3 page reflection paper

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Social Inequality/SOCY 250 Dr. Bradley

Reflection 2: Privilege SUMMARY This reflection directs you to think about how individual power and privilege relates to structural advantages or disadvantages. This may be one of the hardest, but most important, concepts when studying sociology. You will relate your own privilege to the struggles of others who face inequality in our society. Remain objective when composing your reflection. There is a lot of flexibility in this assignment, but you must demonstrate your ability to think sociologically. Therefore, avoid personal opinion, unless backed up by justifications in social theory or research; avoid offensive/derogatory language or insults; and keep an open mind. DIRECTIONS DO: Complete the Privilege Activity that starts on page 4 below. Give yourself one point for each statement that you respond to as “true” or “mostly true.” You should have between 0-60 points. You are NOT required to share your answers with me or anyone else. Though the Privilege Activity is not inclusive of all forms of privilege, this activity is meant to help you reflect on the privileges we each have. I expect that everyone will have at least one point, if not more. The goal is not to demonize privilege, but rather to show the diversity of privilege, acknowledge that privilege exists, and show that everyone is typically privileged on one or more of the dimensions that these statements reflect (religion, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, physical ability, gender, sex, and sexuality). WRITE1: Write a reaction to the activity. Again, you do not need to tell me the specific statements that you agreed or disagreed with since some of these are very personal. You do not need to share your number (0-60) either. You can, but you don’t have to. You should write a general reaction to the activity and the types of privilege and power that exist in our society. It may be useful to think about our in-class discussions about privilege. DO: Next, find a news story about social inequality published within the last two years from a reputable source (one that is unbiased, trustworthy, accurate) about a type of inequality for which you are privileged. That is, those experiencing this inequality should lack the privileges you have. For example: If you are heterosexual, you could look for a story dealing with homosexuality. If you are Christian, maybe you find a story about inequality perpetuated against those of another religion. Make sure to provide a link or citation to the article. WRITE2: In your own words, provide details about the incident of inequality focused on in the news story. Reflect on the differences in power that groups who experience inequality often face, particularly when multiple identities intersect (like race, class, and gender). Reflect on the ways

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in which dominant ideologies (belief systems) develop with regard to aspects of power and privilege. Include the link or traditional citation to the article at the end of this section. WRITE3: Compose a conclusion that includes two focuses. First, using course terminology and concepts, compose a summary that assess how privilege and power connect to the recent news story you examined. Second, comment on the purpose of this assignment. Why were you asked to complete it? How does it contribute to meeting our course objectives? Course objectives can be found in the syllabus. FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS and GRADING RUBRIC Your paper should be written in narrative format (full sentences, paragraph format), structured using the headings presented below. ANALYZING PRIVILEGE

• WRITE1 from above. React and reflect on the privilege activity. A CURRENT INCIDENT OF INEQUALITY

• WRITE2 from above. Summarize the news story. Comment on the ways in which the specific incident of inequality reflects issues of power and privilege.

COURSE CONNECTIONS

• WRITE3 from above. Comment on the ways in which the incident of inequality connects to course concepts. Also, assess the connections between this assignment and course objectives.

To receive full points for each section, you must answer all parts/questions presented in the directions, demonstrate deep thinking, and be organized and clear in your writing. Be sure to proofread your paper for grammar, spelling, and clarity before submitting it. Paper Formatting and Submission Requirements Your paper should be written in narrative format (full sentences, paragraph format), structured using the headings presented above. It should be 3-6 double-spaced pages, with 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, and paragraph format. Save your reflection as a .doc or .docx file. You must ensure that the correct file uploads to D2L. Name the file something specific to this assignment. If applicable, include a reference page for any information or articles you may cite. Proofread your work for grammatical errors and typos. Each paper should be your own original work and will be submitted through the university’s plagiarism software.

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Grading Rubric Below, you will find an overview of the rubric that will be used to grade your reflection. A detailed rubric is available in D2L. Critical thinkers with a growth mindset should compare their composition to the detailed rubric, and make appropriate changes, before submitting their reflection.

Reflection 2 Grading Rubric (40 Points Total) Analyzing Privilege 11 A Current Incident of Inequality 11 Course Connections 11 Writing quality, formatting, and reference(s) 7

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***PRIVILEGE ACTIVITY*** Give yourself one point for each statement that you respond to as “true” or “mostly true.” 1. I have health insurance. 2. If I have children and a successful career, few people will ask me how I balance my professional and private lives. 3. I am always free to speak in my native language during everyday interactions. 4. I do not have to work or go to school on my religious holidays. 5. I do not have to worry about being verbally or physically assaulted or arrested when using public restrooms. 6. I have formalized, or could easily formalize, my love relationship legally through marriage and receive the benefits that accompany marriage without hassle or public protest. 7. Schools in my community teach about my race and heritage and present it in positive ways throughout the year. 8. I can assume that I will be easily able to physically enter and access any building. 9. No one questions the “normality” of my sexuality or believes my sexuality was “caused” by psychological trauma, sin, or abuse. 10. People do not assume I am poor because of my nationality. 11. I can be sure to hear music on the radio and watch specials on television that celebrate the holidays of my religion. 12. I don’t have to rely on public transportation to travel to work or school; I can afford my own vehicle. 13. Most individuals portrayed as sexual objects in the media are not the same gender as I am. 14. I can easily see the letters on this screen or paper. 15. If I end up in the emergency room, I do not have to worry that my gender will keep me from receiving appropriate treatment, or that all of my medical issues will be seen as a result of my gender. 16. I can take a job with an employer who believes in Affirmative Action without people thinking I got my job only because of my race.

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17. I can do well in challenging situations without being told what an inspiration I must be to other people of my ability status. 18. If I wanted to, I could travel without restrictions to almost any country. 19. My religious views are reflected by the majority of government officials and political candidates. 20. The neighborhood I live in is relatively free of obvious drug use, sex work, and violent crime. 21. If I want to, I can easily find a religious community that will not exclude me for my sexuality. 22. I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or closely watched by store employees because of my race. 23. In general, I am not under much pressure to be thin or to worry about how people will respond to me if I’m overweight. 24. Strangers call me by the name I provide, and don’t ask what my “real name” is. 25. People of my ethnicity/nationality are visible and positively represented in politics, business, and the media. 26. Places to worship or practice my religion are numerous in my community. 27. I have taken a vacation outside of the country within the past three years. 28. When I use credit cards or checks for a face-to-face transaction, I don’t have to wonder whether someone will challenge my financial reliability because of my race. 29. I can move about in public without fear of being harassed or physically attacked because of my sexuality. 30. Strangers don’t assume they can ask me what my genitals look like. 31. When I ask to see “the person in charge,” odds are I will face a person of my gender. The higher-up in the organization the person is, the surer I can be. 32. I have never been taunted, teased, or socially ostracized due to a disability. 33. I am not required to undergo an extensive psychological evaluation in order to receive basic medical care.

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34. If I have children, I do not need to worry about others making fun of them or ostracizing them because of my sexuality. 35. People where I live rarely ask me what country I’m from. 36. Most people do not consider my religious practices to be “weird.” 37. I have a savings account with at least a month’s rent and bills set aside in case of emergency. 38. I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race. 39. I am reasonably certain that others do not think that my intelligence is lacking, just because of my physical status. 40. I do not have to think about the message my wardrobe sends about my sexual availability. 41. Implicit or explicit references to religion where I work or go to school conform to my religious beliefs. 42. When I apply for jobs, my legal right to work in this country probably will not be questioned. 43. I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group. 44. I can go for months without me or anyone else referring explicitly to my sexuality. 45. I can use public facilities such as gym locker rooms and store changing rooms without stares, fear, or anxiety. 46. There is nothing I have ever wanted to do that I felt couldn’t do because of my gender. 47. If I am fired, not given a raise, or not hired, I do not question if it had anything to do with my physical or mental ability. 48. I have never been homeless or evicted from my place of living. 49. I can look at the mainstream media and find people of my race represented fairly and in a wide range of roles. 50. I do not have to fear that if my family or friends find out about my sexual orientation there will be economic, emotional, physical, or psychological consequences. 51. I can go shopping alone and expect to find appropriate accommodations to make the experience hassle-free. 52. I will never be/was never expected to change my name upon marriage or questioned if I don’t change my name.

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53. People generally assume that I can communicate proficiently in English. 54. I do not need to worry about the ramifications of disclosing my religious identity to others. 55. I am reasonably sure that I or my family will not have to skip meals because we cannot afford to eat. 56. I can reasonably assume that I will not be denied services at a hospital, bank, or other institution because the staff does not believe the information on my ID card. 57. If I am stopped by the police, I generally do not fear for my own safety. 58. When I learn about great leaders in history, they are typically people of my same gender and/or race. 59. I can easily find food in grocery stores and restaurants that suit my diet or culture. 60. I do not have to shop for clothing in a “special” section of stores, and most stores carry my size. *Activity shared courtesy of William LeSuer, University of Akron by way of Melissa Bamford, University of Memphis. Adapted.