Analysis Of 'Defining Racism: Can We Talk?'

Racism Without Racists is perhaps one of the most eye-opening books i’ve read to date. Never before have a read a book and felt so much guilt and understanding, as well as a mix of both at the same time. The author, Eduardo Bonilla Silva, did such a great job of making statements and then backing them up with sufficient evidence to prove his point. After reading this, I feel much more educated and confident in understanding the topics discussed in the book.

This essay will critically analyze the various forms of oppression that are set out through Audrey Lorde’s concept of the “mythical norm” as discussed by Barbara Perry. Through the “mythical norm”, it can be seen that oppressions exists through the forms of racism and sexism which are exhibited through many scholarly texts and articles. Racism can be seen as a means of privilege and power that is given to individuals who coincide with the criteria of societies norm. In this case, these individuals consist of white, heterosexual, male beings who unknowingly oppress their racialized counterparts. Oppression can also be seen through the form of sexism. Sexism looks at the injustice and inequality of male dominance over female, which results to men being more privileged and advantaged in society over women who are disadvantaged. Therefore, privilege and power is obtained by those who coincide with the concept of the “mythical norm”, leaving minority groups who do not coincide with this conception oppressed through the forms of racism and sexism.

Wise’s examination of the inconspicuous character of racism 2.0 dovetails fittingly with our course’s recurring theme of institutionalized racism. In class lectures we have defined institutionalized racism as the discriminatory practices that have become regularized and routinized by state agencies, organizations, industries, or anywhere else in society. Although such practices might not be intentionally racist, they end up being racist nevertheless as consequence of the systematized and unspoken biases that have become increasingly convoluted and entrenched within society over time. It also doesn’t help white people to recognize these discriminatory practices considering they have been unconsciously tailored to be consistent with white perspective and mentality. In her article, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, Peggy McIntosh examines not only how white folks often consider themselves to be a normative figure within society, but also how they are carefully taught not to recognize the advantages they gain from the disadvantages that impair people of color. In the article, McIntosh acknowledges the reality of her own white privilege and expresses, “In my class and place, I did not see myself as a racist because I was taught to recognize racism only in individual acts of meanness by members of my group, never in invisible systems conferring unsought racial dominance on my group from birth” (McIntosh 4). In fact, even if white folks do not believe themselves to

Power can be displayed through architecture in a wide array of forms i.e. wealth, class, cleanliness, and structure. Power is described in many ways and portrayed by others differently based from experiences. In regards to architecture, my definition of power is described through overall structure and the vibe of the building. When returning to downtown Tucson, I went to the building which I thought portrayed this power, was The Cadence apartments.

In “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” Peggy McIntosh argues that racism can be found imbedded into the culture of society; conferring and denying certain privileges on some rather than all. This is a dangerous cultivation; endowing a strong expectation that white privileges are naturally deserving. Furthermore, making the cornerstone of McIntosh’s main argument; that white privilege is just a less aggressive synonym for dominance. When you receive privileges for looking a certain type of way, the recipient becomes immune; often not being able to acknowledge their advantages. As a result, this creates a cultural divide, between racial groups.

Throughout history African Americans have faced and still face many hardships. African American males in particular are often linked to negative statistics and stereotypes. In fact, they suffer more and are victims of racial profiling and racism more than any other ethnic group. Racism has a deeper meaning than most people may think. It goes beyond what the average person may think. Racism can be defined as, the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. In particular, it stems from one person thinking that his or her race is more superior to another.

It’s either black or white, right? This is a common misconception heard in relation to many contentions involving racial controversies in America, and sadly, more often than not, it is assumed to be true. The racial, or rather ethnic, and social injustices in the United States are under the unsubstantial influential power of, what is deemed by most philosophers as, the “black/white paradigm”. “Juan Pera defines this paradigm as “the conception that race in America consists, either exclusively or primarily, of only two constituent racial groups, the Black and White… In addition, the paradigm dictates that all other racial identities and groups in the United States are best understood through the Black/White binary paradigm” (Alcoff 248). Linda Alcoff, a distinguished and highly recognized woman philosopher at the City of University of New York, who specializes in epistemology, feminism, and race theory, hopes to dissuade one from simply accepting the “black/white paradigm” but rather instead deduce that all matters in relation to race and the wrongs inherent to racism cannot unpretentiously nor moralistically be placed into the two racial groupings of either black or white.

Beverly Tatum incorporates the concept of White privilege into her writing to address the fundamental issues surrounding racism. In "Defining Racism," a chapter in Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria, Tatum defines racism as “a system of advantage based on race” (P.6) In an accurate and inoffensive way she illustrates racism and extends it beyond the individual, placing blame on the greater American social structure. Throughout the development of her definition she places great emphasis on the fact that racism, like sexism, is something exhibited by the dominant group (whites/men) upon the subordinate group (people of color/women). She does this to demonstrate the structured aspect of racism as an institutional norm and not necessarily something that is actively practiced by individuals. This approach is less offensive to whites and creates a context for self awareness

The Explicit Gospel is a true eye opener with life changing implications, a modern day constitution of the Christian faith. This piece of literature adds a valuable Christian perspective with convicting truths that have been overlooked by Christians and many Christian institutions throughout our nation. The principles in this book will compel any American citizen to reevaluate their Christocentric worldview.

Over the years, the face of racism has taken on many forms. In present day America, racism is a very taboo subject. It a common view that racism is not a big issue anymore, given the large strides that we, as a country have made towards equality. However, the inequalities that still exist between races point to a different situation. Instead of the blatantly discriminatory acts that our nation has witnessed in the past, modern racism practices are more covert and seemingly nonracial, making this kind of discrimination seem more acceptable and politically correct. The Civil Rights Movement forced society to implement a new, subtler way to perpetuate racial inequality. In Racism Without Racists, Bonilla-Silva describes the justification

According to Essed (1991), the everyday experiences of racism and racist practice involve those routine activities perceived by the majority to be normal and neutral, yet these putdowns and demotions are negatively experienced by minority women and men as a violation of their dignity and humanity. Essed (2002) also points out that everyday racism is entrenched within mainstream institutions so that patterns of dominance are largely invisible to those in power and passively tolerated by the majority. Finally, she argues that it’s not the actions per se that determine whether racism is at play; instead it’s about the contexts that define acts as racist. Everyday racism is subsequently defined (Essed 1991, 5) as a process in which (a) socialized

“#AllLivesMatter”. “#NotAllMen”. “Why isn’t there a White History Month?” “Yes, women of colour are beautiful, but I think what you mean to say is all women are beautiful.” “But isn’t a woman telling a man to ‘sit down and shut up’, sexist?” Discernibly, these retorts all demonstrate that it is possible to experience some kind of reverse subjugation, right? Well no, not exactly. So, is reverse sexism possible? Is reverse racism possible? With a focus on systemic oppression in this essay, I attempt to answer these questions while defending the position that reverse racism and reverse sexism do not exist. I will discuss how reverse oppression – be it reverse racism, or female privilege – cannot exist because the very nature of oppression

Throughout history in America there has always been the idea of racism. When Americans think of racism, they usually think of slavery and that racism is no longer a problem in America. However, this is not the case. Racism is still very apparent in America. It is true that since the end of slavery, the U.S. has made great strides towards becoming a less racist country. In reality, racism will never be extinct. In today’s society, all American citizens of all races have the same rights as one another, yet there is still racism. Racism can be linked directly to stereotypical mindsets of certain groups of people. It is human nature to make conclusions about other people, this is what leads to racism. Today’s racism is not limited to whites

Racism makes no sense. When looking back, it can be seen that racism has always been present, and even though it may seem like a thing of the past it is just as present today as it was then. Though many people now would argue that racism has been abolished and that all the stories are made up and the victims are just being dramatic, this is not the case. If you’ve ever spoken with a victim of racism you’ll know that it is all too real. Racism is still alive and well and needs to be talked about and ended. Racism is one of the most frustrating things people today have to deal with and the short memoir by Roxane Gay, The Price of Black Ambition, and works by other authors show just how frustrating it can be.

The definition of racism is the meaning two “races” disagreeing that’s leading to problems. Any type of racism can be sparked by racist jokes, racist comments, and sometimes actions that can appear to be racist. Oprah Winfrey says “I was raised to believe that excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism”.This whole “racism” problem is getting to the point that African Americans are starting a movement called “Black Lives Matter”. This movement is trying to make a stand and trying to get some respect. They hit the streets and try to do the worst things possible. Beat up white people, blame everything on police officers, and expect to get what they want. Blaming people won’t work, destroying things won’t work, you have to trust in God