In this article six terms are explained that impede success. They all seemed to me somehow related, even similar to each other. Every person has unique perception of the world. While some people see objects in one way, the others may see it absolutely differently. In my opinion, stereotype is a general perception of foreign people. Second, I think, that discrimination may be caused by another barrier, ethnocentrism. People who think their culture is superior (ethnocentrism), treat others unequally (discrimination).
The most interesting example that author gives, I think, research conducted in Berkeley. When students were asked what they think about disabled people, students answered they were smart. Others would answer otherwise.
The author mentions that most people perceive Muslims as terrorists. Recently I read the article about the incident that happened in Norway this summer. As you remember, a European originated man killed approximately ninety people. The press declared him as “Attacker”, “Gunman” and “Assailant”. However, nobody called him “terrorist”. Then author raised question if the term “terrorist” was reserved by Muslims.
OMG! Your last paragraph is incredible, I really love it, I had never thought about that, it is just unfair that the press reserves the word 'terrorist' for muslims the way they do it, it stereotypic and racist to do that, it is just like saying: any muslim murderer is a terrorist, the rest are just gunmen... Sounds pretty dumb to me.
ReplyDeleteAt first I also thought: hey the six terms are very similar! But after reading the text I noticed they are different.
About Berkeley, well I really liked the explanation, it is something that you would consider to be confusing, but it really makes sense, the perception of the people who live in Berkeley towards the disabled people is that they're smart, but it is because they are surrounded by that environment and that feelings, for many others, a disabled person is a dummy, just as Carol said in one of the passages of the reading. (engr 103)
I never noticed that. That’s a very good observation. It’s interesting how the article you were talking about didn’t regard the assailant as a terrorist despite the fact that he was charge with terrorism. I wonder what would have the author of the article would have called the perpetrator, if the former were a Muslim
ReplyDeleteENGR 103
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