The world is a constant struggle between the forces that want to maintain the status quo and the forces that seek to explore. In many occasions, this battle results in a power struggle where the most powerful take it all way. These conflicts exhibit themselves various forms and in many nations, America not an exception. For example, the expansion into the American Wild West led to a power struggle between the whites and the Native and the fight against racism by black populations. In both cases, the oppressed used literature to pass information when nobody could lend an ear. This paper aims to examine Cornel West's Race Matters and Suzzanna Pharr’s Weapon of Sexism. The article also sheds light on the ongoing debate about same-sex marriage drawing reference on John Rawls Principles of Justice.
Summary of Race Matters
Cornel West’s Race Matters work is a combination of essays loosely connected. The theme of Cornel’s works reflects on the struggles faced by the black community in the US. The writings aim to appeal to a diverse audience, by avoiding the use of technical terms and us of simple sentences. Further, he uses a unique term known only to himself "nihilism" (West p. 10)
Race Matters focuses on the underlying events facing the black community in the contemporary world or rather “assault on black humanity” according to West’s opinion. The essay further pokes holes on the relevance of the black population in the political stage of America and the ongoing debates on the political issues. Also, West skillfully analyzes the prevailing business environment, the leadership of the black population, and sought to draw their relationship to the crises facing the African American.
As a reader one may encounter challenges in understanding arguments put forth by West because of the vague definition of specific terms such as "psychic conversation," "prophetic," and "love ethic." The unclear use and definition of these terms leave readers guessing for themselves and trying to make an understanding in regards to the context. Importantly, West profoundly uses the term "progressive" making it a critical point throughout his argument, however, he provides little definition on the matter. The term "progressive" is, therefore, a catchphrase employed to contribute to the flow rather than a critical contributor denoting an agenda in the essay (West p. 25).
Response to Race Matters
Cornel like any other artist is not new to criticism and praise for his work. Some critics have accused him of not taking into account the circumstances that led to the issues he raises. In particular, the market forces effects on the black nihilism and the fall of community institutions. More importantly, the book is considered an academic reference point yet it lacks bibliography, index or footnotes for easy reference and direction to scholars. Interestingly, despite these limitations, West achieved his primary objective of raising race awareness: prompting further dialogue on issues relating to matters of race. West’s thinking is dynamic, original and fresh and the issues he raised concerning sexism, homophobia and classism still have a place in the contemporary world. Additionally, West’s book acts as a yardstick rather than offering concrete solutions.
Summary of Weapon of Sexism
The book by Suzzana Pharr, presents an oppression model of a Lakota Woman as based on Philip Hallie's model of the cruelty of institutions (Clark p. 23). Suzzane shows four factors to depict this oppression. Firstly, she presents substantial cruelty element to this model. Substantial cruelty refers to killing and maiming an individual’s dignity and self-esteem. In the book, Crow Dog’s people had their dignities reduced in every page. Being an Indian, Crow Dog was arrested and exposed to worst forms of racism each time she encountered white people.
Secondly, Suzzane argues that social institution are the very foundations of substantial cruelty. Both the state of Dakota and the federal government were responsible for the worst forms of atrocities on the Sioux clan (Clark p.23). Also, racist institutions developed regulations and policies that severely affected the Sioux clan. It is this institution that played a crucial role in the forced sterilization of Indian women, property destruction and death of many native Americans.
The third factor exhibited in the substantial cruelty suffered by the Indians is the awareness element. Majority of American citizens had no idea of the various atrocities inflicted on the Indian population in the South Dakota reservations. Lastly, the book outlines power disparity as a crucial element in substantial cruelty. In the book, Mary came from a poor background; her people lacked institutional power yet they were part of the independent Sioux clan. White people dictated their every move. Power disparity is at the center of cruelty. Mostly, power is the fuel of institutional cruelty (Clark p.25). This element might be perhaps the reason why FBI feared Leonard Crow Dog's influence and popularity. The FBI felt Crow Dog would question their moral standings through arguments.
Response to Weapons of Sexism
The book denotes the act of kindness as the best counter for cruelty. Kindness neutralizes cruelty by continually reminding the victim that there exist other meaningful relations other than cruelty and provide hope when they see a smile on the perpetrator (p.26). Ironically, the U.S government and the county of South Dakota extended their form of "kindness" through cruelty. The government never listened to Crow Dog and her clan and broke some treaties previously reached. Also, the Indian affairs bureau, which tasked for the welfare of the native Americans, majorly composed of white people who had no fast hand knowledge of the suffering of the Indian people. "Never ask a sword about the suffering. Because it never feels the pain it causes" (Richie p. 1). The state and federal government never cared to ask the natives about the pain they endured.
Should Gays be allowed to Marry Legally?
About the Principles of Justice by John Rawls view is that gays should be allowed to marry their partners (Rawls 250). The fundamental principle of Rawls' contribution to justice is equal liberty to all. In his argument, Rawls indicates that the freedom enshrined to an individual should be similar to all. In this case, the majority of people do not subscribe to gay marriage.
In my view, gay marriage should be legalized. As opposed to Rawls who argues that equal liberty should be similar to all, human beings are diverse creatures with each subscribing to a different set of ideas and cultures. John Rawls' views, the formal and the materials principles of justices were developed in the old ages that have no standing in this current dynamic environment.
Summary
In conclusion, avoidance of humiliation and suffering faced by the Indian and black communities was possible if proper consultation took place. As enshrined in John Rawls' principles each is entitled freedom of liberty similar to everybody. The state ought to have kept systems in place for the advantage of minority groups like native Americans ( Rawls 245).
Works Cited
Clark, Dean Allen. "Understanding Oppression." (2012).
Rawls, John. "The justification of civil disobedience." Arguing about law (2013): 244-253.
Richie, Beth. Arrested justice: Black women, violence, and America's prison nation. NYU Press, 2012.
West, Cornel. Race Matters, 25th Anniversary. Beacon Press, 2017.
