The four horsemen…of color-blind racism

If you didn’t get the title by now, the four horsemen represent the four central frames of color-blind racism; I thought it was necessary to have a Halloween theme to this week’s blog. I will be discussing what abstract liberalism, naturalization, cultural racism, and minimization of racism are and how each frame is displayed/ portrayed in our society.

            The first frame, Abstract liberalism, involves the use of ideas associated with political liberalism (the idea that force should not be used to achieve social policy) and economic liberalism (choice, individualism) in an abstract manner to explain racial matters. Abstract liberalism very strongly correlates with laissez faire racism. An example of how Abstract liberalism is portrayed in society is by a white man who says he has no problem with interracial relationships or marriages but when asked if it’s okay for his white daughter to date and marry a black man it then become an issue or “he is a great guy, but not for my daughter.”

            The second frame, naturalization, is the frame that allows white people to explain away racial phenomena by suggesting they are natural occurrences. People tend to gravitate toward people and culture similar to one’s self because that is what the person knows and is comfortable with. An example of Naturalization in society is a middle-aged, white male rationalizing why he chose to be with a white woman opposed to any other minority. The white male’s reasoning is that it’s natural and no one’s fault that people want to be with their own type of people.

             The third frame, cultural racism, is a frame that relies on culturally based arguments to explain the standing of minorities in society. Whites typically blame minorities or “the victims,” saying that minorities are in the position that they are in because of their actions such as family disorganization or lack of effort. An example of cultural racism in society is stereotyping and the stereotypes that are placed on certain ethnic groups. A typical stereotype is the thought that black families have too much babies or that black people live in project because of their lack of effort.

            The fourth frame, minimization of racism, is a frame that suggests that discrimination is no longer a central factor affecting minorities’ life chances. This suggestion is made because of the idea that the civil rights legislation eliminated all racism and that people look past race. Most whites believe there is still discrimination against African Americans, but obviously not as bad as it once was and that it isn’t the only thing hold African Americans back. Instead, whites believe it is the culture of African Americans that hold them back in society. This is an example of minimization of racism.

            This brings us to the combination of the frames. Together, the frames make up a figurative wall and offers whites a nonracial way of stating their racial opinions without being viewed as racist. In a way just like the four housemen, the frames will come down to the final judgment of the people.