The Ripples We Make

Caitlin is a full-time student at Wright College; she is majoring in communications to pursue a career in photojournalism.

She hopes to one day be featured in National Geographic.

She is the photographer and web-designer for The Wright Times and the graphic designer for The Wright Side. Congratulations to Caitlin for winning second place in this years Black History Month essay contest.

In her essay, “The Politics of Radical Black Subjectivity,” Bell Hooks writes, “We cannot enter the struggle as objects in order to later become subjects.” She continues later to say, “How do we create an oppositional worldview, a consciousness, an identity, a standpoint that exists not only as that struggle which also opposes dehumanization but as that movement which enables creative, expansive self-actualization?” Essentially, Hooks is saying that people cannot move forward if they see themselves as victims of an oppressive system, and she is asking how we can change our mindsets to turn that oppression into a positive movement.

I feel that as long as we view ourselves as victims, we will not be able to move forward in life. It’s important to rise above this mindset in order to prosper in life. If you view yourself as just a victim you will be angry, defensive, and ultimately weak. You won’t get far in life if you approach things with this type of attitude, and that is why I agree with Hooks. We cannot try to make a change in the world if we are coming from a place of anger and self-pity. We need to be able to see outside of just ourselves to realize the greater impact we can have upon the world. Otherwise we will not be able to succeed in life.

I can’t speak for everyone. It’s hard to overcome the mindset of a victim. When you’ve been beaten down all of your life, treated as less than everyone else, it can feel impossible. At some point, though, I feel that you come to a turning point where you can decide what you want to be in life. You can remain oppressed or you can strike out and be more. You have to turn your oppression into something powerful and positive. Take the power away from your oppressor by learning and growing. Use that knowledge to be a voice for change and growth. This is what Hooks means when she questions how we can take and fight the oppression while also making it positive self-actualization.

I grew up moving around a lot. I was in foster homes, and most relatives wouldn’t keep me for more than a few months at a time. I was abused, both physically and sexually. I used to cut myself and I tried to kill myself several times. But I don’t see myself as a victim. I am powerful and strong and amazing. I know who I am and who I want to be. I can reach out my hand to those who don’t have anyone to lean on and I can speak up for those whose voices have been silenced. I will be successful because I will never allow anyone to label me a victim.

I’ve never dealt personally with gender or racial oppression, but I’ve had experiences in life that allow me to see more than just myself. I can use that to teach others, starting with family and friends. They in turn can teach others and it just continues to flow outwards. I think that as we learn together, we can make a bigger impact than just one person fighting against the system. After all, there is strength in numbers, so the more people that are aware and vocal, the better our chances of rising to the top and overcoming oppression. If you reach out as a victim, people will dismiss you. Nobody wants to be on the receiving end of a bitter rant, even if there is truth behind the words. But if we reach out from a place of enlightenment with the intention of sharing knowledge, we have a better chance of being heard and not just being victims.