readings for 3/10

Kivel, 22-247

multiculturalism in America is neither democratic nor anti-racist... quite the opposite. still. nobody is striving for a (i know these politically have negative connotations) socialist/humanist ideal where you reach out to your neighbor rather than say its their problem and their fault. common solutions is a theme, but competition and individuality and this sense that "everyone has the same opportunity, you just have to work hard" is so thoroughly imprinted in our society's blueprint that is passed on generation after generation, along with numerous other prescribed/ascribed statuses and roles, that the framework has to be rebuilt with some MAJOR renovations. and these renovations are not to be purely bureaucratic, because our democracy is clearly devoid of color (white), but something that is based on multicultural inclusion.

in order for this to happen though, each subculture must have a competent voice that is at an equal level as all the others; white superiority starts superficially but is integrated in education, family structure, health opportunities, well-being, etc etc. it is instituted throughout the nation and lack of knowledge is what continues to keep oppressed races in standing. tolerance should be the theme of a nation that has such a successful reputation for the opposite and the deculturalization of entire peoples.

as long as the dominant white race remains in its dormant, naive state where integration has occurred, racism died after the civil rights movement, and those of us white people fail to spread the wealth found in understanding and compassion, inequalities shall reign free and strong.

racism without racists- chapter 3

because the normative climate of racism has changed post-Civil Rights/Jim Crow, so have the linguistic manners/rhetorical strategies when talking about race
whites' avoidance of direct racial language to express their racial views (like the old guy at the restaurant saying "Homeboy" rather than the N word), using projection as a rhetorical tool to defend any accusations someone might have about you, like saying that they segregate themselves... "why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria, eh??"

in many of the responses to questions about race, the rhetoric is so round about, its hard to even understand what they are trying to say! incoherence is just another indication that if they cannot talk about race, they do not know about race, and are inevitably socialized in a racist society.