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Imu Aghahowa – 13.1

According to MLK, how can we tell the difference between just and unjust laws? Understanding this questions is the most important part of this module, and I will ask it again during our second exam.

According to MLK’s letter to Birmingham Jail (1963), he explains the two to be the moral foundation and its impact on humans and our dignity. A just law aligns with what’s deemed as moral and god. A just law is used to uplift and empower our individual personality by simply respecting the worth of every person. Essentially honoring basic human rights. While an unjust law is the opposite, it goes against moral law and instead dehumanizes and degrades humans. Segregation laws that ultimately supported the inequality of Black people are prime examples of this because they promote immorality. In his letter he goes on to explain that segregation is unjust because it affects the self-worth of an individual. It’s a violation of human rights.

In your view, is this an important distinction (between just and unjust laws), do you think it makes a difference in the way someone (as an individual, or our society as a whole) lives their lives? Can it affect our politics?

I certainly believe this is an important distinction because it ultimately shapes how certain groups get treated. Just law aligns very closely with empathy and faith, ensuring fair treatment for all, while unjust law perpetuates oppression and sometimes violence. With unjust laws, it normalizes discrimination and oppression. Historically and even now, we see how unjust laws directly affect certain groups. When we think of Jim Crow laws, it enforced racial segregation and systemic racism. Legislation in some places today denies basic human rights.

Based on our discussion of Question 1, give an example each, of an unjust and just law, in the US today. Explain what makes it unjust or just (using MLK’s definition of those two types of laws).

An example of unjust law in today’s society is the idea of banning abortions. These laws deny pregnant people, especially low income women and women of color, the right to make decisions about their own bodies. It infringes on autonomy. A ban on abortion essentially strips an individual’s bodily rights and freedom of choice. This also often reflects one group’s religious or ideological beliefs being imposed on others, which goes against fairness and equality.

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Imu Aghahowa 7.1

  1. Describe the primary differences in the role of citizens in government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems.

In a federal system citizens have power in both the national and state levels. They are allowed to vote for both a president while also voting more locally. Citizens can push for state laws even if the national government disagrees. Also a state can pass a law even if the national government hasn’t. Citizens mostly interact with their state government. In a unity system the national government holds more power and the citizens mainly vote in national elections.

  1. Briefly explain how you understand the system of division of power.

To my understanding the division of power is the idea that the responsibilities are split between federal, state, and local governments. Federal deals with national issues like foreign policy and the military. The state handles policies around education, healthcare etc. The local government is more community focused.


3. How does the federal government shape the actions of state and local governments? Write your answer based on doing a bit of research on how the federal government has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Imu Aghahowa – Walmart vs Dukes (MOD12)

  1. What did the Supreme Court decide in the Wal-Mart case? And more importantly, how did it justify its decision? (HINT: the key word here is “commonality” (and how it related to “class-action lawsuit”). Try to understand what this legal terms means, as it is key to the court’s decision).

 

In the Walmart case, the Supreme Court decided to reject the class action lawsuit by the 1.5 million women who alleged discrimination in both pay and promotions. One of the main issues was the legal requirement of commonality. This is the framework in which class action lawsuits are built on which is essential. According to Justice Scalia, the plaintiffs did not show that there was a common question or fact that was applicable to all of the members of the class. They later found out that there was no single company wide discrimination policy. Each case that was brought by the many women was all too different. This made it harder for large groups to sue over workplace discrimination unless there was a specific or uniform policy.

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Imu Aghahowa – The Court System (MOD11)


In what ways is the court system better suited to protect the individual, than are the elected branches of government (such as Congress and the President; or the Mayor of NYC and the NYC City Assembly)? Give an example to illustrate your argument.


The court system of both the state and federal governments protects individuals more effectively than elected branches because state courts can properly enforce state constitutions; this is more beneficial when it comes to granting rights independently. An example of this is the New York Court of Appeals ruling in People vs. LaValle. Defendants’ rights are protected through stricter rules on jury instructions in death penalty cases. This ultimately acts as a safeguard for an individual. As for elected officials like Congress, the President, mayors, etc., they can often rule based on law, not politics. This often leads to decisions that sacrifice minority rights for popularity. Bloomberg and the NYPD aggressively defended policies like stop-and-frisk policing. This disproportionately and intentionally targets Black and Latino folks. Elected branches reflect a majority rule, while courts serve as the checks and balances against power.
 

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Imu Aghahowa M-C-M : 5.2

Explain M-C-M’ to show how capitalists maintain and increase their wealth.

The M-C-M model is the capitalist cycle of wealth. Money Commodity and More Money. This is how the wealthy exploits labor by reinvesting in surplus value. They essentially turn money into more money.

The formula describing what the capitalist needs to do in order to create wealth for themselves is : M-C-M

For the capitalist this process begins with them already having capital. They’ve generated so much wealth they have extra. (Money) What they decide to do is invest $50,000 to start a new business that will make commodities. They invest in a warehouse, got the fancy robots, trucks, etc. This is their means of production. (Commodities) They go on to hire over 300 people to now work in this new factory. The employees typically operate the machinery creating products and they go out and deliver the products with the trucks. The employees tend to work 50-60 hours a week earning $20 an hour. This is what we consider labor power. The employees of the factory create, pack, ship, and deliver the products that are worth millions and millions in sales. They generate over $200 million in value but are only paid $10 million. The surplus value (the profit of $190 million) goes to the capitalist who exploited the workers. Thus creating more money for their own pockets (Money)

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Imu Aghahowa – 5.1 : Labor & Means of Production

Two key concepts in this video are the means of production and labor. In your comment, explain how you understand the means of production and labor. Give an example of each.

    My understanding of both means of production and labor is that they are intrinsically linked. They ultimately depend on each other to create products. The means of production is the resources needed to produce things. Wether that is tools, machinery, factories, lands, raw materials etc. An example of this would be how the company Amazon has fulfillment centers/warehouses. Here they have all sorts of robots that aid sorting/shelving, delivery infrastructure etc. The labor is the work done by humans. These are the people that make operations even possible. These are the employees working with the means of production to create goods/services that are later sold.

    Another important concept in understanding social class is value. Based on the ideas presented in Video 5.1, what is value?  What give “value” to value, what makes something valuable? 

      Based on the video it claims that value is essentially the amount of time it takes to produce a product. his means that the value of something is not just how long one person takes, but the average time it takes most people using regular tools and skills. What makes something valuable is the amount of work put into it. The more effort it normally takes to make something, the more value it has.

      How are labor and value related? What’s the relationship/connection between the two?

        The relationship between labor and value is that one is dependent of the other. Labor is the source of value. Without any labor there isn’t a value. Because of this the connection is central to how goods are priced and how any profit is made. This is all within a capitalist society.

        How do you understand the difference between labor and labor power? Hint: this is a key difference, give it your best shot based on what the video says about it, and your own ideas. We’ll clarify and develop it in our discussions, and in my video comments.

          Based on the video he gives the example of a block of wood. If you have a block of wood and do nothing with its value remains constant. If you carve into a chair then value can now be tied to the effort in creating that chair. The way I understood the difference between labor and labor power is that labor for one is the actual work that a person does wether thats making something or providing a service. While labor power is the time, effort, ability needed to do the work.

          Surplus Value: what is it? Why is it important to know about, in our study of social classes? Think about an example of surplus value?

            Surplus value is defined as the value on top of the value it took to get you there. The video defined it as profit. Its ultimately the employer who makes the profit and not the employee. Its the extra value that workers create that they dont get paid for. It’s the difference between what a worker earns and how much their work is actually worth. It’s why workers can work harder and still stay poor, while capitalists grow richer.

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            Imu Aghahowa – Social Classes (DB)

            1. Do you notice any similarities in the way social class is discussed in readings 4.1 and 4.2? Do you notice any differences in the way these two readings DIFFERENTIATE between social classes? 

            In both readings they highlight the role of income and how it shapes social classes. In the first article it focuses more on a subjective standpoint on class identity. How many Americans label themselves (working class vs middle class) and how others avoid labels like “upper or lower class” regardless of income. In The New Yorkers subway map provides a more objective standpoint of how class through income disparities across different NYC neighborhoods, it reinforces how economic divides align with geography. In the first article, Gallup exposes how the fluidity of how individuals view themselves within the class system. The second article exposes the very rigid segregation of wealth.

            2. Pick the station closest to where you live. Using the concepts from Reading 4.1, what social class tends to live in your neighborhood? Are you surprised (or not) by the answer? Do you feel it is an accurate representation of the people living in your neighborhood? 

            The train station near me would be the number 2 line. This typically falls in the lower income area of the Bronx. In the first article Gallup suggests that people in this income range often identify as working or middle class. Historically the Bronx has been one of NYC more affordable boroughs. Im not too surprised with it. There is a mix of working class families and long term homeowners. I would say its a bit nuanced. I do think that some individuals that do live in my neighborhood would view their class status differently.

            3. Based on Reading 4.2, do you notice a general pattern about social classes in NYC? 

            Based on The New Yorker Subway Map article there is certainly a clear pattern of social divisions tied to the overall geography and transit of the city. Subway lines like the 2 train visually and physically connect neighborhoods with drastically different incomes, education levels, and racial backgrounds. The median income levels also shifts. Riders boarding in Wakefield or south bronx often come from lower income communities and are commuting to jobs in wealthier parts of the city like midtown.

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            Imu Aghahowa – Discussion Board 4.2 Class & Oppression

            1. What is the distinction that Reading 4.3 makes between owners and employees? Give an example of each.

                – The distinction made in Reading 4.3 is that owners earn money mainly from investments like stocks, bonds, properties etc, rather than from working, Owners profit from other peoples labor. An example of this is when shareholders make money through dividends without actually being involved in the company’s day to day work. Employees however rely on wages or salaries to live. Regardless of how much they earn. An example would be someone working in a factory creating more value than they are paid. The only one benefiting from the value is the owner.

                2. How do you understand the quote by Adam Smith on pg. 28? What is it saying about labor?
                “labor … is alone the ultimate and real standard by which the value of
                all commodities can at all times and places be estimated and compared. It is
                their real price; money is their nominal price only.”
                -Adam Smith is saying that labor is a true source of value. The work thats invested by the employee is not just about the price tag it ultimately determines what something is truly worth. The real cost is the effort needed to make products by the individual.

                3. What are your thoughts on the main argument of Reading 4.4 that class is NOT an identity?

                -I do agree that class is not an identity. Its not something that is intrinsic. Its only a social and economic positioning. It cant be something that you are because its so heavily tied to what you do or dont do as far as labor and who benefits from your labor.

                4. How do you understand the argument Reading 4.4. makes when stating that “class structures are built around a close form of dependency”? What is this close form of dependency, and can you think of an example?

                  -I think what the argument is implying is that class structures rely on one another for capitalism to actually work. Without labor there is no capital. Those in position of power (the ruling class) depends on the labor of the working class in order to make money. The workers depend on wages to survive. Its an unfair form of dependency because one group is being exploited. An example of this would be the company Amazon. Jeff Bezos relies heavily on warehouse workers to do the hard labor, pack, ship, deliver etc but those same workers are only receiving low wages of the larger value they created for the company.