By
Robert Fuller (New Society Publishers, 2003)
Reviewed
by Mark McDonough
In this
groundbreaking book, Robert Fuller argues that there is an
abuse of power broader than that of racism and sexism; he
calls it "rankism" because it is based on differences in power
as signified by rank. Fuller does not object to rank, per
se, but to the abuse of rank. Rank and some of the privileges
that come with it can be useful-such as the library privileges
afforded professors who need special access to do their jobs
well. But when one takes advantage of privileged status-such
as demeaning or sexually harassing a student -that is rankism.
Although everybody seems to want to be a
"somebody," Fuller makes the fascinating observation that
being a "nobody" has advantages, and that we often switch
back and forth between being a somebody and a nobody at
different times in our lives or even at different times
during the day. Being a nobody is wonderful, for example,
when you need time to try out a new identity under the cover
of invisibility. Being a somebody can be a burden when people
over-generalize and don't see who you really are. For those
who have rank because of money or leadership positions,
this book can help develop greater sensitivity to the circumstances
of both somebodies and nobodies.
The author's observations also serve as
cautionary signposts for well-meaning activists. He notes:
"The fact that you can't overcome rankism with rankism explains
the puzzling ineffectiveness of many progressive social
groups. If a tone of moral superiority pervades an organization
and infects its rhetoric, some adherents are attracted because
membership affords them an opportunity to feel superior
to nonmembers -'the unenlightened.' The message being promulgated,
no matter how timely and important, will remain unheard
and unheeded by the vast majority until, in its content
and presentation, it is shorn of moral rankism."
This wise and thoughtful book gives us all
a metric to better understand when we are in fact abusing
rank, and offers insight into how and when rank may be used
productively, without harm to others.
© 1990-2005, More Than Money, All rights reserved