The Complexity of Racism and Subtle Forms of Discrimination
The topic of racism has been part of my past, and I never found it to be a dangerous issue in my life. I figured I was not racist because I had never discriminated against people, especially race, based on their social backgrounds. However, I am somewhat aware of the fact that I often judge people based on their race without understanding that after attending the course, completing their reading and class discussion of racial issues. Racism doesn't happen naturally in the world; every time we think poorly about others, every individual mind is right. We might act differently or feel uncomfortable walking with other persons who are not our race. If they are not dressed to our expectations, then we might find certain things about such people or that they are not natives of the United States. Although it is not usually displayed in public, subtle racism of such kind exists all over the nation without the persons fully recognizing it.
Overlooking Racism and Racial Equality in Education
Perhaps the reason behind my overlooking on the racism was a matter of consideration is because in most cases I have never witness incidences of racism like ones mentioned in the class discussions we attended and the documentaries we have watched in the past during the ethnic studies classes. The students as well positively responded to the topic, and most of them looked forward to best treatment to others. The students in the ethnic courses are much better on issues of racism. It is wrong even in classes to group people relying on their ethnic background because everyone requires equal treatment, and not a racial group.
Parental Influence and Distorted Views on Racism
Racism is not just anything that we have the freedom to choose; our guardians and parents train us to think in a particular direction, and our perspective on other people or specific group relies on the things we are exposed to while growing up. The information we receive from parents and family members play a more significant part of behavior and view on different races. It does not form part of the personal experience; therefore, it is distorted and inaccurate to a considerable extent. After the course, I realized that many little acts of racism take place on a daily basis like being followed in a department store or denied job opportunity or housing needs.
The Influence of White Privilege and Stereotypes
White people worry little about such issues, and their practices might not rely on the fact that they are people of the color. But they are regarded as individual persons and not part of the 'white population'. Even to those who receive positive compliments that relate back to their race, it is still considered hate. For instance, I overheard white student commenting about an African American fellow at the school dance, 'she is such a good dancer'. Another white student replied back 'she can dance because of being black'. I was upset by such sentiment because the ability to dance is less related to skin color. The difference in the physical skills among various races has been experiencing in most scenarios, but it is clear that there is no biological variation between the diverse races.
Understanding Racism and Personal Perspectives
While learning the topic of racism in class readings and discussions, I was slightly confused on the requirement of proper behavior on social platforms. Specific concepts learned in classroom assisted me in explaining some of the personal experiences of racism that the country itself should not be considered as constituted of various groups of people. It is merely made up of individuals, one species, and every single one to be different from the rest of the population. The diversity in people is not just based on their appearance but depending on their values and personalities. The subject that concerns me is the issue of criminal justice systems discriminating between the whites and the non-whites regarding the use of selling the illegal substance. Most students believed that the persons who use drugs. It was fascinating to note that the racial and ethnic identities differ in every single country society and country. Although I may link my origin to the white person in the United States, I may be identified unique if I were in any part of the globe, since I am from the majority population of the American community. I still don't worry much about the racism matter; however, am realizing the sense of 'white privilege' is personal perspective.
The Burden of White Privilege and Power
One of the hardest issues to handle as Native American is the burden of power and white privilege. Being a white person, I find it essential to appreciate my identity because it is not by chose that an individual gets born in some areas of the world. I grew up in a neighborhood where everyone was white American and never had the challenge of racism or a great deal of diversity. The many courses concerning difference and other social matters, am currently more aware of the problems facing racism and social inequities and am having broad knowledge concerning these concerns.
Understanding the Impact of White Privilege
It is difficult to deal with racism issues as a white person due to the burden of white privilege and power. As a person of the color, I have a feeling that the all the opportunities that I receive are taken for granted and I do not have any form of appreciation concerning the luck of being born in my racial identity. I considered being white boring and dull, without realizing the problem vested in that perception. For example, Tatum's article refers to the McIntosh's work on the white privilege and states that the most critical element of the situation is that people don't even understand the benefits they are receiving, which other individuals cannot access. As part of the ongoing procedures of gaining knowledge concerning racism, am trying to further my understanding of the significance having white privilege and its impact on other members of the society.
Gaining Insight and Empathy Through Education
The class discussions and lessons instilled a lot of insight in me through the description of the manner in which different others consider the topic of racism. Some of the behaviors in most of the texts seemed inappropriate or unacceptable to the individuals who are not whites. The white Americans have a strong feeling that the notion needs a deep understanding and acknowledgment that racism should be considered a serious challenge to be addressed by the people in authority, and we cannot just ignore it because we are in a privileged position. It was interesting to go through the syllabus and the reading resources like Arminio's article since I could associate it with the real world scenario.
Connecting with Other Perspectives and Experiences
During the discussions on racism, I appreciated the fact that it is a little hard to empathize with the people of color, and it is encouraging to relate to their situation and know the struggles they go through in their daily fight against racism. I realized that young people are currently more of listeners and are eager to learn new cultures and dynamics of life including humiliations as well as hardships. It is a remarkable feeling to be a member of the diverse community in the United States. By taking the courses that put emphasizes on the issues of diversity and having discussions with various young people who are racially and ethnically diverse. The experience was both entertaining and educative because it presented the best opportunity to learn and understand the diverse culture and backgrounds all over the world. In the entire course, interaction created a better platform for understanding the emotions and feelings by different members of society. I realized most of the black American students were bitter on how the culture discriminates them against their fellow white students in the same college.
Conclusion
Conclusively, my listening ability will probably improve because I hope to be more of a listener and exercise reverence and learn to empathize with my classmates and friends concerning the racial discrimination, which is the current situation in most parts of the world.
References
- Castagno, A. E. (2014). Educated in whiteness: Good intentions and diversity in schools. University of Minnesota Press.
- Matias, C. E., Viesca, K. M., Garrison-Wade, D. F., Tandon, M., & Galindo, R. (2014). "What is critical whiteness doing in OUR nice field like Critical Race Theory?" Applying CRT and CWS to understand the White imaginations of White teacher candidates. Equity & Excellence in Education, 47(3), 289-304.
- Arminio, J. (2000). Waking up white: what it means to accept your legacy, for better or worse. Readings for Diversity and Social Justice, 22, 125-126.
- Tatum, B. D. (2017). Why are all the Black kids sitting together in the cafeteria?: And other conversations about race. Basic Books.
- Goodman, S. (2014). Developing an understanding of race talk. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 8(4), 147-155.
- Case, K. A., & Lewis, M. (2016). Teaching intersectional psychology in racially diverse settings. Intersectional pedagogy: Complicating identity and social justice, 129-149.
