are targeted, discriminated against, or oppressed over a period of time, they often internalize (believe and make part of their self-image – their internal view of themselves) the myths and misinformation that society communicates to them about their group. Exploited peasants might internalize the ideas that they can’t do any other kind of work that their lives were meant to be as they are, and that they’re worth less than people with wealth or education. Women might internalize the stereotype that they are not good at math and science, or people of color might internalize the myth that they are not good workers,

When people from targeted groups internalize myths and misinformation, it can cause them to feel (often unconsciously) that in some way they are inherently not as worthy, capable, intelligent, beautiful, good, etc. as people outside their group. They turn the experience of oppression or discrimination inward. They begin to feel that the stereotypes and misinformation that society communicates are true and they act as if they were true. This is called internalized oppression.

What Role Do You Play?
Oppression continues when there aren’t enough intentional forces to stop it. Oppressions have been stopped in the past, but some oppressions live on and on. If we are to end a system of oppression, it is vital that we all ask ourselves: what role do I play in supporting or confronting oppression?

Actively Participating In Oppression
Putting down target groups, perpetuating verbal/physical violence, discriminating against target groups, harassing target groups, working toward taking rights away from others, working to ensure privileges are only afforded to oppressors.

Ignoring/Denying Oppression
Enabling oppression by denying that it is happening. Denial is often an expression of a person’s privilege.

Recognizing, but not acting
Aware of oppression, but does not act to end the oppression. Often a place of confusion. May not have enough information to understand their own role, may be unsure of what to do, or too scared to act.

Recognizing, acting
Aware of oppression, recognizes it within self and others, acts to end the oppression.

Educating self
Taking action to learn more about target groups. May include increasing cultural awareness, learning about history, talking to members of the group about their experiences, attending workshops/seminars, watching documentaries, reading websites and books.

Educating others
Moving educational action beyond the self and engaging others in dialogue, dispersing informational material, speaking out against oppression.

Supporting anti-oppression
Supporting those who speak out, joining action and ally groups, joining coalitions, working toward change with others.

Initiating change, preventing regression
Working with people and organizations to become more inclusive of targeted groups. Raising awareness of anti-oppression goals in powerful spheres. Protesting. Taking social/political action.

We live in a society blighted by oppression.  A system of oppression continues as humans learn oppressive attitudes from a very young age. This happens through all of the major forces of oppression, and is reinforced through media, religious belief, comedy/humor, and every other form of social information that you consume. Oppressive attitudes, like a virus, are embedded in our cultural landscape and thus in our minds. Because of this fact, being non-racist, non-sexist, etc takes an active mind. In order to truly be anti-oppressive, we must each take the time to unlearn oppressive attitudes/thoughts/ideas. This intentional action changes not only our personal social landscape, but paves the way for passing on egalitarian and humanistic information to future generations.

When people take a stand against injustice and oppression it can be a strong antidote to Internalized oppression. Taking charge of an unjust situation and setting it right goes miles in healing people from the oppression and injustice they have endured over time.

References:

Race,Class, and Gender in the United Sates:  Paula Rothenberg

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth125901.html#oVAZM4ZkcJsSAj8Y.99

http://lacigreen.tv/otherish/socialjustice/4581-how-oppression-works

BOLG 1

     SURFING AWAY………….

A couple in a strange country with no support, no family and no friends, surrounded by each other’s love were able to surf away from home… Home, Lebanon, a country with no limits, beautiful sea breath that turned to a dangerous deadly zone with no human values during the war.. Together we sailed to Canada where we were very alone in a society that we could not belong… Together we sailed and faced big waves of racism, ethnicity that we took with courage and triumph… Together we sailed to the unknown that we always fought back with love and respect… When in a new country, a person will invariably experience difficulties with language, housing, friends, schoolwork, and understanding the idiosyncrasies of the local culture

Huge waive fighting sickness and death led us to move to America, Maine.. Together we sailed and were tired from a continuous load and struggle between the guilt of leaving everyone behind to the need of survival… It is with the ocean breath that we felt Maine a safe place to start our family and teach them how to swim… Although, not being great swimmers, my husband and I were able to stop surfing and rest on the shores of Maine… The racism, ethnocentrism waves felt smaller and the ride became safer to rest…and live all stages of the culture shock model ihttp://www.deborahswallow.com/2010/05/15/the-classic-5-stage-culture-shock-model/ after the move.  The first 3 stages were so short because of the kindness, trust and support of neighbors.  Without knowing, we found ourselves surrounded with friends that are lightening our life daily and accepting our differences, trusting us with their loved ones and sharing all cherished moments of their lives. 

Racism is the persuasive and enduring belief that “White people” are superior, based on race, to people of color and in particular to “Black people”. 

TheMaryland Doctrine of Exclusionwas collectively written by the Maryland Colony Council in 1638, and states the following,“Neither the existing black population, their descendents, nor any other blacks shall be permitted to enjoy the fruits of White society.” The doctrine was written to insure that Blacks would remain a “subordinate, non-competitive, non-compensated workforce.”+

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GIkgTdFRkw

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there are 1,697,570 Arab Americans in the United States.^[3] 290,893 persons defined themselves as simply Arab, and a further 224,241 as Other Arab. Other groups on the 2010 Census are listed by nation of origin, and some may or may not be Arabs, or regard themselves as Arabs. The largest subgroup is by far the Lebanese Americans, with 501,907,^[1] followed by; Egyptian American with 190,078, Syrian American with 148,214, Iraqi American with 105,981, Palestinian American with 93,438,Moroccan American with 82,073 and Jordanian American with 61,664. Approximately 1/4 of all Arab Americans claimed two ancestries, Arab Americans, and Arabs in general, comprise a highly diverse amalgam of groups with differing ancestral origins, religious backgrounds and historic identities. Instead, the ties that bind are a shared heritage by virtue of common linguistic, cultural, and political traditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhWPAe7YoCE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

For me, I always took racism in a way to make me stronger and not weaker.  It gave the strength to turn every experience to a power that will help me endure and learn more.  Now I embrace the new culture and see everything in a new, yet realistic light. I no longer feel alone and isolated. I do appreciate both the differences and similarities of the new culture. I feel that I am at home.

With my new family, together we sail.

References:

http://www.deborahswallow.com/2010/05/15/the-classic-5-stage-culture-shock-model/

http://blackhistorymonth2014.com/2038/racism-in-america/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_American