Talking About Racism: Talking About Racism: How our Dialogue Gets How our Dialogue Gets

Short-circuitedShort-circuited

Paul WachtelPaul Wachtel

RacismRacism:: A term with a host of meaningsA term with a host of meanings A list of potential examples from page 541 A list of potential examples from page 541

to 543.to 543. Review the list and decide which terms Review the list and decide which terms

best describe each situation:best describe each situation: PrejudicePrejudice EthnocentrismEthnocentrism BiasBias InsensitivityInsensitivity DiscriminationDiscrimination InjusticeInjustice StereotypingStereotyping IndifferenceIndifference IgnoranceIgnorance RacismRacism

Racism DefinedRacism Defined Looking up the term racism in the dictionary is beside the Looking up the term racism in the dictionary is beside the

point. The central issues here is who gets to write the point. The central issues here is who gets to write the definition used in the dictionary.definition used in the dictionary.

Some contend that blacks cannot be racist Some contend that blacks cannot be racist becausebecause the the word means discrimination by the majority against an word means discrimination by the majority against an oppressed minority.oppressed minority.

So you see the definition makes all the difference. One of So you see the definition makes all the difference. One of the problems is that many of us are using different the problems is that many of us are using different definitions (whether the difference is subtle or not).definitions (whether the difference is subtle or not).

The author says that it is, in the end, a bit arbitrary to The author says that it is, in the end, a bit arbitrary to attempt to assert in an absolute manner what racism “is.”attempt to assert in an absolute manner what racism “is.”

Why?Why?

DetrimentalDetrimental While we cannot settle on an objective and definitive While we cannot settle on an objective and definitive

definition, we can ask what the definition, we can ask what the consequencesconsequences are in are in our definitions of the term.our definitions of the term.

The consequences the author sees: we have The consequences the author sees: we have overused the term. And because we have overused overused the term. And because we have overused it, it has lost clarity and precision within our it, it has lost clarity and precision within our language.language.

The term has in fact become a The term has in fact become a detrimentdetriment to our to our ability to overcome our racial divisions.ability to overcome our racial divisions.

NOTE: NOTE: 1.1. He is He is notnot saying racism is gone. saying racism is gone. 2.2. He is He is notnot saying our racial problems are less severe. saying our racial problems are less severe. 3.3. He is He is notnot saying we need to use milder terms. saying we need to use milder terms.

Extend our vocabularyExtend our vocabulary He wants a vocabulary that is more precise and He wants a vocabulary that is more precise and

differentiated (increasing our ability to both come together differentiated (increasing our ability to both come together and make sense of each other).and make sense of each other).

The terms:The terms: PrejudicePrejudice EthnocentrismEthnocentrism BiasBias InsensitivityInsensitivity DiscriminationDiscrimination InjusticeInjustice StereotypingStereotyping IndifferenceIndifference IgnoranceIgnorance

Can, in some instances, describe events far more Can, in some instances, describe events far more accurately than the term racism.accurately than the term racism.

Yet, the reflex term has become “racism” (apply it through Yet, the reflex term has become “racism” (apply it through out).out).

The word is a ‘conversation The word is a ‘conversation stopper’stopper’

When white people avoid discussing their real feelings When white people avoid discussing their real feelings because they are afraid they will be called racist, all because they are afraid they will be called racist, all that results is the that results is the covering up of real issuescovering up of real issues and their and their real feelings.real feelings.

Openly discussing our real feelings is essential to any Openly discussing our real feelings is essential to any progress we want to make.progress we want to make.

Term often seems to others to be a descriptive word. It Term often seems to others to be a descriptive word. It is simply an account of what they encounter everyday is simply an account of what they encounter everyday of their lives.of their lives.

Term for whites often creates a defensive attitude that Term for whites often creates a defensive attitude that shuts down honest communication.shuts down honest communication.

Racism (as a strong word) is/was used to break through Racism (as a strong word) is/was used to break through strong denial.strong denial.

Especially since many other euphemisms permit Especially since many other euphemisms permit continuing evasion of the real issue (casualties, losses, continuing evasion of the real issue (casualties, losses, passed on, etc).passed on, etc).

While racism was meant to be a strong word, after a While racism was meant to be a strong word, after a while we habituate to its use, we “tune it out” and it while we habituate to its use, we “tune it out” and it thus loses all its power.thus loses all its power.

The transformation of the The transformation of the wordword

First used to describe the most deplorable and First used to describe the most deplorable and shameful of traits and actions.shameful of traits and actions.

Now extended to include virtually universal Now extended to include virtually universal human characteristics (prejudice/stereotyping) human characteristics (prejudice/stereotyping) and so to include almost everyone.and so to include almost everyone.

Expansion of the word happened in large part Expansion of the word happened in large part because of the civil rights movement (North because of the civil rights movement (North versus South).versus South).

In order to combat the North’s refusal to In order to combat the North’s refusal to listen, writers and activists began using the listen, writers and activists began using the term racism (get their attention).term racism (get their attention).

These events changed the word over time; but These events changed the word over time; but they also “watered the term down.”they also “watered the term down.”

The Paradoxes of GuiltThe Paradoxes of Guilt Is there an inconsistency here?Is there an inconsistency here? Racism = a strong word that creates defensive reactions Racism = a strong word that creates defensive reactions

and shuts down dialogueand shuts down dialogue Racism = term has been diluted and we have become Racism = term has been diluted and we have become

desensitized to itdesensitized to it

These different responses will come about for different These different responses will come about for different people in different situations. Some may be intimidated or people in different situations. Some may be intimidated or defensive while others are desensitized.defensive while others are desensitized.

Even the same person may experience the word differently Even the same person may experience the word differently in different contexts. in different contexts.

Two reactions can even come about for the same person in Two reactions can even come about for the same person in the same instance (as opposing sides of the same coin). A the same instance (as opposing sides of the same coin). A person could defiantly embrace the term aloud and give a person could defiantly embrace the term aloud and give a “Here we go again” eye roll to themselves.“Here we go again” eye roll to themselves.

Seem accurate?Seem accurate?

GuiltGuilt These are defensive responses to having been These are defensive responses to having been

made to feel guilty. “The impact of the message made to feel guilty. “The impact of the message is so strong that its conscious acknowledgement is so strong that its conscious acknowledgement is so minimal” (547).is so minimal” (547).

Guilt does not always produce the response we Guilt does not always produce the response we might wish or expect (if it is overwhelming, the might wish or expect (if it is overwhelming, the response can be to continue to be insensitive to response can be to continue to be insensitive to those we have harmed and to be angry at them those we have harmed and to be angry at them for confronting us with our inadequacies) (547).for confronting us with our inadequacies) (547).

Good responses to the feelings of guilt are most Good responses to the feelings of guilt are most likely to happen when there is likely to happen when there is something something productive to be done to relieve the guiltproductive to be done to relieve the guilt (but if the problem looks to be too big…)(but if the problem looks to be too big…)

““Institutional Racism”Institutional Racism” Institutional racism - a Institutional racism - a centralcentral feature of the dialogue feature of the dialogue

today, but not fully understood.today, but not fully understood. Must keep in mind here that Must keep in mind here that institutionsinstitutions can produce can produce

racist consequences racist consequences whether they do so intentionally or whether they do so intentionally or notnot..

This concept is blurred because the term racism is so This concept is blurred because the term racism is so emotionally chargedemotionally charged and for many connotes and for many connotes intention.intention.

Institutional racism – while “Institutional racism – while “seeminglyseemingly impersonal, can impersonal, can allow ‘respectable’ individuals to dissociate themselves allow ‘respectable’ individuals to dissociate themselves from the acts of those with the poor taste to be overtly from the acts of those with the poor taste to be overtly racist, while continuing to benefit from the ways in racist, while continuing to benefit from the ways in which our institutions maintain the inequalities between which our institutions maintain the inequalities between blacks and whites” (548).blacks and whites” (548).

Cont.Cont.

Institutional racism: “I am not saying Institutional racism: “I am not saying you you want this to happen, I’m saying that the want this to happen, I’m saying that the whole society is set up in such a way that whole society is set up in such a way that certain outcomes inevitably result, and certain outcomes inevitably result, and those outcomes are consistently to the those outcomes are consistently to the detriment of people of color in comparison detriment of people of color in comparison to whites” (549).to whites” (549).

The result: the term can obscure the very The result: the term can obscure the very phenomenon it was designed to highlight phenomenon it was designed to highlight (impersonal and systematic outcomes (impersonal and systematic outcomes instead of intent).instead of intent).

Obvious and InvisibleObvious and Invisible Wachtel says it is easy NOT to see racism and that Wachtel says it is easy NOT to see racism and that

you do not need to be a racist to have been blind to you do not need to be a racist to have been blind to these facts.these facts.

Why?Why?Because society trains us to not see it: “Part of the Because society trains us to not see it: “Part of the system we live under is that we are systematically system we live under is that we are systematically trained not to see the system” (549). trained not to see the system” (549).

Does this seem to you to be true or false?Does this seem to you to be true or false? We are taught to see the differences in income and We are taught to see the differences in income and

influence that result from how we organize our influence that result from how we organize our society as really society as really only the results of an individual’s only the results of an individual’s choice to work hard or notchoice to work hard or not..

““We are taught We are taught not not to notice the statistical to notice the statistical probabilities that make the bright child of a truck probabilities that make the bright child of a truck driver or a manual laborer less likely to go to college driver or a manual laborer less likely to go to college than the child of a doctor or lawyer” (549).than the child of a doctor or lawyer” (549).

Noticing the ExceptionsNoticing the Exceptions We are instead trained to notice the exceptions!We are instead trained to notice the exceptions! There are some children of truck drivers who go There are some children of truck drivers who go

to college and we use these exceptions to affirm to college and we use these exceptions to affirm that this is a land of opportunity.that this is a land of opportunity.

We thereby “ignore the fact that we can predict We thereby “ignore the fact that we can predict with virtual statistical certainty the differential life with virtual statistical certainty the differential life courses of the children of the two groups” (550).courses of the children of the two groups” (550).

““The roots of the confusion lie in the fact that the The roots of the confusion lie in the fact that the effects of institutional arrangements are effects of institutional arrangements are statisticalstatistical rather than rather than universaluniversal..

What is predictable and shown to be statistically What is predictable and shown to be statistically true is that “the circumstances most blacks true is that “the circumstances most blacks encounter from birth on are likely to make it encounter from birth on are likely to make it harder for them to succeed than are the harder for them to succeed than are the circumstances most whites encounter” (550).circumstances most whites encounter” (550).

““Otherness” and Otherness” and IndifferenceIndifference

A great deal of what is now described as racism A great deal of what is now described as racism can more accurately be described as indifference.can more accurately be described as indifference.

Indifference - likely the most cumulatively Indifference - likely the most cumulatively responsible for the pain and privation responsible for the pain and privation experienced by our nation’s black minority.experienced by our nation’s black minority.

And probably the most misunderstood and And probably the most misunderstood and overlooked issue.overlooked issue.

Indifference is a quiet toxin – it severs the nerves Indifference is a quiet toxin – it severs the nerves of society without announcing itselfof society without announcing itself

Its effects are devastating, but its tracks are Its effects are devastating, but its tracks are hidden in the attitude that it is every man for hidden in the attitude that it is every man for himselfhimself

UnnoticedUnnoticed Indifference is also obscured because in times of great Indifference is also obscured because in times of great

tragedy we briefly overcome our indifference and join tragedy we briefly overcome our indifference and join together to help each other (9/11).together to help each other (9/11).

““But when it comes to the slow bleeding that daily drains But when it comes to the slow bleeding that daily drains the spirit and hope from life in our nation’s inner cities, the spirit and hope from life in our nation’s inner cities, indifference shows itself in full measure.indifference shows itself in full measure.

Otherness: We tolerate the misery in the midst of the Otherness: We tolerate the misery in the midst of the affluent society because of the strong sense of ‘them’ affluent society because of the strong sense of ‘them’ that attaches to the miserable, the sense that ‘they’ are that attaches to the miserable, the sense that ‘they’ are not like ‘us,’ that they are different” (552).not like ‘us,’ that they are different” (552).

While whites are unlikely to acknowledge, to see, While whites are unlikely to acknowledge, to see, institutional racism, they can recognize indifference institutional racism, they can recognize indifference within themselveswithin themselves

““The real meaning of race comes down largely to this: The real meaning of race comes down largely to this: Is Is this someone I should care aboutthis someone I should care about??

Summary and ConclusionSummary and Conclusion Accusing a guilty man of the wrong crime is the Accusing a guilty man of the wrong crime is the

greatest gift you can give to him.greatest gift you can give to him. Why?Why?

Because it allows him to self-righteously deny it Because it allows him to self-righteously deny it and maintain innocence while conveniently and maintain innocence while conveniently diverting his attention from his real offensediverting his attention from his real offense

The real crime white America is committing is The real crime white America is committing is indifference (not racism). Accusing white America indifference (not racism). Accusing white America of racism allows them to self-righteously deny it of racism allows them to self-righteously deny it and maintain their innocence.and maintain their innocence.

““Accused of a crime of which their self-Accused of a crime of which their self-examination tells them they are innocent, they can examination tells them they are innocent, they can go to bed with an undisturbed conscience” (554).go to bed with an undisturbed conscience” (554).

Responding to the claimsResponding to the claims Some may say that while there used to be obstacles Some may say that while there used to be obstacles

within the Black community, times have changed. Now within the Black community, times have changed. Now there are opportunities if ‘they’ will only apply there are opportunities if ‘they’ will only apply themselves.themselves.

While there is some truth in this claim, “it fails not only While there is some truth in this claim, “it fails not only to acknowledge the continuing discrimination that does to acknowledge the continuing discrimination that does still exist, but even more importantly, it fails to take into still exist, but even more importantly, it fails to take into account how hard it is to account how hard it is to see see the new opportunities from the new opportunities from the vantage point of the typical block in our poorest the vantage point of the typical block in our poorest neighborhoods” (554).neighborhoods” (554).

Boarded up buildings Boarded up buildings unemployed people unemployed people drug pushersdrug pushers gangs everywhere gangs everywhere and the resultant suffering tend to block the view of the and the resultant suffering tend to block the view of the

wider world.wider world. ““Few children have the capacity to see past such a Few children have the capacity to see past such a

compellingly bleak immediate reality” (554).compellingly bleak immediate reality” (554). How compelling is this argument?How compelling is this argument?