Chapter 5; Five Faces Of Oppression

Chapter five spoke about power and how to understand power. Also what is linked with power. From what I read, I see that power is linked to inequality. There are plenty of places that I've been where I have observed how people used power to their advantages. Its sad and disturbing. I feel like no one should feel like they are bigger or more important on this earth surface than the next person. We are all human and are all equal. Based on the reading power is the ability to bring about an intended outcome even when opposed by others. They are two kinds of power. The "Power To" and the "Power Over". I experienced a lot with those who have "Power Over". Empowerment (power to) is to bring about and intnended outcome. Empowerment was the focus of much feminist scholarships on power. It onvolves enhancement and self improvment. Empowrment can inolve orginizations, communities, and entire categories of people. With this I think a GED program, Breast Cancer Walk, and things like that are a form of empowerment. Domination (power to) is the ability to bring about an intended outcome. An example of this would be forcing children to be brides. There are some strategies to overcome opposition. To persuade, coerce, and reward.There are also different types of power. Reward, Coercive, Legitimate, Referent, Expert, and Informational power. People in power also use tactics. Those tactics are harsh and soft tactic, rational and non rational, and unliteral and bilateral. These strategies people use to influence others in everyday life. The "Five Faces Of Oppession" basically stated the five different types oppression. Those five are Violence, Marginalization, Cultural Imperialism, Powerlessness, and Exploitation. Oppression is when people make others feel less human. This happens every day in every way stated. People work in sweat shops are exploited because they are paid farely for their labors, a lot of African Americans or jobless especially those with criminal background but a white man would have more of a chance with finding a job with the same background, people who have no form of education or skill usually are poor and some may live in shelters where they are treated unfair and spoken to in a disrespectful manner, whatever the ruling class believe is right the lower class must follow in their footsteps and as far as violence, its committed everyday based of fear or idle hands.