Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, Professor of Sociology and Author of "Racism without Racist" says that when people make statements such as-"they're being to sensitive" , "its not that big of a deal" or "it's class, not race", they are using color-blind ideology and langauge, which is also known as todays racism.
He states:
Minimization is the fourth frame and operates as yet another way in which the dominant racial group can explain away racism. This frame is particularly insidious for it allows whites to ignore claims of racial inequality from individuals and communities of color who are experiencing it. Otherwise known as “playing the race card”, accusations of “reverse discrimination”, accusing minorities of being too sensitive and using race as an excuse, and others obscure the real incidents of racism (not just prejudice) and race-based discrimination. Minimization also allow whites to be racist through the rhetoric of colorblind racism, by silencing the voice of the oppressed, telling those who are experiencing racism that they are being “hypersensitive”, and allowing the oppressor to analyze and mandate the terms of what is/isn’t racism/racist (Bonilla-Silva 29).
Joyce, thanks. Interesting. Perhaps we could talk about this in class?
ReplyDeleteLove to Cindy!!Though Im feeling like crap and may not make it tonight..
DeleteMany white people are deeply committed to the idea that it is good to "not see race" and get very uncomfortable talking about race at all. Even if describing what another person looks like they will take great pains to avoid describing skin color.
ReplyDeleteAnother good book on this topic is Colorblind by Tim Wise.
Yes, Ive read it..I wish everyone would.
ReplyDelete