Discussion:
Racism is unfortunately still present in our
society and the birth of social media has sadly enhanced it. It varies from a
single person commenting about a certain situation is that is currently
happening (e.g. Ferguson, Missouri), to memes about it. Lately it seems like a
lot of crimes have been stimulated by racism and dependent on the color of
someone’s skin tone. An article that was published in Politico by John
McWhorter called, “Racism 2.0: The new, racist Atticus Finch isn’t entirely
black and white” which basically compares Harper Lee’s two stories: “To Kill A
Mockingbird” and more recently, “Go Set a Watchman”. McWhorter says “Mockingbird”
teaches Racism 1.0 which in the sixties referred that it’s wrong to openly
treat black people like second-class citizens. However, “Watchman” teaches the
lesson about racism considered equally urgent in our times, which we call
Racism 2.0. One quote that McWhorter uses when describing how Atticus Finch
(fictional character in ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’) informs the public about
racism has grown present in today’s society. That is, “Atticus taught exactly
what today’s Salon reader is proud to teach all who listen—that racism is no
longer a matter of snarling fools popping off with the N-word”. The example
that is used is when a lawyer that will keep a black man innocent but doesn’t want
too many of his descent in his (the lawyer’s) neighborhood.
Position:
My stance on racism is that I simply don’t approve of it because it just calls for drama and we apparently live in a country of freedom and calls itself “United” but I don’t witness that. I feel like I’ve been discriminated against because people’s actions will kind of give it away. An example I can think of is sometimes I’ll be walking around in a store and a mother will have her child with her and I’ll happen to be walking towards them. When I get within 30 feet of them, the mother will automatically pull her child closer to her even when the child wasn’t that far in the first place. When it happens, I don’t know what to think half the time, because I’ll be thinking that I did something wrong when really the woman could’ve been paranoid to judging me and my character. No, this doesn’t mean that I think everyone who does this is racist because they’re not, people are protective of their children which is understandable. I’ve had a feeling though that sometimes it stems from the fact that I am African American even though I am white also. Racism is sadly unfair to me because no one can change the color of their skin that they were born with. Our society has gotten caught up in all the stereotypes that they hear about different nationalities and apply it to everyone of that descent which is racist in itself because then you are judging someone off the complexion of their skin tone and not of their personality and behaviors. I wish I could say racism is going to end soon but I just don’t see that as the case because people are always going to use those motives when particular crimes happen. It’s already present with the “white” cops killing innocent “black” men, a “white” guy shoots down people in an African American church in South Carolina, etc. It needs to stop but the question is will it? And how long until people realize they are just damaging the community and forcing separation on each other in our own country?
I also came across the article about "To Kill A Mockingbird" and "Go Set A Watchman" while doing my reseach WI 2.0! I found that article really interesting and now I definitely want to read "Watchman" since I've only read "Mockingbird" so far.
ReplyDeleteI think the experience you talk about is exactly what Racism 2.0 is! It's so sad that prejudices seem to be so branded into people's brains that they (often unconsciously) act in a, for the population affected, offending way.
I agree with you that racism is still present in the United States. I liked the connection you made between the article you read and the assignment.
ReplyDeleteI like your personal story about the grocery store. That's unfortunate. I have children but I have never felt the need to protect my kids in response to a person's skin color. I have, however, locked my car doors when a homeless person walked passed or left a park playground when a middle-aged white man (who didn't seem to have kids) came and sat on a bench watching the children play. It's not about race as much as stereotypes. In fact, in that park scenario, I would have felt better if the middle-aged man were black. Because the picture of a pedophile I have in my mind is an older white man. When the Trayvon Martin case was still being talked about, I was a bit annoyed at the idea that a black teenager simply walking alone would cause suspicion. Although, George Zimmerman may be racist (I don't know one way or the other), for me I would pay more attention to how that teenager was dressed, what time of night it was, how they were acting, etc. than what color their skin was. A large male teenager of ANY color walking around at night wearing baggy pants and a hoodie would scare me (mostly because I'm a female). Same with the Ferguson situation. A large teenager of any color who had just robbed a convenience store, was obviously under the influence of something, and who came charging at me would most certainly make me think my life was in danger. People are so quick to blame race when there are a lot of other factors. Poor people, for instance, experience a great deal of judgment, oppression, and prejudice. Poor white people experience a lot of the same injustice as poor black people. It's not all about race. I'm not discounting your experience because it very well could have been based solely on the color of your skin. I'm just saying that not all white people think that way, and not all situations that appear to be about race are actually about race.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the social media aspect of your post because that medium escalates things and makes the situation worse, especially because a lot of people who get involved in social media are uneducated on the matter. I have also experienced the same thing you have in the grocery store and in public period its a shame it has to be like that, but it is just deeper than race its spiritual wickedness.
ReplyDelete