- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E0lYl_noi_ApOLDw_KB7NqHO9aEqXtlJqrKYbkC-I6I/edit?usp=sharing
- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kdKZ-jh0_fDKKMU-nS-wBvfWg8jWvq9wuqKzfBFs-j8/edit?usp=sharing
- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w7qxtTQ3wK3tp2EhV8jWMWkMa9L8NQSi3MM2fStV4AM/edit?usp=sharing
During my second semester at Longwood University, I took SOC 233, Social Inequality and Difference, where all kinds of inequalities were discussed across many different social institutions. Some key concepts I learned about are racial inequality, class inequality, political inequality, gender inequality, sexual inequality, and age inequality. While I have gained a greater understanding of these concepts and types of inequality, I don’t believe my thinking in terms of standpoint has changed at all, but my thinking in terms of knowledge has grown.
In terms of racial inequality, my thinking has been broadened on this topic, but I wouldn’t say it has changed in terms of perspective. When I first started taking classes on inequality, I didn’t understand inequality for what it is, so these courses here at Longwood have helped strengthen my perspective. Racial inequality was never something I experienced first-hand due to my race being of the majority; however, I saw others who experienced it. I never had a firm grasp on the fact that racial inequality happens everywhere, and sometimes microaggressions can occur without people intending them.
In terms of class inequality, my thinking has also been broadened on this topic. I recognize that I have been very fortunate to have grown up in the social class that I did. When I first started taking classes on inequality, I recognized that class inequality was the type of inequality that I knew about most, but I didn’t realize how much class inequality was in the United States and in all sorts of social institutions. One of my papers specifically addresses the topic of class inequality in sports, specifically the NFL.
In terms of gender inequality, from when I first started learning about inequality until now, I have learned about the underrepresentation and gender inequality in the police force and in other social institutions. There is a small percentage of women in the police force and in a lot of career fields with a much smaller proportion of leadership positions compared to men, specifically in the police force, in which I have previously done a paper that addresses this topic.
In terms of disability inequality, I had no idea before learning about inequality, that agencies would completely dismiss individuals because of their ability. I wrote a paper that discussed disability inequality within the police force, and it’s a tricky subject because in order to get into the police force, you must perform specific abilities, and with a physical disability, it would be almost impossible to get said job. Inequality here goes deeper than this though. Jobs that don’t require any physically or intellectually demanding skills will dismiss individuals with disabilities solely due to their disabilities.
In terms of sexual inequality, when I first started learning about this versus now, I knew that inequality revolving around individuals’ sexual orientation existed, but because of my own sexual orientation being part of the majority, I never experienced said inequality. Then, I researched and wrote a paper addressing sexual inequality in law enforcement. The article discusses the discrimination, inequality, and harassment that occurs by law enforcement toward individuals based on their sexual orientation. Not to confuse this with what’s happening inside the police force, but what’s happening behind the scenes, by law enforcement. The article speaks about profiling, discrimination, and harassment that occurs by police officers toward the LGBT community, and how it continues to be an issue.
Much of my thinking on inequality as a whole has stayed the same regarding point of view; however, my thinking and learning has been broadened. I have learned so much about inequalities I hadn’t known existed. I can see these views about issues related to inequality potentially affecting my career in many ways. I thought I’d go into law enforcement, which is why many of my papers are focused on inequality in law enforcement; however, I am going into the aquatics department as the Aquatics Director at the Dan McKinney YMCA in San Diego, CA. In the aquatics department at any pool, within the hiring process and promotion process, inequality can be a hurdle to overcome. There are specific requirements individuals need to meet in order to be selected; however, past those requirements, the process should be unbiased.