please see attached. My prfessior is a very liberal. However I am in the middle and she is fully aware of that. so write it from my perspective please. something about me is that is support gun rights and all of my fam are in the milliary but I am a female and I am a femist that support womens rights. I will sent you more information abotu the theories we learned in class. Lets write it on ideograph. Here is the first paper i did for the same class, feel free to use some of this Louis Althussers theory, as presented in his essay Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses (Notes Towards an Investigation), states that for the economy and state to produce, they must reproduce themselves (Reader 13), which is done through ideology. Individuals absorb an ideology through actions, rituals, and other practices, which reinforce their commitment to production. This is what keeps workers motivated to continue working, even when it is not necessarily in their best interests. Althussers theory is found to be relevant today, specifically when looking at the scope of white supremacy in society. Althusser divides his theory into two parts. The first part states, Ideology represents the imaginary relationship between individuals to their real conditions of existence (Reader 13). What he chooses to say with this is that ideology determines the nature of the relationship between an individual and reality through theoretical concepts. An individual relates to reality through an ideology, which shapes their experience. The second part of the theory states, Ideology has a material existence (Reader 14). In other words, ideology is manifested through actions, rituals, behaviors, speech, and other tangible things that constitute an individuals reality. An ideology informs an individuals practices, which therefore maintains the given ideology. ?The state that reproduces itself alongside the economy in Althussers theory is dependent on two separate entities. The first is what he refers to as the repressive state apparatus (RSA) (Reader 13), which is the sector that thrives through the use or threat of violence. Belonging to the RSA are bodies such as the police, the prison system, and the military. All are designed to strike fear under the guise of protection and order and are used to control and either legitimize or undermine individuals behaviors. The second entity is what he calls the ideological state apparatuses (ISAs) (Reader 13). These apparatuses consist of the political and legal systems, religion, family, the media, and schools, among others. Differing from the RSA, the ISAs assert their power through ideology. What is considered normal or common is reflected in these ISAs, which serves to reinforce ideology. The RSA and ISAs work in distinct ways to preside over society. One ideology that permeates nearly every facet of society is white supremacy. This can be seen in overt ways, such as the overrepresentation of black people in prisons or the rather recent rise in the visibility of white nationalist groups. It can also be seen in less obvious, more subtle ways, such as majority-white media being considered as relevant for the general public, while media featuring people of color are considered for special interest or niche groups. Besides, the overrepresentation of white people in politics and positions of power guarantees that white peoples interests and perspectives govern society. Even the seemingly insignificant detail of bandages being made in beige, the default nude color, is an act of white supremacy, as it assumes that beige is the standard skin tone. That modern society is embedded with white supremacy can be seen in a multitude of forms. ?In applying Althussers theory, one can determine that white supremacy ideology affects how individuals interpret their reality. This interpretation of the world dictates that whiteness is desirable, the norm, and the face of stability and reason. This ideology works to maintain this illusion. For while the idea that whiteness if the standard is both overtly and covertly presented as an objective fact, it still is an illusion. It is the result of a choice of how the ruling individuals, cited by Althusser as Priests or Despots (Reader 14), interpret the reality of their existence to exert control. This exertion of power is seen in a multitude of ways in society. Continuing onto the second part of Althussers theory, white supremacy is performed through material apparatuses. The higher value ascribed to majority-white neighborhoods and school districts is performed white supremacy, as is the disproportionately higher pay that is given to white people. These conditions serve to ascribe a higher value to whiteness, even making it aspirational. White supremacy ideology is also performed through the collective national history and folklore that centers on the perspective of white people. Althussers theory can even be applied when viewing the perception of an interloper or contrarian in a white supremacist society. He argues that if the individual does not do what he ought to do as a function of what he believes, it…implies that he has other ideas in his head (Reader 14). By acting on these other ideas, Althusser asserts, he is perceived as a man who is either inconsistent…or cynical or perverse (Reader 15). When looking at attempts to go against a white supremacist ideology, they are often painted as inappropriate, abnormal or at times even dangerous. When people of color ascend to positions of power, whether it be in business, academia or politics, their merits or abilities are often questioned. Frequently people of color are assumed to be tokens, beneficiaries of affirmative action programs, or other reasons that delegitimize their value and skill. Another example is the Black Panthers, who openly challenged the structures that maintain white supremacy, and were thus painted as a threat to the United States. They were painted as violent figures while minimizing the violence inflicted upon them through white supremacy. Those nonconforming individuals are portrayed as threats to social stability illustrates how ideology reaffirms itself through actions and norms. Through his two-part theory, Althusser demonstrates the function of an ideology, and how it is an imaginative interpretation of reality. The theory is evident when examining the pervasiveness of white supremacy in society in a multitude of apparatuses. The way society views those who choose to vocalize their dissent also shows Althussers theory in action. An ideology thrives through how it reinforces actions that support it and discourages actions that attempt to go against it. feel free to give me a call if you have any questions. thanks. 7608851877
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