Blog #2 - Am I racist?

Posted Thu, 07/16/2009 - 19:49 by rbrs11

  I find it very uncomfortable to admit what I am about to; I could be defined as a racist. Not in terms of active racism, as I feel I never commit acts of racial bigotry or discrimination, nor do I permit myself to think in such a terrible way. No, I’m talking in terms of passive racism, which the Tatum chapter (Connie and Tanya’s presentation) defines as a more subtle form of racism, and includes laughing at race related jokes, being accepting of the omission of people of colour from curricula, and avoiding race related issues. At times in the past,I am guilty of these things.

  I’m not sure that I agree with the definition Tatum creates. Specifically, I don’t agree that avoiding race related issues necessarily makes someone a racist (or viewed another way, if a person is not actively trying to resolve racial issues, they are a racist). I understand that being passive does not help to rectify race related conflict or inequalities, and that as a consequence, reproduction of these issues may occur. As well, being very closely positioned to the dominant North American culture (white, male, straight, Christian by appearance), I can see how many would see my passiveness as sign of my desire to see reproduction occur. However, minimal or non-existent participation in race related issues does not conclusively mean that someone does not want to see equality in opportunity for all peoples.

  Sometimes I think definitions are created to put people in uncomfortable positions so that they may act in certain ways to correct the discomfort. Certain agencies define ‘alcoholics’ in such a way that I would be considered an alcoholic since I have 6 beers in one night once a week. I don’t consider myself an alcoholic and my drinking has never, to my knowledge, caused any problem. So why would an agency define alcoholism in this way? Probably because they are concerned about the quantity of alcohol people in general drink and are hoping that someone like myself would be uncomfortable with this label and would change their habits. To me, this is immoral. I want racism to be gone because how you judge or treat people should not be done based on the color of their skin. I want racism gone because it’s wrong, not because I’m uncomfortable with a label. Perhaps I am a racist in some peoples minds, but I won't be acting to resolve issues of race just to change their minds.

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Myriam's picture

Yes you are racist

by Myriam - 07/19/2009 - 12:01

Yes you are racist and so am I. In fact, we all are. I think the people who are the most racist are those who are not able to admit it. How can we not be? We've been indoctrinated with knowledge of the "others" and no matter how much you try to be conscious of your thoughts and actions, everyone to some extent or another is racist.

I'll give two definitions of racism

1) the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races

2) discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race.

Both these definitions don't mean that it takes someone to say in a matter of fact type of way that they feel this way. On the contrary, both these actions take place in a much more subtle way. Putting this into the context of education, ask yourself:

-Have you ever assumed a child was not capable of achieving something due to their race?

-Has a child ever missed school due to a family or cultural event that you see as unsignificant and are frustrated to the fact that they have missed class?

- Have you ever taught history in a way that makes the white man seem like the one who brought knowledge and civilization to Canada? (I would bet my life that most people do not blink an eye at this one)

We are constantly perpetuating this idea that the white, christian, european man was the one who created this place we call Canada. By doing this we do not educate our students, we do not take into account the various forms of knowledges that were here before us. We are valuing the dominant cultures knowledge over First Nations knowledge. We do this ALL the time. This is one example of the many things that take place in our classroom that is racist.

Sorry folks but its the truth.

SHOCKING REALIZATION OF RACISM! Blog #8 ( a response)

by Shanaz Ramji - 07/19/2009 - 15:38

 

After reading these last two blogs, conversing in class, reflecting on the readings, and chatting with my husband about our classroom conversations, I have come to a shocking and uncomfortable realization! I too have shown racism in my class but in a very subtle way towards South Asian students. I am so ashamed! I have not bonded as well with these students (especially those that express their culture freely through their dress and language) as much as the “white” children and families in my class. Furthermore, I have not communicated as freely with the parents in relation to the “white” families and have tended to talk more about the “white” children in my class. Yet, I have South Asian friends within the school faculty and have been very open to having students share their South Asian holidays and festivals in class. Over the past five to six years, I have come dressed to school in South Asian clothing during special days but still have still kept arms way from bonding with these families.  A vast proportion of my cultural identity, mother tongue, and ancestry are South Asian and yet, I have difficulty identifying myself as South Asian.  So where has this come from?
I believe my suppression and lack of acknowledgement of my identity comes from my experiences as a new immigrant to Canada in the 70s. A large proportion of us left East Africa and immigrated to North America. It soon became very obvious through schooling and the attitudes that prevailed that we needed to suppress our identity and heritage. We needed to assimilate and become part of the dominant culture if we were to gain any sense of belonging. We were subject to racist comments in school, community, and this continued well into the early 90s. I always remember being one of the last ones chosen to be in a group in school, being teased about how I ate my food, and until about last year, I would always stop and think before I took South Asian food for lunch. In my elementary, high school and university years, I refused to identify with anything that resembled the South Asian culture. My way of talking, clothing, diet, who I was friends with reflected that I wanted to blend into the white culture! My attitudes changed in the 90s as I became friends with people who freely expressed their culture and when the South Asian culture became more accepted within our society. Today, eating Indian food, enjoy Indian music, dressing in Indian clothing, and putting henna has become a fad!
I believe that I have not bonded well with the South Asian due to the suppression I experienced earlier in my life. I have been resistant to bonding with these students and their families from fear of being seen as “one of them”. Furthermore, I am very cognizant of not favouring one group of students over another, and yet I have been doing that all along in my teaching career! This realization will definitely change my course of action when I return to school. Furthermore, the conversations we have had in class have enabled me to feel comfortable with who I am. I know that I will return to my class in September with a new perspective and beginning.  Thank you to all of you, Shirley, and my husband for helping me realize this.

Shocking Truth

by vietthu16 - 07/22/2009 - 15:45

Before taking this class, I did not identify myself as a racist.  Like all of you, I find it hard to accept  the fact that I have been a racist all my life in subtle ways.  I am a racist when I

  • want my mate to be Vietnamese
  • want my children to be Vietnamese-Canadian hetersexual male or female
  • want my children to marry someone who is within the culture, is educated and able to take care of a family
  • refuse to cook other cultures' food at home
  • buy Japanese vehicles only
  • refuse to buy products of China

Racism is everywhere.  My small dog, Happy, for example, was a racist when she continuously barked at East Indian and/or homeless people.  Was it her intention? probably not.

 

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