Sue & Sue 2013 page 60 notes "playing the who is more oppressed? Game is destructive to group unity and counterproductive to combating racism. If we understand our own group's oppression, shouldn't it be easier to recognize the oppression of others?" Using our group oppression to negate others is to diminish, dismiss or deny the claims of others. Ultimately, it contributes to separation instead of mutual understanding.
The choice of this statement was motivated by the fact that our actions fuel acrimony in different groups rather than building a sense of agreement and unity. Our reaction towards other minority groups not only worsens the situation but forces them to perceive every action meted on them as discrimination. The minority have for long felt that their interests are disregarded by the majority. African Americans, for instance, do not perceive Latinos and Asians as equal to them. Similarly, the other minority groups have stereotyped against other ethnic groups perceived their actions as uncalled. The minority groups, for instance, have not united against discriminations against them. Their lack of unity has contributed to further discrimination with the majority group taking advantage of the situation. Statements like if they cannot unite against racism, then why should anyone fight for their sake are common throughout the majority group. It is not true that a minority would serve a similar person better than if the case was different but the perception is that they should be the ones to do the job because the majorities do not understand their needs. Of interest is that no one group is oppressed than the other one. The mistake arises from a lack of understanding and the differences in culture that might result in an action being treated as oppression whereas it was taken in good faith. Lack of cultural sensitivity that contributes to conflict of values and communication breakdown is a major factor that contributes to the differences. The perception towards our environment for instance and individualism versus collectivism differs with ethnicity and therefore developing a cosmopolitan approach towards culture can be useful in addressing racism. Equality can only be achieved if we feel that we are treated like other and not group is favored or discriminated.
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Reference
Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2013). Counselling the culturally diverse: theory and practice (6th ed.). Hobroken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons
