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Standpoint theory is a theory of the contemporary times that analyzes inter-subjective interaction and communication. This theory is influenced by a number of factors which consequently help in the making up of people’s viewpoints in their routine life. One of the most important aspects of Standpoint theory is that the social groups and social locations play a major role in shaping an individual’s mind and perspectives through different experiences. Factors defining our unique standpoint include viewpoint, perspective, outlook, and position. Our locations within society shape the way in which we understand and communicate with ourselves and the world around us. Our worldview is a direct result of our individual standpoint. As far as my understanding of the Standpoint theory is concerned, I believe that the social locations of people have a strong connection with their standpoints in the society. The locations also have a great effect on the social life of people and how they respond to different people or circumstances.
Being an African America, it’s my experience and observation that there are a number of societal, economical and political factors that have limited the African-American amalgamation in the society of United States of America. The majority of American people have difficulty in interacting with the African Americans as there is still an extensive prevalence of prejudicial thoughts and attitudes on the basis of one’s color, caste, language, race and origin. In the present times too, the African Americans are encountering heartbreaking and humiliating responses. This is the reason why a majority of blacks have gone through severe dislocations since their arrival in the American land. In the times gone by, African Americans suffered from diseases, slavery, wars, intentional extermination etc. They have also “experienced periods of severe animosity marked by lynchings, race riots, and other forms of public violence” (Zinn & Dill 4).
The cultural differences among black and whites have never found a common ground. This is so true when American society is closely watched and analyzed. The blacks have contributed so much for the advancement and progression of American society and economy. However, they are treated with feelings of bigotry even in the present times. Although the President Obama has become the first Black-American president of the country, the whites are still dominating African-Americans. This means that American society is not ready to amalgamate the African-American culture. Unfortunately, the American society is structured in a way that doesn’t allow people of color to amalgamate in a peaceful and humane manner. Although the institution of slavery was abolished centuries ago, the American society is still ruling on the basis of hierarchal patterns, domination and oppressive behavior (Zinn & Dill 9). This behavioral pattern of whites is also observable in their interaction with other minorities and ethnic groups. This is the reason why African-Americans and other submissive groups like Mexicans, Asians and Arabs etc. have strong communications among them. As the mentioned marginal groups are treated in the same prejudicial way, their interaction has become good due to the same problems they face in getting equal job opportunities, accommodation facilities, education etc. As far as my opinon s concerned, I think that my social location has positively affected my interaction with the members of other marginal groups as we are denied the access to power and opportunities by the whites in American society.
It is a crystal-clear fact that the cultural standpoints of African-American are very different from the cultural standpoints of whites, particularly in the United States of America. However, it is also important to mention here that the Black culture has affected the American society to a great extent as the culture of mainstream America in the modern times is hollow without the religious beliefs, arts, food, music, literature of Blacks. Although, much more improvement is needed between communication among Blacks and Whites; the Whites cannot deny that the Black’s creative culture has nourished American society greatly. This is also important to mention here that the American culture has not facilitated African American culture to develop and the latter progressed separately. If truth be told, the continuity of the Black’s culture has given them the existing standpoint in the American society. In fact, the persistent racial segregation that whites practice has affected the Black’s identity frequently but their determination has made them a strong marginal group in the United States (Gates & Higgingbotham).
Works Cited
Gates, Henry Louis, and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham. African American Lives. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print.
Zinn, Maxine Baca, and Bonnie Thornton Dill. Women of Color in U.S. Society. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1994. Print.
