Rites of Passage
After thinking about the reading for a while, it occurred to me that there were many similarities between what happened in the Intifada and what happens in our society today. Although most of what occurs in our society may not be as extreme as what happened to the Palestinians, one can see likenesses all around in American culture today. As was discussed in class, gang initiations in the United States are somewhat similar. In order to join the gang, one must endure a savage beating from many other members of the gang at the same time. This somehow proves one's masculinity or worthiness. Once in the gang, one probably learns the politics and hierarchy and does certain deeds in order to gain more respect and more power within the group. According to the gangs' mentality, one probably has to go through the same or more experiences and processes as the other members in order to be seen as an equal or a leader.
These rites of passage into groups in American society today do not just occur in gangs; they can be seen in a number of facets of society. Hazing in the military and in fraternities and soroities are examples. Even sports teams have their rites of passage. I remember when I was a freshman in high school, and I played on the varsity baseball team. The other freshmen and I were told to do what the older players told us to, which was basically to do more of the work, but after a couple of weeks into practice, before our first game the seniors all chased us down and shaved our heads. After that incident, things seemed to cool down a bit.
These rituals for gaining acceptance into a group occur all the time in our society and culture, and they have probably existed for an even longer time. They are used to see one's willingness to belong, and in doing so they also break one down a little or a lot. Once accepted it is easier to install the politics and policies of a group especially if one has been to a certain threshold. Rites of passage are used to make sure the group's beliefs and lifestyle are passed on.
These rites of passage into groups in American society today do not just occur in gangs; they can be seen in a number of facets of society. Hazing in the military and in fraternities and soroities are examples. Even sports teams have their rites of passage. I remember when I was a freshman in high school, and I played on the varsity baseball team. The other freshmen and I were told to do what the older players told us to, which was basically to do more of the work, but after a couple of weeks into practice, before our first game the seniors all chased us down and shaved our heads. After that incident, things seemed to cool down a bit.
These rituals for gaining acceptance into a group occur all the time in our society and culture, and they have probably existed for an even longer time. They are used to see one's willingness to belong, and in doing so they also break one down a little or a lot. Once accepted it is easier to install the politics and policies of a group especially if one has been to a certain threshold. Rites of passage are used to make sure the group's beliefs and lifestyle are passed on.
posted by Anonymous at 4:59 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home