Week 5 Topic: Race and Ethnicity

Racism is a term that most, if not all of us, believe we have a solid understanding of. Recognition of the construct we call race is something that we all grow up with and process in different ways and with that construct comes the acknowledgement that racism exists; however, what one may not realize is that that racism as a concept is far more than the simplified definition of “discrimination on the basis of race”. Just as with classism, the definition of racism is much more complex.

Beverly Tatum (2013) discusses a definition of racism that is put forth by author David Wellman. He defines racism as, “a system of advantage based on race” that relies not only individual beliefs, but also on cultural messages and institutional policies and practices (p. 66). From this definition, we can see that racism is system of layers at different level that systematically provide advantages to those who are dominant.

There are five specific types of racism that I want to discuss, only one of which is covered in your textbook reading.

Overt Racism is the type of racism that is easily seen because the person, organization, or group does not make any effort to hide their racial prejudice. An easy example of this would be someone who yells a racial slur at someone else.

Covert Racism is the type of racism that is hidden and is more common today, as it is less socially acceptable to be outwardly racist. An example of covert racism would be: An apartment is for rent. An individual of a racial minority goes to apply for the apartment, but the manager apologizes saying that the apartment has already been rented. An hour later a white person comes to apply to rent the apartment and it is available. The first applicant may never know that the apartment was not actually rented and that the landlord did not want his/her race living in his/her apartment building.

Internalized Racism is when a person of a minority race hears negative things about his/her race so much that he/she begins to believe that those negative things are true. An example might be a child who has heard over and over again growing up that people of his/her race will never be as smart as people who are white. As a result, the child no longer tries in school because he/she does not believe that it is possible to do well anyway.

Cultural Racism refers to cultural values and standards that benefit dominant racial groups. For example, in the short paragraph you read by Essed (1991), she talks about how even in black women’s magazines, straight hair is valued more highly than natural hair. Black women therefore receive the cultural message that straight or “white” hair is more desirable.

Institutionalized Racism is a form of covert racism, which is specific to large organizations or businesses. Institutionalized racism is when organizational decisions are made, which benefit members of the dominant race; however, another logical reason is given to the person of the minority race for why particular decisions are made. Institutionalized racism can more easily be understood through an example. There are two job candidates, one white and one of a racial minority, applying at a large business in Chicago. The white candidate lives in downtown Chicago, while the minority applicant lives in a suburb of Chicago. Both have the same credentials and would be viable candidates. The company prefers to have a white employee, so they offer the job to the white candidate, telling the minority candidate that he was not hired because they really wanted someone who lived closer to the company because there are commonly after hour emergencies that need to be handled. This reason is the reason that is documented in the hiring paperwork and told to the candidate. As a result, it is extremely difficult to prove that the candidate was not hired due to race and it is likely that the candidate does not even suspect that this may be the reason.

References:

Essed, P. (1991). Understanding Everyday Racism. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

Tatum, B. (2013). Defining Racism: Can we talk?. In M. Adams (Ed.), Readings for Diversity and Social Justice (pp. 65-68). New York: Routledge.