Chapter 8Chapter 8

RaceRaceBeyond Stereotypes to the Beyond Stereotypes to the

American DreamAmerican Dream

PrejudicePrejudice

Narrow-minded judgment or opinionNarrow-minded judgment or opinion Different from Discrimination (which Different from Discrimination (which

we all do, picking one thing over we all do, picking one thing over another)another)

Three Characteristics of PrejudiceThree Characteristics of Prejudice StereotypingStereotyping Close-mindednessClose-mindedness Intense FeelingsIntense Feelings

StereotypingStereotyping

““A prejudiced generalization, a way of A prejudiced generalization, a way of thinking that is in error.”thinking that is in error.”

We often make generalizations We often make generalizations because we can not process all because we can not process all information independently.information independently.

Sometimes this serves us well, but we Sometimes this serves us well, but we must be willing to modify these must be willing to modify these judgments AND allow for exceptions.judgments AND allow for exceptions.

Otherwise, we act inappropriately and Otherwise, we act inappropriately and perhaps unjustly.perhaps unjustly.

Close-mindednessClose-mindedness Unwillingness to change.Unwillingness to change. Refusal to accept contradictory Refusal to accept contradictory

information.information. Use of anecdotal evidence to justify Use of anecdotal evidence to justify

uninformed ideas.uninformed ideas. While prejudice sometimes has a basis in While prejudice sometimes has a basis in

fact, we can usually find obvious fact, we can usually find obvious exceptions or contradictions.exceptions or contradictions.

Shortsighted people do not acknowledge Shortsighted people do not acknowledge these problems or refuse to be swayed by these problems or refuse to be swayed by them.them.

Intense Negative Intense Negative FeelingsFeelings

Prejudice feelings that are expressed Prejudice feelings that are expressed in terms of anger, fear, hatredin terms of anger, fear, hatred

Divides into “us” and “them”Divides into “us” and “them” Strong Feelings are what make Strong Feelings are what make

people able to make their prejudicial people able to make their prejudicial ideas knownideas known

Without the intensity of feelings, the Without the intensity of feelings, the thoughts are still wrong but would thoughts are still wrong but would likely never come into the openlikely never come into the open

Roots of PrejudiceRoots of Prejudice

People learn to discriminate at an People learn to discriminate at an early age. early age.

Sometimes that leads to prejudice if Sometimes that leads to prejudice if the environment accepts or the environment accepts or encourages it.encourages it.

People who are prejudiced in one People who are prejudiced in one area are often prejudiced in others area are often prejudiced in others as well.as well.

How do we change?How do we change?

Defeating prejudice will not come simply Defeating prejudice will not come simply from tolerance.from tolerance.

Tolerance is only the first step—it is like Tolerance is only the first step—it is like the absence of strong feelings.the absence of strong feelings.

We must actually We must actually wantwant to be more to be more involved in the lives of those different involved in the lives of those different from us.from us.

We must acknowledge our own We must acknowledge our own limitations and keep our mind open to limitations and keep our mind open to change and new ideas.change and new ideas.

Social ConstructionsSocial Constructions

There really is no such thing as race There really is no such thing as race on a scientific level.on a scientific level.

The differences among us are as great The differences among us are as great as the differences between us.as the differences between us.

Races have been named (generalized) Races have been named (generalized) based on arbitrary lines—maps, color, based on arbitrary lines—maps, color, etc.etc.

If a difference is arbitrary it is a If a difference is arbitrary it is a “social construction”“social construction”

RacismRacism

Racism is prejudice along with powerRacism is prejudice along with power Racism = Prejudice + PowerRacism = Prejudice + Power This definition works for any “ism”This definition works for any “ism”

The question is often posed about The question is often posed about whether or not a minority group can be whether or not a minority group can be racist. If there is no power, there is no racist. If there is no power, there is no ism. ism.

However, on small scale levels groups However, on small scale levels groups that are typically minorities can have that are typically minorities can have power…power…

Racism as a societal Racism as a societal problemproblem

Since we know racism is prejudice and Since we know racism is prejudice and power, we need to look at where true power, we need to look at where true power lies since that large scale power will power lies since that large scale power will influence policy.influence policy.

Racism is subordination based on race Racism is subordination based on race (which, remember, is a social construction)(which, remember, is a social construction)

When racism becomes part of the fabric of When racism becomes part of the fabric of society, it becomes institutional racism—society, it becomes institutional racism—which is dangerous because it is generally which is dangerous because it is generally accepted by well-meaning people and so accepted by well-meaning people and so hard to recognize.hard to recognize.

ExceptionsExceptions

We can look around and find notable We can look around and find notable exceptions for anything—but they are just exceptions for anything—but they are just that, exceptions.that, exceptions.

We need to focus on larger trends, systems, We need to focus on larger trends, systems, and social structures to get a real look at the and social structures to get a real look at the scenery.scenery.

Like many justice issues, leveling the playing Like many justice issues, leveling the playing field may involve some people losing benefits field may involve some people losing benefits they have grown accustomed to (this is not, they have grown accustomed to (this is not, however, an example of injustice).however, an example of injustice).

Jesus and “Otherness”Jesus and “Otherness” ““Otherness” is perceived difference—Otherness” is perceived difference—

those we do not put in our circle of those we do not put in our circle of concern.concern.

Jesus preached to love our enemy and do Jesus preached to love our enemy and do good to those who hurt us.good to those who hurt us.

While this may seem trite and overused, While this may seem trite and overused, the point is still very explicit and very the point is still very explicit and very challenging.challenging.

Why do people hurt one another? Why Why do people hurt one another? Why are people enemies? Lack of knowledge are people enemies? Lack of knowledge is often at the root of an issue.is often at the root of an issue.

Jesus and “Otherness”Jesus and “Otherness”

Jesus said that whatever we do to Jesus said that whatever we do to the least of our brothers and sisters the least of our brothers and sisters we do to Him.we do to Him.

This means that He is “the other” This means that He is “the other” and we must treat others as we and we must treat others as we would treat Jesus.would treat Jesus.

This was revolutionary during His This was revolutionary during His time and remains so today.time and remains so today.