Steinem is right in that our society will continue to be subject to incidences of horrific violence unless we stop reinforcing the hierarchy that dictates that white, middle-class, non-poor men are naturally at the top. However, I disagree with Steinem’s claim that “we must begin to raise our sons more like our daughters.” In my opinion, this is over the line. Men are instinctually violent, and it is this instinct that protects our country from those who would do evil upon it. Orson Wells once said, “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Supremacy Crimes
Gloria Steinem’s article “Supremacy Crimes” makes a number of important and valid points, but it also has significant issues. I certainly agree that the “drug of superiority,” as Steinem describes it, is primarily consumed by white, middle-class, well-to-do males. As Steinem explains, this is due to the fact this is the group that has been conditioned by society, particularly by patriarchy, to feel that they are at the top of the social hierarchy in America. In many ways, the evidence most definitely supports this as a disproportionate amount of serial killings in history have been committed by members of the aforementioned group. The incidents at Columbine and other places were horrific and should have been prevented. Such violence is believed to be a result of hate and feelings of needing to prove assumed superiority. While this is probably true, I feel that Steinem has chosen to ignore crucial factors in some of the cases she mentions. The factors I am primarily speaking of are insanity and other extreme psychological disorders. David Berkowitz believed a dog told him to kill people; obviously nuts. Ted Bundy was a certifiable psycho-maniac. However, with these examples, I think Steinem was implying that these killers’ deep psychosis was brought on as a result of hate that stemmed from their addiction to superiority.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It is interesting to contrast Gloria Stinem’s article with the New York Times article “living and fighting alongside men”. Gloria Stinem believes that the patriarchal heteronormative white male culture found in America creates a sense of entitlement and superiority among the aforementioned demographic group. She argues that these values lead to the kinds of violent crimes perpetrated by this demographic group- arguing that a disproportionate number of middle class white males are serial, sociapaths, and other criminals who commit crimes which do not lead to any economic of social benefit. She then argues that much like we have begun to raise our daughters like our sons, we must also raise our sons like our daughters, teaching them to empathetic and caring.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, the women in the New York Times article readily accept their roles as soldiers, a job which requires them to be aggressive and, if necessary, to kill. The fundamental question being answered in both of these articles is the role of society and violence. Women in Army bases have made enormous leaps and strides towards being completely integrated into the Army, yet the hyper masculine culture they work in has resulted in sexual assaults and crimes, much of which goes unreported due to the strict hierarchical chain of command within the Armed forces.
Thus, both articles seem to point out that the hierarchy of masculinity within America and relate it to violence against people. Yet as the New York Times article points out, women are increasingly joining male dominated fields such as the Army. It is interesting to think how the experiences of female soldiers with combat experience will shape the way women perceive themselves, and how this will affect how society views women and violence.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts on these articles, particularly Steinem. John and Daniel, your point about insanity and other factors is well taken, and I'd like to think that Steinem would acknowledge that this is certainly part of the puzzle. Clearly there's some level of disturbance in anyone who commits crimes like this. Her point, which is well-taken and I think can work in conjunction with yours, is that *in addition* to the common trend of mental disturbance/disease in these cases is the fact that the criminals were all white, middle-class, straight men. We pay a lot of attention to the former in discussing these crimes, and almost no attention to the latter; we need to think about both factors in order to understand these situations.
Jack, great work in class today -- your contributions, like your post, were thoughtful and valuable.