I have heard what Ashley is saying about "the society we live in is not dysfunctional, it is functioning perfectly" before, and can see how the themes from the other videos (redlining, mass incarceration, "law and order" policies) are evidence that the statement remains true. I feel helpless about these problems-- they seem so systemic and large and I don't know how to fix it. It is frustrating to see, but I know that I must meter my frustration and de-center my own feelings because as a white woman, I know that I have been protected from this type of oppression my entire life, and that I have benefitted from the current social systems in the United States, unknowingly or otherwise. I can think of examples of how redlining has been implemented in nearly every place I have lived. I am grappling with the fact that, like most people I am sure, I grew up being told that everyone who goes to prison is bad. While there are some truly violent criminals in the world, most incarcerated persons are there because of a system that is functioning to maintain social status quo. Prison reform seems too mild. A complete upheaval of the criminal justice system in the United States would be more likely to bring about change.
Thanks for sharing. I think we have so much to learn, but I think there is much hope that working together while striving to be honest with ourselves and those around us, we can become more open and change not only ourselves, but our society.