Privilege

• After watching the Tim Wise video in class, what do you think about the idea of privilege?Please support your answers. 

In my opinion,privilege is when a certain group is awarded more perks in life. Most of the time the group is oblivious to the fact that they are alway's one step ahead. Other groups who are outside of the privileged easily recognize that the one group is afforded things that they aren't. 

How does the media utilize privilege in media representation? Give examples.

Whether it is in print media or television media, privilege is being displayed. In print media, such as advertisements and magazines the privileged race is being represented regularly. Seldom will you see others besides the race of the majority being used to promote products or used to persuade the masses. They use the faces that are most comfortable to the majority of the people who will be viewing it. It is more likely to see an advertisment of the privileged race than any other race.The minorities or groups besides the privileged take a backseat on the priority list because they are not the ones that need to please in order to make a profit.  Television shows and newscasts also display mostly the majority. Popular culture and most of society are drawn to the privileged and what they represent. In television shows out of a 10 person cast, it might be two minorities being represented and less than that if you talk about being represented positively.

For the next several days, please keep a list of the privileges you see in your daily experiences.  They can be your privileges or what you believe to be someone else's privilege.  

These are the privilege's I noticed in my daily experiences.

1.Being on a predominately white campus, minorities  are preferenced  in receiving scholarships and financial aid.

2. Being black or a minority on campus means that you will be one of the few  of your race in classrooms or maybe the only. 

3. Blacks as athletes are shown privilege over others because of the thought that they are the best at what they do.

4. At workplaces, minorities get treated as if they do not fully understand or do no know how to correctly do their job.

5. At workplaces, there are certain things that women are expected to do, while mean get exempt.

6. More pressure on minorities in the workplace to earn their keep.

7. A member of the privileged group prefers a member of the privileged group to assist or teach them in different aspects.

8. The predominate race does not have to worry about being followed while shopping.

Do you think society still believes in the one drop rule?

I do not think society still believes in the one drop rule. presently I think that most classifications get based on someone by their appearance. There are so many different combinations of races that a one drop rule would not help. 

Reflection:  At the end of the video Tim Wise talked about responsibility of knowledge and Beverly Tatum (1992) suggests that as adults we have a responsibility to identify new information and change our behavior based on this new found awareness.  Please discuss from your perspective.  

I agree with Beverly Tatum because once an adult is no longer ignorant of a different perspective outside of what they were taught all of their lives then that should shape a new outlook on their world. Often this is not the case. When something has been perpetually been said to be right then it is not as easy to persuade someone of a different right. Most people do not want to accept this responsibility of knowledge, they would rather just pretend not to know. Also behavior is a very difficult thing to change when it goes against the way you live your life daily. Knowledge sometimes makes people uncomfortable in the world they have been living in.

Black Love Like Never Before!

The Inauguration of  President Barack Obama signified a type of progress that the United States has made. Through all the publicity surrounding our new president, one can not help but notice how the media portrays President  Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama. There has been countless pictures of them holding hands ,showing intimacy towards one another, and interacting with Maleah and Sasha, their children. This image is seldom displayed by an African American couple in mainstream media. These images will also have an effect on how African American couples are viewed and how they view themselves.

Usually the only positive black couple on television that people can readily name are the Cosby's. Now we are able to add one more couple to the list. Michelle and Barack exemplify the ultimate power couple to me. It is evident in their interaction with one another how genuine their relationship is. The camera's can only catch what is being displayed especially, if it is a candid shot, which most of the pictures of Michelle and Barack are. Stereotypes are being challenged every time the president and his wife step in front of a camera. They are not fighting nor cursing each other out. Barack has 2 children which are both by Michelle. This may seem a little strange that I am using those as examples but that is what is commonly thought of when thinking of a black couple. 

The view of African American women in the mainstream media will also be altered by the presence of Michelle Obama. Michelle will provide a much needed positive role model for African American young girls. It has been long over due for a counter against the video vixens of rap videos. The role of media in the lives of young people is evident so I believe that the site of Michelle Obama by some little girl will alter her perspective of herself that will ultimately change how she lives her life, what she hopes for, and how much self esteem she will have. You can call me an optimist, but these type's of images can often shape a culture.

President Obama himself is also a figure in the black love. He represents something that is rare in the media's eyes. He is a black man, who is married to the mother of his two children. He is not afraid to show attention to his wife in the public eye, which is often seen as a problem for black men. President Obama is also taking care of his children while with their mother. A stereotype of black males is that they are not married to their children's mother's and are " dead beat dad's. President Obama is exactly the opposite, a much needed portrait in the black community.

Together, President Obama and First Lady Michelle are a role model for black couples. When looking at them in the public eye, aspiring couples should see something like a prototype for their relationship. Although I do not know what goes on behind closed doors, from the outside looking in, they seem very supportive of one another. Black couples should be able to work through issues and stay together and build stable families for their children. One look at statistics and you will know that presently this is not the case. 

One can only hope that black couples will take their cue from the Obama's and change how they view themselves and how the world see's them.