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Introduction

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT #1 Journal Assignment #1 SWK 850 Dynamics of Oppression & Discrimination Wheelock College ________________ On the first day of this class I did what I believe is typical for new graduate students--I immediately turned to the syllabus to see how I would be graded, and on what assignments. I have to be honest with you, when I read the first Journal Assignment, I laughed. What was my story of my ethnic group given to me and by whom and what context? That?s simple, I thought, I have none and was given none. What ethnic group do I belong to and who gave me this information? Again, that?s simple. I am a white, American woman. Who told me? Well that was a little more complicated because a whole host of sources relayed this information to me: my family, educators, neighbors, institutions and friends along with the mass media, and the mirror. I also scoffed at the notion that my story would include ways in which my ?group? was in any way ethnically dominant. This would be an easy assignment, I thought to myself. My only concern was how I was going to be able fill three to four pages with information that really didn?t apply to me! Today, sitting down to write this assignment I have a whole new perspective--this assignment is in no way simple! ...read more.

Middle

My biological sperm bank (my father) attempted to abandon my mother, however, his Catholic family forced him to marry my mom. So who am I? I am a white, Anglo-Saxon female with an olive-skinned complexion that hints at some European or ethnic dissent of which none can be traced. I have what people frequently inform me is a Latino or Italian surname, Maria. My last name, however, is decidedly German: Schreier. I grew up poor. My biological father was an abusive alcoholic. I remember my time with him dimly as a lot of moving around, profanity, screaming, beatings, and bloodshed. When I was five my mother tried to kill herself after another particularly brutal beating and this was the onus that compelled her to flee with my siblings and me to Wisconsin. Those first years in Wisconsin were hard. Mom worked full time and did the best she could without the aid of child-support or any social assistance programs. We were the only white family in the neighborhood and were frequently harassed and threatened. Despite the racial tension, Mom taught us that all people were equal; that all people were good inside; that we mustn?t judge others; and that whatever we do, we shouldn?t show people we were weak or scared. She would say, ?If you want to honey, you can do and be anything you want to do or be. ...read more.

Conclusion

Writing about ones identity requires a complex amalgamation of all past and present ideals with intersecting roles of race, class, gender, religion, sexuality, and historical conditions that develop over time and take on new meanings and shift throughout our life. I note that Journal Assignment #2 asks that we write about our experiences of race, class, gender and other features of difference and inequality in our lives and how it has varied depending on our environment. I look forward to further discourse and readings in order to expand and continue to self-assess the importance of approaching my social work career with an open-minded, empathetic and multidimensional view of the clients I wish to engage and empower. REFRENCES Dalton, H. (2009). Failing to See. In A. L. Ferber, Et. Al., The Matrix Reader: Examining the Dynamics of Oppression and Privilege (p. 59). New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Ethnic. 2012. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved September 28, 2012, from http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/ethnic?show=0&t=1348856345 Ferber, A. L., Jimenez, C.M., O?Reilly Herrera, A., & Samuels, D.R. (2009). The Matrix Reader: Examining the Dynamics of Oppression and Privilege. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 3-5, 14-15, 58-61, 77, 83-84, 98-107. Jimenez, J. (2010). Social Policy and Social Change: Toward the Creation of Social and Economic Justice. Thousand Oaks: SagePublications, Inc., 139-147. Miller, J. (1976). Domination and Subordination: Toward a New Psychology of Women. Boston: Beacon Press, 191. Fall 08 ...read more.

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our University Degree Applied Sociology section.