Racism
Language is our most powerful tool to communicate ideas. Racial prejudice is apparent in our use of language around color. Language invoking color hues (e.g. black) and values (e.g. dark) often promote the idea of black as undesirable or inferior.
Deep, dark secret: extremely private, shameful secret
Dark side: the troubled, negative, usually hidden side of something
In fall 2020, the School Board faces pressure to move to a "by-trustee" system for electing board members, as a way to fulfil requirements of the California Voting Rights Act.
In September 2019, an elementary teacher threw away students' art because it featured Black Lives Matter.
Some people think Barack Obama's election to the presidency symbolizes that America had moved beyond racial divisions and achieved a post-racial society.
Watch the 1965 clip from James Baldwin, and consider- how would Baldwin respond to those who say the political success of Barack Obama means racism is over?
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Racism is based in the idea that blacks as a group are different than whites as a group. These differences are said to account for the differences in access to resources like education, healthcare, and housing.
Racism creates inequality through personal prejudice and discrimination by institutions. It was created by people. It can be challenged and changed.
Antiracists resist racist ideas and policies. Antiracists believe in racial equality- the idea that blacks as a group should have roughly equal access as whites as a group to resources like education, healthcare, and housing.
"Racial inequality is when two or more racial groups are not standing on approximately equal footing" (Kendi). If one race is different, but not better or worse than any other, the group would not fare much better or worse than any others in society. In the United States today, racial groups have unequal access to careers, housing, education, and more. Racial inequality is acceptable to racists, who believe racial groups are different, and those differences create a heirarchy of value.
Racist Ideas
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