*UPDATE* [FOR THOSE WHO COULDN'T UPLOAD THE VIDEO YOU CAN READ THE TRANSCRIPT] Look below the slide show. This should help you with the prompt
A recitatif is a style of music that hovers between song and speech episodes. This story is essentially Twyla's episode.
I was impressed with your discussion of stereotypes of perceived differences of the characters in Recitatif, mainly race, class, and disability in class today. While the characters and text give us clues to the differences, it is impossible to tell which character is white and which is African-American.
For tonight's homework, I would like you to spend some time thinking a bit more about personal racial identity on the "Race: The Power of an Illusion" website section called "Me, My Race and I: What's Race got to do with it?"
Please click on the slideshow menu to learn more how race plays a role in your daily life. Please watch the four "slides" Your comments in class and on the blog have been really honest thus far, please continue the hard work!
When you are finished, please answer the following in the comment section below:
So if Race affects everyone, why is it so hard to talk about? How/Why do people transcend racial categories?
As always, let me know if you have questions!
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mine wont load.. ill try again later
ReplyDeletemine won't load either
ReplyDeleteDidn't load for me either, buuuuut I'll answer the question anyway.
ReplyDeleteRace seems to only be hard to talk about to people of races that have been discriminated against, which is essentially everything but white. People don't like talking about subjects that have caused them inconveniances before, or having it pointed out to them that they actually are racist. They like believing that "sure, I wouldn't judge a person based on their race," when in reality, they do so without even noticing it.
It's pretty hard to transcend racial categories, but it can be done if you have something more obvious, and more intersting about yourself to be judged by. People seem to try, though, to transcend race where it isn't really necessary. (like the girl who looked white, but had "colored" written on her birth certificate. If nobody looks at/asks for your birth certificate, what does it matter?)Even identifying with another culture, and acting like you're a part of it will put you into not a group based on your race, but more oriented towards what you do that's "unusual" for your race.
Yea when I click on the slideshow a giant manila colored box pops up with nothing in it
ReplyDeleteThe website worked great for me, hopefully everyone else's is up by now.
ReplyDeleteOne think I noticed that made me curious was that the slide show seemed to bring up the idea that yes, race affects people, but what also effects people is where their parents started them from. It implied that social class was connected to race and that the social class you grew up in will affect social class you spend adulthood in. Which is interesting because if the majority of a minority race got fancy cars, huge houses and great jobs, but otherwise stayed the same, would our perceptions of them change? Would we change our stereotypes?
Racial categories can be transcended easily if society deems them irrelevant. For example I have never had anyone deem my Irish heritage particularly relevant. I’m part of a white majority. But there was a period of time when my ancestors wouldn't have been able to get a decent job in America based on their race. Between that time and now many other races that were once considered unwanted in this country are now considered the privileged majority.
But race inequalities are very different now. Racism is quieter, less acceptable, inequalities are ignored. I don't think anyone really knows the best way to fix racism, but as the slide show says, talking about race, refusing to ignore inequalities, is a good first step.
I think race is so difficult to talk about because it implies an inequality. When two people studied hard for a test and one got a C and the other got an A, it’s not very easy to talk about either.
I really liked what one of the people in the third slide said about race – that those that are privileged have a feeling of guilt because of that privilege, so that it hurts both the underprivileged and the privileged. I think that often white people are uncomfortable talking about race because of that feeling of guilt, and because by talking about it they are acknowledging that they are a part of it, and therefore acknowledging the guilt in some sense. For other races, maybe it is hard to talk about something that has such a negative impact on your life?
ReplyDeleteHowever, most people are aware of racial categories and what they entail, and I think many would say that they want to break out of those if they were asked. For many people, I think, the problem isn't recognizing the effects of race so much as being able to talk about it, and as that happens more, more people can transcend racial categories.
Part of the reason that race is so hard to talk about is because of the implications and stereotypes that people put on individuals of a certain race. As the slide show mentioned, there was an Asian lady who everyone expected to be good at math and science, but this was not the case. She was offended that people made presumptions about her intelligence based on the way she looked. Many times, the way people look reflect a race that they don't identify with, for example the Spanish man who everyone thought was black. Because it is obvious that white people are the advantaged and privileged group in America, bringing up race implies bringing up a difference in privilege, which can offend people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Priscilla said, that the way we view different races are based on our society and what we were taught. Some stereotypes do have a basis, but many of the basis have become false over time, but the stereotypes remain.
I think that we need to make clear that stereotypes are not facts and that the way someone looks does not define their personality etc.
I think that race can sometimes be difficult to talk about because often times it can make people feel either guilty of the natural privileges they are granted, or feel inferior because of the discrimination and stereotypes. People of the race that has been discriminated against probably don’t like to be reminded of the lack of privileges they have just because of the color of their skin. Difference of race, difference of skin color, difference of privileges – it shouldn’t matter, but bringing up these topics tend to highlight the negative impacts which can be challenging to talk about.
ReplyDeleteAlthough transcending racial categories can be difficult, I think that it can be accomplished by understanding that despite what someone’s social class may say, or what their cultural traditions are, etc., people of all races should be considered equal – and society needs to have a better view on that. Race should be something that people embrace and use to identify themselves with, not judge and downsize others by.
Race effects everyone in different ways. It is hard to talk about because we fear offending other people. Its hard to talk about race and not generalize. It also seems easiest in some ways to just sweep race under the rug and not talk about it. Its can be an uneasy topic for some people. When we ignore race and don't talk about it, we are also ignoring many problems that come with it (like racial profiling..etc.)
ReplyDeleteTranscending racism is a hard task with the media and much of comedy relying on racial stereotypes but like most struggles things take time. I think having Obama as a president will speed the process because he inspires so many people to do well, and has hopefully opened the eyes to those who are racist in showing them that America has made progress and is ready to take the next step towards bringing us all together.
Race is often difficult to talk about because many people believe that discussing it will highlight the differences that separate us and create social strife. Over the course of human history (or at least modern history) race has traditionally been viewed as the primary source for sharp differences between our wealth, education, privileges, and legal rights. Because of the turmoil that these topics have created and continue to create, many people leave it a topic to not be discussed to avoid bringing all of that perceived conflict into their own lives, the lives of their family, and the lives of their community.
ReplyDeleteTranscending racial categories comes in widely varying degrees of difficulty. It seems to be most difficult in regions where the physical appearance, behavior, and class of a particular group of people seems so homogenous that it produces a stereotype that leads to prejudice. On the contrary, it is probably easiest to move beyond racial classifications in regions where individuals of a particular race are widely diverse within their race and no clear-cut stereotype prevails.
As for the individual, their ease and ability to transcend racial categories comes with the background that they've had. A person who has lived most of their life in an urban center divided by racial districts may view races other than their own in certain ways because of the stereotypes about that have been produced by common consensus. They could have trouble transcending race because they believe in the stereotypes they've learned, which too often leads to prejudice. On the contrary a similar individual in the same environment might be able to more freely transcend racial differences because of positive experience that they've had with those of different races, experiences hat break the stereotypes that others believe. How easily these two individuals can transcend racial dissimilarities (or not) is highly dependent on their background and the positive or negative experiences that they've had with those who they perceive to be of a race different from their own. It's a very individualized process.
Hi Ms. Ruback
ReplyDeleteI really liked this website. I was especially moved by "The Elephant in the Room" and "How To Be An American". Thank you for this wonderful website! See you tomorrow!
Race is such a hard topic to talk about because people are afraid of seeming rude or racist. They are afraid of bring up stereotypes and prejudices, which everyone reacts to in different ways. I think many white people are afraid about being reminded about 'white privilege' and don't have to worry about being stopped and searched by the cops, or have people just act suspicious around them because of their skin color, and appearance. Then like Lindsey said maybe the nonwhite minorities may not want to be reminded of the lack of privileges.
ReplyDeleteI think race does effect everyone, wether it is easy for people to recognize in themselves or not. It has an impact on people, from those who feel the most inferior to those who feel the most superior. I think it is a hard topic to talk about in everyday discussion with people because often times people try to pretend like racism doesn't exist...it's become almost a taboo topic in which people are afraid of offending other people, even those who they are not talking to or about directly. I think if people were willing to be more open and share their thoughts about racism, it would help and speed up the process of becoming a racism-free world.
ReplyDeleteTranscending racism can be hard, especially because sometimes people make racist comments or judgements without intending to or being aware of it. I think America as well as the rest of the world can help diminish racial categories and stereotypes by recognizing what they are and how other people feel about them.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with what Jackie said about how racism will be hard to overcome because of how comedy in particular relies on it to some extent. I remember going to Improv troupe and DSI shows and whenever jokes were cracked about race - whether it was the "Asian" eyes, or a thick Spanish accent - people were always laughing and found it hilarious. Personally I can own up to that and admit that I myself have laughed at those kinds of jokes, but after watching the four videos, and hearing the one particular woman say how just because she's Asian, she's expected to be good at math and science, the impact of racial stereotypes has become much stronger to me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I can't remember which video this is from, but one had a woman said that until you have been discriminated against many times, you won't understand it. I think that this is one of the biggest reasons that it is so hard to overcome racism, because this is a "white country," and so there are a lot of people who will probably never encounter the kind of discrimination that people of color do on a daily basis. I know that when I was in middle school I would often go to my best friend, who is Caucasian, and tell her about something that happened over the weekend that offended me and my race, and she wouldn't understand it. I think in many cases, and depending on where they're from, many white people will find it extremely difficult to understand how hurtful racial discrimination truly is, because as the videos state, they have simply always had the upper hand and have generally had more privileges than colored people. Also, the personal background of an individual will play into effect for this, because someone who grows up in a very diverse area will have more perspective than someone who lives in a small town with 99.9% noncolored people.
Race is so hard to talk about because of humanity's history with racism. To many people, it is awkward, and they worry that if they mention race they will offend others. Race isn't just one particular thing; it's made of many different descriptions grouped into one. Attached to race are stereotypes and prejudices, and just the general concept of difference that people try not to think about if they can help it, afraid of being labeled as racist.
ReplyDeleteTranscending racism is something that seems like a far off dream, even now. Like some people mentioned, comedy in particular addresses race with a satirical light, making fun of anybody and everybody. Some find it hilarious, but others find it offensive; the comedian, however, can't worry about it, because it is impossible to satisfy everyone in the world. And yet, I think that by addressing race outright is one of the few ways to eliminate racism. If people become comfortable talking to others about race, ignoring racial stereotypes and every connotation that goes along with being labeled as a certain race, then racial strife will eventually fade away, because nobody would care anymore. Then again, there's a long way to go.
It’s so hard to talk about racism because, like Jackie said, we don't want to offend someone. It’s hard to bring up race without using the generalizations our society has created. One of the speakers in the slide show said something along the lines of "white isn't a race, we just use it to get privileges". This made me think about even though white is a skin color, is it a race. Most people identify race with a culture underlying it. Everyone has ancestry and people are made up of different cultures. Can white be considered a race by this definition? Is there a deeper meaning to race? Is race pair with culture? I'm considered white, but I don't just identify with American culture. I identify mostly with being Portuguese and a mix of a few other cultures. Is there a white person with a "white" culture that does not incorporate other cultures? I think talking about race gets confusing because there are different understandings and different tolerances among people.
ReplyDeleteHow we can transcend racism is to face it. Unless we grasp the idea (take the bull by its horns) we can't overcome the racism in our lives no matter how hard we try. Most people want to transcend to have equality and eliminate the daily struggle of facing a difference that will never go away. Sometimes I don't understand why people don't rise above racism. No matter what everyone is unique and race is part of the uniqueness.
There are several reasons why it is hard to talk about race. I dont know if it is hard to talk about race if you are black, asian, or whatever else, but for me, as a white kid, who was raised in a white society (in my old school in austria there was one black kid , and one with a white mother and a black father, in a school of over 1200 kids. there were other immigrants, from the balkan, yugoslavia and countries like that, but no colored people) and lived with a collective past (70 years ago the germans and austrians who wanted to create the perfect, aryan society) it is pretty hard to talk about other races - maybe just because i am totally afraid of being called racist, because of my country's past .
ReplyDeletejust btw: that was a long sentence. i know in english it doesnt sound well to write long sentences, but thats the only way i could say what i wanted.
anyways, in the slideshow i really liked the guy who said that we whites face the problems caused by racism with guilt, but thats not the way how it should be. its true. funny thing... well, that will sound a little bit strange, but whatever: today i had a conversation with my mum. i said that i think it is funny that there are so many jews in LHS and that in austria i didnt have one jewish friend. and every time somebody in LHS tells me he is jewish i feel so guilty, although i, and my family, never did anything in the german 3rd reich. but i think i am so sorry for what happened, that i just feel this collective guilt. doesnt that sound strange?
well, anyways, there is a theory i am something talking about, ill explain it for one second. there is this idea of collective past. and different groups of people who have things in common dont just share the looks but also the same past and/or feelings, problems etc. for example, nowadays, most of the austrians feel guilty for what happened in austria during WW2, although all weren't there in this time. Or americans feel guilty for enslavering the blacks. or many blacks feel a collective anger on the americans for being forced to slavery. or many jewish people have the collective fear and/or hatred on other people because they were slaughtered once every century or so. do u know what i mean? and that is, in my opinion, one of the reasons, why it is still hard to talk about races although it is obvious: because of our past. it is too hard for most of the people to just say, yeah, whatever, we were inferior for so long time, we forgive u guys and now we are all brothers and sisters... and i can understand that.
as soon as we face the past, accept it and create a new present without unresolved problems in the past we can live together without racial discrimination. but how long will it take?
Race is an issue that people are always trying to ignore. I think that one of the reasons that race is so hard to talk about is because everyone is worried about accidentally offending someone. It can be awkward/strange to talk about it because people do have that constant worry, which limits discussion.
ReplyDeleteI think it is hard to transcend race because people don't like to talk about it. They try to ignore racial differences, which doesn't help anyone. If people can start to openly talk about race and racism, people will be able to get past their differences more easily.
This is reminding me of the song everyone's a little bit racist from Avenue Q.
"Look around and you will find, No one's really color blind.Maybe it's a fact We all should face"
and
"If we all could just admit That we are racist a little bit, Even though we all know That it's wrong, Maybe it would help us Get along."
I don't really agree that everyone is racist, but like the song says, people make judgments based on race and people avoid talking about race. If we were able to talk about those judgments, and the fact that we do make them, it wouldn't be such a big deal, and people would be able to move past stereotypes and racism/racial categories.
As most people said, I think race is hard to talk about because people are always afraid of offending others. I have always felt like race was a sort of off limits topic because it is such a source of personal anger and resentment for some people. To me, it's just like not talking about grades in school or weight or age. I rarely discuss race because I am always afraid I will say something that will trigger some sort of bad memory.
ReplyDeleteI also feel like it's not my place to discuss race. As a white female, I have never really felt like I was being discriminated against, so I don't feel like I have a right to make assumptions about what that feels like.
Also, in my life, I have never witnessed any horrible racism, so sometimes I almost feel like it doesn't exist--even though I know it does. Last year, I went to New Orleans to help with Hurricane Katrina rebuilding, and one night, these two women came in to talk about how racism played a role in the hurricane. One of the women told all these horrible stories, like how many people believe that they purposely broke the levies in the lower ninth ward (where many black people were living) to save some of the richer towns. She told us about how when they were rescuing people from their houses, everybody went up on the roof, and those who were white were taken care of first, and how, as a black woman, it was more difficult to find a shelter to stay in. She even told a story about her father getting beat up by the police for doing absolutely nothing. I never really imagined that anything like that was still going on in the United States. I guess I thought the country as a whole had made more progress away from racism. I often feel uncomfortable talking about race because I know I am pretty ignorant of the world outside of my relatively sheltered hometown.
It's hard for people to discuss race because with the different racial groups carry their own irrelevent connotations associated with anyone of that race. People don't want to be pinned as one particular thing. They want the freedom to be percieved for what they do, and who they are as a person, rather than the general assumption of what they must be like according to their racial identification.
ReplyDeletePeople try to transcend race because it's becoming more widely realized that people are people, as simple as that. It's an effort to dissolve the limitations which have been solidified by so many years of racial divide.
I think that race is so hard to talk about because people can often be hypocritical about racism. Almost all people today would say "No I'm not racist. I treat everyone equal," when the reality is that everyone has unconsciously has judged a person based on a racial stereotype. This does mean that everyone is racist by any means, just that it is human nature to categorize people into certain groups. So when people talk about race, it becomes uncomfortable because we realized that we are not all completely accepting of all people. It might also be hard for minority groups to talk about race because they have most likely been discriminated at some point in their lives. Discussing the issue of race would either bring back bad memories or even embarrassment for that person.
ReplyDeleteI think that the only way to transcend racial categories is to realize that race truly does not have anything to do with the quality or ability of a person. If everyone would accept the differences that we have in our society, it would be a lot easier to discuss the issue of race. I do think that people are started to remove the barriers and limitations against some groups of people because the realization that equality is possible is becoming more prominent,
Race does affect everyone, but that does not mean everyone is willing to accept that. It is hard for most people to talk about because they do not want to acknowledge the fact that racism exists or that they could possibly be apart of it. Talking about racism means that we as people are not perfect and there are still many problems, this being one, that needs to be resolved. But not everything can be resolved, especially not just by accepting its existence or talking about it a couple time. Resolution involves years of commitment and specifically with racism it involves acknowledging the discrimination, stereotypes, segregation, essentially the hurt and suffering caused by it. I feel the biggest reason for ignorance as selfish as it is, is the necessary equality for the resolution of racism. The fear of what would be lost by the privileged and gained by the unprivileged. No one wants to face what would actually come from total equality, not the actions that would be needed to achieve it, nor the consequences of it. Most people tend to side with their fears and losses, rather than with their hopes and opportunities. But it's easier that way, because what they have now is concrete and the possibility of evolution, of growth, of change, is unthinkable. So we avoid the discussions, ignore the discrimination, and accept the way life is now, because it's easier.
ReplyDeletePeople transcend racial categories by refusing to be categorized. Most people do not fit nicely into just one of the little boxes and who would be happy doing so. We rise above the forced categorization by knowing who we are for ourselves, not just our skin color, or culture, or background, but our hopes, dreams, values, goals, opportunites, our identities, not those given to us. The more that we believe it for ourselves, the more it is believed by those around us and throughout society. We decide who we are, not some little box on a piece of paper, labeling souly on stereotypes of what you look like. That's why there is an "other" box, for those who have realized they are above being categorized by society and want to be recognized for their individuality.
(It's...kind of late, so apologies if this doesn't make any sense at all. I'm not entirely coherent right now.)
ReplyDeleteRace is difficult to talk about because, as everyone has already said, people are afraid of offending each other. But this in itself, I believe, stems from a basic realization that this whole issue is ridiculous and should never have come into existence in the first place (yes, I'm looking at you, self-justifying white male society of past centuries), therefore going on with this is like expanding a childish argument using increasingly complex vocabulary in an effort to make ourselves look less stupid.
I found the James Baldwin quote to be most striking: "No one was white before he/she came to America. It took generations and a vast amount of coercion, before this became a white country." America clings to race with a stubbornness that is baffling for a supposedly "forward-thinking" nation. As the slideshow mentioned somewhere, it might have to do with the fact that America has little history and even less in the way of cohesive culture -- features that many other nations of the world possess. Without those solid foundations, that comforting knowledge of, "Yes, this is who I am and this is who we are as a people," our country turned to a "work hard and you'll dominate if you're white and preferably male" attitude instead. What a shame.
People can transcend the confines of race by hard work, though that is exceptionally difficult, as those who have actually tried it would know. A people, as a whole, can transcend race by falling back on something more substantial -- like history. But it's difficult, and we're still toeing the starting line at this point, since we can't even seem to talk about this issue without running into mountains of political correctness and people harping at us for "aggravating racial tensions" or making a big deal out of nothing. Unfortunately, it's not nothing; it's a problem, and the sooner we open dialogue and get it over with, the better.
[FOR THOSE WHO COULDN'T UPLOAD THE VIDEO YOU CAN READ THE TRANSCRIPT]
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to talk about race because people feel uncomfortable. People do not want to offend someone while others do not want to accept the fact the idea of "white supremacy" and make change. When I say make change I mean overcoming discrimination, racism, and stereotyping others. People do not want to give up their "privileges" while some feel guilty in having these "privileges". Some feel that in talking about race that the hidden racial tension will increase. However, people need to talk about race to overcome this idea of "privilege" and stereotypes. There needs to be equality. People should talk about race with open minds and be aware of what they say so it doesn't come off as offensive and/or racist.
People try to transcend racial categories by ignoring it. Some just accept their race and do not let someone or something change that. However, it is hard to transcend racial categories because of peoples' stereotypes on other races and the long history of inequality and discrimination.
-CANDiCE
[the slideshow wouldn't work for me unfortunately..:( ]
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question regardless of the presentation..
Race may effect everyone, but it effects us all differently. Some people who have a harder time with it tend to be angrier when a racial issue pops up. These people will either be very vocal about their opinions about race or they will be very closed up. Those who are effected in a less personal way tend to talk about by generalizing the facts and trying to make everyone see the problems in a lighter tone.
I think that the reason people have a hard time talking about race is because they don't want to offend anyone, make their case seem worse than everyones else's or just because in the past race was just something that was accepted as is.
Now-a-days people can transcend racial differences by hard work, money or a good job.( i don't think all of these are good reasons though..)
i couldn't watch the actual slideshow thing but i read the transcripts of what the people were saying instead. I thought it was interesting how different people have different views on how to qualify someone as being white or American. I think race is hard for people to talk about because nobody has a full understanding of what race is exactly. People who feel entitled to certain things due to their race, mainly white people, don't want to talk about it because it sounds racist even though in some cases natural born entitlement to certain things like jobs do exist.
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting part of the slideshows to me was the figure about how in some place, Maryland I think, 80 percent of the people pulled over are minorities, while the total population was only about 20 percent minorities. This is clear evidence that racism is still existing even where it shouldn't be at all, with the police and the law.
The difficulty of discussion of race is the possibility of offense. Ideas expressed can often be interpreted in a variety of ways and no one wants their words to be offensive. Even though it is a factor in everyone's lives most people have gotten to the point where they simply accept the reality and submit in the face of the massive racial question. It is so intertwined (and in many aspects holds no values anymore) that people tend to move beyond it. Though being politically correct is so emphasized that having a timid approach to such questions is almost natural.
ReplyDeletePeople transcend racial catagories through individuality. Getting to know one person really makes it so that, instead of knowing someone of another race- one just knows the person. Seeing the inner humanity as opposed to relying on racial prejudice is the first step. Keeping individuality in mind is the most important factor in transcending race.
I think race is hard to talk about for many reasons. Like Jackie said, we don't want offend anyone for saying the "wrong" thing. People judge others based on their apparent race. They are afraid that if they stereotype other people based on their race, that people will take those words the wrong way and get offended. People don't want to accept the fact that everyone judges people based on their race. Racism is apparent in everyday life, but people don't discuss it because of that fear of offending people. Racism is deeply rooted in our culture and we are brought up with stereotypes of people of other races. The minority races are also treated differently than a majority race. Thus, a racial inequality is created. People don't discuss inequality as much because of the stereotypes between rich and poor. They fear that wil offend the rich by saying that they are "snobby" or that the poor are "ignorant and slobs". These stereotypes aren't necessarily true, but people are afraid to voice their opinions. Many people do not know the true definition of racism and because of that, can't talk about racism correctly, or even at all.
ReplyDeletePeople try to transcend race, but often find it challenging to do so. I think the fact that people loose their culture when they become Americans is very true because when people assimilate into the American culture, they often loose a sense of their previous life if they don't visit their homeland often. They transcend race through being an individual. Also, people transcend race by proving that the stereotypes are wrong. They "rise up" by making money, getting a job and achieving the American dream of being successful. I was most struck by the fact that whites are damaged by race because they feel guilty. In America, white people are the majority race and any other race is inferior, leading to racism.
I agree with what people have said before – I think that white people find it hard to talk about race because of the guilt factor. Like Jackie said, it’s just so much easier to be “colorblind” and forget about it (race doesn’t matter! Everyone’s equal in America!) which doesn’t help anyone. Another problem is the whole political correctness thing – everyone walks on eggshells when race is mentioned because they don’t want to offend one another.
ReplyDeletePlease excuse my cynicism, but I don’t think we, as a society, can transcend race. Racism is to do with the way (white) people think. And you can’t change the way people think…they tend to be very stubborn. You can educate them, you can prove that the racial stereotypes are ridiculous, you make them walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. But it’s not going to help. Notice that even the kids from Mrs. Eliot’s class still referred to African Americans as “them” when they were adults. A guy in the slide show said “As much as I can try to put myself in someone else's shoes, I'm still a white guy”. The other problem is that white people don’t want to lose their privilege. One woman said that she found the prospect “frightening”. Maybe, as people have said before, a person can transcend race by talking about it and explaining themselves to others, but I don’t think that we, as a society, can. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.
As people have stated before, racism is so hard to talk about because we have to face ourself to talk about and deal with racism. There is also a problem with perspective. While some asian or black kid may feel like there's a huge amount of racism among a class or within society, the white kids or the "superior" race may not feel that there are any racism at all. With the different perspective, the races cannot reach a common ground and it ends up not being talked about.
ReplyDeleteJackie made a great point that it is hard to transend racism because of the media and comedy. I am a natural born American citizen, exposed to the white culture for almost 90% of my life. And I clearly remember when I was younger, I was watching a comedy where it was making fun of Asians (Russel Peter). Although the "chinese blood" runs in me, I found it really funny and I showed my dad the video and he was clearly upset. "It may be funny for you, but it isn't for me." Simpily, unlike my dad, I have been assimilated to the American culture more than him and I guess I just accepted certain sterotypes/racism more than my dad (although some do bother me).
I think race is hard to talk about, regardless of how it effects everyone, because for me there is always an underlying fear that I may make a comment that could come off as hurtful, stereotypical, judgmental, degrading or even racist, when really those are not the intended feelings at all. Also I think it effects everyone, because you never know how serious or important race is to one person versus the next. Similar to Rosalie's comment, some people are able to hear a joke based solely on a stereotype about their race, religion or culture and take it lightly, maybe even laugh, while others may take the "joke" completely personally. I think that there is always a fear of crossing a certain line when it comes to race, and because that line varies so dramatically with every person, it is hard to feel comfortable talking openly about race without feeling a bit on edge.
ReplyDeleteI definatly agree with what everyone has been saying about race being difficult to talk about because you don't know who is going to be hurt by what you say. The problem with living in a 'melting pot'like America is, though there may be other races around us, we've been so ingrained with the idea that whites rule the world that that idea is really hard to expell from our brains. I think the only way to really, truly transcend racial lines is to BE that minority and feel the prejudice that comes along with it.
ReplyDeleteI think race is a pretty touchy subject. No matter if you personally feel like you don't judge on race and you accept everyone, there is probably the same number of people who don't accept it. Those people can either rebel or get hurt or refuse to talk about it. Also, I think some people feel like they don't judge but they really have certain privileges they don't know about, and they should see the other side before really knowing. However, I sadly don't think this is usually possible. It is hard to cross lines because you never know how somebody feels about race when you meet them, so talking about things like that or mentioning anything about gender/tradition/jokes can be touchy. I honestly don't know that anybody can really say they don't judge and know what it is like to go through being isolated and targeted when they haven't, and it is hard for people to be on both sides in their life.
ReplyDeleteRace does affect every one, but it is a difficult subject to talk about. It is difficult because it it so controversial. Most people know that they are supposed to be blind to race, so they don't talk about it. It is a sensitive subject, that when talking about it, one statement can be taken the wrong way and blown out of proportion to be raciest. One type of statement or joke can be taken lightly by one person, but the same thing may set off another person, even if they are the same race. Every one wants to be politically correct.
ReplyDeleteWhen all people get over race will we finally fully transcend racism. People have to begin talking to each other with out fear about race and then look past it. The problem is that people some times seem to identify with their race and embrace it, like when white people think they are superior. They don't realize that they are identifying with nothing of substance.
I believe race is a very controversial subject to talk about. When you talk about race you are never really sure if what you say or think about certain things would offend someone you are talking to about it. People because of all the ratial tension in our country people have become very trigger happy with calling people racist. For example if you ever put emphasis on the fact that Barak Obama is black people start calling you racist but it is not racist in anyway to put emphasis on his accomplishments as a black man. People have become very happy to make everyone a scapegoat because of their racial oppression. Once people learn to put this behind them and learn that all races have made big strides in this country will we ever transcend racism. I feel like that will take a very long time because people don’t forget the hurt easily. People remember what happened to their ancestors. Once this is all put behind us and we can start living without race that’s when our country will be perfect.
ReplyDeleteRace does affect everyone, but it affects different types of people in different ways. It is a very sensitive subject, something that we all share but also something we all differ about. It's so hard to talk about because although we are supposed to not really notice it, the fact is that it's out there and different people have different opinions about it. However when sharing those opinions people have to be careful they aren't offending others. Since we are all so different it's hard to make sure of that. I think that people try to go above racism or transcend racism when they feel it's necessary. If they are uncomfortable with a certain situation and deem it mandatory to fix the situation. For example, although this is the opposite of what someone said above, I think that it was right for the woman who got her birth certificate that said she was black even though she looks white, to go and fight it. Even though not everyone sees it, its not about what other people see its the fact that all her life she has called herself white, but according to a rule that doesn't make sense, and according to the state, she is african american. By speaking out against the state and defending her race, she showed that she cares about who she is, and that to her her race does matter, especially in that time period.
ReplyDeleteI think race is hard to talk about because people are afraid to offend anyone. its such a sensitive topic sometimes and without meaning to, words can be said and taken the wrong way.
ReplyDeleteWhen everyone realizes that white, black, asian, native american, latin people are no different from each other, then we will transcend racism.
This slideshow was quite movie. A few ideas really stood out to me. One man said that everyone wants to change the reality of racism, no matter what their race is. Also someone else said that to be white, people give up their heritage and ethnicity/culture to be privileged. No one is simply white. They have a history and a culture from some other country. But this idea that people will give up their culture just so they can be considered "white" to gain the benefits is hard to believe.
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't think about redoing the assignment until this weekend or that you can use the transcript instead. I think race is so hard to talk about because talking about it shows everyone that it exists. Some people think they can play the ignorance card and pretend that race doesn't affect them. Also, race can make the privileged feel guilty about being privileged. And that guilt is often not enough to turn thoughts and words into action to equalize the privilege. People can transcend this eventually to equalize the gap between our natural difference. I think we can only transcend racial categories if we can walk down the street and not notice their race, not because we are being ignorant or forcing ourselves to ignore it but because we realize that race is not that important to judging what kind of person someone is.
ReplyDeletePeople would rather avoid the topic of race than confront it. This is why race is so hard to talk about. It is especially hard as a white male, because there's this idea that if someone is white, they don't know about racial conflict or hardship. So when I talk about race it's like "what do you know? You're just a white kid."
ReplyDeleteUntil race becomes an issue that we can talk about rather than dance around, discussing it won't be so difficult.
I think that race is so difficult to talk about because people think that it is a sensitive topic for some people to confront. Everyone knows that race is a part of our lives and something that people often use to categorize one another. Along with race comes different stereotypes that people attach with certain races. It is hard to confront these stereotypes and deal with them upfront rather than to avoid them completely. I feel that race is also a topic that makes people uncomfortable talking about. Until everyone can confront the topic of race and come to the realization that it is something to deal with upfront then it will continue to exist as a dividing force.
ReplyDeleteRace is a sensitive topic in many different ways, so it is hard to talk about it without someone being offended. Everyone uses stereotypes to classify people, whether it is on a racial basis or not. It is very difficult to deal with racial stereotypes because they affect humans on a personal level. Race is a topic that makes everyone uncomfortable to talk about, so finding a way to bring it up to confront it can become increasingly harder as time progresses.
ReplyDeleteRace affects everyone. And it is very hard to talk about, for example, in the last DSI show we tried not to be thought of as racist, but everything we did was caled rascist. No matter what is tried to e done, people have there own perceptions of race, so if the topic is brought up, it will affect someone, whether meaning to or not, as everyone's interpretation is different
ReplyDeleteRace is a very touchy subject because there's such a thin line between everything. People don't want to say the wrong things or step on any ones toes. So instead people just choose not to say anything at all. If people have been discriminated against they don't want to bring it up because they will bring back the pain they felt before. And someone who hasn't gone through it its difficult because they don't know what it feels like. OR they haven't encountered the experience to be able to reflect on it.
ReplyDeleteI think that race is hard to talk about because many people aren't sure whether their beliefs are going to be looked upon well or frowned upon. People worry that they may say the wrong th ing or hurt someone else. No one wants to make someone else feel discriminated against, or even feel inferior in anyway. People that have not experienced racism directly may not be aware of what there is to say that is acceptable and what is not. Everyone has different opinions of what is acceptable to say and what is not, so some words may effect others in a way that was unexpected.
ReplyDeleteRace is hard to talk about because people are afraid of offending other people when they talk about it. They do not want their words to be taken the wrong way and then be classified as a racist. Also, I think it is difficult to define what race is. If their is no definition of race then it is also difficult to talk about it. Some people transcend racial categories by not acknowledging different races at all. Others point out every racist instance they see. It is difficult to decide what the one way to confront racism should be.
ReplyDeletePeople who say they are not racist do not confront those showing racist behavior because by doing so would make it look as if you were on his side, even if you were not, also it helps one avoid the whole situation, so people don't judge.
ReplyDeletePeople can overcome unconscious biases by thinking for themselves. people who have unconscious biases usually do so because of the group of people that they hang out with. if one person hangs out with all white people, they may be afraid that by becoming friends with this new black person that there old friends wont like him anymore, so unconsciously they make fun of him instead, but if they just went with there gut they could be friends, and one should not have to think about there other friends