Xiaoxiao Zhang
A41709432
WRA150 section28
Annotated bibliography 9—Defining Racism “Can we talk?”
1 source info
Beverly Daniel Tatum. Can We Talk? Reader for Writers. Craig Collin, Staci perryman-Clark, and Nancy C Dejoy, eds. Boston MA. McGraw Hill, 2008.
2 The summary
The author analyzed three sources of prejudice—stereotypes, omissions and distortions. She also made a distinction between prejudice and racism and defined multiple terms like cultural racism, internalized oppression. She subdivided the article into three parts, they are: racism as a system of advantage to the whites; Does racism exist in other groups of people; the cost of racism and racism in the language use. In the first part she pointed out that racism is a system that favors the whites in subtle ways that some of us even do not realize. The second part of the article brings u the question of whether racism is a word that applies only to the whites. It answered the question by defining racism as white superiority therefore it is most relevant to be applied to the whites. However, racial prejudice can exist in all people. She also pointed out there is active and passive racism and interrupting racism is not only the whites’ task. Lastly, she mentioned that racism actually result in large economic cost to the society therefore the whites also have a strong incentive to make changes even the system benefits them.
3 Quotations
When referring to other people of color, I try to use the terms the people themselves want to be called. (204) so, not all whites are active racist. Many are passively racist. (202) why should whites who are advantaged by racism want to end the system of advantage? (203) the word holds a lot of emotional power. For many white people, to be called racist is the ultimate insult. (200) “can people of color be racist?” I reply, “The answer depends on your definition of racism.” If one defines racism as racial prejudice, the answer is yes. However, if one defines racism as a system of advantage based on race, the answer is no. (200) The unexamined prejudice of parents are passed on to the children. It is not our fault, but it is our responsibility to interrupt the cycle. (198) Stereotypes, omissions and distortions all contribute to the development of prejudice. (197)
4 Reflection on usefulness
Beverly’s article gives a good definition of racism and answers to many related problems. It serves as an effective guide to the world of racism and the cure of it. It certainly can is a good source of reference when we do research on racism. Its reader-friendly language and tone also makes it a pleasurable reading experience for readers.
#11. For class next time, please write approximately a page in response to the following in-class discussion questions:
1) In general, what is Tatum’s argument about racism in our culture? How does she define racism? What causes racism in our culture? What does it have to do with the types of knowledges (literacies) people have about people of other races? Do you agree or disagree with what she’s saying, and why?
Tatum concluded three sources of prejudice—stereotypes, omissions and distortions. She also made a distinction between prejudice and racism. She defined racism as a system of advantage to the whites. I think racism mostly relates to the ignorance of the culture of other races. I agree to her saying as most of us do not bother to know people from different races or even different cultures. I feel there is a huge gap between different racial and ethical groups here—even different Asians do not really talk to each other. However, it largely depends on individuals; some people are less aware of the racial difference and hence are more ready to reach out.
2) Next, make a list of all your ‘multiple identities’: race, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, occupation, major, as many as you can think of. Now pick one that is very important to who you are. What privileges do you experience because of this identity? What prejudices have you experienced from others?
Chinese, female, middle class, straight, Christian, student, accounting major… I think my middle class background makes me feel somehow more privileged that many of my peers in Singapore wanted an American/ British education but they can’t get it and I can. It also makes me aware that some of my richer friends feel rich around me. Also my race as an Asian just come to America makes me feel self-conscious that sometimes I am not very confident to talk to people because I do not talk as fast and fluently. Still, I have to try. On the other hand, my Mandarin skills make me stood out in the Ernst & Young interview.
3) What does Tatum say about the system of racism in our culture? How is racism perpetuated? What about active vs. passive racism? What does she mean by this? How does what she’s saying compare/contrast to your experiences occupying the identity you just talked about?
What is your relationship to the system of racism Tatum talks about in respect to the identity you discussed in 2), and why (i.e. do you benefit from it, are you oppressed by it, do you passively participate in it, etc.)?
It is perpetuated by stereotypes, ignorance and distortions. Most of us are not strongly against people of other races but we also do not mind other people having that attitude, this is passive racism. I have to say that I am not racist because of my overly ignorant nature that I do not usually realize people are different, I just see them as “people”. I adopt a philosophy that all people are not very different because in the end we all die and all we have to do is to be a good person, make the world a better place and we can go to heaven. So I do not feel superior or inferior around most of the people.
4) Now take the community you’re working on for project #3. How might any of the identities you listed in #2 IN ANY WAY affect your interactions with this community (i.e. do you have prejudices about this community, do you really like the community, etc.). What already existing notions do you have about it?
I really like this community because we are all competitors and friends. We are a group of aspiring accounting students who genuinely care about our future careers. Of course my not-very-fast speaking makes me feel self-conscious sometimes when other girls talk extra-fast, I do not feel intimidated because the focus of this association is accounting as a profession rather than language. I meet a lot of good people and opportunities there. However, the thing about this community is that you have to reach out rather than sitting there waiting for someone to talk to you.
