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5 pages/≈1375 words
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3 Sources
Level:
APA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Coursework
Language:
English (U.S.)
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Topic:
Answering Selected Questions on the Meaning of Whiteness (Coursework Sample)
Instructions:
answering selected questions on the meaning of whiteness
source..Content:
Whiteness
Name
Institution
Whiteness
Page 25
Question 4
Something becomes invisible when it receives less focus than it was initially receiving. A good example is the diminishing nature of racism where blacks have started accomplishing tasks that were initially reserved for the whites. However, in another sense, something can also become invisible if the society ignores its apparent existence. Though the practice is still propagated in the society, most of the times it is overlooked. A good example is a common tendency to ignore the prevailing social injustices that tend to view the whites as superior to blacks. The invisibility of whiteness referred to by the authors is the mentality that anything to do with race refers to the blacks rather than the whites. As the authors note, the whites identify the blacks with race while they view themselves as people, rather than racial images. Specifically, the whites get aggrieved when referred to using their whiteness, but they are quick to refer the blacks with their blackness. As such, as the authors note, they fail to see their racial image and identity. Rather they suppress that image hence rendering it invisible. Owing to this, the whites fail to identify themselves with a certain race, but rather view themselves as the human race. While the whites claim to speak for humanity, it is noted that the media, education, as well as politics, are all controlled by the whites. Hence, they tend to overlook this dominance rendering it invisible. The fact that whites are rarely discriminated against because of their race makes cultural and racial consideration insignificant to them. Rather, they focus on class and social status. Therefore, to the whites, being white is a normal discourse of life.
Question 5
To reinstate sanctity in the society, it is crucial to study the concept of whiteness. Studies have established that culture and race are secondary to the whites as opposed to the primary place they take in the lives of blacks. As the author notes it is crucial to study the adverse effects of whiteness, for the society to achieve real hybridity and multiplicity without white hegemony. By so doing, the society can see the genuine whiteness, its power as well as specialty and limitedness and end its dominance. Whiteness is differentiated from cultural origins such as being a Briton, Italian and the like which is only a form of white ethnicity. It is noted that being identified with white ethnicity is not a big deal to, say white Americans, but being white is what matters. By studying whiteness, the whites will be able to define their whiteness, not by color but capabilities. By so doing the white will be able to see their particularity hence appreciating the particularity in others. By effecting this, they will be able to shape their future as well as the future of others hence making whiteness unique. By studying whiteness, the society will also be able to enlighten the society on the importance of coexistence and social justice. By so doing, the cases of discrimination and viewing the whites as superior will be diminished. Therefore learning about whiteness is essential in understanding how colored people perceive whiteness. This understanding will facilitate peaceful coexistence as well as an appreciation of one another.
Page 103
Question 2
Superficially, the title "How White People Became White" brings a notion of mythology about the origin of the white race. However, as one reads through the notion of racism comes out. This racism is especially portrayed by the racist names used to refer to the black slaves that were later used to refer to the immigrants. Hence, the author aims at bringing out the origin of racism among the whites rather than their racial roots. This is clarified by the opening scenario where Joseph Loguidice recalls white policemen invading a village occupied by Latin- Americans and a white coal worker who had been tainted with coal is noted screams out "I am White, I am white" (Barrett, & Roediger, 2002). Clearly, these words were meant to capture the attention of the police to spare his life as they invade the village. A good example of the genesis of racism is the use of the word guinea that was used to refer to the slave from Africa. However, it is noted that as time progressed the word was widely applied to refer to any new immigrant. The same case applies to the word hunky. Therefore, the title "How White People Became White" depicts the genesis of racism among the whites rather than their racial roots.
Question 9
An individual's racial orientation has an immense impact on their daily discourse that might be either conscious or unconscious. As such, understanding the concept of race as a social construct is the eye opener to comprehending the role played by race in the daily discourse. The claim that race is socially constructed implies that the judgment of people is based on their social status rather than racial orientation. This arises from the fact that racism exists both in the minds of people as well as in the social structures. As such, the solution to the menace will not be abandonment but rather understanding it and coming to terms with it. Hence, people with the same racial background but varying social status will be judged differently. Notably, many white men have committed crimes but have gone away with it. The same crime if committed by a black man will not be tolerated. Here, one receives empathy because of his race, and another is denied the same empathy because of his undesirable race. Hence, as it turns out, the race has in many cases been defined by the majority or dominant group in the society. Notably, racism is not only rooted in the minds of people but also in the structures run by the society. There have been cases of racism in schools, hospitals, and even the judicial system. As such as Frankenberg notes racism will not be eradicated by abandoning the notion of the race...
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