...Color Blind or Color Brave? Carrie Rawdan SS236-05 Professor Burnett February, 24th, 2015 The story of Mellody Hobson “Color blind or Color brave” is a powerful speech about the reality of current day racism. She choose to share her brilliant ideas and life experiences by giving a speech on TED. Her stories of racism and her triumph of becoming one of two black woman running a fortune 500 company are intriguing. Mellody Hobson delivers a powerful speech that touches the heart and encourages the mind to decide if we are Color blind or Color brave”. “TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages” (TED, 2014). This is an amazing opportunity for people to share their views, life experience, and intelligence in a global community setting. Mellody Hobson, the chairwoman for DreamWorks, started her speech on TED with a full audience. She spoke of a story supporting a friend at a predominantly white meeting and was mistaken for the kitchen help. “This experience made her ask herself and friend, is this a good enough reason why we need more racial diversity in the U.S Senate” (Hobson Mellody, 2014)? The daughter of a single mother and five other siblings, Mellody said she was taught at a very young age the realness of the world from her mother. One day after a birthday party, Mellody’s mother did not ask the normal question...
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...Racism is based on the belief that one's race is superior to that of others, and this racial superiority provides justification for discrimination. Racism is people hold power over others because of their skin color and racial inheritance. Racism shows that the quality of man is based his, on the color of his skin rather than on his actions. Despite who discriminates, or why is it done and how it is practiced and defended, racism promotes power, recognition, advantages, and opportunity for some people at the expense of others. Racial discrimination destroys what many strive to build. Racism leads to hate, war, and the worst forms of social injustice. On the other hand, a world without racism is one in which the benefits of love, forgiveness, kindness and understanding would flourish. Race has been a problem in the United States for a long time. More specifically, people have been treated differently according to their race. Different races have also had different levels of academic and professional success. Despite being illegal for several decades, segregation is still existent in many public schools in the United States. However, it has become long-standing; it has been hidden deep inside society. Many Black Americans live in poor communities. Therefore, they attend poorly prepared and worn out schools. Without the necessary materials needed to learn, they lose interest in school. As a result, many of these students drop out of school before graduation. In turn, their potential...
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...The United States is a large melting pot of all races. You can find many different colors of people in the U.S. from Whites, Yellow, Black, Orange and you name it. Even with society being so called color blind, where everyone’s views on people's skin color is not applicable in today’s day and age; there is still racial tension in people’s judgments. Racism still goes on today, the problems that make racism hard to conquer in America is; racial profiling in police authority and entertainment television which is ultimately in direct correlation with stereotyping. These are some of the reasons why racism is still relevant in some cases now and this answers the question of if America has conquered racism. The main focus of racism now come from stereotyping each racial ethnicity. Each race has their very own vague descriptions based on culture and beliefs. These stereotypes becoming well known in today's society it comes with the price of racial profiling in police authority. There are such events involving racial profiling especially through the police procedures such as “stop and frisk”. Stop and frisking is described as racial profiling mainly because police officers often stop people based on physical...
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...Peggy McIntosh, I experienced pangs of shame about the underserved benefits that I have received my whole life just for being white. Although I consider myself to be a culturally aware student and am extremely aware of active racism, I have not only failed to recognize passive racism but have adamantly denied that it is the norm in American society. This article effectively conveyed to me how blind I have been to the biased societal system that affects every individual’s daily life. The white as normative concept especially hit home because I realize how often I act as if white people are the rule and all others are the exceptions which is a divisive and harmful way of thinking....
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...Race/Ethnicity Institutional vs. Blatant Racism and Education and Race vs. Social Class Race has been a serious concern in the United States. More specifically, people have been treated differently according to their race. Different races have also had different levels of academic and professional success. Despite being illegal for several decades, segregation is still existent in many public schools in the United States. However, it has become institutionalized; it is hidden deep inside society. Many Black Americans live in poor communities. Therefore, they attend poorly equipped and worn out schools. Without the necessary materials and environment needed to learn, they lose interest in school. Consequently, many of these students drop out of school before graduation. In turn, their potential to achieve higher education and economic status severely diminishes. As discussed in class, prejudice and discrimination are closely related. Prejudice is the thought one has towards another group while discrimination is the action performed towards another group. Prejudice often leads to discrimination. Derogatory terms towards other races or ethnicites have been the cause for genocides, population transfer, and segregation (Witt 2010:302) Discrimination is a great obstacle for Black Americans who seek to achieve a higher economic status. More specifically, racial profiling has been an impediment towards Black American employment. Better known as the glass ceiling, this has caused...
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...The story of Mellody Hobson “Color blind or Color brave” is a powerful speech about the reality of current day racism. She choose to share her brilliant ideas and life experiences by giving a speech on TED. Her stories of racism and her triumph of becoming one of two black woman running a fortune 500 company are intriguing. Mellody Hobson delivers a powerful speech that touches the heart and encourages the mind to decide if we are Color blind or Color brave”. “TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages” (TED, 2014). This is an amazing opportunity for people to share their views, life experience, and intelligence in a global community setting. Mellody Hobson, the chairwoman for DreamWorks, started her speech on TED with a full audience. She spoke of a story supporting a friend at a predominantly white meeting and was mistaken for the kitchen help. “This experience made her ask herself and friend, is this a good enough reason why we need more racial diversity in the U.S Senate” (Hobson Mellody, 2014)? The daughter of a single mother and five other siblings, Mellody said she was taught at a very young age the realness of the world from her mother. One day after a birthday party, Mellody’s mother did not ask the normal question of “how was the party or did you enjoy the cake; She asked how she was treated. This left her...
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...Racism has been a widespread epidemic in our U.S. Criminal Justice system. It is evident that racism exists in the court systems and behind prison walls. However, in the Criminal Justice system, it is covered up by rules, regulations, and the law. The writings of James Baldwin’s “If Beale Street Could Talk”, (1974) exposes how the views of racist individuals can put another person in the custody of the court. Further, causing this person to be placed in the prison system as the outcome of racialism. Fonny, a black male, is falsely accused of committing a crime and he is at the mercy of the justice system. He is an example of how this racist cycle can have long- lasting effects on a human being. The struggles of a black man trying to deal with...
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...Racism and Its Effects Introduction Racism is an ongoing force that negatively impacts the lives of Americans every day. The racist mindset in America stems from the times of slavery, where blacks were thought to be inferior to whites. Throughout history, the ideology of race and racism has evolved and developed several different meanings. Today, we can still see the devastating effects of racism on people of color, as well as whites. “Racism, like other forms of oppression, is not only a personal ideology based on racial prejudice, but a system involving cultural messages and institutional policies and practices as well as beliefs and actions of individual” (Tatum, pg. 9). As a result of this system, it leaves the oppressed at a great disadvantage in society. This includes “access to social, cultural, and economic resources and decision making” (Rothenberg, 2007). In order for change to come about and for the American society to reach racial inequality, we first have to acknowledge the problem openly, which our society has yet to do. In this paper I am going to analyze the meaning of racism and how it affects both people of color and whites. In doing so, I am going to explore how racism impacts one’s racial identity, using my life experiences as an example. I will also demonstrate how racism leads to prejudice and discrimination and provide examples of these. I will close the paper with solutions and ideas to improve our communities and our society...
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...I believe that Tim Wise would take issue with and say to anyone who wants a color blind society that it just isn’t happening. He gives an example in his speech about giving a workshop for police officers. These police officers, in the first few minutes of his workshop out themselves as discriminatory. If America is supposed to be color blind, why do such racist beliefs exist among those who are supposed to protect and serve? Tim Wise also states that white privilege allows him a better chance at finding a place to live, and a chance to receive better health care just based on him being white. It’s very powerful when he states that over one million black people die a year just because they are not white, and unable to take advantage of white privelege. From the Unpacking the Invisible Backpack section, I believe Tim Wise’s assertions fall in line with, “41. I can be sure that if I need legal or medical help, my race will not work against me.” and “3. (Unpacking the Invisible Backpack, Mcintosh) If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure of renting or purchasing housing in an area which I can afford and in which I would want to live.” Not only does the idea of color blindness reek of white privilege, it takes away what is great about...
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...In the study done by Hartmann, Gerteis, and Croll, the focus was on the theoretical aspects of whiteness studies. The findings led the researchers to estimate that in the United States, 15% of the population exhibit what may be called ‘categorical whiteness’ (404). The study by Hartmann, et.al, was carried out using data obtained during a recent national survey, which helped provide an empirical assessment of the theoretical underpinnings of whiteness studies (Hartmann, et.al 404). Three propositions regarding the awareness and conception of whites about their own racial status were analyzed. The propositions included: the understanding of racial privileges, the invisibility of the white identity, and adherence to individualistic and color-blind ideals. The findings turned out to be consistent with those previously spelled out in whiteness theories. Hartmann, et.al, discovered that white Americans are much less aware of privilege compared to individuals belonging to minority groups...
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...No matter where you are in the United States, when a word like racism is thrown around, its subject and all related material are bound to cause controversy and disagreements. Color blindness, or racial blindness is one of these issues associated with racial advantages or opportunities. It is a sociological term meant to disregard when discussing participation in something. My view on this issue is con-color blindness for several reasons. First of all, the United States is still not seen as truly equal when offering some opportunities. Also, there are not distinctions or classifications for people to base any kind of statistics on. For these and other reason, color blindness used nationally would not be successful in this country. Affirmative action is one case of con-color blindness. This is a method of offering opportunities to certain people according to race, gender, or religion that are misrepresented in the process. In other words, they are not getting an equal opportunity for jobs or education. I believe this helps open up chances for everyone that would normally not offered to them. It creates more of a broad spectrum in the fields of employment and education as everyone is more represented in these fields. Most Americans are split on this issue and with the introduction of racial color blindness; it has created more controversy on the subject of equality. The role of education would be changed dramatically if we did not recognize race. Several scholarships...
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...with racism and inequality, I only have to speak to my relatives to understand we have a long way to go until Americans see individuals for their accomplishments rather than their race. In President Obama’s inaugural address he made a hint to the end of a racial era. “…because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds...
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...utilize what is called the color blind approach, which is the approach of attempting to see everyone as equals and not bias someone because of their race or culture. In the book “Racism without racists” Eduardo Bonilla-Silva discusses the color blind approach as an extension of racism saying individuals “don’t see any color just people” (page 1) this method is commonly utilized on the ones who for the most part don't recognize themselves as white. Yet this where I believe the ones who use this approach are lacking. In fairness the colorblind approach is probably what most preach to their teachers to follow and may sound ideal as it showcases decency and fairness and that we are all the same, but unfortunately every student in his or her own right are not the same and the bulk of minorities don't relate to the moderately aged white man or lady and their approach to connecting to students. We want to be able to have the ability to connect to all of our students, but how can we take that step forward that is so desperately needed? Working in a dominantly minority school and me being a minority has helped me I believe as opposed to my white counterparts. But I do not think it is just my appearance that helps, the fact that I use the method of being “color conscious” as opposed to being “color blind”. Color consciousness is a more empathetic approach to a student’s background, understanding our student’s situations as best as we can as opposed to being color blind where we don’t take into...
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...Racism Final Assignment RACISM Europe, Middle East, Britain and United States. by Lois C. Etete Prof Mehdi Nazer HUM: 112 June 13, 2012 Introduction This document will analyze the contemporary society but also discern present events patterns that will continue to be of consequences five to ten years hence. The paper will explain Racism as a serious problem confronting societies at the present time. The document will draw attention to the fact that these problems or issues are rooted in human civilization. Racism is the belief that characteristics and abilities can be attributed to people simply on the basis of their race and that some racial groups are superior to others. Racism and discrimination have been used as powerful weapons encouraging fear or hatred of others in times of conflict and war, and even during economic downturns. Racism is also a very touchy subject for some people, as issues concerning free speech and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights come into play. Some people argue that talking about supporting racial discrimination and prejudice is just words and that free speech should allow such views to be aired without restriction. Others point out that these words can lead to some very dire and serious consequences (the Nazi government policies being one example).Race: Are We So Different, Understanding Race, American Anthropological Association (AAA), July 8, 2009 In a short video the Understanding Race project from...
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...Cheryl Boulden , a 52 year old African American employee of the United Stated Forest Service (USFS), expressed that she was the victim of harassment and discrimination by a male supervisor because of her skin color, abilities, and having a relative in higher position. Her testimony shows that she experienced a hostile work environment that worsened after complaining to the Equal Employment Officer. In order to increase the effectiveness of the Affirmative Action Plan( AAP) it is necessary to understand the issue of discrimination in this case. In this context, Boulden was the victim of discrimination that can be attributed to racism from coworkers. From her narrative, we learned that her coworkers placed the blame of the situation on her...
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