By Sam Frescoe
http://samfrescoeproject.blogspot.com/
#SamFrescoe #Racism #Race #Hate
Every American is impacted by racism. Whether by an
individual’s decision, a collective action, or a government sanctioned use of
force, no one is fully insulated. Those that talk the talk agree in great and
loud tones that racism is a problem. However, when it’s time to walk the walk,
behaviors suggest a different answer.
Racism is Popular
“Racism has become an
overused, one size fits all, buzzword that has lost all true meaning associated
with racist behavior.” – W. Sullivan
The term seems to have a wide span of usage while,
simultaneously, being reserved for use by selected people-groups and contexts.
Given this perception, racism has a fluid, multi-faceted nature that is both
inclusive and exclusive. This character is further reinforced by expressions of
self-identity and community-belonging along, what are deemed, racial lines.
Racism is a Polarizing
“There is a
perceptible shift in our National dialogue on race. We are experiencing a move
away from definitions that describe the relationships of different groups of
people to newer definitions designed to stifle discussion by negatively
characterizing discussion, dissent, or protest.” – Kevin Myles[1]
Racism is a phenomenon that is harmful to some while being
beneficial to others. Consider the following statements. I am certain that this
list is not all inclusive.
Racism is an absolute moral wrong
(an abomination of humankind).
Racism is benign (an aid to those
that can’t care for themselves).
Racism fuels an industry for the
transfer of wealth (financial and legal benefits).
Racism is a “call to action”
(prestige and notoriety).
Racism is a mechanism for demanding
justice (racial justice).
Racism legitimizes compelling
outcomes (employment, affirmative action).
Racism rationalizes otherwise
inexcusable behavior (rioting, criminal behavior).
Racism provides victim status
(oppression).
Racism marginalizes (embarrassment,
demonization).
Racism rallies (power, supremacy).
Racism is Profitable
The words of Mr. Washington are as sound today as they were
in his time.
“There
is another class of coloured people who make a business of keeping the
troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public.
Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they
have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs — partly because
they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want
the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs.”
– Booker T. Washington
So What? – Why is racism important?
Racism believes in devaluing (diminishing, cheapening,
reducing) human beings.
Racism provides doctrines and strategies for its own ends
(aims, goals, objectives).
Racism is prejudicial (harmful, detrimental, damaging) and
discriminatory (unfair, bigoted, inequitable, intolerant). The intentions and
motivations of racism are not always clear and obvious.
Simply stated, racism is bad, false, and ugly.
Racism is NOT a Feeling
Racism is a prejudicial or discriminatory classification of
human beings (action/actions) according to the perception of race (condition/conditions)
in order to transfer resources from one people-group to another (motive/intent).
- Racism classifies human beings according to differences, characteristics, capacities and/or abilities assumed to being inherent to a particular human race (e.g. skin color, facial form, eye shape, genetic markers, and/or other arbitrarily features). Ethnological classifications are black (Negro), red (Indian), white (Caucasian), yellow (Mongolian), and other.
- Racism stratifies human beings according to the perception of race.
- Racism is a doctrine, a manner of thinking, consisting of a set of policies, principles, rules, or guidelines.
- Racism is a strategy, a method of doing, comprised of a designed plan, approach, or scheme; or set of designed plans, approaches, or schemes.
- Racism is culturally institutionalized by leveraging ideas, customs, social behaviors, attitudes, values, goals, and practices.
- Racism is culturally normalized by instruction, use of symbols, sharing, and integration, and is adaptive.
- The intentions of racism are mental attitudes with which individuals act, and therefore it must be inferred from surrounding facts and circumstances.
- The motivations of racism explain why a person acts, or refuses to act, in a racist way.
Going Forward – A Solution
If the United States is to be a nation of freedom-loving
people, then racism must be ostracized for what it is: hatred compounded by
stupidity.
“You cannot dream
yourself into a character;
you must hammer and forge yourself.” – James A. Froude
you must hammer and forge yourself.” – James A. Froude
Principles – Embrace American Ideals
Get back to American basics. – “We
hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these
are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” – Declaration of Independence,
Paragraph-2
Role of Government – Do Your Duty
Uphold your oath of office. – “That
to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed…”– Declaration of Independence,
Paragraph-2
Remove those that choose to be derelict
in their duty. – “Each House shall be the Judge of the…Qualifications of its
own Members…” and “Each House may…punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour,
and…expel a Member.” – The Constitution of the United States, Art-1, Sec-5,
Para 1 & 2 (respectively)
Role of Academia – Do Educate, Don’t
Indoctrinate
“When
people get used to preferential treatment,
equal treatment seems like discrimination.” – Thomas Sowell
equal treatment seems like discrimination.” – Thomas Sowell
Transfer knowledge for its own
sake. Protect the meaning of words. Teach morals, virtue, and honor (ex: No one
has the right to do what is wrong).
Role of the People – Live the American
Ideal
Judas
had the best Pastor, the best Leader, the best Teacher,
the wisest and best friend; and he failed. The problem isn't Leadership.
If your attitude doesn't change or your character transformed,
then you will always be the same. – Unknown (paraphrased)
the wisest and best friend; and he failed. The problem isn't Leadership.
If your attitude doesn't change or your character transformed,
then you will always be the same. – Unknown (paraphrased)
Ostracize “that which is
bad/vicious/evil.” Herald “that which is
good/virtuous/graceful.” Make the removal of ignorance, strategies, doctrines,
and institutions that support institutional racism politically popular.
Your View
Your thoughts and perspectives are important. I invite you
to tell me what you believe with the comment section.
© 2017 – SamFrescoeProject.Blogspot.com
– All Rights Reserved
Related Posts
[1] Kevin
Myles. “Racism vs Race-ism: The changing language of race in America”. Daily
Kos. Published 22 Apr 20009. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/4/22/723329/-
(accessed 170115)
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