Weapons of Privilege

The term “Weapons of Privilege” was often been affiliated with white people. For example, white people have been the “masters” over the black slaves. Being white gives people more opportunities and a higher education. White people have not only felt superior to the black people but also to Native Americans and any one else who is different from them. The weapons of privilege for example, allow a white person to get a job over someone who perhaps is more capable but who is black. The weapons of privilege enable a white person to get a high paying job, power over others, and a higher education.
White people should not be ashamed of their skin color, nor should blacks. White people should stand up to their fellow men and prevent other whites from hurting, abusing, and taking advantage of blacks. White people need to stand up for equality and what’s right and defend our citizens even if they are different from us. There are still people who want the freedom that America offers.
During the exploration of the New World this term “weapons of privilege” can also be applied. When first thinking about the European invasion on the Native Americans one would think of the superior weapons that were used on the Native Americans compared to their bows and arrows. The Europeans were much more advanced in technology and knowledge. That privilege allowed them to fight, trade, and dominate over the Native Americans. Disease and epidemics of smallpox and other diseases wiped out over half of the Native American population. These diseases destroyed their way of life and left the Native American survivors confused, depressed, and alone. The Europeans were immune to these deadly diseases because they had been around them for so long.
We live in a society today that is shaped by history. Weapons of privilege allow certain people to excel over others. This could be through a higher paying job and higher education opportunities. This idea can’t be changed because the skin color we are born with can’t be. What we can do is help others who are different and less fortunate, by speaking on their behalf or by taking a beating with them.

American-What's that mean?

Americans is a term used in our everyday life but does anyone really know what it means? When thinking about America people think of freedom, the ability to stand and express what you believe in. The United States of American the wealthiest country in the world.Americans are people born in America or are immigrants who have come in legally and are considered a U.S. citizen. Years ago when the "New land" or America began flowing with people from across the world many of them were not accepted. They were different in appearance and had different cultures compared to the people who were already inhabiting the land. Eventually their culture and way of life became accepted. Many people from across the world have "melted" together to form the successful United States of America as we know it today. Although, there are some groups who have not melted or been accepted into our desirable way of life. Native Americans were wiped out when European settlers arrived on this rich soil. Native Americans where thought to be nature lovers, naive, simple, and "perfect" others felt that they were barbaric and nomads. There way of life was so different from the Europeans "right" way of life, that people looked down upon them. They did not want to be affiliated with "savages." African Americans were also greatly tortured and looked down upon. Mainly because they were different they had black skin and were slaves. They were "low life’s." No one wanted to be affiliated with them, so Americans separated themselves by calling themselves white. This "whiteness" allowed you to be educated and rulers over the black workers. Due to these wrong, unfair, and cruel ideas of the past many people who are Native American or African American have not forgotten their harsh past and what their ancestors did to live in what is now a free, rich country.

Viewpoints about others make you feel better about the choices/ideas you make about them?

The Indians were destroyed by the Europeans. Due to the lack of Indians people and histories gained the little knowledge that missionaries, traders, explorers, and colonists. Many of these people had skewed the information whether they spoke about the Indians as overly kind or totally barbaric. The European explorers came and “took over” the Indians. The Europeans were Christian and many of them had moral character. The Europeans tried to make themselves feel better by telling everyone that the Indians who they attacked and destroyed were not acting in moral conduct, were totally barbaric, or just roamed the land instead of inhabited the land. By making the Indians different from the Europeans they did not feel as bad or were in the wrong for wiping out almost an entire race.
Many histories have studied the documents, location, and lifestyles of the Indians. One historian claims that the Indians just roamed the land and were not real farmers. While another disproved that statement by saying that in one incident between the Indians and Europeans the Europeans were survived the winter only because of the food and crops that the Indians gave them. This proves that the Indians farmed and maintained the land. Another historian stated that in order for a man to get married he must kill and scalp and enemy. This was also disproved because if every man killed an enemy the population would eventually be extirpated. These ideas were the common accepted ideas for a long time. These “barbaric” and false ideas helped the Europeans feel “ok” about taking land from the Indians. Furthermore, if the Indians are ignored people begin creating false statements about their culture and the way they live. Just like these ideas mentioned previously.
The Europeans and the Indians could be compared to the white and black in the American society. The Europeans felt they were supreme over the Indians therefore, they tried to convert or change the Indians into what they felt was right. The whites felt that they were supreme to the blacks. This gave them the right to have more opportunities and to kill the blacks. Throughout history people or cultures have attacked and destroyed people who are different then them, whether it’s because they feel supreme over them or don’t like the difference. If a group of people feel that they are the most advanced or right they are willing to fight against those who are “less supreme.” Examples include the Indians and the Europeans and the whites and the blacks. One common theme is that they treat other people different because feel supreme and right.
These ideas have caused a great friction among people. We look and act different around people who are different from us. Many times we try to help and teach them our advanced way of life even if they don’t want it. We also try to explain why and how they are different spreading stories and ideas that eventually become taught and accepted.