I pretty much fully agree with everything Tatum says in “Defining Racism.” I learned a long time ago that racism is an issue in America that unfairly disadvantages different groups of Americans. However, I was particularly affected by these passages on page 9:
"For many Whites, this new awareness of the benefits of a racist system elicits considerable pain, often accompanied by feelings of anger and guilt. ...We all like to think that we deserve the good things we have received, and that others, too, get what they deserve."
and
"Understanding racism as a system of advantage based on race is antithetical to traditional notions of an American meritocracy. For those who have internalized this myth, this definition generates considerable discomfort."
I am white, and am pretty idealistic – I do feel extreme guilt and frustration when thinking about racism today and the history of racism in America in general, and I do really want to believe that any American, no matter their background or race or whatever, has the same fighting chance as every other American to achieve ultimate success. At the same time, like I said, I know that that’s not the case. However, I still felt resistance while reading this piece – so, apparently, while I may know that truth consciously, or superficially, perhaps, there are still some parts of me that are unwilling to really believe it. This is kind of disturbing to realize.
So, here’s my discussion question:
Did you experience resistance while reading the readings for tomorrow? Did it surprise you?
I felt the same way when I read this but after class I thought a little more about it. While being idealistic can lead to ignorance which would not help in stopping racism, I think it is needed to help correct the damage of racism. I remember when I was really young (maybe 4 or 5) I spent a lot of time at my friend's house and her father was really racist, it was my first experience with someone like that. Naturally I felt uncomfortable because some of my best friends were African American and I knew what he was saying wasn't a complement to them from his tone, so I asked my mother what he meant. She told me that while some people thought like he did, it was wrong and that I should not listen to anything he said. I felt guilty though, because I didn't like what he was saying but as a child you can't speak back to your elders. What do you do in that kind of situation? Maybe my mother should have done something about it, what is the right choice in that kind of situation? My friend wasn't racist but her dad was.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't it be said that through my parent's idealism that taught me to respect and love all cultures and discard color and my friendship my parent's idealism was then passed onto my friend who could have easily grown up to have the same ideals as her father? While a slow process isn't it still effective?
I'm not saying that people shouldn't make movements towards stopping racism and hate of any kind but what is wrong with idealism? Just because I'm white and have no clue what it feels like to be a part of a culture that is constantly ridiculed doesn't mean I can't respect that culture's struggle and stand with them by teaching my own family to not perpetuate the problem.
White people are not the only ones that are capable of being racist. Everyone/anyone can be racist.
This is a great question. Yes, I was surprised at first, with Tatum's definition of racism, that essentially states that even if you yourself are not performing racist acts, if you are privileged due to not being in a minority group- you are involved in racism. Which at first I disagreed with, but later on began to understand better. Did I ever really, truly consider the benefits I've received due to being white? no. Have I somewhat acknowledged the disadvantages to being part of a minority group? sure. Although I would never consider myself a racist- this just shows that racism does in fact continue to exist, but unfortunately is often only noticed on a subconscious level.
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