“Learning the Meaning of One”: This article by Greenstone was effective because it draws attention to the difficulties of activism amongst minorities. For some reason it seems that so often minority groups turn against each other. This drains a movement of power that could be greatly amplified if only different identity groups would come together and support each other. When Greenstone looks back at her interaction with the girl in sixth grade I think it is important that she wishes she had acted in a more mature fashion. Every degrading comment that someone makes can be an opportunity to spread education and tolerance. If one is willing to lower themselves to the level of the person who first made the comment then there will never be a chance for progress. The ability to maintain composure and also speak one’s mind can be difficult as well as intimidating, but it is essential. The worst that can happen is that the message does not get through and the person still believes they are right in their prejudice. This risk is clearly worth it if one can inspire even a small amount of questioning of prejudice.
“Navigating Identity Politics”: Attenello clearly points out that it is important to see the ways in which one can be both a perpetrator and a victim of identity politics. Often people seem to see this as black and white, where there are people in power and those who are oppressed. In reality we all often belong to so many different groups each of us is both a mixture of power and oppression. When she starts to discuss the Rutgers rapist it really reminded me of how many groups make up each of our identities. I feel like often when considering ones identity people are likely to list their gender, religion, ethnicity and socio-economic status. I would be much less likely to immediately consider my status as a college student. In my world most people I interact with have a college education and therefore it does not help to greatly further my identity. One only needs to take a step back and observe the town of Hamilton to understand how being a Colgate student shapes my everyday interactions.
I agree with Abby in that being a college student difinately shapes my interactions with people. There are still things going on that should be more out spoken. For example, many people on campus believe that there is racism that is still apart of this campus. My freshmen year and last year people were writing on stalls and comments were made against people's race. I feel like this is a situation that more people on campus should be united for. We learn every day the harmful effects of racism and we as college students are expected to be educated enough to take a stand but many plead ignorance and don't. These articles want us to not worry about education, class and race and stand up for people who need it and when you believe its wrong. Human Rights are more important then all our differences.
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