Racism readings

"..racism is racial prejudice plus social power..."(pp.86)

Wow, these chapters kept me so engaged let me tell all of you!

It is interesting how the book explains how prejudice starts. So basically if you look at how culture is structured throughout the world, typically we see that people who have the same beliefs, thoughts, and norms stay TOGETHER! I know from my culture, Mexican-Americans are very family-oriented; we tend to live in the same neighborhood and streets that our parents or relatives do and the family just keeps on growing.  Thus, we all stay to our selves and many times I have caught even myself thinking, "Wow, It's so weird that this person is acting this way", because I don't know the person's culture or values.  It's interesting to have this in perspective and to be a possible explanation to how prejudice and racism may start.  Like the book said, we all have some racism inside even if you want to be as transparent as you can.  Of course I am not at all advocating for it either it is just something to have awareness over and to know to correct at times.  So no true "desegregation" exists!

Another part that I liked is the concept of being AMERICAN, so how do you have to look or sound like to be considered American? I remember the part in the book where an Asian-American individual was on a taxi and the driver asked him how long he had been in the U.S. because his accent was really good! WHAT!?   This is very true though, I have had experiences myself when I am also asked how long I have been in this country because I look Arab and that I speak English very well, I mean... It's a bit annoying at first but when I put it in perspective I think everyone has some ambiguity about stuff.

Our society here in the United States has taught us to fear certain races.  I liked the chapter with the Oriental fear where we are taught that "others" are different and their beliefs and we should fear them because of that.  I remember when growing up my parents did not want me to be friends with African-American kids because they said that they were different and that we did not do things like they did.  I feel so ashamed for that but the reason I feel like this now is because I have experienced different friendships now that I have been in school.  I can see how someone being raised by a culture that teaches those negative ideas, and lacks experience with education and values that other people hold, would make a mistake like my parents.

Another strong point that the book brought was the invisibility of the American-Indians.  It talks about how since there are "no real Indians anymore" then the discrimination against them does not exist either.  This just makes me think about the racism debate.  People feel that since we don't have slavery or sweat-shops or anything extreme as we did before then it doesn't matter anymore; again it goes invisible because in order for racism to exist there has to be extreme oppression.  Abolishing slavery did not end discrimination.  The same people that were enslaved were put in jail after the 13th amendment passed when prior to that jail was populated in majority by white individuals.


Man this whole experience with knowing the cruel facts and in ways that I may still contribute to racism or prejudice acts overwhelms me.

Any thoughts?