...Race, White Privilege, and the Gospel Pre-Presbytery Workshop Presbytery of Chicago October 12, 2010 David Esterline, McCormick Theological Seminary Jennifer Ikoma-Motzko, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship 1 Why work against racism? Theological foundations God created all people good. To deny some people (because of skin color or language) the privileges other have, is to deny God’s good creation. To allow this system—in which some receive advantages simply because of skin color—to go unchecked is to deny that God made all people in God’s own good image. 2 Race Race is a social and political reality, not a biological or genetic reality. There is widespread agreement among scholars that race, as understood in the United States, is a social construct – rather than an objective, scientifically or biologically consistent characteristic of a person or group of persons. 3 Race How is it that there is such certainty about a concept that is so poorly defined? There is no agreement among scholars about a biological or physiological definition that can be sustained. 4 Race “Present-day inequalities between so-called ‘racial’ groups are not consequences of their biological inheritance but products of historical and contemporary social, economic, educational, and political circumstances.” American Anthropological Association 2006 5 Race Rewards—indicators of well-being—in the U.S. are based on racial group more than on any other characteristic or association...
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...SOW 5629 Lecture 1 Constructing Differences The readings in this text explore how the categories of race, class, gender, and sexuality are socially constructed and transformed into systems of inequality. I. Introduction Your author states that the categories that we use to describe ourselves and those around us are the product of social rather than biological factors. Relative to race, it is unlikely that anyone is “racially pure.” But we have to recognize the social factors, because these are the bases for social interaction in our daily lives. These social factors make them culturally significant in our daily interactions. Question: Just because we are culturally different, does that make difference itself into a negative? No, it is not differences that are necessarily negative. In fact, cultural differences make us more interesting to one another. So differences in and of themselves, do not make us unequal. **It is the meanings and values applied to these differences that make them harmful. So when we apply meanings and values to these differences, we are essentially creating structures of social stratification – a system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy, and how social stratification results in systems of inequality. In this hierarchy, those at the top of it, are deemed to have positive attributes, and are the keepers of the culture and society. Therefore, they are viewed as being more moral, and intelligent...
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...is the foundation of its' reasoning. As time has brought about changes that America never could have imagined somehow America has reverted itself slowly to its ' origin just as a clock would dial back the hands of time, capturing the original reason for fighting freedom, no individualism. Therefore, it is necessary to say that collectivism is back because it was never completely out of the picture but just waiting for greed to resurrect it and give it a new body. Individualism and collectivism are two items that pose major concerns in the world that we live today and can be contrasted based on the dilemma of disbanding one for the other including the thoughts of different races and their interpretations of the world today. Individualism holds that the individual is the primary unit of reality and the ultimate standard of value. This view does not deny that societies exist or that people benefit from living in them, but it sees society as a collection of individuals, not something over and above them (Stata, 1992). Individualism is at once an ethical-psychological concept, and an ethical-political one. As an ethical-psychological concept, individualism holds that a human being should think and judge independently, respecting nothing more than the sovereignty of his or her mind; thus, it is intimately connected with the...
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...Does Race Exist? * Posted 02.15.00 * NOVA The concept of race is one of the most intellectually and emotionally charged subjects, not only in society but in science as well. NOVA Online asked two leading anthropologists, Dr. Loring Brace of the University of Michigan and Dr. George Gill of the University of Wyoming, who fall on either side of the debate about whether race exists in biologic terms, to state their points of view. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, we think you will find their arguments well-reasoned and thought-provoking. Loring Brace and George Gill come down on different sides of the question Does race exist biologically? Read their viewpoints here. EnlargePhoto credit: © andipantz/iStockphoto AN ANTAGONIST'S PERSPECTIVE by C. Loring Brace I am going to start this essay with what may seem to many as an outrageous assertion: There is no such thing as a biological entity that warrants the term "race." The immediate reaction of most literate people is that this is obviously nonsense. The physician will retort, "What do you mean 'there is no such thing as race'? I see it in my practice everyday!" Jane Doe and John Roe will be equally incredulous. Note carefully, however, that my opening declaration did not claim that "there is no such thing as race." What I said is that there is no "biological entity that warrants the term 'race'." "You're splitting hairs," the reader may retort. "Stop playing verbal games and tell us what you really mean...
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...Dream a reality. Horatio Alger believes that success can be reached with “hard work, persistence and initiative.” Through his critical analysis of Alger’s pieces, Dalton explores Alger’s myth through social realities, like discrimination based on race and current economic standing. Taking “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara into consideration, Dalton would praise Miss Moore’s teachings and tell Sylvia and her friends that they mustn’t listen to the classic “rags to riches” myths of most stories. In “Horatio Alger” by Dalton, Dalton argues that the myth of commercial success is not only false but socially destructive. Alger’s first claim is that “each of us is judged solely on his/her own merits.” Dalton proceeds to counter argue that this is only true when it pertains to white people. Dalton further believes that Alger’s formula for success is too optimistic and blind to the social and racial caste system of the world. When black people are only compared to people of the same race they cannot be held to the same standard as white people, which is true for other races as well. Stereotypes give society a basic conception of each race that is not based solely on their worth but on their position on the social scale and the color of their skin. This myth gives society the wrong expectation of each race and causes them to believe that certain races possess quality traits that others don’t. Overall, Dalton believes that one’s achievements will be acknowledged but their race and social...
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...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 the American Anthropological Association says race is a powerful idea and an enduring concept, invented by society. It has also fostered inequality and discrimination for centuries, as well as influencing how we relate to other human beings. Curses of Racism in History Racism did not originate from a single source, but rather from a combination...
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...Definition of Race Cristen Sanders SOC/262 February 29, 2016 Carol Definition of Race Race has been an issue in the United States for hundreds of years. At times it seems like more of an issue than it should be. No matter how far we come, it always seems that another issue arises and it leads back to race. If we view race as a social construction supported by political realities, can complicate things more than needed. We can compare this view to traditional, and biological definitions. The downside to both of these views can be seen. Traditional views of race may inhibit the thinking and beliefs of others. Going back to the slavery days to the Civil Rights Movement, and issues that have arose in more recent times, the arguments, and hate do continue. If we view race as social construction, more minds may be open to the idea of racial equality. Many of the racial issues we have today are supported by political realities. Politics are the main division of race. There are many political realities that fuel the racial fire. We see so many children involved in crime, abuse and so many other issues that plague us. So why is it when a child is killed, or a victim of police brutality, the media always emphasizes, that a black child was killed by a white cop? Would it not be a better idea to say a young adult or a teenager was killed by an officer? Race does not always have to be an issue. But as long as the media and politics are thrown in, then money is to...
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... A Class Divided How is race both a reality and a belief? Race is used to signify different types of human bodies based on similar skin color and physical appearance. While there is no biological basis for racial classification, sociologists recognize a long history of attempts to organize groups of people based on similar skin color and physical appearance. The absence of any biological foundation makes race often difficult to define and classify, and as such, sociologists view racial categories and the significance of race in society as unstable, ever shifting, and intimately connected to other social forces and structures. The realities and beliefs that people have of race vary according to which type of dominant or subordinate group they fall into. Sociologists use these terms to identify powerful relationships that are based on perceived racial, ethnic, or other attributes and identities. To sociologist, a dominant group is a racial or ethnic group that has the greatest power and resources in a society. For them their reality and belief of race is that unless you have a specific eye, hair, or similar physical attribute, as in the video the kids were divided according to eye color, then those who don’t share that are cast aside and thought of as a lesser creature. However, you could say that there is no "race gene." There are traits that define a race, but really, it's all very subjective, because what happens when two different races have a child? They blend. They...
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...their duty as being labeled a change agent to do so, but still feel empty and unfulfilled. They pour themselves holistically to conduct routine work to underserved and underrepresented populations without a regard to the culture of the population they are working with. Freire defines conscentization as “The process of developing a critical awareness of one’s social reality through reflection and action. Action is fundamental because it is the process of changing the reality. We all acquire social myths which have a dominant tendency, and so learning is a critical process which depends upon uncovering real problems and actual needs ( Freire.org, 2016). In the article “Whose World Is This?” by Jayne R. Beilke, she explores Freire definition of conscientization through multicultural education. She does this a creating a partnership with an institution and a non-formal education program, which can be a critical catalyst of change in defining multicultural consciousness and multicultural education....
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...Race is not Biological People use the term race to indicate a group of people that share similar physical features that are believed to come from their ancestors. As a result to this, people then think that race is a matter of bloodlines, it is biologically passed down from ones parents. Jenell Paris suggests that race is actually a socially constructed phenomenon, a way to categorize people for social purposes based on one’s physical appearance and differences. (Priest, Robert J.2007) Many do not realize this. Most people do not know that race is a social reality, they believe that it is a biological reality. The way race should be seen is that is just plainly does not exist. The human species evolved from the people in Africa. The migrated to different parts of the world and the geographical environment causes us to have varies physical traits. These differences in appearance are due to mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift (Fisher, Jefferson1995). Because the environments where drastically different in these geographic regions, the human traits changed for...
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...Abstract The impact of media on the society extends to both social and political sectors. There are a variety of elements in each and media touches on both sectors and each element. It should be noted that the extent that it affects each element varies as well. It should also be taken into account that while there is a mass effect on everyone that media touches, the extent it affects the individual varies as well. Social Impact On a social level, media has its greatest impact. Viewpoints have been shaped due to the representation of different cultures, races, genders, religions, and sexual orientations. The two main elements of this are entertainment and news. While the representations should be taken at face value when it comes to entertainment, some representations have led to unfair stereotyping which becomes a part of social norms and thinking for generations. One example is how a segment or culture within a race could and has come to represent the public’s view of that race overall—especially in the case of negative elements of that culture. Another example is both unfair standards of beauty for women as well as negative representation of women. In the case of negative representations, there might be individuals or groups that embody that particular element, but media is able to multiply the negative to the point where it becomes a public accept trait of women. When it comes to unfair beauty standards, women are viewed as beautiful by mainstream media are usually put in favorable...
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...Darby Leaf Intro to Soc 3/2/17 I will start this week’s discussion off by defining the term race. According to the book, race refers to a group of people who share a set of characteristics, usually physical ones, but not always. People among a race are said to share a common bloodline. When considering race to be a myth or that it is fake is just saying that it is a social construct. Many times people that are of different races believe that they possess different and unequal traits coupled with the power to restrict freedoms based on those differences. This of course would be a social construct. A person should not have more power over another just solely based on the way that they look. Sociologists believe that humans create...
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...Impact of Media Messages on Children’s Perception of Race and Gender Student’s Name Institution Impact of Media Messages on Children’s Perception of Race and Gender Introduction Children are sensitive to what they see and hear. The contemporary world exposes children to all sorts of audio and visual media. These media contain various messages concerning race and gender. Out of such media messages, children are in a position to create perceptions on various races and gender. Disney movies are an example of the media that are consumed by children. The movies impact a lot on how children understand the meaning of race, class and gender. The continued consumption of such media by children would only serve to further shape their various perceptions. This paper sets out to show that there are numerous media messages that can impact on the understanding of race and gender by children. The media is powerful in terms of the messages it relays to the audiences. The social judgments of viewers can be greatly influenced by what they see on television news (Mastro, Lapinski, Kopacz & Behm-Morawitz, 2009). According to Mastro, Lapinski, Kopacz & Behm-Morawitz (2009), the Whites in the United States of America perfect in racial prejudice against their fellow black countrymen and women. The Whites perceive the Black as being aggressive and overly violent. This negative depiction of the Black Americans by the White Americans is hugely contributed to by media exposure. The ethnic...
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...belief system of "race," and battling prejudice today, includes understanding "whiteness" as the establishment of racial categories and why being white is superior. Whiteness is invisible on the grounds that whites are expected "not to have race". Being white would be regular and discussing "race" would mean discussing every one of the general population who are not white. The invisibility of whiteness is seen as a racial position of dominance. Western representation expresses that whites are overwhelmly and excessively transcendent, have the centra expounded parts, and above all are seen as the standard. Since they are the standard, they appear not to be spoken to themselves...
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...The impact of media on the society extends to both social and political sectors. There are a variety of elements in each and media touches on both sectors and each element. It should be noted that the extent that it affects each element varies as well. It should also be taken into account that while there is a mass effect on everyone that media touches, the extent it affects the individual varies as well. Social Impact On a social level, media has its greatest impact. Viewpoints have been shaped due to the representation of different cultures, races, genders, religions, and sexual orientations. The two main elements of this are entertainment and news. While the representations should be taken at face value when it comes to entertainment, some representations have led to unfair stereotyping which becomes a part of social norms and thinking for generations. One example is how a segment or culture within a race could and has come to represent the public’s view of that race overall—especially in the case of negative elements of that culture. Another example is both unfair standards of beauty for women as well as negative representation of women. In the case of negative representations, there might be individuals or groups that embody that particular element, but media is able to multiply the negative to the point where it becomes a public accept trait of women. When it comes to unfair beauty standards, women are viewed as beautiful by mainstream media are usually put in...
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