Kayla Little

2/26/2017
Dr. Harmon

Howard Chapter 2 Questions

1. What were your feelings/thoughts as you read the authors account of White social
dominance as it affected Native Americans and Australian Aboriginals?
After reading this section, I had a thought about how I never really thought about
this. I have thought about this culture, but not in depth. After reading about the
conferences its amazing the support they have for each other and the amount of work
they put in the conferences. I like his idea of emerging himself in the different cultures,
but not becoming it. What I think is interesting is how he became apart of so many
different cultures that he states, I saw that my intense identification with the other had
been part of a continuing effort to distance myself from the distasteful aspects of being
White (24). I found this to be interesting because I can see how someone can get into
so many different cultures that they can find problems with their own. I wonder if I would
feel the same way? Also, I wonder if there are people in their own culture who look into
other cultures and feel the same way as Mr. Howard does.
Another thing I have noticed is through out the years this culture has had
difficulties with the introduction of white people such as new diseases, warfare, and land
theft. This has left this culture on edge with this race and they have become closer to
one another, and stronger in their beliefs. Even today they are still battling to keep their
land safe and sacred.

2. How is the experience of Indigenous peoples in relationship to social dominance

similar to that of other racial/ethnic/cultural groups you are aware of? How is it unique?

I feel as if that they have felt the hardships that others have felt from the social
dominance. New practices were introduced to them, they lost many people in the
process, and there is controversy to what they have gone through. African-Americans
went through the hardships of slavery, and then they were discriminated from the
Whites, but soon were integrated in. How the Indigenous people are unique is their land
was stolen, and they were forced to become accustomed to what Whites are. Their
beliefs are different, and they have different legends then they would from Whites. This
line caught me, The removal of Indigenous children from their homes to attend
boarding schools is one of the most tragic stories in the history of Western dominance
(45). This was the thought of civilizing the children, and they were taken far away so
they couldnt run home to their parents. This is where cultural genocide was brought in.
Many of the Indigenous people turned to alcohol, and they were seen as too Indian for
the social dominance. Its incredible everything they have gone through.

3. What do you see as the relationship between social dominance and todays concerns
about educational equity and closing the achievement gap?
When I see this I think about the opportunity for all students. There is the idea
that all white kids go to college and graduate from high school with high GPAs. Then
there are other races who arent thought as highly of, and so there is the thought of extra
help. Such as scholarships for those who decide to go to college. This will welcome
those of different cultures, and to motivate them to go to college. This is something I
have seen before, but there is also scholarships for those with two different colored
eyes. In other words, it is seen that the social dominance will go to school to get an
education, while other cultures need to be bribed to go to school. This isnt always the
case, but from past experiences and when I was looking into college thats what I saw.
Another thing I notice is when filling out applications, or anything and it asks what race
you are. This is something I never thought about when I was younger, but it is interesting
to see how your race or culture can have different outcomes in different tasks. Usually
when it asks, there is a statement that there will not be any discrimination on the race or
the gender. This is amazing to me how the world works, and I honestly dont see why its
important to know the race unless that company is interested in knowing the culture so
they can honor it when the person enters in the work force. Maybe this is why that
question is asked, but I still wonder.