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Social Injustice in America

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Social Psychology
April 15th 2012

Social Oppression in America

Social oppression is socially supported mistreatment and exploitation of a group or category of people by anyone. Oppressors usually suffer from the need to be Socially Dominant over others in order to retain power or assert power (Sidanius, Jim. Social Dominance: An Intergroup Theory of Social Hierarchy and Oppression. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2001.). Social dominance is commonly the root cause of social oppression. The United States has always claimed the moral high ground on human rights and equality, yet our history is fettered with situations of discrimination and oppression of many different demographics. Our American culture is greatly diverse and …show more content…

Harper Collins Dictionary of Socialogy. New York: HarperPerennial, 1991). Homosexuality has been a taboo lifestyle in many societies for centuries yet has also been widely practiced. Recently many states have passed legislation recognizing gay and lesbian marriage. Some have been overturned after intense lobbying from religious groups and political parties. In December of 2010 the President signed the repeal of the don’t ask don’t tell law which banned Americans who live openly homosexual lifestyles from serving in the military. Now it is considered discrimination by the Department of defense to mistreat any military member for being homosexual. While this is a major milestone for Gay and lesbian civil rights there is still many more obstacles to overcome before true equality is achieved. Though military members can openly engage in a same sex relationship while serving, they are not afforded the same entitlements as heterosexual couples who are married. Even if homosexual couples are legally married in a state that sanctions their union, the department of defense will not recognize the same sex spouse as being a dependent or a next of kin in the event of the service member’s death. The same is true with most civilian sector employers and the government’s tax code, medical statutes, and criminal system. Beyond the

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