In this episode, we delve into a visualization that I’ve created to help students understand the process of social construction and how it is related to systemic power. Social constructs and socialization mold our perception of reality by influencing the beliefs, values, and norms ingrained in us.
Understanding the connection between social construction and power is a crucial part of a liberatory learning journey because it helps us question and disrupt oppressive hierarchies of value.
The visualization takes place in the fictional universe of a tech startup called Foogle. At Foogle, the leadership team employs a category named “Shmark” that divides people into a binary: Spotties (those with freckles) and Plains (those without). Spotties hold leadership roles based on the belief that freckles correlate with creativity and intelligence.
>> To access the full visualization, please click here <<
By imagining the category of Shmark, the visualization and following discussion guide aims to help students question the origins and reasons behind the dominant categories we used to essentialize humans into different groups. By understanding these processes, we empower ourselves to critically dismantle false, created hierarchies and work towards the creation of a more equitable system.