Chapter 4

WOW,
This chapter was very interesting and enlightening. I felt that the argument presented was very valid. I'd like to just touch on a few points I feel stuck out to me the most.

I'd like to start with a quote from the post of ehammelshaver (I couldn't have said this better, and I want to give credit where credit is due) "The powerful don’t need to come right out and say what they’re threatening because anyone who’s aware of the power aligned against them already knows the threat." I think this is an important point bought out in this chapter. Power and threat are like two best friends skipping on a spring day (not quite like today) through the park. You can't have one without the other. It's important to see what kind of language is used to show one has power and the threat that it poses to other without as much power.

Another interesting point was that race overpowers gender. I personally have always believed that. Although women were treated very unfairly for hundreds of years, can you really compare their gripes with those of African Americans who historically have been the "underdog" and treated way worst (at least in my skewed opinion)? The whole idea of Thomas pulling out the "race card". Personally I'd like to know who turned this into a card game, where a person uses the joker or the Ace to beat. I hate to say this: but some people do use their race as a crutch, excuse or right to do whatever to whomever, and of course I don’t agree with that, but I think the race card is accused of being used more often when the "majority" doesn't want "minorities", and other "majorities" to believe they have done something wrong. I found it interesting how the "gender card" and "race card" were used in an all out battle.

I also liked the whole discussion on power and positions. How the title of "judge" holds a certain power, and when Ms. Hill would be addressed as Anita, it shows a lack of respect. I just thought that was an interesting thing to look at, how the title of a person can be threatening and intimidating.