I'm seeing that we need to have a talk about racism.
Racism is not just prejudice.
Racism = Racial prejudice + social and institutional power.
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Racism is not just prejudice.
Racism = Racial prejudice + social and institutional power.
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Racism involves prejudice against a racial group COMBINED with the power to codify that prejudice into institutional policies, laws, and societal norms, which enables the systematic oppression of that racial group(s) and which favors the dominant racial group (e.g. white ppl).
White supremacy refers to the belief that those racialized* as white are superior to those racialized as non-white & thus should be the dominant group in society. The purpose of racism is to maintain power & privilege within that dominant racial group.
*I say "racialized as" because race is a social construct that contracts and expands. People can be included and excluded from racial groups over time. Whiteness, then, is a construct that is desirable to possess because it comes with privilege and power. Share examples!
White privilege refers to the advantages that white people posses only due to their race. In other words, white people may experience disadvantage, but NOT because of their race.
Racist attitudes uphold racist practices and policies. Racism serves as a wedge between whites and non-whites. Many white people don't want to give up white privilege, even if that means voting against their economic interests. This maintains white supremacy & income inequality.
Institutional, systemic and structural racism are similar constructs that refer to the systematic distribution of resources in ways that favor white's access and prevents or limits access among non-white communities. This is codified in polices, laws, and practices.
Individuals within systems and institutions DO NOT need to be racist to maintain systemic racism -- they just have to do their job. In many of our systems, racism is the status quo. It will take active, anti-racist efforts to make these systems anti-racist.
Microaggressions are more covert, subtle forms of *interpersonal* racism that communicate that a racial or ethnic group is inferior or excluded in some way. Microaggressions are racist acts. The intention does not matter -- the impact does.
Colorism refers to within-group and between-group prejudice against those with darker skin tones. Colorism assumes that being closer to whiteness confers benefits (it does) and thus, this causes divisions within racial groups. Colorism is a consequence of white supremacy.
Internalized racism refers to holding racist attitudes and beliefs about one's own marginalized racial group. Internalized racism is a consequence of white supremacy.
Racism looks different globally. But at the root of racism everywhere are colonialism, imperialism and white supremacy.
Also rooted in white supremacy is within-group oppression. Sexism and heterosexism (and all other isms) within Black communities is a reaction to oppression. If my group is oppressed, I may attempt to gain power by oppressing those more marginalized within my group (Black women).
If we're serious about being anti-racist and healing the trauma of racism, then we have to be on the same page. We have to have a nuanced understanding of how white supremacy influences structures, groups and individuals. We need to understand it as the root. Psychology, step up!
Let me add...race was not a thing until around the 18th century. Racism is dependent on the social construction of race.
It was introduced earlier (around 16th century I believe) but it's modern meaning developed later.
