Understanding Modern Racism: Unveiling Exclusionary Patterns in Society
Explore the pervasive attitudes and beliefs surrounding race through a reflection on key notions like ascription of intelligence, denial of individual racism, the illusion of a post-racial society, and more. Uncover the complexity of racial dynamics in contemporary culture and the impact of such narratives on social interactions and systemic structures.
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By By Derald Wing Sue, Ph.D. Teachers College, Columbia University Derald Wing Sue, Ph.D. Teachers College, Columbia University
African African Proverb Proverb The true tale of the lion hunt will never be told as long as the hunter tells the story. The true tale of the lion hunt will never be told as long as the hunter tells the story. The Rest of the Story: Telling on Racism The Rest of the Story: Telling on Racism
January 2015
The Speech that made Obama President There is not a liberal America or a conservative America, there is only one America. There is not a liberal America or a conservative America, there is only one America. There is not a Black America or a White America and Latino America, or Asian America, there s only the United States of America. There is not a Black America or a White America and Latino America, or Asian America, there s only the United States of America. We are one people. We are one people.
In announcing his presidential run, Senator Joe Biden was asked what he thought about Barack Obama: In announcing his presidential run, Senator Joe Biden was asked what he thought about Barack Obama: "I mean, you got the first mainstream African bright and clean and a nice mean, that's a storybook, man." "I mean, you got the first mainstream African- -American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice- -looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man." American who is articulate and looking guy. I
White campaign worker for the election of Barack Obama: White campaign worker for the election of Barack Obama: This society has moved beyond race. The election of Senator Obama as the first Black president will finally make it clear. I m proud to be part of the movement. We are all human beings and that s how this nation should be. Martin Luther King said it best. We should not judge people by the color of their skin. This society has moved beyond race. The election of Senator Obama as the first Black president will finally make it clear. I m proud to be part of the movement. We are all human beings and that s how this nation should be. Martin Luther King said it best. We should not judge people by the color of their skin.
1. Ascription of Intelligence/Assumption of Inferiority and Criminality. Obama is an exception to most Blacks. 2. Denial of Individual Racism. I m not racist because I voted for a Black man. See, I am a good, moral and decent human being. 3. Racism is Thing of the Past. We live in a post racial society as witness the election of the first African American president. 4. Myth of Color Blindness. There is only one race, the human race. The color of one s skin is unimportant. We are all just human beings. Ascription of Intelligence/Assumption of Inferiority and Criminality. Obama is an exception to most Blacks. 2. Denial of Individual Racism. I m not racist because I voted for a Black man. See, I am a good, moral and decent human being. 3. Racism is Thing of the Past. We live in a post racial society as witness the election of the first African American president. 4. Myth of Color Blindness. There is only one race, the human race. The color of one s skin is unimportant. We are all just human beings. 1.
After the George Zimmerman Verdict and in an impromptu press conference President Obama stated: After the George Zimmerman Verdict and in an impromptu press conference President Obama stated: 1. Locking of car doors. 1. Locking of car doors. 2. Monitored while shopping. 2. Monitored while shopping. 3. White woman in elevator reactions. 3. White woman in elevator reactions.
I thought the President of the United States was president for everyone, not just Black Americans. I thought the President of the United States was president for everyone, not just Black Americans. My mother was attacked by three Black men and beaten and kicked. The injuries stayed with her until the day she died. She was scared of Black men not because they were Black, but because she was nearly killed by 3 Black men. My mother was attacked by three Black men and beaten and kicked. The injuries stayed with her until the day she died. She was scared of Black men not because they were Black, but because she was nearly killed by 3 Black men. The President is wrong! This is not a race thing. If I am not mistaken Zimmerman is Hispanic n White The President is wrong! This is not a race thing. If I am not mistaken Zimmerman is Hispanic n White. . The President cannot presume to be a spokesperson for all minorities. My Black friend says these examples are exaggerated. So, Mr. President, control your paranoid self. The President cannot presume to be a spokesperson for all minorities. My Black friend says these examples are exaggerated. So, Mr. President, control your paranoid self. Why would/should/could there be separate versions of laws based on skin color? What specific thing about stand your ground don t you understand? It s for everyone. Separate but equal was a failure, remember? Why would/should/could there be separate versions of laws based on skin color? What specific thing about stand your ground don t you understand? It s for everyone. Separate but equal was a failure, remember? Let s see, Blacks get arrested more and people of other races are weary because statistics prove that Blacks are more likely to commit violent crimes. Don t tell me to turn the other cheek and not be vigilant. Let s see, Blacks get arrested more and people of other races are weary because statistics prove that Blacks are more likely to commit violent crimes. Don t tell me to turn the other cheek and not be vigilant.
We are a democratic society. We are a democratic society. We are good, moral and decent human beings. We are good, moral and decent human beings. Egalitarian relationships are valued. Egalitarian relationships are valued. Truth and justice should be valued. Truth and justice should be valued. We live in a meritocratic society. We live in a meritocratic society. Anyone who works hard enough can succeed in society. Anyone who works hard enough can succeed in society. Equal access and opportunity are hallmarks of society. Equal access and opportunity are hallmarks of society. People should be color People should be color- -blind and not judge one another by the color of their skin. blind and not judge one another by the color of their skin. Racism is abhorrent, but is now a thing of the past (post Racism is abhorrent, but is now a thing of the past (post- -racial era). racial era). In other words, the stories told by White people (especially race talk ) are filled with these themes. In other words, the stories told by White people (especially race talk ) are filled with these themes.
1. Reassures them that they are good, moral, and fair people. 1. Reassures them that they are good, moral, and fair people. 2. Prevents them from being conscious of their biased cultural conditioning. 2. Prevents them from being conscious of their biased cultural conditioning. 3. Allows them to live in a world of false deception. 3. Allows them to live in a world of false deception. 4. Maintains their innocence and naivet . 4. Maintains their innocence and naivet . 5. Perpetuates the racial status quo. 5. Perpetuates the racial status quo. 6. Act as blinders about the inequities that exist for people of color. 6. Act as blinders about the inequities that exist for people of color. Ultimately, the function of White talk is to Justify inaction. Ultimately, the function of White talk is to Justify inaction.
The shaping of racial realities from the White Western European perspective comes through three channels: The shaping of racial realities from the White Western European perspective comes through three channels: 1. Schooling and Education 1. Schooling and Education 2. Mass Media 2. Mass Media 3. Significant Others, Peers, and Social Groups 3. Significant Others, Peers, and Social Groups
Back talk in a racial dialogue threatens to decode the racist assumptions of the master narrative. Back talk in a racial dialogue threatens to decode the racist assumptions of the master narrative. It represents a challenge or duel between two opposing belief systems with much at stake for personal, institutional and societal realities. It represents a challenge or duel between two opposing belief systems with much at stake for personal, institutional and societal realities.
We live in a society that advantages some groups while disadvantaging others. We live in a society that advantages some groups while disadvantaging others. It is ordinary White people, not the White supremacist, who do the most harm to people of color. It is ordinary White people, not the White supremacist, who do the most harm to people of color. Whites often do not treat others with fairness and respect, but in prejudicial and discriminatory ways. Whites often do not treat others with fairness and respect, but in prejudicial and discriminatory ways. White people seem adverse to seeking the truth about racism and engage in self White people seem adverse to seeking the truth about racism and engage in self- -deception. deception. Equal access and opportunity are falsehoods. Equal access and opportunity are falsehoods. Meritocracy is a myth. Meritocracy is a myth. Color Color- -blindness is impossible and it perpetuates inequities. blindness is impossible and it perpetuates inequities. Racism is alive, well and thriving in the current times. Racism is alive, well and thriving in the current times. In other words, we do not live in a post- -racial era. Back talk threatens to reveal the ugly racist White secrets of society. In other words, we do not live in a post ugly racist White secrets of society. racial era. Back talk threatens to reveal the
The The denial denial of of color color is is really really a a denial denial of of differences differences. . The privilege The denial privilege. . denial of of differences differences is is really really a a denial denial of of power power and and The that The denial that accrue denial of accrue to of privilege to White privilege is is really White people really a a denial people by denial of virtue of of personal of racial personal benefits racial inequities benefits by virtue inequities. . The responsibility The denial responsibility for denial that that Whites for their Whites profit their racism profit from racism. . from racism racism is is really really a a denial denial of of The their The denial their lives denial of lives in of the in naivet the existence naivet and existence of and innocence of racism, innocence. . racism, allows allows Whites Whites to to live live Lastly, necessity Lastly, the necessity to the denial to take denial of take action of their action against their racism against racism racism is is really racism. . really a a denial denial of of the the
Group Group Outcome Outcome The conversations The President s conversations have President s Initiative have the Initiative on the following on Race following potential Race has has found potential group found that group impact that constructive impact: : constructive H Heal eal racial racial and and ethnic ethnic divides divides. . R Reduce educe prejudice prejudice and and misinformation misinformation. . F Foster oster improved improved race race relations relations. .
Personal Cognitive Outcome Personal Cognitive Outcome On necessity On a a cognitive necessity cognitive level, level, cross cross- -racial racial interactions interactions and and dialogues dialogues are are a a to to increase increase racial racial literacy, literacy, t to o expand expand the the ability ability to to critically critically analyze analyze racial racial ideologies, ideologies, and and to to dispel dispel stereotypes stereotypes and and misinformation misinformation about about other other groups groups
Personal Personal Emotional Emotional Outcome Outcome On On an an emotive emotive level, level, participants participants of of successful successful racial racial dialogues dialogues report report less less intimidation intimidation and and fear fear of of differences, differences, an an increased increased compassion compassion for for others, others, a a broadening broadening of of their their horizons, horizons, appreciation appreciation of of people people of of all all colors colors and and cultures, cultures, and and a a greater greater sense sense of of connectedness connectedness with with all all groups groups
