Problem
In this course, we have emphasized how positivist notions of difference are problematic and have resulted in various forms of discrimination, including racism, sexism, ableism and classism.
Drawing on the analytical tools and all the theoretical threads within the Caputo and Hatt's (1996) Four-Quadrant Model, discuss what is required theoretically within criminology to bring about the societal changes that we are being called upon to advance through the messages of the Saul Alinsky's parable "A man is walking down the riverside when he notices a body floating down stream. A fisherman leaps into the river, pulls the body ashore, gives mouth to mouth resuscitation, saving the person's life. A few minutes later the same thing happens, then again and again. Eventually yet another body floats by. This time the fisherman completely ignores the drowning person and starts running upstream along the bank. The observer asks the fisherman what on earth is he doing? Why is he not trying to rescue this drowning body? 'This time,' replies the fisherman, 'I'm going upstream to find out who is pushing these poor folks into the water." WILLIAM JAMES' QUOTE "A difference that makes no difference is no difference" and JEAN-BAPTISTE ALPHONSE KARR'S QUOTE "The more things change, the more they stay the same." and MICHAEL FRANTI'S SONG LYRICS "Same as it ever was, But there's gotta be a better way. It's the same as it ever was but today's a different day. You and me could[n't] make that change. But it's the same as it ever was, we better start today ...All I'm just trying to say is that we could all do a lot better ...They can try to divide us, they can try to increase. All the pain and suffering, but this is anybody's street. There is just one love y'all, and there is just one beat... And when we all see justice, then we'll all see peace."
In your answer, be sure to integrate and illustrate one example from course content (including readings, resources, lectures) for each of the following forms of discrimination:
(i) racism, (ii) sexism, (iii) classism, (iv) ableism.
Within your answer, you should consider critically both the premise of positivist theories, as well as the blurring of conformity and deviance.