1. A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. A policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. Hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
The United Nations Definition
The UN does not actually define racism. However, it does define "racial discrimination":
According to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin that has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.
This week I want to talk further about Beverly Tatum’s book Why Are All the Black Children Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?. My post last week was also about this book. However, I decided to stick with this book for this blog simply because I wanted to further delve into one of the discussion questions.
Above are definitions of racism and racial discrimination. Both of these definitions are familiar to me. They are definitions that I grew up with. Beverly Tatum defines racism as a system of advantage based on race. I had not thought about it this way before. She further explains that racism is not simply based on racial prejudice. Rather, it is an entire system that involves “cultural messages and institutional policies and practices as well as the beliefs and actions of individuals” (Tatum 7). Active racism, as defined by Tatum, is made up of intentional acts of racial discrimination. It tends to be very blatant. When a person engages in active racism he or she has identified with the idea of white supremacy and is moving with it. On the contrary, she says passive racism is less obvious. This type of behavior includes no explicit effort to be racist. However, these people engaging in such activity are not actively opposing racist behaviors. I would first like to say I agree with her definitions of active and passive racism. However, when the question whether we agree with Tatum’s arguments concerning whether people of color can be racist I am very tempted to say no. I don’t agree with Tatum because I feel strongly that anyone can be racist. I think that the amount of melanin we have in our skin should not be the determining factor as to whether we are considered racist individuals or not. Tatum holds the belief that only whites can be racist. This is in part because of the way she defines racism as a system of advantage. I think you cannot limit racism to just that though. I admit that there is white privilege and agree with her point that we need to get over this sense of white guilt. Nonetheless, I think she over simplifies.
If you were to ask me, though, before I read this book (or any of the other books I’d read for this class) if I was racist, I would have probably been offended and would have said “absolutely not”. However, after this reading my answer probably would not be accompanied with as much conviction. Tatum argues in her book that since I am white I am part of a dominant, more privileged group and consequently am a racist individual because I’m not actively working against the perpetuating racism. I understand what Tatum is trying to get across and agree on many levels. After reading this book, I realize that I haven’t paid attention to many of the advantages or opportunities I have been granted simply because of the fact that I am white. However, Tatum doesn’t address the issue of how to get past racism. She explains that fear is a limiting factor, but once we realize our own racial identity and understand it and have meaningful conversation we can then move on. Yet, she doesn’t then address her definition of racism. How do we get past this and work for a better tomorrow per say if the dominant group isn’t changing. I think that Tatum’s examples almost seem to portray the minorities as lesser to whites almost as though these minority groups limit themselves by comparing themselves to whites. I feel like diversity should be the goal and its through meaningful, productive conversation that we should be able to achieve this. There should be no dominant group that is compared to. I think a consciousness of the pervasive, internalized racism that is occurring will help us to overcome some of the racism and feeling of victimization of minority groups.
So, after reading Tatum’s arguments I can’t help but feel as though she does not exactly present a solution that addresses the underlying issue of white privilege. There should be no “norm” race. I agree that conversation is a key component to change. I know personally I will pay more attention to white advantage, but at the same time I can’t help but feel that racism pervades in other countries as well as our own and is not a situation where just whites being racist towards all others. Rather, I think it is something that can go both ways. It can’t be simplified down to a system that is difficult to change. Rather, it should be based on distinction, prejudice, and discriminatory actions or comments. I think Tatum’s definition points out some good points that we all need to recognize, but she needs to go further with it and develop a better method to inspire change. I also think that she can’t narrow the focus of the definition of racism to such an extent that discriminatory behaviors across numerous races are not considered racism because they are. Racism is something that we need to understand because it still exists and is a major issue today.
Just a little clip about racial stereotypes.
Stereotypes exist and can influence our attitudes about racial identity. We need to achieve an understanding to move towards change.
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