The cost of racismI often think that one way racism does serious damage to white people is by stripping them of their empathy. Privilege has long taught them that white is right. White people are given constant, regular reinforcement that their opinions are superior. They receive validation for their viewpoints. And they typically live in environments in which they do not have to pay any attention to people of color.
Subsequently, when people of color talk about racism, white people are quick to issue denials. Not only do they deny that the opinions or feelings of other people are valid, but they deny even the right to have those opinions. Look at some of the comments people made after Miley Cyrus’ racist “slant-eye” gesture. Remember the one about the rabbits?
What about kids who hold up their fingers and do bunny ears in photos? Should rabbits start holding town meetings to cry racism??
Translation: Asian Americans complaining about racism is as ridiculous as if rabbits began to talk. In other words, Asian Americans are not fully equal. They are being equated with rabbits. And who would imagine that rabbits might dare to bring up racism?Comment: Good posting on how whites are clueless about the harm of
racism and
stereotyping. I suggest you read the whole thing.
5 comments:
"Good posting on how whites are clueless about the harm of racism and stereotyping. I suggest you read the whole thing."
The problem's more widespread than ol' eviiiiiil whitey; for example there are countless Black washington red**** fans out there.
Maybe we could issue a blanket statement that any claim about white people also applies to other ethnic groups (to a lesser degree). Then you wouldn't have to keep repeating yourself. ;-)
There's a whole school of thought that says only a society's dominant group can be racist. I don't necessarily agree with this position, but let's acknowledge that it exists.
Here's some info on the subject. It suggests why critics focus on white racists even though minorities can be racist also.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism
rac⋅ism /ˈreɪsɪzəm/
–noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institutional_racism
Institutional racism (or structural racism or systemic racism) ... is defined as the differential access to goods, services, and opportunities of society. When this differential access seeps into our institutions, it eventually becomes common practice, making it that much harder to rectify. Eventually, this racism dominates our public bodies, corporations and universities, and is reinforced by the actions of newcomers and conformists. Another difficulty with reducing institutionalized racism is that there is no true identifiable perpetrator. When racism is built into the institution, it appears to be an act of the collective population.
There are three major types of racism: institutional, personally-mediated, and internalized. Personally-mediated racism includes the specific attitudes involved in the act of prejudice (involving differential assumptions about abilities, motives, and intentions of others according to their race), discrimination (involving the differential actions and behaviors towards others according to their race), stereotyping, commission, and omission (involving lack of respect, suspicion, devaluation, and dehumanization). Internalized racism is the acceptance by members of stigmatized races of negative messages about their own abilities and intrinsic worth, characterized by their not believing in themselves or others who look like them. This form of racism is manifested through embracing “whiteness” (e.g., stratification by skin tone with communities of color), self-devaluation (e.g., racial slurs as nicknames, rejection of ancestral culture, etc.) and resignation, helplessness and hopelessness (e.g., dropping out of school, failing to vote, engaging in risky health practices, etc.).
Note that blacks and other minorities don't set government policy or control the system of government (per the second definition). Systemic racism in America is a white problem, not a minority problem.
And please don't tell me that a black man is president. Obama can't sign off on an initiative without the explicit or implicit approval of thousands of white politicians and bureaucrats. If he unilaterally tried to impose a "black agenda" item--e.g., affirmative action--the powers that be would stop him.
As for blacks who cheer the Washington Redskins, I'd say that's an example of embracing "whiteness" and racial slurs as nicknames. Whites have said it's okay to offend Indians so blacks follow suit. This solidarity with whites against Indians helps cement the blacks' social status.
In other words, this isn't a unique or separate black problem. It's a subset of the colonial mentality imposed on blacks, Indians, and other minorities. Whites have created a system in which minorities can try to marginalize each other while whites continue to rule.
Some blacks realize this, which is why organizations such as the NAACP have spoken out against Indian mascots. But most people haven't thought about the issue like readers of Newspaper Rock have. Those who cheer for the Redskins probably don't realize what they're doing.
"Note that blacks and other minorities don't set government policy or control the system of government (per the second definition). Systemic racism in America is a white problem, not a minority problem."
Except I'm talking about stereotyping in general.
"And please don't tell me that a black man is president. Obama can't sign off on an initiative without the explicit or implicit approval of thousands of white politicians and bureaucrats. If he unilaterally tried to impose a "black agenda" item--e.g., affirmative action--the powers that be would stop him."
Just once I'd like to go a day without hearing that scumbag's name.
"As for blacks who cheer the Washington Redskins, I'd say that's an example of embracing "whiteness" and racial slurs as nicknames. Whites have said it's okay to offend Indians so blacks follow suit."
No I'd say it's more to blame on the media and the sheer mass of Native stereotypes.
"This solidarity with whites against Indians helps cement the blacks' social status."
My point was that it's an example of how stereotyping extends far beyond Whites.
"In other words, this isn't a unique or separate black problem."
I never said it was, just that thanks to the media and stereotypes anti-Indian bias or stereotypes are widespread among several different races.
"It's a subset of the colonial mentality imposed on blacks, Indians, and other minorities. Whites have created a system in which minorities can try to marginalize each other while whites continue to rule."
The whites that are in power come from a wealthy ivey league upper class who have a history of being bigoted against ethnic whites (the Polish come to mind) and other minorities. So I think it's a bit unfair to lump whites in with an elite minority especially since those whites have traditionally been mistreated by those elites.
"Some blacks realize this, which is why organizations such as the NAACP have spoken out against Indian mascots. But most people haven't thought about the issue like readers of Newspaper Rock have. Those who cheer for the Redskins probably don't realize what they're doing."
Nah I'd say quite a few know; I'd wager that most of those Black red****s have a low opinion of Indians.
Anyone can be prejudiced no matter who they are, and in my opinion I think everyone is ;) given the way the world works, and considering that there are both positive and negative stereotypes at play. However, I visualize racism and privilege as existing more on a sliding-scale spectrum, based on one's comparative power. The more power you have, the more privilege you experience (or vice-versa), and accordingly, your ability to be racist (as opposed to just prejudiced) also increases, as you are able to use your relative power both in your own favor, and against that of others. (Which then becomes a matter of oppression).
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