Running head: MINI ASSIGNMENT A

Mini Assignment A: Dominant and subordinate group analysis Anita S. Allen Georgia State University

MINI ASSIGNMENT A Abstract

When evaluating the success and happiness of ones life and circumstances, many people believe that life is not determined by coincidence or luck but, by the choices and decisions we make. While I would agree that this is typically an accurate statement, we should not neglect to consider that privilege plays a role in the cards we are dealt. Different opportunities and hardships are naturally assumed to us based on different factors and memberships. We are all born into a world unaware of the memberships we are inherently and biologically born into. For the most part these memberships, also known as identity groups, are attached to us for the entirety of our lives forcing us to deal with our own and societys views of the groups we identify with. With these views come different privileges and benefits, or stigmas and oppressions. Dominant groups often receive privilege while, subordinate groups tend to experience oppression.

MINI ASSIGNMENT A Mini Assignment A: Dominant and subordinate group analysis Fortunately, we hold memberships to several groups and most people identify with multiple subordinate and dominant groups. Three subordinate groups I identify with are African American, woman, and student. The dominant members to my subordinate are Caucasian, male, and graduates. Three Dominant groups I identify with are Christian, able bodied, and middle class. The subordinate members to my dominant are non-Christian, disabled, and working class. Throughout this assignment, I have made numerous observations about myself and members of other groups. Subordinate group memberships

This assignment has forced me to get to know myself in ways that Ive never taken the time to or deemed necessary. Ive never actually considered how being a member of these subordinate groups, especially African American and female, has often made me feel hostile or inferior towards the dominant group. I can recall different occasions I have often felt belittled, overlooked, or even disrespected especially by Caucasians or men because of my race and gender. Being raised in a suburban and predominately white area, it was in my early teens that I began to realize how unaware of oppression I was. For most of my early childhood I lived in ignorant bliss, ignoring the fact that I was different from most of my friends. It wasnt that I was ignoring that I was Black and they were White but I often ignored the looks, the treatment, and the reactions from other people. Whether I was actually pretending it didnt bother me or if I was actually unaware of the reason, I dont know. It wasnt even until later in life that I could look back and remember times that I was treated unfairly and ponder if it was because of my skin. Melvin Thomas stated that African Americans continue to represent one of the most disadvantaged groups in the United States (2009). I often contemplate missed opportunities and realize the sad truth that my race was potentially the reason I didnt and still dont receive the same privileges many of my white friends do. As I look back on my early childhood, I cant help but recall occasions where I was also treated different because of my gender. I was definitely considered a tomboy growing up. I loved playing with my brothers and their friends and was never afraid of getting dirty. However, even as a young girl boys often looked at me as weak and inferior. Almost always, I was chosen last when playing games with the guys despite the fact that I excelled in sports. I even remember being asked if I was gay in middle school because I enjoyed doing activities that were thought to be too rough for girls. That all seems silly to me now, possibly because of more recent things Ive experienced. According to Goswami, gender discrimination thwarts women's aspirations and restricts their opportunities (2012). I can attest to this statement, specifically when remembering a job opportunity I gave up on. A few years ago a friend tried to help me get a job with him at UPS. Although I was called in for a second interview, I opted not to even waste my time. Several people told me I was too pretty to work in a warehouse. Others inferred that I wasnt physically strong enough. I felt so discouraged by other people and what they were telling me that I started to doubt that I would even get the job. Instead, I decided to go back to school becoming a part of another subordinate group, students. While many people commend me for continuing my education and I know in the long run I will reap the benefits, I definitely consider being a student a disadvantage. In addition to having a full time job, I go to school full time. This has always been extremely stressful. Balancing out school, work, and my personal life is a big challenge. I often contemplate the sacrifices I am having to make now and my future, hoping it will all be

MINI ASSIGNMENT A

worth it. In addition, it is extremely difficult to find a good paying job as a student. Most places either want you to have experience or education and without one or the other its nearly impossible to even be considered for certain positions. Besides that, the debt I am acquiring to fund my education is ridiculous. While I am a member of several other subordinate groups, I feel that the three I have discussed have impacted my life the most. Dominant group memberships Im not sure why it is so hard for me to consider myself a dominant group member. However, I have come to realize that I belong to several privileged groups. I never considered being able bodied, middle class, or Christian as necessarily being privileged. This could possibly be because like many privileged people, I neglected to acknowledge my dominance. I receive more opportunities especially in the work field because I am able bodied. Disabled people on the other hand, miss opportunities and even experience discrimination especially in the work force. Uncertainty of a handicap persons ability to adequately do their job is a common concern employers have. Being a middle class citizen, I am privileged because I never have had people judge me based on my class. Aspects such as the way I dress, talk, and act have never really stood out in a negative way. Although I am not rich, I fall into the majority group where we are neither poor nor rich. As for being a Christian, it was especially hard to understand how this made me privileged. As I consider other religions though, it is clear that many other religions deal with certain stereotypes and prejudices. Additionally, simply being a part of a group that is considered the norm, makes me dominant. By assessing my memberships to these groups, I have become more aware of myself. Surprisingly I uncovered feelings I wasnt aware I felt. Although I cant change some of the memberships I belong to such as race and gender, I am extremely proud of who I am. Each of these groups have played vital roles in my life and shaped me into the person I have become. I feel that this type of self-evaluation is important not only for social workers but, for people in general.

MINI ASSIGNMENT A References Goswami, S., & Gupta, H. N. (2012). Perceptions of sex discrimination at workplace and psychological consequences of women at work. Social Science International, 28(1), 93104. Thomas, M. E., & Horton, H. (1992). Race, class, and family structure: The case of family income. Sociological Perspectives, 35(3), 433-450. doi:10.2307/1389328