I teach courses focusing on racial and ethnic relations, and
often times, individuals question why such a course continues to be necessary: “We
live in a multicultural society, we have a Black President, the Civil Rights
Movement and Affirmative Action policies have made people more equal, why do we
need to worry about this type of thing?”
Unfortunately, we still need to and for several reasons.
We, individuals in the US society and culture, are not
nearly as equal as we think we are. I
can cite several examples that have occurred over the last few months that
demonstrate this point: the recent MTV VMA’s performance by Miley Cyrus whereshe uses black women as props, Big Brother contestant Aaryn and GinaMarie’s demeaningcomments about black and homosexual contestants, the Trayvon Martin verdict,
and the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding voting rights. These links will lead you to articles that reveal
how unequal we continue to be despite the appearance of equality that we all
seem to believe in. Because of these and
so many more incidents that have and continue to happen, we need to learn about
race and ethnicity and how these concepts are socially derived and controlled
and continue to rule our lives and daily interactions (see this blog post).
Furthermore, race, ethnicity, racial & ethnic
stereotypes, and racism shape our every daily experiences and
interactions. What we think and how we
actually feel and react are different. For
example, we may believe that we have no problem with a specific racial or
ethnic group but upon meeting an individual of that group in a specific
situation (e.g. alone on a subway station) we react in an opposing manner. These perceptions-be them conscious or
unconscious-still affect people-be it positively or negatively based on their
race or ethnicity. Nonwhites are
profiled before whites for criminal activity.
For example, I had a professor who was of Asian origin, looked Middle
Eastern, but was a Canadian citizen.
Every time he flew anywhere-be it to visit family in Asia or go to a
conference in either the US or Canada-he was continually asked to be “randomly”
searched. He knows it’s not random and
he accepts it, but it’s not necessarily fair.
Also, nonwhites often are not considered for promotions or certain
jobs-for example, studies demonstrate that Hispanics make less than whites, but
blacks make less than Hispanics and whites.
Why? Is it because they aren’t as
educated? No, it’s because people have
perceptions that they are and they are therefore treated accordingly. If you think of specific professions, what is
the first racial group that comes into your mind: Doctors? Nurses?
Maids? Fast Food workers? Professors?
Hopefully this blog post has begun to make you more aware of
the power that racial and ethnic ideas have on us and how they affect our
everyday lives. We must be aware of
these situations in order to confront them and change the perceptions and
behaviors, particularly the negative ones, to be more positive and equal about
everyone around us-regardless of racial or ethnic affiliation. As the old adage goes, to forget the past is
to be doomed to repeat it, and in regards to this topic, to not understand the
problem is to be destined to continue making the same mistake. I recommend that everyone, regardless
of whether or not one believes they need it, take a race and ethnicity course
because we can all learn a thing or two and become better people and hopefully a better society.
29 comments:
It's actually surprising how much racism still exists despite what most people think. Just the other night I was at a friends house when this guy left to attend a meeting. Later that evening a girl asked, "Hey, where did that black guy go?" I actually brought this to the girl's attention because I remember discussing this in class. (Anth 205)She told me that it was easier, and everyone would know who she was talking about. Even though this could be true, the real question is why is it easier? Why can't we think of other ways to distinguish people other than what we think their race is? Would that guy appreciate being labeled like that? Just another reason to take an anthropology class; to become educated and "Confront these problems and change perceptions."
One of the scary things I've noticed is that individuals will not get to know those who are perceived as different from them, not even taking the common courtesy of getting someone's name. So instead of saying, "That black guy," they could "easily" say, "Where is (Insert name)?"
When I confront others about this issue, I always point out that they'd never say, "Where did the white guy go?" They would point out some other distinguishing characteristics, e.g. the guy in the hat, the bald guy, the blond/burnette, etc. It's only with racial minorities that they'll say race (and the same applies to other minorities-religious, sexual orientation, etc.). Keep up with it. It will be challenging, but as I always say, if each person changes one person, that's a exponential number and still progress, rather than changing none. :)
And good for you for doing this! :)
In my sociology class last semester I was taught that race is what society believes we are based on our appearance and ethnicity is what we actually identify with, but I'm a little confused on what race is now. Is it still what society judges us to be based on our appearance?
-Destiny Hernandez
The disciplines of sociology and anthropology are similar but rather different when it comes to defining and understanding the concepts of race. From an anthropological perspective we do not recognize race as a valid biological concept. Biologically every human being on this earth is about 2/10ths of a percent different. That is hardly enough genetic difference to validate and necessitate racial classifications. Plus, every society and culture defines race differently, which is what we discussed on Tuesday. Now that does not mean that societies and cultures still do not have socially constructed ideas about race, which is what sociologists point out, and that is a very valid point, one that I discussed in Tuesday's class, as well. Societies and cultures still have a lot of different ideas about what makes up specific racial classifications, and those ideas have and continue to change as societies and cultures also change. So while in anthropology we do not identify any biological evidence to support the racial concepts and we can provide cross cultural evidence that demonstrates that each society/culture has vastly different definitions & racial classifications, sociologists are still correct in noting that society still places emphasis on specific traits. You probably also learned in your sociology course about how in American culture there is a social preference toward being a man, skinny, upper class, educated, Protestant, etc. Just because there is no scientific evidence to support a social stigma or emphasis does not mean people still do not believe in that social paradigm/model/idea. I hope that helps. If not please feel free to continue asking questions and we can continue the discussion.
About your comment, "the Civil Rights Movement and Affirmative Action policies have made people more equal" I feel that it has made the opposite true as well. Although it started out as a good idea and has changed perceptions about minorities, it has created a reverse discrimination scenario, wherein the white man has been overlooked for jobs because of his race. There are no tax breaks for hiring a non-minority. However if you are a minority, the company gets a tax-break and therefore an incentive for hiring you. There also is the fact that minorities get paid less than non-minorities, again only benefiting the companies that hire them. This begs the question: Are single non-degree seeking white men becoming the new minority? To be truly a multicultural society we need to hire equally along all racial lines without regard to marriage or educational status [except in areas where a degree is necessary] and remove the monetary benefits for hiring a certain percentage of one race in an organization.
I hear this argument a lot, and despite the benefits of Affirmative Action it has not be consistent and it has not been as widespread as people are led to believe. White men still dominate in many ways: they consistently still make more money, receive more promotions, have more job opportunities, better educations, receive less arrests, receive less jail time, etc. This argument is often made by white men who feel that they may lose power as a result of equalizing actions such as Affirmative Action, but honestly, these men are not losing their status despite what they may claim. I'm not saying you're one of those men as I know you, but I highly encourage you be skeptical of things you hear others say, particularly if it seems that it affects you.
Someday we will achieve the goal of believing that race is a state of mind.
"Race in the workplace" might be a topic for a future blog post and it could discuss how Affirmative Action has helped or hurt Individuals as well as take a look at how it has benefited the corporations. You can interview those with degrees verses those without. You can also interview those who where passed over for a job verses the companies views on why they where passed over within the context of Affirmative Action. Also you could take a look into the costs associated with re-training those who are not qualified yet qualify for Affirmative Action.
There are already several different studies that have been and continue to be done on this topic. You are welcome to look into that topic as it interests you. :)
I definitely agree with you that very one should take a course on race and ethnicity. Every day there seems to be more news on the inequality here in America and even more so with Donald trump running for president. No matter your upbringing, no one should live with racism in their heart.
I completely agree that courses on race and ethnicity should be taught. I also believe this subject should be taught at a much younger age. Children need to grow up respecting every race, not just their own. We are so influenced by our parents and peers views but sometimes their views aren't always right. I remember seeing those women on Big Brother saying racial slurs and all I could think was "What a couple of disrespectful arrogant girls who should have been raised better." It not only reflects on themselves, but the people they grew up around.
Race and ethnicity definitely need to be taught in schools. Racism is still alive and well in the united states.
The myth of a post-racial America (attributed to Barack Obama's presidential election) is very puzzling to me. At the time in which I'm writing this comment, the Republican front-runner is a man who questioned the aforementioned's veracity as a U.S. citizen by demanding to see his birth certificate. I highly doubt that such a public request would have been made if the sitting president had white skin. The fact that such a man is a contender for the highest office in the nation is troubling. (It is worth mentioning that this man has also failed/postponed to disavow nationalistic groups as his supporters.)
Furthermore, at present, the nation's college admission's processes under affirmative action stand to be affected. Fischer v. University of Texas is currently being heard by SCOTUS.
I thoroughly agree with the sentiment that more people ought to take a course on race/ethnicity. With the curent state of affairs, I think it is an understatement to say that "we owe it to ourselves" as a nation who purports egalitarian/democratic values/principles.
The first time I did a research project on race was in my Government class with Dr. Hall, and I couldn't believe how little we have progressed as a society when it comes to racism. Thorough research opened a slough of new information that just opened my eyes to see how bad it really is.
This blog that you have posted is a great understanding on how our society is today in time. There are many struggles in both races and do to discrimination and race its hard to believe that most of our own people in the same country cant get along. However, there are many that can it relates to how you were raised and the respect you give others I believe.
I agree with this post that everyone should take a race and ethnicity course to learn about other cultures. I think at times people, myself included, don't realize that they say things that are offensive to other cultures. Learning about other cultures could help with this.
Prior to reading this article I wasn't aware of the power that racial and ethnic ideas have on us or how they affect our everyday lives. It's totally unfair that just because of the color of my skin means I won't get the same opportunities as a white or hispanic person.
-Monique McAllister
It's actually surprising how much racism still exists despite what most people think.
Race is definitely a state of mind. Growing up in a household where my parents taught me to never discriminate has always stuck with me. Being judgemental is not in my vocabulary and most of the thoughts our children have about race comes from the parents and how they teach them certain things growing up.
Some time or another we will accomplish the objective of trusting that race is a perspective.
why understanding ethnically and race to matter. Race matters because society engages in racism and racial discrimination which affects health status and health care
Courtney fitch
These perceptions-be them conscious or unconscious-still effect people-be it positively or negatively based on their race or ethnicity. -Dion Grayson
Unfortunately, race plays a huge part in how we are treated by others. If you aren’t apart of the superior white race you are basically seen as a minority. Studies demonstrate that Hispanics make less than whites, and that Blacks make less than Hispanics but Whites always make more. These stereotypes are degrading to the race all together.
The statement you made about your friend being "randomly" searched hit home for me. My step mother is Mexican therefore some of my cousins are Mexican. Whenever they go back to Mexico to visit they are pulled to the side and interrogated, not every time but this has happened. It is very unfortuante that people are segregated and picked out from other groups of people, but at time I have to consider the security measures that have to be taken. Which makes it even more difficult when considering the security measures because most of the mass group shootings, from Las Vegas and to school shootings have been done by white or Caucasian individuals. There may come a time when Caucasians are being segregated as well, but we may not be around for that time in society.
It's actually isn't all that surprising how much racism still exists in our world today. I believe race only matters because society engages in racism and racial discrimination which affects the health of our society as a whole. Racism can be prevented by teaching children at a young age that everyone is created equal and that we should not discriminate against one another.
Interesting post, I agree with this post, I believe people should take courses on race and ethnicity. I also believe those classes or subjects should be taught during a younger age.
-Aide Gonzalez
I agree that courses on race and ethnicity should be taught. I also believe this subject should be taught at a much younger age. A lot of people grow up being confused and don't love themselves. We need to teach them to love themselves at a younger age. - Alexis Buford
With racism still happening here in america and just learning about the past i think it should be taught; a class or maybe just a lesson in a class should be mandatory on teaching ethnicity and race.
- Lavonza Marshall
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