SOCW 6051: Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice

Week 8

Response to Discussion: Religion and Privilege

For citizens in some countries, religious oppression is common and long standing. While freedom of religion is guaranteed in the U.S., religious intolerance still exists. According to the Equal Opportunity Employment commission, the number of lawsuits filed for religious discrimination doubled between 2000–2010 (Pledger, 2011). Social workers must be alert for the complex ways that religious privilege functions. By creating an awareness of the privilege given to some while marginalizing others, social workers can understand how this bias impacts their clients.

By Day 07/23/2021

Respond to at least two colleagues by selecting one of their examples to review further. Research and report on a situation in which that group experienced treatment on the other end of the spectrum of oppression or privilege, either in the present day or during an earlier historical period.

Colleagues Respond: Diana Thorne 

RE: Discussion – Week 8

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A situation in which members of a religion, experience privilege can be demonstrated in one week in the lives of the “Smith Family”. It is 1 week before Christmas. The Smith family consists of mom, dad, and twin girls ages 10. The Smiths are an all-American Christian family. Their week starts on Monday morning where mom drops the kids off at their elementary school. As the mom drops the children off at school, she and the dad can rest assured that their children will be taught and administered by teachers who share their Christian faith. Their children will also have friends who share their Christian faith and values (Adams et. al., 2018). The dad drives his suburban that has a bumper sticker that states “Jesus Saves” to work proudly and has no fears of his vehicle being vandalized while he is at work (Adams et. al., 2018). Once the dad arrives at work, his boss reminds him of the office Christmas party tonight. The dad and his boss take their Christian work-based holiday party privilege for granted as it is widely supported by the other employees as the norm. 

The boss makes an announcement that the company will shut down for the entire week of Christmas as a bonus to the employees to celebrate the religious holidays. During the rest of the week, the family continue to shop at stores that have an abundance of Christian items for the family to practice their faith and celebrate the Christian Christmas holiday while being greeted warmly with salutations “Merry Christmas” (Adams et. al., 2018). Later that Sunday morning, the Smith family attend observed Christmas services with their church congregation where they’re able to worship freely, without fear of violence or threat (Adams et. al., 2018).

A situation in which members of a religion, experience religious oppression are Muslim college students being targeted for wearing the hijab and practicing the Qiblah, which is the direction Muslims face when praying. The majority Christian students and staff feel uncomfortable when non-Christians practice their faith and religion. The dominant Christian groups feel threatened that their established normative religion and dominant identity are being challenged (Adams et. al., 2018). Dalia from the Ted Talk explained how marginalized religious groups like Muslims are targeted and discouraged to congregate to worship by inflicting fear and violence as a means to control (Mogahed, 2016).

References

Mogahed, D. (2016, February 23). What it’s like to be Muslim in America. TED Talks. https://www.ted.com/talks/dalia_mogahed_what_it_s_like_to_be_muslim_in_america

Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Catalano, D. C., Hackman, H. W., Dejong, K., Hopkins, L. E., Love, B., Peters, M. L., Shlasko, D., & Zuniga, X. (2018). Readings for diversity and social justice.

Colleagues Respond: Ja’Sharee Bush 

RE: Discussion – Week 8

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The connection between privilege and religion is Christians have the advantage and receive praise and are the dominant group. Examples of Christian privilege are as simple as placing a bumper sticker on your car about your faith without fear of vandalization, Holidays surrounding the Christian faith are widely supported (ex. Christmas), and Christians are not pressured into celebrating someone else faith that may conflict with theirs (Adams et al., 2018). These are privileges that Christians think nothing of because they do not have to worry since they are the dominant group, Muslims, Buddhists, and other religions are criticized for embracing their religion. They are forced to conform to the norm or worship in silence. Muslim individuals engage in prayer throughout the day and have days and time dedicated to prayer, instead of having the freedom Christians do to worship, Muslims miss these services or must find a way to engage in their religion.

People from other religions become targets, an example is a Muslim community. The Muslim place of worship (Mosque) would be attacked, and negative publicity followed the Muslim’s traditions. They also marginalized Muslims by having school calendars cater to Christian children, giving them days off to engage in Christian traditions (Adams et al., 2018). Christians have more freedom to worship as they please and other religions are criticized and targeted for believing differently.

Reference 

Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Castaneda, C., Catalano, D. C. J., DeJong, K., Hackman, H. W,… Zuniga, X. (Eds.). (2018). Readings for diversity and social justice (4th ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Press.

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 Please follow Rubric Detail

Responsiveness to Directions

8.1 (27%) – 9 (30%)

Discussion posting fully addresses all instruction prompts, including responding to the required number of peer posts.

Discussion Posting Content

8.1 (27%) – 9 (30%)

Discussion posting demonstrates an excellent understanding of all of the concepts and key points presented in the text(s) and Learning Resources. Posting provides significant detail including multiple relevant examples, evidence from the readings and other scholarly sources, and discerning ideas.

Peer Feedback and Interaction

6.75 (22.5%) – 7.5 (25%)

The feedback postings and responses to questions are excellent and fully contribute to the quality of interaction by offering constructive critique, suggestions, in-depth questions, additional resources, and stimulating thoughts and/or probes.

Writing

4.05 (13.5%) – 4.5 (15%)

Postings are well organized, use scholarly tone, contain original writing and proper paraphrasing, follow APA style, contain very few or no writing and/or spelling errors, and are fully consistent with graduate level writing style.