Chp. 34 Standpoint Theory

Chapter 34, Standpoint Theory, says that your position in your society's social hierarchy affects how objective your perceptions will be in given situations, and that the lower your position, the more objective your perceptions. In class we discussed four marginalized groups. These groups include women, the poor, racial minorities, and homosexuals. I have to say, I totally support this theory and I don't think it could be any truer to what it states. Being a Kent State student on such a diverse campus, I see these marginalized groups everyday. I give a lot of credit to these groups, too, because it takes a lot of courage to stand up to the powerful. As a white, upper-middle class female, I've never really had to worry about being in a position where I would feel threatened, taken advantage of, or inferior to someone else. Although I am a woman, and women are in the marginalized groups, I have other characteristics in my life that make me a part of the "powerful." I remember watching the tv a few years ago and all I would ever see was "Should Gay Marriage be Legal?" across the screen. At the time it didn't really phase me, but now that I have gotten a little bit older, and especially from learning about these marginalized groups in class, I feel so terrible for them. I sometimes think how upset I would be if the government told me I couldn't marry the person I loved. These people have to spend the majority of their lives defending themselves, simply because of who they are. I have never been in that position, and I am lucky for that. But as a member of the "powerful people" I will do everything I can in the future to try and support these groups, and help them in their cause for acceptance.