Howard:
- Sociologically, race is classified as a social construction (i.e., not an irrefutable biological reality); that is, it is defined as an abstract notion, so to speak. Is this designation problematic for Howard; and, do you see any potential problems with this classification? Please explain.
- What are “legitimizing myths”; and, what purpose do they serve (according to Howard)?
- Why does Howard consider the notion of meritocracy, as delineated in our distinctly Westernized, Eurocentric National ethos, to be mythical (pp. 37 of original text)? Please explain.
- Also on page 37 of the original text, Howard discusses what he terms “social arrangements of dominance”: please provide examples of said social arrangements, and, explain just how they fit into the definition that Howard provides.
Howard describes the binary between “official” and “subjective” knowledge. He states that knowledge can never be neutral because it is always seen through the subjective perspective of an individual. But while personal truth is based on individual perception, “official knowledge” is a construct of those in power of the social institutions. These institutions create bias in their construction of reality in order to reinforce their position of power. This biased information is presented as “truth” to the rest of society, as the groups themselves do not usually realize that their beliefs have been culturally conditioned. The way things are taught in school is conditioned by these same “social arrangements of dominance.” An example is the way American history is taught in schools. It is portrayed as the pilgrims “discovering” America and turning the wildnerness into society. This perception is white-oriented and puts the very violent story into propaganda for American patriotism. Another example is the way the economic crisis and the bank bailout were portrayed to Americans. Despite the fact that we used tax dollars to fund the head bank employees’ personal raises, the bailout was constructed as a way of protecting individuals’ private enterprise through government intervention. Because big business has its hand in government policy, “official” government information can be manipulated by big business and given to the public as truth.
ReplyDelete