Theory the Stand Point Theory

¶ … Theory

The stand point theory is a complex topic to expound on and fully understand. The video the Color of Fear by Lee Mun Wah is an example of how the society has taken for granted the relationships among the people of different ethnic groups

The film brings into focus how the differences in the social locations of the individuals create the environment for racism and ethnic-based misconceptions thoughts to flourish.

The men who hail from Asian, European, Latino and African descent bring out the impacts of stand point view of the societies and at the end of the film a clearer logic of understanding is made

Gordon and David Christenson who are of the European-American descent are representing the less caring attitude of the whites toward discrimination of the other races. Their social location depicts them to be of the superior race and is hence racists even without realizing it. They consider that other races as less superior and not intellectually well equipped as they are. The other six men that are Victor, Lauren, David Lee, Roberto, Yutaka and Hugh are of the lower social location group

. They are depicted as trying to make their presence felt by seeing the other races as the ones who are oppressing them. They however do not hold a common direction of thoughts since they also have differences among themselves. The Asians are for instance still seeing the Africans as a less superior race compared to them because of their social location.

These men, though highly endowed in knowledge, and they are successful in life, their situated knowledge still differs. They are victims of the societal imaginations from their ethnic groups. It is however easy for them to realize during their discussion that it is not their fault that they all have fears of discrimination from the other race. It is as a result of their upbringing and the environment that they have this imagination of situated imaginations.

From the article on the ethnic groups in the United States, the issues represented in the video can be well explained from their origin

. The article which explains how the different ethnic groups in the Americas came to be clearly illustrates and explains the perspectives of these men in the film. Initially, the American natives were colonized by mainly west England region nations hence the difference in the races. The Spanish were among the first to get hold of land in America. They settled mainly in the southern end of North America, hence contributing to the rise of the Latin America. Other colonizers included France, England, the Scotch-Irish, Germans and the Netherlands among others.

When the American Revolution took place, the outlook of the native cultures of America had been influenced into those of their colonizers

. However, the English people being stronger and more influential led to them being seen as the superior nations. As a result, the white Americans acquired the perspective that they actually are better than the other races. Also during this revolution, other immigrants also came into the picture such as the Africans and the Asians. This escalated the competition for resources and control among the ethnic groups into warfare. The struggles led to establishment of territories and beliefs that later made basis for the discriminative behavior depicted in the American society

. The African-Americans and the Latin people are viewed as hooligans and are associated with violent activities and lack of education just as David Christenson had thought in the video.

It is clear from the article Ethnic Groups in the United States clearly gives the perspective that the men have on racism and discrimination on the basis of their ethnic origin. From the origin of the American, these beliefs which are demeaning to other groups have existed from time immemorial. It is not the participants in the film who have these stands and beliefs but it is the making of the society class and origin from which they hail.

Allan Johnson in his theory of power, privilege and difference, shows that those in authority or having a higher social status get the privilege over the other groups

. From the discussion in the video, the men of European origin come out strongly thinking that they are the superior race and hence are actively involved in the discussion. The other men of the less considered races however, also express their concerns but with less conviction since the society has set them as the less privileged. The differences between them cause each to express their issues with concern; hence this theory explains the men's behavior in the film.

The standpoint theory is one that considers the way our society and the culture shapes our way of thinking and views in different ideologies and perspectives

. Using the inequalities that exist within the society shapes how we perceive each other and hence; the stand point we have as individuals are not really considered as significant. The view point is usually exhibited through the culture we show and the language we use. The culture is diverse and the identities we express are usually rooted within the individuals.

The standpoint theory consists of three ideas; the first is that our standpoint is determined by our social location and situated knowledge. The second is that we do not only belong to one particular group but we belong to more groups depending on the various inequalities among us. This can either make us one large strong group or a less powerful group

. The third is that members in a social group have a status in the hierarchy. Those that are higher in standing can influence the perspectives of those lower in the social hierarchy (less powerful social group)

The standpoint theory sets a basis for understanding the marginalization of certain groups in the society

. For instance, in line with the men in the video, Hugh's view that the white Americans are the major cause of racism and thus; change should start from them shows that the whites are the ones higher on the hierarchy. Thus the African-Americans and the Latino men feel that it is them that are underprivileged. Gordon and David Christenson's view that the other races are the ones that pose danger to them is an indication of how the social location has affected their thinking

. However, after the participants have talked and opened up to each other, their viewpoints do not however remain the same. Thus the standpoint theory explains their behavior and perception of things initially.

Many are the times when we believe what we hear or see others doing without questioning. This is what the article how nice people are corrupted by David Meyers explains. The way an individual reasons is very much different from the way a group does