Sociology 360 - Final Blog Expansion
The Argument - How do WE spot social deviants?
there they are...
huffingtonpost.com
there they are...
For the
purposes of the final project, I have chosen to expand on the theme of two blog
posts, the "deviant language" blog post and the "how do we spot
a deviant" blog post. The reasons
being that I believe in our culture, language is the tool that conveys ideas on
deviance and that, as society progresses, covert rhetoric will replace overt
dehumanization in order to perpetuate labels of deviant groups. Language itself is socially constructed. "Bad words" are only bad due to the
meaning given to them by society.
Certain words are instantly recognizable as deviant - these words convey
unsavory images of pain, taboo activity, or private (often sexual) behavior. Words such as "fuck",
"fag", and "nigger" are inherently deviant in our society
because of the activity or history associated with them. I wrote my previous blog post on the word
"nigger" and the complexity of this word. I touched on the history of oppressive usage,
as well as efforts to reclaim the word by some members of the African American
community. Ultimately, I concluded that
language itself is so complex that defining a word as "deviant" is
not advantageous, as different groups derive different meanings from words. I argued that the only commonality in the use
of the word "nigger" is the emotional response it draws from the
users and opponents of the word. From
fervent racism, to compassionate pleas for the end of racism, the word's very
history is a labyrinth of opposing views.
forensicpsych.umwblogs.org
I feel
as though the way we shame deviant groups is evolving in a world of increased
technology. Instant connection, global
media, and intense scrutiny of public lives create a difficult environment for
users of shaming language. Today, the use
of overtly deviant language is less and less socially acceptable than in
previous eras. No longer is it
acceptable (in most places) to call members of the queer community
"fags", but promoting legislation such as the "defense of
marriage" act is legitimate. Wearing
a white hood and murdering African Americans is no longer socially acceptable,
but donating money to George Zimmerman's legal defense is legitimate. The process of social shaming using language
is as much alive today as ever, though the use of overt rhetoric is
fading. Rather, I argue the practice of
shaming deviant groups is thriving in the use of covert language of oppression,
with many of the same damaging results. Further,
evidence of covert shaming rhetoric is seen in the areas such as race, physical
and mental ability, sexuality, and criminal justice.
The Theory
Disintegrative Shaming: John Braithwaite
Disintegrative
shaming is a concept developed by Braithwaite in which society labels deviants
to the point of producing outcasts without allowing them avenues to rejoin the
prevailing group as equals (Braithwaite 1989).
Perhaps there is no better example of this than in contemporary American
race-relations. The United States
carries a history of slavery of African Americans and although abolition ended
slavery, the end of the Reconstruction ushered in a period of Jim Crow law in
the south that systematically oppressed African Americans for nearly a century
after slavery. Still, in the decades
since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, African Americans are routinely
looked down upon by society and suffer over-incarceration, under-employment,
and greater rates of violence and death.
This illustrates that despite official equality, the history of
disintegrative shaming of African Americans throughout American history has
closed off many avenues leading to mainstream, practical equality for African
Americans.
Labeling Theory: Howard Becker
Becker
asserts, "social groups create deviance by making the rules whose
infraction constitutes deviance, and by applying those rules to particular
people and labeling them as outsiders" (Becker 1963, 39). Furthermore, Becker states that deviants need
not violate official law, rather that actions seen as deviant by society are
enough to indict violators in the public's view, with resultant consequences
just as harsh as any official law violation (Becker 1963). This pertains to how contemporary society
views individuals with mental or physical disabilities. Despite the fact that these individuals may
be able to function fully and happily, because there methods of existence do
not subscribe to what society deems acceptable these individuals are often
stigmatized and oppressed.
Control Theory: Travis Hirschi
Major
tenants of Hirschi's Control Theory focus on an individual's commitment to the
status quo, an involvement in socially acceptable activities, and a belief in
the common system of values within the individual's particular group (Hirschi
1969). Hirschi uses these tenants to
explain criminality or lack thereof, though it can be extrapolated to include
deviance more broadly. Control theory
can therefore relate to the ways in which legislators and politicians often
advocate for the legitimacy of the status quo.
For example, in the United States, no politician can be elected without
an open relationship with God, a preference for a hetero-normative, cisgender
lifestyle, and these necessities of electability focus the legislation put out
by governments, furthering the oppression of demonized groups.
The Evidence
Even in instances of tragedy and death, contemporary
narratives on African Americans often dismiss the tragedy, or blame the victim
for the cause of death. An example is
the death of 17 year-old Trayvon Martin.
Trayvon Martin is a young Black male who was shot to death by
neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in Florida, despite being unarmed
and moving away from altercation. 911
tapes revealed Zimmerman labeled Trayvon as suspicious in a mostly White
neighborhood, leading him to investigate Martin's presence there, ultimately
resulting in Martin's death. According
to reports Martin was dressed in a "hoodie", and Fox News contributor
Geraldo Rivera uses covert rhetoric as he blames Martin's hoodie for his death:
Rivera's comments on Martin's dress was not as much an
indictment of his style, but of stereotypical African American culture and
style more broadly. Rivera argues this
manner of dress, prominent in hip-hop culture is justification for Martin's
murder at seventeen years old. In this
case, Rivera uses covert rhetoric to make blanket statements about
stereotypical Black, hip-hop culture, and demonize the African American
community. The hoodie was not deviant
when Sylvester Stallone wore it in Rocky, but it somehow caused Martin's death
in 2012. Moynihan covers trends in
deviance stating, "we have been redefining deviancy so as to exempt much
conduct previously stigmatized, and also quietly raising the 'normal' level in
categories where behavior is now abnormal by any earlier standard..."
(Moynihan 1993, 15).
While discrimination against the disabled is often covert,
further evidence of the effects of this can be seen from the testimony of the
characters in the film Murderball. This video effectively demonstrates the ridiculousness of the status quo regarding what is and is not a "disability".
Perhaps no other group is more adept at coding language than
politicians are. If one were to ask the
Americans if politicians are still creating hateful and homophobic legislation,
many would say no. However, if one
closely examines the bills and the rhetoric coming out of Washington D.C. it
becomes clear that overt racism and homophobia as simply become more cleverly
disguised as legitimate. Take for
example the Defense of Marriage Act, a 1996 piece of legislation defining
marriage as the union between one man and one woman. While members of the queer community are no
longer threatened with arrest and detention for law-abiding behavior, they are
legally denied marriage benefits despite civil unions, and are
disproportionately targeted for violence.
Until recently, 2011, the Obama administration vowed not to support the
Defense of Marriage Act and in February of this year, a federal judge found the
law unconstitutional (Williams, Carolyn 2012).
This is a step toward equality though it has been 16 years since its
passage of the house, and illustrates that both republicans and democrats have
interests in maintaining the status quo, demonizing "deviant"
groups.
mathismyth.blogspot.com
Another example of government maintaining the status quo can be seen in the dehumanization of sex workers. The topic if sex is so taboo in American culture that an entire group of men and women is ignored, criminalized and pushed underground - leading to increased danger, lack of hygiene, and a loss of basic human rights. Despite mounting evidence solidifying the need to bring the sex industry into the main stream, such as epidemic STI rates, disproportionately high rates of violence, and a thriving juvenile sex industry, many law makers and law enforcers refuse to take a human approach to dealing with the sex industry. For example, DeMello states, "sex workers have a mortality rate 40 times higher than the Canadian national average—media accounts emphasize that the victim was a prostitute, but not that she (or he) was also a mother, daughter, friend or, for example, animal lover" (DeMello 2011, 2). However, there are bright spots though, DeMello's article "Humanizing Sex Workers?" introduces a novel concept in Canada of highlighting the humanity of sex-workers through advertising. Examples are:
DeMello's closing line resonates as she states, "Let’s hope that Stepping Stone’s campaign does some good, making us think about sex workers as people, rather than punch lines and faceless victims" (DeMello 2011, 2). The way in which those in power seek to not only enforce Hirschi's Control Theory, but also refuse access to "deviant" groups makes it possible for atrocities to happen, and for individual's lives to be ruined.
The Closing Argument
How do we spot deviants in our culture? To do this one must be able to dissect the covert language of modern times. Language is the medium through which society conveys messages on what is and is not deviant. Though, as we have learned this semester, the entire idea of one person or group as more deviant than another is ridiculous. If we can take anything away from these lessons in social deviance, it is that all people are deviant in some way, and the definitions, mechanisms, and manifestations change every day. The problem with deviance is often not the actions, tattoos, gay love, and a furry fetish often do not ruin peoples lives; however the reactions to the labels of deviance have long-lasting and life-changing consequences. Legislation banning gay marriage, creating situations in which partners of fallen gay soldiers, or police officers are ineligible to receive benefits - is an unforgivable atrocity in the 21st century. Involuntary sex workers being pushed underground into a life of disease, abuse, and invisibility...all because we as a society are too afraid to acknowledge our own sexuality - is an unforgivable atrocity in the 21st century. Being so ignorant as to believe that disabled individuals are wholly helpless and need able-bodied support, and using this belief to take away individual agency and worth - is an unforgivable atrocity in the 21st century. Obviously these examples are a few of many, but hopefully the message resonates. Deviance is not the issue, for deviance is a social construct and has as much real-world meaning as Santa Clause, or the Easter Bunny. The reactions to labels of deviance are unfortunately all too real, and people's lives are ruined because of them. Hopefully, as a society we move further in the future and gain the ability to use logic, reason, and compassion in our thoughts and values; and in doing so, improve the lives of innocent "deviants" the world over.
- Steve
word count (2,025)
Works Cited
Calhoun, Thomas, Conyers, Addrain & Thio, Alex (2010).
"Readings in Deviant Behaviors, Sixth Edition".
Becker, Howard -
"Labeling Theory" (1963).
Pearson Inc.
Calhoun, Thomas, Conyers, Addrain & Thio, Alex (2010). "Readings
in Deviant Behavior, Sixth Edition".
Braithwaite, John - "Shaming Theory"
(1989). Pearson Inc.
Calhoun, Thomas, Conyers, Addrain & Thio, Alex (2010).
"Readings in Deviant Behaviors, Sixth Edition".
Hirschi, Travis
- "Control Theory" (1969).
Pearson Inc
Calhoun, Thomas, Conyers, Addrain & Thio, Alex (2010).
"Readings in Deviant Behaviors, Sixth Edition".
Moynihan, Daniel - "Defining Deviancy Down" (1993). Pearson Inc.
DeMello, Margo (2011). "Humanizing Sex
Workers?" The Society Pages. Sociological Images.
Weiss, Marissa (2006).
"Study Finds Discrimination Against Disabled Patients". ABC News.
Williams, Carol J (2012). "Defense of Marriage Act
ruled unconstitutional by judge".
Los Angeles
Times.
Images and Videos
Taken From
youtube.com
http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/10/12/humanizing-sex-workers/
lgbtqnation.com
miamiherald.com
acs41.com
mural.ev.es
anu.edu.au
mathismyth.blogspot.com
