Reference no: EM131897730

This short paper is to be written on the topic: "Explorations of Diversity"

Instructions

Utilizing the resources from the text and additional readings, write a short paper exploring the meaning of what Patricia Hill Collins calls the matrix of domination. Consider how identity politics (civil rights, feminism, the LGBT movement) could be considered a response to domination (forms of power evident in control, exclusion, and discrimination).

Requirements of Submission: Short paper assignments must follow these formatting guidelines: double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, and APA citations. Page length is 2-3 pages, 600 words minimum.

Reference;

Limpangog, C. P. (2016). Matrix of Domination. The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Gender and Sexuality Studies.

Rollins, J. (1991). Black feminist thought: Knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment. The American Journal of Sociology, 97(3), 897-899.

Nett, R. (1971). The civil right we are not ready for: the right of free movement of people on the face of the earth. Ethics, 81(3), 212-227.

Matrix Exploration of Diversity

The matrix of domination is a sociological concept relating to levels ofpower, control, and oppression among different groups in society. Thisidea was introduced by social theorist Patricia Hill Collins in her 1990book Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politicsof Empowerment.

The matrix of domination stems from the idea that peoplein society oppress one another based on classifications such as race,sex, and economic class. This oppression may be varied and complex.However, it generally has a negative effect on individuals and theirbroader social groups and may lead to serious disadvantages for large
sections of the world population.

Overview

Social theorists have long acknowledged the roles that race, sex,economic class, and other categories play in societal power andindividual experience. Every person's life is in some way shaped bythese categories. Often the results are negative, with people facing discrimination based on the idea that some types of people are superioror inferior.

This discrimination may seriously harm a person's dailylife and long-term opportunities and the power and privileges of entiregroups in society. Many theorists have focused on individual socialcategories and their experiences, but others believed that the problem of domination and oppression was more complicated.

In 1990, Patricia Hill Collins published Black Feminist Thought:Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment, whichintroduced the idea of a matrix of domination. This theory held thatrace, sex, and class in society should not be viewed as individualfactors but rather as an interlocking set of factors.

One person will bepart of more than one group, and the effects of being in these groupswill overlap into one complex and unique experience. Later, Collins'stheory was expanded to include other forms of classification, such asage, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and geography.

The matrix theory holds social domination as a complex structure. Ingeneral, it holds that European Americans have more power than AfricanAmericans and other racial groups; males have more power than females;and wealthier people have more power than poorer people.

In that way, awealthy European American male would likely have more power than a poorAfrican American female. Different combinations of factors would yielddifferent levels of social power in relation to other people and groups.

Each individual's experiences would be unique. For instance, an elderly,rich Asian American woman in the South would likely have some advantagesand some disadvantages when compared to a young, poor Indian Americanman in the North.

Collins's main interest was in the experiences of African Americanwomen, but in her writings she focused more on the interlocked workingsof the overall structure of domination rather than the situation facedby any one particular group.

She also theorized on ways that peoplefacing domination could improve their own social standing. Mainly, shesuggested that African American women should use their knowledge andexperience as a form of creative power to improve their lives,communities, and, ultimately, standing in society.