Focusing on such objectionable comments or their speakers' individual histories of racism, however, does nothing to shine a light on actions they have taken to disadvantage non-white individuals. Moreover, the isolation of a few privileged people as fools and worse does nothing to address the deeper pervasive problems of racism in our country. Too many people continue to believe that racism does not exist, or that it is only found in a few dark corners in our country. Taking action by repudiating their words does not address the question of why "race" is the one factor universities may not address in shaping their incoming classes, or the simple daily realities of being arrested for walking/driving/shopping while black. Looking only at the simple surface level offensive statements of a few men wealthy enough not to care gives all of us license not to look at the more pervasive patterns in our society that perpetuate racial income disparities, school segregation, and high minority infant mortality rates. Too many people continue to believe that racism does not exist in the US today, despite strong evidence to the contrary. Spotlighting and isolating these mens' words only allows the persistent, systemic racism to continue unabated.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Distraction from the big thing: How responses to Bundy and Sterling undermine anti-racism in the US
Heading into the weekend, media across the political spectrum were full of outrage at the outright racist comments made by a rancher who objects to being billed for grazing his cattle on land he does not own. Stephen Colbert lampooned him and Tea Partier Allen West objected to claims that federal assistance is worse than slavery. It seemed the whole country was united against the blatant racism of this bigot's remarks. As the weekend ended, the rally against racism continued, as another wealthy man was singled out for his ire at his girlfriend's black friends, who she brought with her to basketball games played by the team he owns. The words of both men were taken to be indicative of their deeply-held views, and isolated from the rest of the country.
Focusing on such objectionable comments or their speakers' individual histories of racism, however, does nothing to shine a light on actions they have taken to disadvantage non-white individuals. Moreover, the isolation of a few privileged people as fools and worse does nothing to address the deeper pervasive problems of racism in our country. Too many people continue to believe that racism does not exist, or that it is only found in a few dark corners in our country. Taking action by repudiating their words does not address the question of why "race" is the one factor universities may not address in shaping their incoming classes, or the simple daily realities of being arrested for walking/driving/shopping while black. Looking only at the simple surface level offensive statements of a few men wealthy enough not to care gives all of us license not to look at the more pervasive patterns in our society that perpetuate racial income disparities, school segregation, and high minority infant mortality rates. Too many people continue to believe that racism does not exist in the US today, despite strong evidence to the contrary. Spotlighting and isolating these mens' words only allows the persistent, systemic racism to continue unabated.
Focusing on such objectionable comments or their speakers' individual histories of racism, however, does nothing to shine a light on actions they have taken to disadvantage non-white individuals. Moreover, the isolation of a few privileged people as fools and worse does nothing to address the deeper pervasive problems of racism in our country. Too many people continue to believe that racism does not exist, or that it is only found in a few dark corners in our country. Taking action by repudiating their words does not address the question of why "race" is the one factor universities may not address in shaping their incoming classes, or the simple daily realities of being arrested for walking/driving/shopping while black. Looking only at the simple surface level offensive statements of a few men wealthy enough not to care gives all of us license not to look at the more pervasive patterns in our society that perpetuate racial income disparities, school segregation, and high minority infant mortality rates. Too many people continue to believe that racism does not exist in the US today, despite strong evidence to the contrary. Spotlighting and isolating these mens' words only allows the persistent, systemic racism to continue unabated.
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