Why Make It So Complicated?

            Discrimination happens everywhere. The only way people know about it is because we have to document it and bring it to light. The main stream media glorifies confrontation and we feed into it. We participate in it which makes it acceptable to keep doing it. Racism in particular has been a major issue throughout history. There are books on it, classes to learn it, scholars to research it, movies to enhance it, and much more.

            In Gallagher, we learn about how the media impacts people’s opinions. Through an article written by Alicia Edison and George Yancey, we are exposed to how powerful the media is. “Media images are usually the first impression children have of groups outside of their immediate family. Often, these images are imprinted in children’s minds without any discussion or explanation and leave a powerful and lasting impression” (Edison and Yancey 302). How true. Observation is one of the key factors to helping children’s development and what we see on the TV often affects that. Our projections of race are thrown onto us at a young age. We were instilled with this ideology before we even realized it.

            “When maintained by the racial group with the most power over the media, these evaluations are infused into mainstream culture and become part of the social structure” (Edison and Yancey 303). Whoever is in control of the media is in control of the ideologies. Our thoughts are dangling on a string of the corporation’s puppet master. We are so prone to believing what is portrayed as right and wrong. Media, ultimately, runs the country. Without it there would be no connections, no news, and no knowledge. However, that’s only because we let it.

            I thought it would be appropriate, since talking about media, to bring in one of the nation’s biggest stars: Morgan Freeman. Although this interview is from a while ago, it is still brought up to this day and shared over the social media platforms. In an interview Morgan Freeman was discussing what black history means to him and why we need to stop glorifying different races. At the end, the interviewer asks how we should stop racism. Freeman’s answer? Don’t talk about.

            Could it really be that simple? It could, racism is our own fault. Everybody plays a part in it because everyone plays a part in the media. Even if it’s not hands on, we read it, watch it, talk about it, and consume every last bit of it. If we really want to stop it, then why make it so complicated?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3cGfrExozQ

http://www.today.com/id/10482634#.UnxWkOKzL0c

America: Looking Through a COLORFUL Lens

Although it may seem like American society is progressing into a color-blind society. I would have to disagree as Bonilla-Silva mentions in his book Racism Without Racist we are far from being color-blind. When reading chapter six I could not bare and think about a statement Bonilla-Silva said, "And because whites believe discrimination is a thing of the past, minorities' protestations about being racially profiled, experiencing discrimination in the housing and labor markets, and being discriminated against in restaurants, stores, and other social settings are being interpreted as 'excuses.' I personally believe that there has been some movement towards a color-blind society but the recent racist acts committed towards minorities lately has me thinking that we are far from living in that kind of society.

 For example, I'm sure people have heard about the incident that happened with the Miss America winner. She winner was Indian-American, Nina Davuluri, after being crowed Miss America there was a hay-wire of racist comments and slurs in regards to her victory. Instead of Americans excepting  and embracing having a diverse Miss America pageant winner they resented her and reacted negatively  to it. People went on social media sites and tweeted: 

If you're #Miss America you should have to be American," 

another tweet said: 

"WHEN WILL A WHITE WOMAN WIN #MISSAMERICA? Ever??!!"

Fortunately, Nina held her head high and did not let those comments break her spirit. After all, what should have been a celebratory and momentous day for her. She spend her time defending her right to wear the crown she deserved. 

Unfortunately, this is not the only incident were people have been out right racist toward minority groups. Another example is an incident that happened at a Papa John's location, yes at a restaurant, there was a racial slur written on a customer's receipt. Earlier in 2012, Minhee Cho, received her receipt and on it she found a nice surprise, she noticed at the top for "name" instead of her name appearing it said, "lady chinky eyes".

If we are moving into a color blind society that no longer sees people by race or by skin color then why are people blatantly outright being discriminated against. Apparently people don't seem to care or have any kind of filter because they are comfortable with making these racist remarks towards minorities. I'd like to think we have move past the times were it is okay to make fun of people and discriminate against someone to their face. Clearly, some people have no respect for others. 

Instead of looking at people as human beings all we see are the color of their skin. As my favorite rapper  (Tupac Shakur) says in his song, Changes:

I see no changes. All I see is racist faces.
Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races we under.
I wonder what it takes to make this one better place...
let's erase the wasted.
Take the evil out the people, they'll be acting right.
'Cause both black and white are smokin' crack tonight.
And only time we chill is when we kill each other.
It takes skill to be real, time to heal each other.

Honestly, i see no changes that have really occurred as much as we'd like to think that racism has ceased to exist. As Tupac mentions, we are all the same when you turn off the lights, in the dark you can't see color or race, it is non-existing in that setting. I ask you to really re-think that, are we really live in color-blind society? 

Sources: Follow Up Information

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/16/miss-america-winner-racist-criticism

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/01/papa-johns-employee-calls-woman-lady-chinky-eyes-on-receipt/

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/2pac/changes.html

You Know It’s Bad When People Who Aren’t Even Black Are Stepping In To Help

You Know It’s Bad When People Who Aren’t Even Black Are Stepping In To Help

I must say how impressed I am with Bonilla-Silva’s ability to make honest and straightforward examples, while still remaining unbiased and non-offensive. In his book “Racism Without Racists”, he pretty much explores as many different kinds of racial creeds Whites’ use every day, without really being racists. To call someone racist is a strong word. It is a strong word to use and a strong word to hear. Its such a hard word to swallow because many White people don’t know that the nature of some of the things they may say, or even their ideology about some every day matters are racially implicit. This book is Bonilla-Silva’s attempt at helping them to see that, and helping other non-Whites’ to understand why certain Whites’ think this way. For everyone to have a better understanding of ourselves and of each other, will be a productive and effective attempt at tolerance, I feel. In chapters 6-10 he discusses topics such as interracial relationships, neighborhood segregation, affirmative action, and Obamacare. HE spends one chapter discussing Black perspective on many of these issues and how they affect Blacks. HE does also spend a little time showing statistics on how racial stratification in America affects people other than Black and White; Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, etc. The examples he uses are not just subjective to one particular group being affected by racism or the ‘right now’ aspect of it. He really shows the all-around cause and effect of racism in America. Bonilla-Silva confronts heavily the thought of color-blindness and challenges us to consider if it really does exist. His book has honestly helped me reconsider some of the racial obstacles in my own life. I have thought more about why I think the way I do in regards to certain racial matters. I have an inclination to approach situations with White people from the perspective that they’re probably prejudice. Although I know that that is absurd and surely not the case, I have what I feel to be an innate desire to want to defend not only myself, but my race. I suppose that’s not the problem, but the generalization of every Whit person which probably affects the way I interact with different races. “Racism Without Racists” has helped me grasp a better understanding of why we all think the way they do. This is certainly a book, I feel, should be a part of academic curriculum much prior to University level education. Unfortunately, not everyone will be s receptive to the truth. 

 

1.http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/colorblind/201112/colorblind-ideology-is-form-racism

2. http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-36-fall-2009/feature/talking-race

You're Hispanic Correct?

Reading through Eduardo Bonilla-Silva’s book Racism Without Racists specifically a section out of Chapter 7 it made me start to think of situations in which the same thing has occurred to me.  A section in this chapter talks about a study that was done, in which opinions of both black people and white people were recorded on what they thought of affirmative action, school and residential segregation, and if they opposed or supported it.  While being interviewed on the affirmative action portion, Irma, who was an accounting clerk and in her early thirties at the time was the only one to oppose it.  The reason she was against affirmative action was because of her view on attaining a job and that everyone should have an equal opportunity to receive said job.  She doesn’t think it is right to be hired or to receive benefits not just in the job market but, in other opportunities because of her or other people’s race. The one that put in the hardest work should be offered the opportunity and that alone should be what is used to determine it.

            I too once held this vision, why should I be put above other applicants for a job or school or reward because I am Hispanic? But I then realized how idiotic I sounded, it is like someone that complains about having too much money, it shouldn’t happen. So I embraced the preference, just like my parents had taught me at a young age to run with whatever talents or skills I had and use them towards my advantage.  The way I see it is in this melting pot country of the diversity and races it encompasses, they need people like me who can speak Spanish or translate if need be, although it is known that the reason for affirmative action is to try and make up for any scrutiny our races were put under in the past.

            One instance in my life where I know for a fact I was hired because of my race is when I attained my first job, which I still hold to this day.  The short story of it all is that I was a sophomore in high school and my teacher talked to me about a job he had heard of that he knew I was perfect for.  The specification’s for the job was that I was supposed to be a camp counselor and set up activities for kids in the grade groups ranging from 1^st-5^th grade.  I went in for an interview because up to this point I did not have a job and even better it would be for when I was out of school on summer break.  I went through the interview and given the job but not before being asked if I was fluent in Spanish and that they would need me very much because a lot of the parents, where I was being set up, a lot of them spoke Spanish. So it was in this first instance that I went through the affirmative action portion of the job market, and it is not even a bad thing to me, a lot of people might get offended at my disclosure of this information. The way I see it is, yes I received the job because of my skin color, my race, because I could speak Spanish and not because of my qualifications, which quite frankly at this point I did not have any.   But it is just like the example I provided at the beginning with having too much money, I am not going to complain for receiving the job, other people might, but not me. The links below have to do with similar situations in which affirmative action was used in the process.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2013/11/obama-administration-again-backs-university-of-texas-176537.html

http://www.ere.net/2012/05/08/minority-report-the-role-of-race-in-hiring/

Image Courtesy of: http://www.dividedstates.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/affirmative-reaction.jpg

Is white always better?

For quite some time there has always been the concept that “white is better”. This can lead back to events such as slavery of African-Americans, or the gradual whitening in Latin America. As portrayed by society, the color white represents light, purity, power, and overall good; while the color black represents darkness, evil, dirty, etc. Due to Europeans and Americans overtaking places such as Latin America, and Africa through the use of slavery – whitening has started to take place.

In today’s society – being bi-racial is something that is starting to be more and more common. “In general, interracial marriage, which accounted for less than 1 percent of all marriages in the country, accounts today for 5.4 percent. (178). The effects on bi-racial children are assumed to be negative – that they face many struggles in life because they don’t know where they belong. But whose fault is that? It seems to be that most of society as a whole has their mind-set on “white is better” and they see the world as black and white. Any grey areas in life cause disruption, anxiety, and a reason to worry mainly because it’s something different or out of the norm.  In chapter 8, in reference to Latin America, Bonilla-Silva mentions the concept of Blanqueamiento. “Blanqueamiento was and is a real economic, political, and personal process…racial mixing oriented by the goal of whitening shows the effectiveness of the logic of white supremacy” (182). Gradual whitening of a minority group has been taking place by force for years – so why is it considered to be such a big deal when it occurs by choice – and by this I am referring to interracial marriage.

During the summer of 2013, cheerios released a commercial that sparked up a lot of controversy. The commercial featured a bi-racial child with a Caucasian mother and an African-American father. Those small details caused the commercial to receive many mixed responses. There were many outrageous racist comments made towards the commercial. “Commenters on the cereal's Facebook page also said they found the commercial "disgusting" and that it made them "want to vomit." Other hateful commenters expressed shock that a black father would stay with his family.” (Huffington Post). These comments were made purely because the couple was bi-racial and it is sad to know how immature people continue to be in such a progressive society. On the other hand, there were many positive comments made thanking cheerios for making such a realistic commercial and for not being afraid to portray the type of family that is present in today’s society.

One heartwarming, and shocking video shows the maturity encompassed by younger generations. A follow-up video exposes children’s reactions to the commercial and to the negative responses made towards the video. The children stated that they viewed nothing wrong with the video, and some were in tears when they were told that previous viewers had made racist comments toward the video. This shows how as a society, mixing of races, and racism in general is still an enormous issue that contaminated the mindsets of many people, but there is still hope. Younger generations are being raised in such a mixed society that they view it as the norm, and with time, they will continue to pass on those ideals to their children and maybe one day racism won’t be as prevalent as it continues to be today.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/cheerios-commercial-racist-backlash_n_3363507.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/15/kids-cheerios-commercial_n_3600766.html

http://www.today.com/news/cheerios-ad-mixed-race-family-draws-racist-responses-6C10169988

The First Impression ..... Before the First Impression

               A Harvard study shows when viewing another person, your brain collects information about race and sex first before all else.  When you see someone or an image of a person, your brain’s primary focus is to gather information on gender and race before any other analysis.  This could be partly because of the cultural emphasis Americans place on these two classifications.  In Racism without Racist, Bonilla-Silva discusses the relationship between gender and race, arguing that they share a similar trajectory.  This is partly due to their position as oppressed groups under the dominant masculine male.  Our minds primary focus is to determine gender and race so we may evaluate our internal value of the person being viewed.  If the person is a woman or has different color skin, they are generally thought of as an unequal.

                Bonilla-Silva argues that women, specifically from the white working class, are most likely to have more relationship and better relate to minorities who generally share similar environments.  This can be attributed to four generalities within this classification.  First, these white working class women have a greater chance of being raised in a racially mixed neighborhood.  Second, they are more likely to have friends from racial minorities. Third, they are likely to be politically progressive; leading them to believe that change must be made in order to better the lower classes.  Lastly, these women are more likely to date across the color line.  All of these characteristics attribute to a more racially educated person who sees the humanity in others and not just the color of their skin. 

These factors, argues Bonilla-Silva, is what makes working class white women more likely to be racially progressive.  Racial progressives general acknowledge that being born a white male can give you an advantage in today’s society.   In Bonilla-Silva’s study on college women who were raised in the lower class, he found they were more racially progressive based on their common experiences with oppression.  Bonilla-Silva states, “actors who experience multiple oppressions are more likely to share literally a “social space” as well as a set of experiences that tend to develop a sense of commonality.”  Minorities in the working class are oppressed because they are part of a minority thought to be unequal to white males while also being oppressed because of their status of lower class.  Similarly, working class women are oppressed not only because they are not as masculine as males but also because of their social class level.  Multiple oppressions from the same oppressor create a community of commonality within which even they believe they are inferior as exhibited in the subject’s acknowledgement of the white male birthright. 

Using Bonilla-Silva’s theory of racial progressivism of similar “subordinates”, it is easy to understand why our brains register gender and race even before a first impression of the person as a human being can be established.  We base our interactions with others through a “race and gender prism” which directs our feelings and attitude towards a certain person of a different social class, skin color, or gender.  




http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/10/12/your-brain-first-notices-race-gender-before-all-else/60650.html

Abstract Liberalism affects those of minority races in the entertainment industry; Who will make a stand?

 

In chapters seven though ten in Racism without Racists by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, an overview of color blindness/progressiveness of whites, the effects of color blindness on blacks, the racial struggles of Latin Americans within the US, the Shifting of a bi-racial to tri-racial system, and the Post Obama views on Race are examined. Bonilla-Silva brings to light issues that affect race like the abstract liberalism framework which has had a small effect on black’s perception of their status and how the situation from pre to post Obama has actually gotten worse for minorities within the United States. Examples from interviews like the one conducted with Nel (pg. 156) that state “I believe whites don’t want to live around blacks and some blacks don’t want to live around the whites” Clearly show abstract liberalism at work. Other examples from studies conducted for the State of The Dream 2009: The Silent Depression show that there has been a clear rise in the unemployment and poverty rates for minorities in the “post” Obama era. Bonilla-Silva points out how this rise in unemployment and poverty could be stemming from the discrimination of the white majority. These two examples can illustrate a huge underlying problem within the United States that needs to be addressed by those most influential, but who will do it when the elite minorities receive income from working with the whites?

In his article featured in the Huffington Post on the recent Jay Z dilemma, Vincent Intondi the Associate Professor of African American History at Montgomery College illustrates how what others described as the progressive cannibalism and Bonilla-Silva stated as the abstract liberalism framework has had an influence over the modern racial movements. He uses the examples of Jay Z and Bill Cosby to subtly indicate that the black entertainers most capable to help the racial movement are those that can also hinder it. Yet there is inter conflict between those within the entertainment industry similar to that of the abstract liberalism framework. It was highly publicized when Kanye West was quoted as saying “George Bush doesn’t care about black people”, He was clearly making a statement in support of racial change. Yet others like Bill Cosby have been featured in the news lately having blamed the poor blacks for their own spot in life. With this statement Cosby showed a form of abstract liberalism in that the world merit system will allow anyone to succeed; it’s someone’s own fault where they are in life. This completely discounts the fact that institutionalized racism and past discrimination have had an influence over current situations.

Others like Jay Z, a prominent music artist with numerous lines of goods like headphones, clothing, etc., have recently been initiating partnerships with companies like Barneys. These companies have been the perpetrator of racially profiling/ discrimination cases filed allegedly stating that they call the police when African Americans were shopping within the store. Police calls that have resulted in the arrest and detainment of individuals who bought a purse or a belt. Jay Z’s decision to become aligned with a company that is clearly having issues with being progressive could show the racial movement that his position on progressiveness is that the monetary gains come first. That he unlike Kanye West will not confront the racial discrimination within the institutions. This practice of pure obtainment of one’s goal has been quoted by others as being progressive cannibalism but has an overall effect on the status of minorities within this country. If the deal is struck to produce goods for a company that racially profiles customers, Jay Z would be subjecting members of his own race as well as other minority races to this profiling any time they wished to buy his goods. He would be making a deal with a white conglomerate in the hope of making money. This conglomerate in turn would not be altering their practice or making any real change. Its policies with color blind racism would actually subject minorities to more discrimination much like the post Obama era is experiencing. Me mentioning this is not to take any political stance or to say that Obama is responsible, rather that the white majority that use color blindness to justify the blatant discrimination of minorities have used the black president as a reaffirmation of this belief and been able to further the institutionalized racism experienced by minorities. When examining Barney’s, it is a high end store that sells men’s shirts in the hundreds of dollars. The money that Jay Z may receive from a product in Barneys is possibly in the millions, but at what cost is this justifiable. Is it ok to subject millions to the discrimination of an institution like Barneys were one may be arrested for just shopping?

CEO of Barneys Mark Lee says yes, it’s ok to continue to shop there although these events are taking place because it was not staff of Barneys that called the police. This seems rather suspicious since the NYPD claim different. The NYPD claim that 11 arrests have been made at this particular Barneys for credit card fraud over the last year including eight black men, two black women and one Asian woman. It appears as though credit card fraud is exclusively used by minorities in the eyes of Barneys New York. So with institutional discrimination looking to be apparent within this company it will be a huge issue for the racial movement as it progresses if Jay Z, one of the most powerful minorities in the country decides that money is more important than discrimination.

Works cited and Further Reading:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/barneys-offers-sympathy-racial-profiling-flap-denies-store-role-article-1.1500226

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vincent-intondi/jayz-and-barneys-the-role_b_4166976.html

American Racial Stratification: effects on Turkish upward mobility

Chicago is home to many minorities, including a growing Turkish population. With various pockets within the population center, the Turks have been able to create organizations to further help them establish a strong political connection. These include the Turkish American Cultural Alliance, The Turkish Coalition of America, and the Young Turks Association. Many of these “grass roots” organizations have allowed the Turkish population to voice its opinions on the various laws and regulations passed by the Chicago government. They have even been an active voice in supporting and protesting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s and the Group of Eight’s meeting in the spring of 2012. Many actively oppose the idea of these summits, worried about how Mayor Emmanuel plans to spend the money. Looking at the advantages the Turkish population has had in Chicago alone, it can be said that they have upward mobility despite the racial stratification system in place in the United States

The American political system is controlled by the white dominant group. However, it has allowed for the advancement of minorities and their interests. Though the dominant group will not give up control, other groups can achieve for the betterment of society. This is the case for the Turkish population in America. They have been able to use the American system to their advantage, by creating lobbies in Washington. Oz Bengur further explains the Turkish movement into American politics:

 “Until recently, most political involvement by Turkish-Americans has been directed at lobbying Congress on few major issues that affect Turkish-U.S. relations, like the latest “Armenian Genocide” resolution. This “top down” approach is necessary to get the community’s voice heard on Capitol Hill. But to expand our community’s influence, there must be an increased focus on efforts on political activity at the “grass roots.”

The “grass roots” level, as Mr. Bengur explains, is the level at which most of the actions taken by the Turks. This is because they are still a relatively new to the American political arena. At the local level, however, they are making great strides in major population centers such as Chicago.

            Despite the overall success that the Turkish population has had in American politics, there is much work that still remains for them to become more successful. Oz Bengur, the first Turkish American to run for a position in congress, explains that there are several things that Turks must do to increase their success in America including: Aiding local office holders through fundraisers and donations, writing to congress members and other politicians, inviting political leaders to various events, and play an active role in local forums and political discussions.

Many of the Turks, particularly in Chicago and other urban centers, are capable of doing this, due to increasing integration into the dominant group. This increase has allowed for increased equality for Turks and a benefit to their success. For example, many members of the Turkish American population have been able to take up positions in upper management. Muhtar Kent was recently named Chief Executive Officer of Coca Cola, an internationally recognized company. Dr. Mehmet Oz is a nationally recognized surgeon, and a well respected medical adviser  These men’s success stories have helped the Turkish population gain visibility within American society. This visibility will help them make greater strides into politics.

             

http://www.tc-america.org/community/what-we-can-do-to-increase-104.htm

http://www.tacaonline.org/CMS15/index.php?option=com_content