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Location: Book Discussion 1: Revealing the Invisible by S. Marx
Discussion: Realizing one's racism
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dnmonks |
Realizing one's racism
Nov 15 2009, 2:03 PM EST
After reading about the tutor's realizing their own racism, I have began to realize that I am racist. Of course I am not comfortable with this fact, but I am glad that I have came to realize it. My Godfather is African-American and I did not believe that I had ever had any racist thoughts about him before. Then I realized that there have been many instances when I have had racists thoughts about him. When we go out to eat together I often wonder about what others are thinking about me. I feel like that are asking themselves why I am associating with an African-American man. Then I wonder why I even care, he is my Godfather. Is this a start to realizing one's own racism?After writing about this event, I realized that I am victimizing myself. Why do I do this? Do you find this valuable? |
tdaojensen |
1. RE: Realizing one's racism
Nov 15 2009, 10:38 PM EST
I don't think you are victimizing yourself. You are approaching racial consciousness about Whiteness as a social category in American culture. A White woman with a Black man (even if he is older than her) raises suspicion amongst Whites because of the historical segregation.What do you think Whites seeing you two together are thinking? Do you perceive it to be a curiosity or a hostility? Do you find this valuable? |
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dnmonks |
2. RE: Realizing one's racism
Nov 16 2009, 6:00 PM EST
Well I would say that he is an good looking man and he does not look his age. So I believe that some think that we might be a couple. I think that some is curiosity but, I have gotten some disturbing looks from older people to make me think that it can also be hostility.
Do you find this valuable?
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tdaojensen |
3. RE: Realizing one's racism
Nov 16 2009, 11:38 PM EST
Historically, Black males were always paid less than White males for doing the same type of work. Race was used to JUSTIFY the lower wage of the male of color which allowed working class White males to feel as if they were a "higher class" than the male of color. Interracial relationships have always been part of America. The White male master's relationships with his Black female slave(s) were often violent and forced on the slave. It was also considered a humilation to the White master's wife, who often knew about the relationship but still had to live alongside the Black female slave within the household. The children of the White male master and the Black female slave were automatically categorized as only Black children, despite their biracial status. The bigger fear and anxiety of an interracial relationship in America is between a Black male and White female is that the White female can give birth to White child OR a Black child. If the hope is that your children and grandchildren will have a better standard of living than you do, the potential of having a Black child/grandchild is that the child will be paid LESS or have a LOWER standard of living than the parents/grandparents. When Whites have an attitude of hostility, it is usually against Black male and White female coupling. The White female is perceived to be dating/marrying "below" her social status/socio-economic class. Race and class are inextricably intertwined. Do you find this valuable? |
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dnmonks |
4. RE: Realizing one's racism
Nov 17 2009, 11:12 AM EST
So I guess what I am asking is, "Am I being racist when I have these thoughts, that people are judging me because I am eating lunch with a Black man?"
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tdaojensen |
5. RE: Realizing one's racism
Nov 17 2009, 11:33 AM EST
No, I think you are realizing how Whiteness, or the culture of Whiteness, socializes Whites to reject interracial couples--whether it is platonic or romantic. Because you are socializing with a Black person, your White privilege to be viewed as invisible and the "norm" comes under suspicion.If you decided that you could not handle the hostility of other Whites when you are having lunch with your godfather (who is Black) in public, then you would be giving into the social pressures of White racism. Marx quotes scholars of Whiteness at the top of page 17. To summarize, when Whites who socialize with non-Whites learn the subtle messages from other Whites that it is "unacceptable if one wishes to remain to remain a member in good standing in the White group." If a White person talks about race or racial inequality with other Whites, it is considered taboo and the conversation comes to an abrupt stop. Do you find this valuable? |
samarx1 |
6. RE: Realizing one's racism
Nov 18 2009, 4:28 PM EST
I appreciate your thoughtful discussion here, and your candor in discussing these feelings dnmonks. I agree with many of Thuy's comments above. I think its helpful to think of yourself as realizing racism or recognizing the influence of racism in these moments. We can all think of many times when we've experienced these insights. Reflecting on them and discussing them here are very productive actions. Much better than casting them aside - or burying them within - because they're so difficult.
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dnmonks |
7. RE: Realizing one's racism
Nov 18 2009, 10:02 PM EST
Okay I think I understand now. I have had many thoughts to myself about people of different races, some negative and some positive. I have also had negative thoughts about people of the white race as well, because of the advantages that get taken advantage of due to Whiteness.
Do you find this valuable?
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