Reading Reflection

“In our 230 year history, the tension between similarity and difference-what brings us together and pushes us apart-has been the hallmark of the American experience.”
The chapter “Differences and Similarities” began talking about how after 9/11 people were divided. Those who looked Middle Eastern were treated differently and there was a lot of hostility towards them. It also reminded us that this was not the first time something like this had happened. After slavery had been abolished there was still cruel treatment of blacks and practice of slavery. Japanese during World War II were put in internment camps and forced to relocate. Still, even today homosexuals are discriminated against and are subject to violence. Those are just a few examples of what the chapter was talking about.
The author goes on to talk about how although no too people are alike, we feel reassured that there are other people like ourselves. This is true because without similarities and any way to relate to another person, life becomes impossible. The things that keep everyone reasonably stable are the idea that there are some things we can count on. Commonalities are appreciated from on person to another, but there is a need to balance with different things.
People classify one another and have an us/them mentality. These judgments are the defining parts of social life in our society. Differences in perspectives come from variation in groups, whether it is gender, color, religion, etc. What is considered “normal” is a cultural ideal. For the majority in a group, they are less likely to be examined because it is seen as normal. White people generally think a lot less about race than others because they are the majority and usually have more social advantages.
Stratification through status also identifies similarities and differences between people. Wealth and income play a huge role in this but in the case of a millionaire criminal; they lack the social status that others may have. Power plays into this as well because it sets one apart from another.
Tim Wise’s article on racist socialization also made a good point on differences and similarities. It is part of our culture to identify people (in this case through color) and think of them in a certain way just because how society portrays them. The author’s grandmother who had forgotten her ways of standing up for equality used the “n word” after developing Alzheimer’s. Society conditioned people to be intolerant. It is now important for whites to fight against racism that has been internalized.
Overall, differences have a strong association with inequality. The identity of someone and how they are the same or different from someone else influences many things in a persons life. Everyone draws on the experiences that are the same or different from someone else to live in society.