You'll remember that in last Friday's class we discussed the concept of the "mythical norm." We drew a chart together on the board--with "normative" qualities that are socially and culturally privileged across its top and those that are the basis of oppression around the bottom. Thanks for a great discussion! You are a smart class. I'd like to underscore two points here:1) The mythical norm is mythical, not normal. Although our culture presents a picture of the average American as white, heterosexual, Christian, middle- to upper-class, (see the photo above left for a clearer idea), the majority of United States residents do not meet all of these criteria (see the family pictured below right). Thus, the "norm" is not actually the only kind of normal.
2) The chart we drew on the board calls attention to the numerous aspects that make up each of us: gender, sexuality, race, religion, physical characteristics, economic status, education level, and so much more. Each of us is more complex than simply any one of these.
How would you respond to either of these two points above? What is your personal experience with various aspects of privilege or oppression? What other kinds of families exist beyond the few examples pictured here? Are these other families pictured in our movies, television, and media? Are they protected by law? Why or why not?
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