Current Protests

While I have veered from the subject of Male Stereotypes quite frequently, I believe male stereotypes are impacted by matters of race as well. Some men in the Black community are often discriminated against as seen with George Floyd. There is no denying that what was done was wrong and should be punished. However men today so strongly feel the need to provide that they have come to looting as their solution.

Stealing s not justified for their families. Although I recognize the need to provide is an immense pressure placed upon men in society, it is no justification for illegal activities. We must all condemn this in addition to the officer's discrimination against George Floyd. Due to all this, my family and I are concerned about our safety when going outside. I have even seen stores of family friends getting destroyed on the news. We must all come together to stop these acts from continuing.

White Privilege in the Job Market

White privilege’s impact on the job market has been felt for centuries. White privilege is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “inherent advantages possessed by a white person on the basis of their race in a society characterized by racial inequality and injustice”. Its roots in the United States can be traced to the 17th century with the advent of slavery. After fighting in the Civil War for their freedom, Blacks were introduced to a new form of maltreatment with sharecropping. Similar discriminatory actions continued legally until Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Despite this law and continued efforts by the government, discrimination against Blacks in the job market has been proven by studies over fifty years later. Efforts were further made with the Kerner Report in 1967, citing White racism as the cause of Blacks’ lack of economic opportunity. Despite attempts at support for the Black community in legislation, it has failed to revert centuries of White privilege, resulting in the perpetuation of de facto discrimination.

Able-bodied Privileges

I have never placed much thought into my ability to walk from place to place. In school, I’m able to use my hands to type an essay, give my teachers a high-five, or do push-ups in PE. It wasn’t until my friend had broken his wrist that I had realized my able-bodied privilege. Going to the gym had become impossible for him. Taking a shower had become a daunting mission to undertake. Even eating had become an awkward ritual where the utmost focus was needed to guide the food correctly.

As horrible as the situation was, he was able to recover—a luxury not available to all disabled individuals. Although able-bodied privilege is easy to notice, it is just as easy to ignore. People tend to ignore those with disabilities as it makes them uncomfortable. Rather than take the time out of their day to support these individuals, it is easier to ignore them. I have made it my goal to see the able-bodied privilege in my day-to-day life, attack how society avoids the issue at hand, and utilize any possible solutions to help those in need.