In Chapter 3, it is mentioned that White Americans often associate African Americans with recipients of Government assistance like Welfare because this idea has been projected by the media for so long. While there are African Americans who receive assistance, they are not the only ones. As a disabled person, I receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Food Stamps, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Section 8 Subsidized Housing. I think it is important to recognize that these programs were created for a reason - they provide basic needs like food and shelter to those that have low incomes. To me, they are not a stereotype, but a godsend that means the difference between having or not having sustenance.
- Josh Steffen
People receiving welfare may face prejudice attitudes and behaviors for many reasons but particularly because prejudiced attitudes and behaviors are justified through the legitimizing of myths about people on welfare. One myth which often keeps stereotypical thoughts surrounding African Americans and other minorities on welfare established is the bootstrap myth. The bootstrap myth which states that the best way for a person or group of people to rise up in the world is to create their own opportunities and lift themselves up by their bootstraps; often illustrated by the classic American rages to riches bootstrap stories. This myth may explain why many people contribute poverty to individualistic attributes; they were able to get where they are by themselves.
ReplyDeleteIndividualistic attributions emphasizes the personal deficiencies that place the burden of responsibility for poverty on the poor, some examples of individualist attributes that people most often cite are financial irresponsibility, sexual promiscuity, laziness, and substance abuse. And within the United States, people are more likely to favor individualistic attributes rather than maybe structural explanations.
One structural attribution which may contribute to poverty are low wages however, the wage gap still exists even despite The Equal Pay Act which was signed in 1963. As of 2006, women earn just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. Minority women fare the worst. African-American women earn just 64 cents to every dollar earned by White men, and for Hispanic women that figure drops to merely 52 cents per dollar.
Thus, people on welfare tend to be trapped within a double bind, you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t. It is important to continue reveal the myths which perpetuate negative attitudes expressed to minority groups. For myths cause fear and hate breeds violence. In order to stop violence and discrimination against minority members, we must continue to work against the myths and norms established with our society.