Question E: Johnson Chapter 8

Of all the ways people of a dominant groups try to separate themselves from racism and sexism the one that is the most insensitive is the idea of blaming the victims of racism and sexism. Even though strategies like denying and minimizing, calling it something else, pretending it is better to have it this way, saying it doesn’t count if who is saying it doesn’t mean it and many others offer ways for people to “get off the hook.” However, blaming the victim, I believe, just illuminates the oppression dominant groups hold over subordinate groups. Arguments like, “If blacks were smarter or worked harder or got an education, they’d be okay” (Johnson 110) are unfortunately real defenses yet not credible. If the dominant group had not oppressed the subordinate groups the black people would be okay. Oppression is perpetuated when the whites refuse to acknowledge they are part of the problem and therefore not to blame.

An example of how this cycle can be stopped is by looking at what has already started. More and more black people are becoming the faces of companies. Off the top of my head I think of people in the music industry. For instance, many rappers have their own music labels while starting businesses. Many go into businesses such as audio equipment (Dr. Dre’s new headphones) or the beverage business (Diddy, Ludacris). The point is many rappers are really entrepreneurs and as many of them are given opportunities, are able to become more educated and continue to work as hard as they do, they will and are showing society what they are capable of. They work incredibly hard to get to the point where they are rich beyond belief and then many continue to branch out and continue to grow. This alone shows they, by dealing with oppression in a clever way, can succeed and “be okay.” These disadvantaged people show they are capable and already work hard, are educated, and smart enough where white people cannot even make that argument with a straight face.