"So You Think I Drive a Cadillac"-Karen Seccombre

Chapter 3-Stigma and Discrimination.
This chapter discusses briefly about the negative images the mass media produce about the welfare mother and the image fits the African American female. In this chapter a woman by the name Dawn fits the typical and falsely accusations of the welfare mother that depends and milks the system of government assistance. Dawn didn't have a father figure around and believes that it didn't harm her which I disagree with. What gender is best to come to for advice if the gender having concerns is a male and vice versa? I think when a female is curious and have questions about her body and other changes, the best person is the mother of a woman of experiences.

As the chapter goes on its talks about the racist comments made about participants of the welfare system, unfairly labels on the African American community-stating that there is more blacks than whites on the system. (Seccombe p.57) Many whites assume that majority of the participants on welfare is blacks, which is untrue. (Seccombe p. 57)

Our believe that the biggest reason for on going discrimination and inequality between races is because America as a nation is in Denial. It is sad that the nation I live in is in denial about America social structure and the racial inequalities that existed in the past and exist today. "We are all created equal"-This is B.S.!

The interviewing process that Seccombe had proved that women, black or white admitted that they didn't know of anyone personally that milks the system but hear about it alot. The interviews showed that some women on the system are influenced like others by the mass media of the false perception of mothers on welfare.

The problem I have about Dawn is her philosophy on how is quite OK for her to raise her children off government assistance because she grew up that way. I have a non-judgement mentality and believe that some situations can make a child stronger but in most cases can permanently scar the child for life.