“What does ‘difference’ when considering issues of race, class and gender really mean to society at large and potentially to various individuals within that society? What did you take away from this unit about difference that you may not have considered before? What seems to be the connective thread and broader complications of “difference”?

Throughout my readings I have found that difference sets people apart, and one difference can put someone at an advantage or disadvantage. A simple difference, such as the color of one’s skin or the sex characteristics a person has can change how they are perceived by others. The main idea that I learned in this class was that something is difference only when compared to others. And in order to have comparisons, there needs to be a ‘norm.’ In the class we made a social hierarchy chart. The top of the list was ‘White Males.’ In many of these chapters, we discussed how the white males dominated other races and women. As our class discussions went more in depth on the issues with the hierarchy, and I became more disturbed, I started to realize that I followed the hierarchy in my every day life. As uncomfortable as I was, I started to recall all the times I reinforced the hierarchy in my head. For example, If I am walking alone, I would be more uncomfortable if a black man was following behind me rather then a white man. In this case, I am clearly stereotyping. How do I, and so many others, let small differences cloud our judgment on individuals?! As of now, I am not so clear on the answer. However I do know that the small differences between a group of people can change the way a group is perceived forever.