racism PutinI

[Tanya Marquette]

Elham--I thought you kind of got 'it,' but you don't. Racism is about power relationships on an institutional level. As such,

African Americans can not be racist--they don't have any structural power in this country--quite the opposite. Can Black people

be prejudiced? or hold biases? Yes, everyone can. But Racism is about power in only 1 direction. Same for Sexism.

t

[Shannon Nelson]

So in this context only a culture (whether country or other power center) can be racist, it’s not a trait that an individual can have or not-have *as* an individual, so long as they are within that power structure?
See this is one of the problems I have come to realize about words: We may think we are using them to mean the same thing, when actually we aren’t. And that’s part of why I’ve been confused by some of the statements. Because the way that *I* had understood and used the word, which I think is common, could be given as something like, To judge or demean another person based either solely or largely upon their race.

Under that meaning that I had had, racism is very much apart from the power structure itself, and not confined to either Black or White. I guess I might have described “racist” as being kind of a sub-set of “prejudiced and holding biases” -- based on the other person's race.

Thanks for the discussion and the clarification, it does help me better understand the points.
And, as you say—to become *aware* of our biases and prejudices (and privilege!), that can be a difficult first step; like a fish becoming aware of water.

Shannon

[Tanya Marquette]

Shannon

I would like to respond privately. Is this email that shows up on miunutus the right address

t

[Shannon Nelson]

Sure—and yes, that’s the right one.
I’ll be away from computer for some hours now, but will look forward to your note.
Thanks!
Shannon