Blog #4 - Zoe Denckla

I partially agree with the statement: Micro aggressions and other inequities will inevitably persist largely due to the dominant middle class culture of power. I agree with the argument that the dominant culture of power is currently what is perpetuating micro aggressions but I think these inequalities fall more down to being white or part of the dominant class and less to one’s socioeconomic status. I feel that the reason why micro aggressions and other inequities exist is because the dominant class has the privilege of not having to pay attention to these things. Having the most social capital and not having to address these issues, is the reason why these things are ignored or looked over, because they are not prevalent to the dominant class. Any issue that falls down to how society perceives people isn’t easily solved but I think the first step in changing anything is acknowledging the existence of micro aggressions and inequities.

            While the white dominant class is perpetuating the issue, they are simultaneously the solution. Of course it’s important for everyone to be aware as possible about issues and inequities like this, the only group that truly has the ability/ social power to change anything is the dominant group. What makes this all so difficult is that even though politically we are all technically equal, the dominant group assumes that means issues regarding racism have been eliminated. People no longer have the same obligation to address these things, because even though the same issues persist they are even more deeply engrained in the dominant classes’ subconscious. Through social education and awareness of the dominant group from an early age, I believe that there is an opportunity to make improvements to how deeply embedded these micro aggressions are in the dominants mind. I think the success of changing how we view each other will come down to focusing less on blaming people for their subconscious prejudices and more by trying to educate people where they are flawed. I definitely don’t think this is an easy task to unearth prejudices and inequalities that have been instilled in us since the founding of this country, but if the dominant class is more educated, they sadly might be the only people who have the social capital to start to change things.