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Dominate and Subordinate

Dominate and Subordinate

Nasra Mirreh
Georgia State University

Dominate and Subordinate

Dominate and Subordinate Group Analysis Reflection
Female
As a female, I am a member of a subordinate group where its members have
less power, control and influence than members of the dominant male group.
Religious minorities in the United States include those who practice Islam,
and I am in a subordinate position as a Muslim American than the dominant
faith group such as Christian Americans. As a Muslim woman, I am also a
subordinate position within the Islamic religion, compared to male
counterparts that are in a dominant position in Islam. In society, women are
oppressed as a group, while men hold power and privilege. When I was
younger, I felt disadvantaged as a result of my gender. Growing up in
Somalia the role of women in national affairs was non-existent; there are no
women in positions of power such as government ministries or local
communities. At school, I remember boys making jokes insulting womens
intelligence and their abilities to compete in the classroom. Likewise, I
observed girls confirming to those stereotypes, and when a girl doesnt
conform to the standard norms, she is often called Dhilo basically
translated into English as the loose girl. Its common to hear discouraging
remarks from male teachers in the classroom and less expectation of
educational achievements. It is those views that I tend to feel subordinated,
powerless and marginalized as a woman compared to the male counterpart.
Gentile Mutilation is cultural beliefs are a strong factor in why this harmful
practice takes place in Somalia. These include the idea that it preserves
chastity, cleanliness, family honour and preserves a girl for marriage. Living
in the United States places me in a dominant position and affects my lifestyle
today; it provides me with educational, economic opportunities and political
participation such as voting rights. There are also costs related to this
dominant position, In the U.S society the dominant groups consist the middle
class and whites and white heterosexual male. Therefore, I am marginalized
and experience economic exploitation. The empowerment of women from
the respect of womens rights, including political participation is an area that
I would like to see changed in this subordinate-dominant relationship.
Religious Minority as a Muslim
As a member of a religious minority in the United States, I am in a
subordinate position. Americans had limited experience with Islam; after
September 11th extreme levels of scrutiny was placed on Muslims and many
considered to be extremists by the U.S. government. Many Americans
believe that Islam religion promotes violence, when in fact, violence against
others is forbidden. I have experienced loss of neighbors confidence once
when a neighbor of 12 years has told my husband that Islam is an evil and

Dominate and Subordinate

wicked religion. When the neighborhood mosque began new Dekalb County
commissioner put a temporary hold on the effort after residents raised

concerns about their neighborhoods safety. However, there are many

Churches in the area which the neighborhood does not see as a threat to
security. I felt that my religious freedom is violated and the commissions
refusal to acknowledge and support the right to build a place of worship. The
medias negative portrayal of Islam is a part of this subordinate- a dominant
relationship that I would like to see changed; the popular Islamic stereotypes
such as holy war against the West must stop. Intuitions are used to exert
such a privilege and power; for example, school breaks are scheduled around
Christian holidays while no time off is given for Muslim holidays. Muslims do
not eat pork nonetheless, its offered at school lunch without considering
many Muslim Americans children who go without a meal that day, such as
my three children.
Womens Subordinate Position within Islamic Faith
As a Muslim woman, I am also in a subordinate position within Islamic
faith, compare to male counterparts that are in a dominant position in Islam.
There are rules and laws within the Islam that keep Muslim women in a
subordinate position, for example, a woman is prohibited to be head of the
family, head of a state or a judge and her testimony is worth half of mans
testimony in court. The laws of inheritance in Islam has affected me
personally, after the death of my father, we were seven brothers and seven
sisters including me; nevertheless, my brothers inherited three-quarters in
four of the inheritance while as girls inherited only one quarter in four. There
are many struggles to be in this group. Intuitions are used to exert such a
privilege and power, for example, under Islamic law and cultural norms, a
woman shouldnt work outside of the home, basically, and a woman has less
power and privilege than her fifteen years old son and potentially makes
decisions for her. I struggle with the fact that woman has been subjected to
systematic subordination not in Somalia but the United States as well.
Women were legally the property of men into the 20th century while women
in Somalia are suffering still. Personally, it brings me joys to be able to make
decisions for myself and the opportunity to advocate womens rights. The
empowerment of women from the respect of womens rights, including
political participation is an area that I would like to see changed in this
subordinate-dominant relationship. For example, I look forward to the day we
elect a woman as president of United States in this election.
Reflection

Dominate and Subordinate

Todays global society, numerous dominant and subordinate groups can
be compared, the relationship between men and women, rich and poor or
gays and straights. I came to understand that dominant groups have the
same characteristics regardless of their geographical location. All dominant
groups have facets that give them a power and a privilege over another
group who dont possess the same power or privilege. I grew up in a
patriarchy society where all institutions in the society are used to perpetuate
the subordination of women, such as schools, laws and cultural norms and
control mechanisms are part of the culture. I became aware of the
preferential treatment and privileged my brothers received in education, and
family decision-making process. However, its considered offensive to reveal
negative emotions in the presence of others, so the ability to hide your
feelings became a major asset.
This assignment raises view issues for me such as gender ideology and its
practice in different cultural settings like womens appropriate roles and
attitudes, rights, and responsibilities.
1. Adams, Bluemenfeld, et al. Readings for Diversity and Social Justice (3rd Ed) New York, NY:
Routledge.
2. CIA: The World Factbook: Somalia. (2001). CIA World Fact Book, 1405.
3.

Lum, D. (2011). Culturally Competent Practice. In D. Lum, Culturally Competent Practice. Brooks/Cole
Cengage Learning

Dominate and Subordinate