Complexity of Racism

Primary tabs

The centuries-old existence, interconnectedness, and perpetuation of individual and institutionalized racism represents perhaps the most difficult of all topics, which the people of the U.S. need to discuss night and day. Otherwise, we will never realize a reality in which a critical mass even gain clarity relative to understanding the "beast" ___ much less being able to conquer or tame it.

 

This is in response to an article (below) titled "BLACK AND WHITE"  by Noel France (City, 3/1/06).
 
The author made some good points, but falls extremely short in terms of clear explanations surrounding the historical and current reality concerning the super-complex, potentially volatile, thoroughly pervasive, socioeconomic, sociopolitical, and sociocultural, issue of race within the United States.
 
For example, the writer apparently believes that it is an assumption "that constructs of black and white are even acceptable as sole identifiers of a person."  I can't speak with authority about white or biracial people. However, there is absolutely no doubt about the fact that where hundreds of thousands, if not millions of African Americans are concerned ___ "black"  may not be the "sole identifier,"  but it is clearly the most dominant one. 
 
Those of us who are astute, knowledgeable, and conscious of the thoroughly pervasive nature of institutionalized and individualized racism, which coincidentally are inseparable from one another ___ are also keenly aware of the indisputable fact that the overwhelmingly vast majority of those who control the socioeconomic, political, and dominant cultural systems of the U.S. ___ do, and probably always will see us as "black" before they recognize any other "attributes" that we may possess. Many African Americans are crystal clear about the necessity of facing this reality, and do not appreciate it when white people in particular, mistakenly believe that they are paying us a compliment by proclaiming that they do not see skin color, which represents one of the biggest and most blatant lies that anyone born and raised in the racist U.S.A. could ever tell.
 
The author is incorrect regarding the assertion that "black does not even accurately describe skin color."  There are millions upon millions of human beings who are indeed black. In fact, some are what many of us refer to as "jet-black."  My father, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and associates in general are among those who fit this accurate, culturally oriented, description.
 
The writer is correct relative to the "need to challenge what it means to be black, what it means to be white, and what it means to use color to describe our state of being."  At the same time, it is even more important, particularly for black people to remain acutely cognizant of the fact that this "need" has gone unfulfilled in any consistently meaningful, and certainly widespread, effective manner, for well over 400 years.  
 
Thus, the bottom line (as it relates to the reality of racism and race relations within the U.S. and beyond) is that focusing more on "commonality" than on "difference" actually serves to perpetuate continued, widespread, deep-seated denial and "racist oppression." That is to say, de-emphasizing, downplaying, or attempts to ignore extremely pervasive issues and problems such as institutionalized and individualized racism (based on skin color), which is (as the author correctly pointed out) embedded within the very foundation of the nation's socioeconomic, political and dominant cultural systems, helps (whether intentional or not) to guarantee its perpetuation. 
 
Howard J. Eagle
 


 
 
MARCH 1, 2006
Reader feedback - 3.1.06

BLACK AND WHITE

While "Acting White" addressed a legitimate challenge for students' educational achievement in this country, it skipped a critical point for me. It was assumed that the very constructs of black and white, though flawed, are sufficient and even acceptable as sole identifiers of a person. However, the terms black and white do not constitute any real characteristics of a person. They do not even accurately describe skin color.

These terribly lacking adjectives appeared only after the introduction of slavery; then, black and white became simple identification tools for slave owners to set themselves apart from the enslaved. In reality, both groups came from extremely diverse backgrounds --- various countries, ancestries, tribes, and families --- yet each was reduced to a single descriptor. It set up a dichotomy --- a clear division of privilege defined by the color-line distinction of "us" and "them."

These social constructs of race contained various stereotypical attributes and characteristics which have grown and changed with this troubled nation; yet the continued contextual use of black and white is as troublesome today as it was at their origin. We need to change the very definition of race, as well as how we use it to define ourselves.

As a bi-racial woman, I deeply resent the phrases "acting white" and "acting black." Growing up, I was never "black enough" for my black friends or "white enough" for my white friends. Somehow I didn't fit in, because I was not easily defined by the American dichotomy of race. Even before I understood the basis of racial constructions, I abhorred the limiting situation I was continuously boxed into. Why did I have to choose? As defined by stereotypical and false characteristics, neither race was appealing to me. In theory, I was both. In common social perception, I wasn't truly either.

I despise the way race is defined in America, because dichotomies leave no room for creativity, free expression, or growth. We need to challenge what it means to be black, what it means to be white, and what it means to use a color to describe our state of being. We need to see beyond the limited views of race which originated in oppression. When we focus only on difference and not commonality, we perpetuate this oppression.

Noel France, St. Paul Boulevard, Irondequoit 

Anti-racism / Racism