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I identify as a afro - Caribbean cisgender heterosexual able boded lower middle class male with a learning disability.

Oppressed Group
afro Caribbean, lower middle class, learning impaired

Privileged Group
male, able boded, heterosexual

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I was born in Kingston Jamaica to a afro - Caribbean mother and biracial father. I partially grow up in a rural town called Morant bay. the people were very kind and welcoming, there's a lot of love in that community. I Moved to Canada when I was 8, people were still kind but very standoffish. I was very nonplus by that; coming from a place where people always welcome you with open arms regardless of who you are. we still reside in the same neighbourhood we originally did when we moved which is Malton Mississauga, a very diverse community. My family identifies as Christian, we went to church a lot when I was younger. I no longer believe in organized religion, that's not to say I don't believe in god i just believe in a noninterventionlist god.

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Social location within webs of oppression

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Social location within webs of oppression

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Social location is described as a position a person holds within their society, those positions are based on what characteristics are deemed to be important by the society. the issue is some characteristics are deem more favorable then others, this is what stems oppression.

Oppression is not soley the product of deliberate action but can result from social practices that are informed by specific values and norms. importantly, oppression may arise not just because society actively seeks to disadvantage some groups of people but rather because of the effects of societal norms, laws and unchallenged assumptions. (Northway 1997  p 738)

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social location within webs of oppression

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social location within webs of oppression

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I belong to 3 oppressed groups afro - Caribbean, the lower middle class, and  learning impaired. Thankfully I've grown up in 2 very diverse and economically homogeneous areas so I haven't encountered much racism or classism, however  throughout my preadolescence and at the beginning of my adolescence I did experience a fear bit of prejudice and discrimination due to my learning disability. I was often ridiculed and mocked by my pears because of my inability to read at their level, I recall an instance where I was held down by a group of my classmates and the word " retard" was written on my forehead in maker. teachers rarely did anything to help, I would just be told " ignore them" and " you shouldn't let their words bother you", every time I complained. one teacher even said " well if you work hard at your reading like they do maybe they'll stop", as if to say them bullying me was my fault. it was a very degrading experience, I often felt like I was too stupid to matter. to this day I lack confidence in my abilities, I always feel like the dumbest person in a room and I refrain from really asking questions or volunteer to answer them out of fear of being laughed at. Einstein once said if you judge an elephant on its ability to climb a tree the elephant will go the rest of its life thinking its incompetent, I believe im unintelligent because I was told so  for years.

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Social location within webs of oppression

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Social location within webs of oppression

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I would say my experience was vastly different from my pears. I wasn't the only person in my grade with a learning disability but I was the only black one. The others were given more support, teacher were more encouraging and understanding while I was pushed aside often ignored. we suffered the same problem yet it felt like they were being rewarded and i punished. why was I just so easy to give up on, was I just not working hard enough, or because of the colour of my skin you decided it wasn't worth your time?

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Social location within webs of privilege

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Social location within webs of privilege

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I belong to 3 dominant groups. able boded 4 ( Most powerful), heterosexual 4 ( Most powerful), and male 3 ( Somewhat powerful). I would say I benefit from being a male the most, its been ranked a 3 because I feel my skin colour dulls the power.

In our society I automatically have certain advantages, I can walk anywhere, anytime or into a bar without having to worry about being raped or sexually harassed, I can apply for must jobs without worrying about being rejected or, if hired, not being promoted because of my gender ( Still have to take my race into consideration), and I am not judged harshly for what I wear or do with my body. I Could go on and give 100 more examples but the point still remains I receive those advantages because I was born a certain way and that is ludicrous. we claim to be out of the middle ages yet our society still has racial and gender based bias, when will people see the folly in their wards and actions. we should be seen as humans before anything else.

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Social location within webs of privilege

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Social location within webs of privilege

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In the past I've made certain negative remarks regarding stereotypes ( The one story) about women, I told sexist jokes, and have been willfully ignorant in situations I shouldn't have. I realize my shortcomings and aim to make amends by educating myself on why my action were wrong as well as others when given the chance and being aware of my privilege when necessary. I was raised by a single mother and belong to 3 oppressed groups myself , I want to be an ally not contribute to oppression.

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The Fight For Women's Rights | Flashback | NBC News

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Beginning to build an anti-oppressive practice

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Beginning to build an anti-oppressive practice

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My social location played a huge role in me choosing this program; specifically the economic issues our communities face i.e food insecurity, addiction, mental health, and the big one for me homelessness. It hurts my heart to see someone have to beg for change and often be ignored, that is extremely dehumanizing. as someone who once felt ignored I want to do my part in empowering these people because as you said earlier in the semester just helping does nothing.

My next step is to continue learning so I can come up with strategies to better help the community in the future , I will also fight injustice when I see it.