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How to encourage racism.By JGillman, Section News
What might you think is a main underlying reason for racism? Why would someone have a problem with another person who has skin of a different shade or color?
I would argue its not the color of skin, but what people have been taught to believe are commonalities within people who share the skin color. Stereotypes that are taught from an early age, and persist until "unlearned" through social interaction. The sharing of tasks, duties, and similar life experiences are crucial as a demonstration that the difference in skin color is simply THAT.. A difference in skin color. So why do we still see attempts to encourage thinking otherwise? Its happening here in Michigan, and its apparently quite blatant.
A heads up from Leon Drolet through a ( quite informative) email newsletter brings to our attention a recent outing of African American students that was exclusionary of their fellow students who might have been white or a different color. From the Detroit News:
"A school trip for African-Americans pupils only at an Ann Arbor elementary school last week was meant to inspire them to greater achievement, but instead ignited protest from other children and their parents. How incredibly shortsighted. The trip was not merely to see a rocket scientist but as it turns out, an "African American" rocket scientist. Presumably the intent was to inspire the children and let them know that THEY TOO can aspire to such things. Let that stew for a sec. Indeed, they too should aspire, but the motivation to do so should no more be influenced by skin color than waking up in the morning should be affected by skin color. The interest should be one of self interest. The lesson they took away however, is that they must have special coaxing, because no one assumes it to be natural that they would aspire to such things. How incredibly sad. Sad too, is that the very act of taking them from the other children promotes the stereotype that they NEED special assistance. The other children throughout their life will have those attitudes reinforced already, but to have it start so young, and at the most impressionable of times,makes it even more tragic. The rocket scientist being African American could have served a greater lesson to all students, if he would have been presented with no consideration to his skin color. Presenting him as he should be, NORMAL, would have been far more a productive force for the social growth of all the children.
Racism will always have some part in reality, and it will go both ways. But Until the schools, media, and government truly becomes colorblind, we will face a continuation of general stereotypes and a broader distrust of our brothers who have different pigmentation of skin.
How to encourage racism. | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 hidden)
How to encourage racism. | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 hidden)
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