All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies, and the Politics of Dignity

by Robert W. Fuller

Book Overview

A look at the damage abuses of power inherent with rank do to private relationships & public institutions and how to prevent it.

In his groundbreaking book Somebodies and Nobodies, Robert Fuller identified a form of domination that everyone has experienced but few dare to protest: rankism, or abuse of the power inherent in rank. Low rank--signifying weakness--marks people for abuse and discrimination in much the same way that...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576753859
• ISBN13: 9781576753859
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.7" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

All Rise for a Better Society

If Robert W. Fuller's hopes for the human race were to come true, the world would be a better place. A dignitarian society where everyone is valued would transform our interactions at the personal, local, national, and international levels. Fuller doesn't argue that everyone has equal skills, abilities, or position power but suggests arbitrary delineations of "rank" are used to give people cover to treat others disrespectfully or abusively. Fuller describes "rankism" as a label comparable to racism, sexism, and ageism, where one uses the external characteristics of a person or group to render that person invisible or less worthy in some regard. While sometimes the offense is deliberate as in the case of discriminatory policies or legislation, often the questionable behavior is unconscious and unintended. Think about it. Here is action that is totally free and within every individual's power to control. Like a smile, it's contagious. It provides psychic pleasure to everyone involved and is capable of making a profound difference in our own lives and the lives of others. It doesn't solve all of society's ills but--if it caught on--we, and democracy itself, would be taking a giant leap forward. Related ideas like "common sense, common decency, basic good manners" all suggest the fundamentals are within everyone's grasp. In fact, it's difficult to think of reasons not to behave as Fuller suggests, especially at the personal level. The obvious barriers are one's own insensitivity, insecurity, ignorance, or spite. Let's take the first case--insensitivity--maybe there's someone you know who engages in rankism but doesn't realize it. He doesn't know the name of the person who cleans the office or the guy who cares for his lawn. She never bothers to look a waiter or a busboy in the eye. In fact, even if an accomplished professional is presented as the friend of a friend, that person won't be seen as "noteworthy" unless perceived to be of sufficient stature. Fuller suggests that the way to get through to the unconscious rankist is to frame the situation from how it makes us feel rather than to accuse the person of engaging in such behavior. Insecurity and ignorance are the motivations behind much unpleasant behavior associated with rankism as with all the "isms." Ignoring the common humanity of others routinely leads to bullying, put-downs, bigotry, as well as economic exploitation and outright abuse. Ridiculing a protest as "politically correct" instead of recognizing the legitimacy behind the comment, trivializes the feelings of the person or group being disrespected. As a society, we often try to avoid acknowledging how the systematic disempowerment of entire groups can result in wage slavery that subsidizes the more comfortable lifestyles of the middle and upper classes. If we are to be generous, we should try to educate and reassure others when possible as to how their actions are impacting others. Fuller realistically concedes

My 12 year old gets it, why is it so difficult for me?

My 12 year old transferred schools mid semester. He was the 'mayor' of his old school...very popular. Now he says, "I was a somebody, and now at the new school I am a nobody." The new school is better but he wants out. It is easy to see it in kids, but Robert Fuller has identified an issue so pervasive and so ingrained that we adults don't even notice it. Sometimes it takes a great thinker (or a 12 year old) to show us the way. This is a book about how to treat and be treated with dignity. Both a global blueprint and a personal one. Like our racial blindness only 50 years ago, rankism needs to be isolated so we can see it and conquer it. And that is what Robert Fuller does with deceiving simplicity. I read the book on vacation. It is direct, simple and accessible. It makes its point with examples that will ring true to us all. Fuller makes his point so well, that it appears almost obvious. Buy it. Read it. And read it again. This book will stay with you even if you don't have a 12 year old at home.

All Rise; A t Working Template for change in our World

I read Robert Fuller's first book in September of 2004 (Somebodies and Nobodies, Abuse of Rank), and it literally opened my eyes to a new concept of identifying rankism in the work place, and all other organizations I dealt with on a daily basis. After reading it, I wrote, what might be, the first resignation letter based on 'rankism' at the school where I was working. From there, the ideas in his book, inspired me to pursue writing my own children's book helping kids recognize and react too the somebody/nobody concept. His work is not about a book just idenitifying how rankism decays our society, but more about a movement which many of us wanted to join but didn't know where to sign up. All Rise,Somebodies and Nobodies and the Politics of Dignity, his second book, gives us working models for dignity in the workplace, personal relationships, government, and schools. With the cases presented, and models and templates, we can move forward with a dignitarian movement with a guide book of proven success stories, examples that show changes can occur. I hope people use it as a template for change for a more dignified society. This is not about a book, this is about a new way of thinking and a call for action. Join the movement towards a society free of rankism. Recognize it, identify it, and SAY something about it. Stephanie Heuer Peace Education Author; I feel like nobody when... I feel like somebody when...

Antidote to Violence

Robert Fuller has written another extremely important book, one that takes a close look at how our institutions are changing and how we can change them to serve us better. We're all aware of how deflating many of our daily encounters can be. Here, each page makes us even more aware of the occasions when our dignity is being trampled---and what to do about it. It's a place we can turn for courage. I wish I had the means to put this book in the hands of those who make mainstream movies. I want to see a movie where the hero or group of heroines say just those things we wish we could think of when we've been embarrassed, put down, humiliated or dismissed. I don't mean what we usually say when we intend to give the perpetrator his lumps. I'd like to see an exciting, funny, sometimes somber, always thoughtful movie showing the hero moving through life's common indignities---but coping gracefully with them. As Fuller writes, "Rankism can only be ended when people find a way to protect the dignity of their tormenters while at the same time suggesting to them a way to treat people with respect." What we all need, as Fuller points out, is better models as illustrations of coping, a kind of verbal aikido which lets the person know that you've heard and received the injury, but that you're both bigger and smarter than that. In short, we need to have fun with our imaginations as we delve into deeper levels of response, levels where we're proud of our ability of think of new solutions, proud of how we've responded at the scene. We want ways to at least feel that we're left in a neutral position, rather than as enemies waiting for vengeance. What is more important in this historic period of our lives? We're all aware that we live on the brink of disaster---due to people's lack of imagination to do much more than act out conflicts through war. I suspect that many of us are frozen in fear, when what we need is just this kind of creative, imaginative response in the world. What if in rebuilding schools around the world, we not only built the schools, but sent the teachers off with cartons of Stephanie Heuer's book, "I Feel Like Nobody When...I Feel Like Somebody When," and let the children answer those two questions? It would help to create an atmosphere of openness, strength, respect and self-awareness from day one in those schools, preventing more catastropic Columbines. For those who read his previous book, "Somebodies and Nobodies" and who wanted more concrete suggestions on how to deal with our daily indignities, "All Rise" is the book which has some answers. Fuller wrote "Somebodies and Nobodies" to illustrate the problems that rankism creates, and "All Rise" gives us ideas about how to solve them. And while you're at it, take a look at his website at [...], where you'll find a lot more. If you're brand new to the concept of rankism, you can go to that site and take a tour of the dignity movement. If you've known about the concept for