Michael Chen, Period 7, 11/21/22

Michael Chen
Period 7
11/21/2022
Modern Mythology 2023

Socio-political Consciousness
Inequity, oppression, and power are something that will continue until the end of mankind. It is something we must live with and learn to live around because there is no such thing as a world that is free of inequality, oppression, and the hunger for power. Our civilization is just built upon these qualities. Even since the beginning of mankind, these traits can be seen. From the hunter and gathering age to the present day, those who held power are the ones with the most resources. Would they mind sharing the bulk of their resources to help everyone? Most likely not because doing so would make them lose their cozy lifestyle. This is especially apparent during the Gilded Age, where, due to the industrial revolution, many people were able to get rich. These people wouldn’t dare to lose such status, so they would lobby representatives to represent their best interests rather than the general population. As a result, during this period, the three traits can be observed. This is the battle between the rich and the poor, a battle that the poor just couldn’t win. There was nothing the poor could do. If they were to protest, where would they work? It is often that they have to work under the rich and have no choice but to shut their mouth. Even with such power, the rich desire more, often setting up monopolies and creating trusts. The disparity between the classes is just immeasurable.

However, power compared to inequity and oppression just sounds much better to me because the desire for power can swing both ways: for good or for bad. When it is used right, power can do so much to change the world around us. Take a look at all those protests during the fight for equal rights for blacks. The push for certain rights like voting rights, with fierce efforts, was passed, allowing for the snowball effect to take place. This allowed for different laws to be passed as power lands in the people’s hands. When the power lands on the bad, destruction would often occurs. Take a look at the time when Europe took over the newly found continent. The Europeans were able to easily take over the western continent due to their superior technology. They then enslave massive amounts of natives to be used as slaves and often put into a harsh working environment.  
 

I know what I have said has flaws in them such as the Europeans were powerful not due to their advanced technology like guns but due to the disease they carry. (The bow was deadlier compared to the gun due to the gun having to reload much slower.) But even with them not knowing, the Europeans were still able to suppress them, showing off their dominance and oppression through enslavement.  My flaws could be patched up by exploring each of the topics I have talked about further because these traits in each event are not that simple. It is just like how I used to think that Columbus was the first person to found the new hemisphere, but when I dig a bit deeper I realize that he was not the first. It was Leif Erikson that first discovered it. The information from where I get my information is just as important from research a bit more into certain topics, because the same information can be written with different intent and light of an event. I need to be cautious about what I read when I choose to dive deeper into a topic such as this one.