Week 9 - MavDISK

Racism and Racial/Ethnic Inequality

The Frames of Color-Blind Racism

Inequality Persists  Rates of Poverty      

White (Non-Hispanic) Asian Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Hispanic origin (any race) Black American Indian and Alaska Native

8.4% 10.9% 12.2% 22% 24.7% 25.3%

Structural and Individual Racism  Structural Racism is racism that is built

into the very institutions of society.  Individual Racism is the racist actions

and attitudes of individuals.

Structural Racism  Structural Racism is often hidden in our

institutions.  Policies

and laws disproportionately impact minorities negatively. Education  Law Enforcement 

Individual Racism  When we think of racism, we tend to

think of individual racism.  Racist

comments  Discrimination in hiring  Stereotyping

Individual and Structural Racism are Linked Together  The actions of racist individuals will add

up to impact minorities in general.  Health

Care

 Some cases of individual racism are so

pervasive that it creates a hostile environment.

The Central Frames of Color Blind Racism  Abstract Liberalism  Naturalization

 Cultural Racism  Minimization of Racism

Abstract Liberalism  Equal Opportunity  “I don't think that they should be provided with unique opportunities. I think that they should have the same opportunities as everyone else. You know, it's up to them to meet the standards and whatever that's required for entrance into universities or whatever. I don't think that just because they're a minority that they should, you know, not meet the requirements, you know.”

Abstract Liberalism  Meritocracy  "I

don't know why. Mine was a personal motivation so, you know, I don't know. I don't want to say they weren't personally motivated to get good grades, but that's what it was for me."

Abstract Liberalism  Limited Role of Government  Asked

about integrating schools, "I, I don't-I mean, it should be done if people want to do it. If people volunteer for it, and they want that part of their lives, then they should do it, but the government should not force people to bus if they don't want that."

Abstract Liberalism  Individual Rights  “Um,

because affirmative action is based on a group as a whole, but when it comes down to the individual, like if affirmative action were against me one time, like it would anger me. I mean, because, you know, I as an individual got ripped off and, you know, getting a job.”

Who is more likely to benefit from “Affirmative Action” at Ivy League Schools?

Structural Racism - Legacies  Legacies constitute a significant

proportion of students accepted to universities, especially Ivy league schools (10-15%) according to the Economist

http://economist.com/world/na/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3518560

Naturalization  Under this frame of Color-Blind Racism,

people assume that the differences and segregation is natural. 

“Well, individuals, its just the way it is. You know, people group together for lots of different reasons: social, religious. Just as animals in the wild, you know. Elephants group together, cheetahs group together. You bus a cheetah into an elephant herd because they should mix? You can't force that [laughs]”

Structural Racism Segregation after World War II  Federal Housing Authority (FHA)  “The

FHA underwriters warned that the presence of even one or two non-white families could undermine real estate values in the new suburbs.”

 Inner-city neighborhoods were

destroyed and replaced with “Projects” 

http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm

Cultural Racism  Blames the victim for their “culture of

poverty.”  “Just

from, like, looking at the black people that I've met in my classes and the few that I knew before college, not like they're–I don't want to say waiting for a handout, but to some extent, that's kind of what I'm like hinting at.”

History of Structural Racism Responsible for Differences  Cultural Racism cannot explain the

differences  Studies that take into account the

family’s economic status find no difference in graduation rates between whites and blacks.

Minimization of Racism  Racism exists, but it is not as bad as it used

to be. 

“I would say that's a bunch of crap [laughs]. I mean, if they're qualified, they'll hire you and if you are not qualified, then you don't get the job. It's the same way with, once you get the job, if you are qualified for a promotion, you'll get the promotion. It's the same way with white, blacks, Asians, whatever. If you do the job, you'll get the job.”

Structural Racism - Hostile Environment  eXit Files  Robin

Morris Collin and others left Eugene, Oregon as a result of discrimination and hostile environments. Ridiculed for success.  Subjected to racist comments. 

Recap  Color-blind racism is a form of Ideological

Camouflage 

It justifies the inequality that exists and ignores the history of Structural Discrimination.

 Whites will claim “reverse discrimination” out

of fear that attempts to address inequality will harm them.

Racism and Racial/Ethnic Inequality

Universities and Hostile Environments

Universities and Hostile Environments  We will look at some hostile

environments that exist on college campuses.  Hate

Crime at Colorado State  Chief Illinewek at the University of Illinois

Minorities Don’t Feel Welcome  “Native” bumper stickers

 Rezoning minorities to the edge of town  Experiences of discrimination on

campus

Failure to Meet Minority Goal  President Yates explains the inability to

meet minority goal results from:  City

93% white  High academic standards  Color-Blind Racism – Abstract

Liberalism

Dedication to Diversity?  I worked for a professor who pushed to

address discrimination on campus  Contract was not renewed despite her

output of books and articles.

Hate Crime

Real Consequences  Dunaway had to look for work covertly.

 I had to find graduate work elsewhere.  Most importantly, students continue to

face a hostile, racist environment.

Chief Illinewek

University of WisconsinLaCrosse Mascot Change  UW-LaCrosse wanted to eliminate

Indians as its mascot (1989).  I decided to write about the mascot

change.

History of Genocide  Chief Black Hawk

and his followers were met at the river by an armed steamboat near La Crosse, Wisconsin.  Many were

massacred as they tried to flee.

Arguments regarding Mascot  The name was used to honor of the

founders of the city.  Opposing teams would use slogans like

“massacre the Indians”

In the film, watch for:  Arguments for and against the mascot.  How are the arguments for the mascot:  Ideological Camouflage?  Political Denial?  Minimizing Racism?

 How does the mascot create a hostile

environment for Native Americans both at the University of Illinois and on other campuses?