Goa Board Class 8 Solutions for Civics – Understanding Marginalisation (English Medium)
Page No. 92:
Question 1:
Write in your own words two or more sentences of what you understand by the word ‘marginalisation’.
Solution :
Marginalisation can be defined as the process whereby something or someone is pushed to the edge of a group and accorded lesser importance.
It is predominantly a social phenomenon by which a minority or sub-group is excluded and their needs or desires are ignored.
A marginalised person is made to feel different from everyone else, and they therefore feel like they are all alone and away from the rest of society. When people are marginalised, they are made to feel like they are different and not in a good way.Marginalisation can take place due to following reasons:
- Speaking different language
- Following different customs
- Belonging to a different religious group from a majority community
Question 2:
List two reasons why Adivasis are becoming increasingly marginalised.
Solution :
The two reasons for Adivasis to become marginalised are
- People think that they are exotic, primitive and backward.
- People think that they lack advancement as they are resistant to new ideas.
- As they are used to living in forests, their migration to urban areas creates problems for them and they are not able to adjust to urban life.
Question 3:
Write one reason why you think the Constitution’s safeguards to protect minority communities are very important?
Solution :
One reason the Constitution’s safeguards to protect minority communities are important because it is committed to protecting India’s cultural diversity and promoting equality as well as justice. It also guards them against any discrimination and disadvantage that they may face.
Question 4:
Re-read the section on Minorities and marginalisation. What do you understand by the term minority?
Solution :
A minority is defined as a small group of people within a community or country, differing from the main population in race, religion, language or political persuasion. It can also be defined as communities that are smaller in number as compared to the population.
Question 5:
You are participating in a debate where you have to provide reasons to support the following statement: ‘Muslims are a marginalised community’. Using the data provided in this chapter, list two reasons that you would give.
Solution :
Muslims are considered as a minority community because
- A range of social, economic and educational factors indicates that the situation of the Muslim community is comparable to that of other marginalised communities such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- Muslim customs and practices are sometimes quite distinct from what is seen as mainstream. For example, some Muslims may wear a burqa, sport a long beard or wear a fez.
Question 6:
Imagine that you are watching the Republic Day parade on TV with a friend and she remarks, “Look at these tribals. They look so exotic. And they seem to be dancing all the time”. List three things that you would tell her about the lives of Adivasis in India.
Solution :
The three things that I would tell her about Adivasis are
- They are often portrayed in stereotypical ways through dancing, their costumes and way of life.
- They are considered exotic, primitive and backward.
- They have been forcefully moved from their original homes and made to work in plantations, construction sites, industries and homes as domestic workers.
Question 7:
In the storyboard you read about how Helen hopes to make a movie on the Adivasi story. Can you help her by developing a short story on Adivasis?
Solution :
As answers may vary, use your imagination to attempt this question on your own.
Question 8:
Would you agree with the statement that economic and social marginalisation are interlinked? Why?
Solution :
Yes, economic and social marginalisations are interlinked. This can be seen in the following points:
- Social marginalisation is based on religion, culture, tradition, dress etc. If a particular group is different from the rest, then it will lead to religious differences.
- Religious differences prevent minorities from getting jobs, allowing their children to go to school or renting houses for themselves, which in turn leads to these marginalised communities not being able to earn enough. This then creates economic marginalisation.