3/30/09
My last blog and my last paper left off with me wondering how to have a conversation about racism or race. Well, guess what? I finally did it. I got over my fear and just made it happen. There was a lot of arguing, but I'll write out the run-down of the situation:
I was at dinner one night after practice with the cross country / distance track team. I'm not sure what the conversation had been going on before it all happened, but, one of the guys on the team said, "You can say something racist or a racist joke and not actually be racist." Here was my turn to jump in. I had the option of just sitting there and listening to whatever conversation was about to go on, or I could say something.
Me: "John - did you just say that you can say something racist and not actually be racist?"
John: "Yeah...?"
Me: "Well, isn't saying racist things perpetuating racism? So, by doing this, wouldn't you actually be continuing racism? If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."
That's how it all got started.
Somehow, the topic changed to if black people could be racist. I, of course, used my knowledge that I had gained in this class, to say no, that racism is "a system of advantage based on race." That only the oppressor could be the racist. So I explained that only white people can be racist. But then the question (very similar to what Aaron had proposed in class near the beginning of the semester) of if you're in an all-minority location, can't those people be racist against white people? I explained that that would be prejudice - not racism, because racism ("a system of advantage") exists at a societal level.
So someone tried to argue that in Australia (I think that was the example they used?) that over 50% of the population is Black - so since that country's majority is Black does that make them the domineering race? Would this "system of advantage" assist these people? I explained that I didn't know a lot about the culture and social structure of Australia, so I didn't know the answer to that question.
I tried to explain that the DEFINITION of racism was this system of advantage based on race. Then I got people arguing with me about who made the definition and why is it the definition. Geez. I just explained to them that it was the psychological definition - I didn't know otherwise. But then I tried to use the metaphor of sexism - it's a "system of advantage based on sex." I explained that men can only be sexist, not women. Wow. Did people freak out about that one. Two of my male teammates explained to me that they were not hired by female women for a job because she was sexist. I explained, well, she's not sexist because she's not putting women down, but she very well is prejudiced, and what she did is wrong. But, by the standards of the definition - she is not sexist.
This conversation was ridiculous. I really felt like everyone at the table was attacking me with these arguments that just aren't correct. It makes me think about what I can do for my action plan to help people understand actual definitions and understand what it is that they argue so passionately about. How can you make a valid argument about something if you don't even have the correct definition about what it is. I'd really like to help get rid of some of the ignorance on this campus.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Dialogue On Racism
3/24/09
Writing my "State of Dialogue On Campus" paper really made me think a lot about how much I have grown since taking this course. Before taking Psychology of Racism, I knew that racism existed, but I just didn't know how much it actually affected me. I've become more perceptive about conversations about race and racism. And racist comments and jokes bother me. A lot. But, as we talked about in class, I still don't know how to respond when I hear an off-color comment. I hear someone say something and there are so many things buzzing through my mind: "that's rooted in old stereotypes," "that's completely incorrect," "totally ignorant." Keeping silent maintains the status quo that is racism. I can't just keep silent anymore. Well, I can - I just don't want to. But I need to think about how I can have some sort of response. Someone in class said that when they're caught in this situation they just tell their friend to "quit being an asshole." That works - when you're with friends, or friends who have a sense of humor where that would be appropriate. But what about in the context of work? When you're with someone who you just know as an acquaintance? Totally inappropriate. How would you respond?
See, this is where I'm stuck. I hate offending others, but I hate staying complacent. Ugh. I'm so frustrated. Maybe this is something I can keep thinking about for my action plan?
I read the articles for class this week after completing my paper, and I realized that so many of the things that I had noticed on campus were exactly what these articles were talking about. The Worthington article "Color-Blind Racial Attitudes, Social Dominance Orientation, Racial-Ethnic Group Membership and College Students' Perceptions of Campus Climate" found that unawareness of racial privilege was associated with more positive perceptions of both Racial Ethnic Campus Climate and General Campus Climate. These students were more likely to perceive that everything is all good and dandy for ethnic minorities because they don't perceive that racism is happening in their world. I could definitely see how this could happen - I didn't even THINK about race and racial relations on IWU's campus until I was educated in this course. White students were more likely to rate RECC as higher than minority students because they simply don't have the same background of discrimination as students of color.
Also, I found the Hogan article interesting. One thing that the authors point out is that "students who enroll in diversity courses relatively early during their tenure are possibly more tolerant than students who delay completing the requirement." I definitely see how this could be true. My freshman year (I went to the University of Illinois freshman year, and then transferred) I completely avoided my US Diversity General Education requirement because I thought it would be "boring." I did a lot of growing up between freshman year and now. I was very conservative and ignorant coming into college. It's not that I was intolerant, I just wasn't really interested in learning anything about different cultures - or even my own culture. I was kind of in my own little bubble. Anyway, sophomore year, I didn't get into any of the classes I wanted to second semester, and as a result, I was forced to take my US Diversity class. The only one that was open was Women's Studies (ugh). I was kind of an anti-feminist going into the class, but the class actually changed my outlook a lot. In the end I'm really glad I took that class because it increased my interest in learning things about oppression, and sparked my interest in taking this course when I saw it listed.
The Spanierman article and the Hogan article talked about diversity classes as general education classes, and how they help students realize that there is a need for change (unfortunately all of the effects don't last). This makes students want to change, and I think more students need to be exposed to classes about race and racism to open up dialogue on campus about these topics. Making this class a general education credit (US Diversity?) would encourage more interest in the class, which would result in more students interested in gaining exposure to the problems of racism.
I don't have dialogues about racism like we witnessed in the Color of Fear video. That conversation was so moving to see everyone so open about their feelings and experiences on the topic. I was thinking about why I don't engage in conversations about race more often. Is it that much of a "touchy subject" that no one wants to go near it? No one wants to offend others? Or is it that I'm just so sheltered and all of my close friends (except one) are White?
Writing my "State of Dialogue On Campus" paper really made me think a lot about how much I have grown since taking this course. Before taking Psychology of Racism, I knew that racism existed, but I just didn't know how much it actually affected me. I've become more perceptive about conversations about race and racism. And racist comments and jokes bother me. A lot. But, as we talked about in class, I still don't know how to respond when I hear an off-color comment. I hear someone say something and there are so many things buzzing through my mind: "that's rooted in old stereotypes," "that's completely incorrect," "totally ignorant." Keeping silent maintains the status quo that is racism. I can't just keep silent anymore. Well, I can - I just don't want to. But I need to think about how I can have some sort of response. Someone in class said that when they're caught in this situation they just tell their friend to "quit being an asshole." That works - when you're with friends, or friends who have a sense of humor where that would be appropriate. But what about in the context of work? When you're with someone who you just know as an acquaintance? Totally inappropriate. How would you respond?
See, this is where I'm stuck. I hate offending others, but I hate staying complacent. Ugh. I'm so frustrated. Maybe this is something I can keep thinking about for my action plan?
I read the articles for class this week after completing my paper, and I realized that so many of the things that I had noticed on campus were exactly what these articles were talking about. The Worthington article "Color-Blind Racial Attitudes, Social Dominance Orientation, Racial-Ethnic Group Membership and College Students' Perceptions of Campus Climate" found that unawareness of racial privilege was associated with more positive perceptions of both Racial Ethnic Campus Climate and General Campus Climate. These students were more likely to perceive that everything is all good and dandy for ethnic minorities because they don't perceive that racism is happening in their world. I could definitely see how this could happen - I didn't even THINK about race and racial relations on IWU's campus until I was educated in this course. White students were more likely to rate RECC as higher than minority students because they simply don't have the same background of discrimination as students of color.
Also, I found the Hogan article interesting. One thing that the authors point out is that "students who enroll in diversity courses relatively early during their tenure are possibly more tolerant than students who delay completing the requirement." I definitely see how this could be true. My freshman year (I went to the University of Illinois freshman year, and then transferred) I completely avoided my US Diversity General Education requirement because I thought it would be "boring." I did a lot of growing up between freshman year and now. I was very conservative and ignorant coming into college. It's not that I was intolerant, I just wasn't really interested in learning anything about different cultures - or even my own culture. I was kind of in my own little bubble. Anyway, sophomore year, I didn't get into any of the classes I wanted to second semester, and as a result, I was forced to take my US Diversity class. The only one that was open was Women's Studies (ugh). I was kind of an anti-feminist going into the class, but the class actually changed my outlook a lot. In the end I'm really glad I took that class because it increased my interest in learning things about oppression, and sparked my interest in taking this course when I saw it listed.
The Spanierman article and the Hogan article talked about diversity classes as general education classes, and how they help students realize that there is a need for change (unfortunately all of the effects don't last). This makes students want to change, and I think more students need to be exposed to classes about race and racism to open up dialogue on campus about these topics. Making this class a general education credit (US Diversity?) would encourage more interest in the class, which would result in more students interested in gaining exposure to the problems of racism.
I don't have dialogues about racism like we witnessed in the Color of Fear video. That conversation was so moving to see everyone so open about their feelings and experiences on the topic. I was thinking about why I don't engage in conversations about race more often. Is it that much of a "touchy subject" that no one wants to go near it? No one wants to offend others? Or is it that I'm just so sheltered and all of my close friends (except one) are White?
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Ebony Experiment
3/23/09
This article, that I posted the week before spring break really struck me as a couple who is very much involved in their immersion / emersion stage of Racial Identity Development. They really want to support the Black economy and help other Black people thrive in this failing economy. It doesn't say anywhere in the article that they even pay attention to White people - they're kind of off the radar and more focused on their own racial group.
What I found interesting is although this family lives in Oak Park (a relatively diverse community) which is near the city, we still see the effects of oppression that are found elsewhere. The article stated that this family had to drive fourteen miles to buy groceries. That is actually surprising to me - I would have thought that there would be more Black owned stores and companies than it appears.
I'm personally very glad I have taken this class because I am armed with the knowledge about racism, so that I don't sound ignorant like this one letter the Anderson family received:
"One anonymous letter mailed to their home accused the Andersons of "unabashed, virulent racism." "Because of you," the writer stated, "we will totally avoid black suppliers. Because of you, we will dodge every which way to avoid hiring black employees.""
Black people cannot be racist. Racism is a system where minorities are oppressed... and minorities cannot do the oppressing. It's really sad, actually that people can be so ignorant to not understand that this "Ebony Experiment" as they called it, was not to bash White businesses, but rather to help boost their fellow Black community members.
This article, that I posted the week before spring break really struck me as a couple who is very much involved in their immersion / emersion stage of Racial Identity Development. They really want to support the Black economy and help other Black people thrive in this failing economy. It doesn't say anywhere in the article that they even pay attention to White people - they're kind of off the radar and more focused on their own racial group.
What I found interesting is although this family lives in Oak Park (a relatively diverse community) which is near the city, we still see the effects of oppression that are found elsewhere. The article stated that this family had to drive fourteen miles to buy groceries. That is actually surprising to me - I would have thought that there would be more Black owned stores and companies than it appears.
I'm personally very glad I have taken this class because I am armed with the knowledge about racism, so that I don't sound ignorant like this one letter the Anderson family received:
"One anonymous letter mailed to their home accused the Andersons of "unabashed, virulent racism." "Because of you," the writer stated, "we will totally avoid black suppliers. Because of you, we will dodge every which way to avoid hiring black employees.""
Black people cannot be racist. Racism is a system where minorities are oppressed... and minorities cannot do the oppressing. It's really sad, actually that people can be so ignorant to not understand that this "Ebony Experiment" as they called it, was not to bash White businesses, but rather to help boost their fellow Black community members.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Flench Flies & Caucasians.
3/3/09 (Square Root Day!)
In the movie we watched in class last week, "Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible," there was an excerpt that discussed an Asian girl who was cast as an island girl in a school play. The island was a Pacific island, so the island girls were supposed to be an Asian race. These girls were instructed to say things like "flench flies" instead of "french fries" to further demonstrate their Asian role in the play. this girl stood up to the play's director and refused to say "flench flies" because it was so demeaning.
This same topic has come up more than once in the past week.
1. In my Neuroscience class we were discussing phenomes because we're studying the language chapter, and my professor was explaining that his mom (since she's from Thailand) could not say the "r" phenome (because it's not in her first learned language), so it sounds more like an "l."
2. My friend (who is Asian) is involved with theater at her school was recently cast as a "Pacific Island Girl" (sound familiar?). She was so excited for her new part, that she said, "AND I get to talk like an Asian and everything!" She gave me a little demonstration and laughed. I was literally shocked at how she was responding in such a different way to the racist and stereotypical way she was being treated.
3. But then I realized that the last role she played was that of a Vietnamese civilian in a Vietnam War production. Typical. Cast the Asian girl as the Asian character. Interestingly enough, in this same production, one of the other characters was supposed to be a Middle Eastern man, but they got a White guy to play his role. Strange the way theater works.
I just read a classmate's blog about the blog online fmylife.com. The story she posted reminded me of a similar experience when I was in middle school. I believe it was eighth grade, and my classmates and I were taking the PLAN test (pre-ACT test). My friend had bubbled in "Other" on her testing form. Our teacher came around and asked her, "oh, are you not White anymore?" My friend was confused, but once my teacher told her that she should have circled "Caucasian," my friend explained herself that since "Caucasian" had the word "Asian" in it, she thought that it really meant "Asian." It's interesting that as students who grew up in a predominantly White area, we learn the politically correct terms - African American, for Native American, but we never learn what's politically correct to call ourselves.
This makes me wonder. Where does the term "Caucasian" come from, anyway? Here's what Wikipedia says:
The concept of a Caucasian race or Varietas Caucasia was developed around 1800 by Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, a German scientist and classical anthropologist.[5][5] Blumenbach named it after the peoples of the Caucasus (from the Caucasus region), whom he considered to be the archetype for the grouping.[6] He based his classification of the Caucasian race primarily on craniology.[7] Blumenbach wrote:
"Caucasian variety - I have taken the name of this variety from Mount Caucasus, both because its neighborhood, and especially its southern slope, produces the most beautiful race of men, I mean the Georgian; and because all physiological reasons converge to this, that in that region, if anywhere, it seems we ought with the greatest probability to place the autochthones (birth place) of mankind."[8]
WAIT. Stop. Realize that this was developed in around 1800. But, really the "most beautiful race of men?" And the birthplace of mankind? I thought the "birthplace of mankind" was somewhere in Africa. But I still have questions. Where is Mount Caucasus? And are the Georgians the same people as the people from Georgia (country between Russia and Turkey)?
The Caucasus Mountains is a mountain system in Eurasia between the Black and the Caspian sea in the Caucasus region.
The majority of Georgians are Christian, and mostly adhere to their national ancient autocephalous (since 4th century) Georgian Orthodox Church.
Strategically located on the crossroads between East and West, the Georgian people have been influenced by many civilizations throughout history. They absorbed features of other cultures and married them to indigenous traditions to produce a rich culture
Interesting. Caucasian is actually derived from Middle Eastern people, so why is it now associated with White people. The etiology of words can be really interesting, but overwhelming at the same time.
In the movie we watched in class last week, "Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible," there was an excerpt that discussed an Asian girl who was cast as an island girl in a school play. The island was a Pacific island, so the island girls were supposed to be an Asian race. These girls were instructed to say things like "flench flies" instead of "french fries" to further demonstrate their Asian role in the play. this girl stood up to the play's director and refused to say "flench flies" because it was so demeaning.
This same topic has come up more than once in the past week.
1. In my Neuroscience class we were discussing phenomes because we're studying the language chapter, and my professor was explaining that his mom (since she's from Thailand) could not say the "r" phenome (because it's not in her first learned language), so it sounds more like an "l."
2. My friend (who is Asian) is involved with theater at her school was recently cast as a "Pacific Island Girl" (sound familiar?). She was so excited for her new part, that she said, "AND I get to talk like an Asian and everything!" She gave me a little demonstration and laughed. I was literally shocked at how she was responding in such a different way to the racist and stereotypical way she was being treated.
3. But then I realized that the last role she played was that of a Vietnamese civilian in a Vietnam War production. Typical. Cast the Asian girl as the Asian character. Interestingly enough, in this same production, one of the other characters was supposed to be a Middle Eastern man, but they got a White guy to play his role. Strange the way theater works.
I just read a classmate's blog about the blog online fmylife.com. The story she posted reminded me of a similar experience when I was in middle school. I believe it was eighth grade, and my classmates and I were taking the PLAN test (pre-ACT test). My friend had bubbled in "Other" on her testing form. Our teacher came around and asked her, "oh, are you not White anymore?" My friend was confused, but once my teacher told her that she should have circled "Caucasian," my friend explained herself that since "Caucasian" had the word "Asian" in it, she thought that it really meant "Asian." It's interesting that as students who grew up in a predominantly White area, we learn the politically correct terms - African American, for Native American, but we never learn what's politically correct to call ourselves.
This makes me wonder. Where does the term "Caucasian" come from, anyway? Here's what Wikipedia says:
The concept of a Caucasian race or Varietas Caucasia was developed around 1800 by Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, a German scientist and classical anthropologist.[5][5] Blumenbach named it after the peoples of the Caucasus (from the Caucasus region), whom he considered to be the archetype for the grouping.[6] He based his classification of the Caucasian race primarily on craniology.[7] Blumenbach wrote:
"Caucasian variety - I have taken the name of this variety from Mount Caucasus, both because its neighborhood, and especially its southern slope, produces the most beautiful race of men, I mean the Georgian; and because all physiological reasons converge to this, that in that region, if anywhere, it seems we ought with the greatest probability to place the autochthones (birth place) of mankind."[8]
WAIT. Stop. Realize that this was developed in around 1800. But, really the "most beautiful race of men?" And the birthplace of mankind? I thought the "birthplace of mankind" was somewhere in Africa. But I still have questions. Where is Mount Caucasus? And are the Georgians the same people as the people from Georgia (country between Russia and Turkey)?
The Caucasus Mountains is a mountain system in Eurasia between the Black and the Caspian sea in the Caucasus region.
The majority of Georgians are Christian, and mostly adhere to their national ancient autocephalous (since 4th century) Georgian Orthodox Church.
Strategically located on the crossroads between East and West, the Georgian people have been influenced by many civilizations throughout history. They absorbed features of other cultures and married them to indigenous traditions to produce a rich culture
Interesting. Caucasian is actually derived from Middle Eastern people, so why is it now associated with White people. The etiology of words can be really interesting, but overwhelming at the same time.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
White Racial Identity Development
3/1/2009
White Racial Identity Development, according to the reading from Tatum.
I. Abandoning Racism
-Contact: Actually more of a "pre-encounter" phase. This would be someone who doesn't really see race and thinks that white is "normal."
-Disintegration: This usually happens when that person develops a relationship with a person of color. They realize that there are differences and they see inequalities.
-Reintegration: The person gets frustrated and blames the victim.
II. Developing a Positive White Racial Identity
-Pseudo-Independent: Understands the power structure, develops coalitions with groups of color. They're trying to find out who they are by surrounding themselves with people of color
-Immersion / Emersion: Immerse oneself in their own culture and family history.
-Autonomy: A positive sense of White racial identity is developed and secured.
I'm really glad I was exposed to learning about White racial identity development because I was starting to feel like White people don't develop a racial identity based on the readings from class. However, I can easily place myself in this White Racial Identity Scale. I would consider myself to be in the "Disintegration" phase. I think before taking this class I was in the contact phase. I didn't really think of myself as White and I never considered race. This class has taught me to take a different perspective in my evaluations of the world around me and has exposed me to learning more about people who are different than me.
I hope it doesn't seem like I'm passing judgment, but some of the people in the video we watched in class (Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible) seemed absolutely ridiculous. Mostly the people in the Pseudo-Independent stage, I guess, really. There were people who acted like they were all high and mighty just because they were taking a step toward racial equality and they're not people of color. I remember one person who talked about being at a race conference and they were one of few White people there. She said something along the lines of, "Hey at least I'm here, there's obviously not as many White people who care about these issues like I do." Some of these people seemed like their involvement in racial equality movements were so superficial, and for the wrong reasons. It was like they just wanted to be given a pat on the back for their hard work.
And I know not everyone has to go through all the stages listed above, but it kind of bothers me that so many White Folks go through this Pseudo-Independent stage. I'm thinking (hoping, maybe) that when I complete my White Racial Identity Development, I will skip the Pseudo-Independent stage because of my knowledge of it. I think it is possible to be involved in multicultural activities and join coalitions with people of color at the same time you're attempting to understand who you are as a White person by learning more about your cultural heritage (like in the Immersion / Emersion stage). I don't think its necessary to try to find out who you are by immersing yourself in a totally different culture. It doesn't work. That was already proven in the Racial Identity Development Theory for People of Color. Why would White people be expected to make that failed attempt? Obviously it's important to promote racial equality, which is part of the Pseudo-Independent stage.
Learning this theory makes me interested in becoming a more fulfilled person by understanding who I am as a White Person, not just as a person, or whatever. White racial identity and White pride are not fostered in our society because they have historical ties to White Supremacy and the Ku Klux Klan. We need to not be afraid to have racial pride or not fear racial development. It's time we as a nation grow up.
White Racial Identity Development, according to the reading from Tatum.
I. Abandoning Racism
-Contact: Actually more of a "pre-encounter" phase. This would be someone who doesn't really see race and thinks that white is "normal."
-Disintegration: This usually happens when that person develops a relationship with a person of color. They realize that there are differences and they see inequalities.
-Reintegration: The person gets frustrated and blames the victim.
II. Developing a Positive White Racial Identity
-Pseudo-Independent: Understands the power structure, develops coalitions with groups of color. They're trying to find out who they are by surrounding themselves with people of color
-Immersion / Emersion: Immerse oneself in their own culture and family history.
-Autonomy: A positive sense of White racial identity is developed and secured.
I'm really glad I was exposed to learning about White racial identity development because I was starting to feel like White people don't develop a racial identity based on the readings from class. However, I can easily place myself in this White Racial Identity Scale. I would consider myself to be in the "Disintegration" phase. I think before taking this class I was in the contact phase. I didn't really think of myself as White and I never considered race. This class has taught me to take a different perspective in my evaluations of the world around me and has exposed me to learning more about people who are different than me.
I hope it doesn't seem like I'm passing judgment, but some of the people in the video we watched in class (Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible) seemed absolutely ridiculous. Mostly the people in the Pseudo-Independent stage, I guess, really. There were people who acted like they were all high and mighty just because they were taking a step toward racial equality and they're not people of color. I remember one person who talked about being at a race conference and they were one of few White people there. She said something along the lines of, "Hey at least I'm here, there's obviously not as many White people who care about these issues like I do." Some of these people seemed like their involvement in racial equality movements were so superficial, and for the wrong reasons. It was like they just wanted to be given a pat on the back for their hard work.
And I know not everyone has to go through all the stages listed above, but it kind of bothers me that so many White Folks go through this Pseudo-Independent stage. I'm thinking (hoping, maybe) that when I complete my White Racial Identity Development, I will skip the Pseudo-Independent stage because of my knowledge of it. I think it is possible to be involved in multicultural activities and join coalitions with people of color at the same time you're attempting to understand who you are as a White person by learning more about your cultural heritage (like in the Immersion / Emersion stage). I don't think its necessary to try to find out who you are by immersing yourself in a totally different culture. It doesn't work. That was already proven in the Racial Identity Development Theory for People of Color. Why would White people be expected to make that failed attempt? Obviously it's important to promote racial equality, which is part of the Pseudo-Independent stage.
Learning this theory makes me interested in becoming a more fulfilled person by understanding who I am as a White Person, not just as a person, or whatever. White racial identity and White pride are not fostered in our society because they have historical ties to White Supremacy and the Ku Klux Klan. We need to not be afraid to have racial pride or not fear racial development. It's time we as a nation grow up.
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