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Racism Critical Analysis

The University of South Carolina
Farris Jones

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What does it mean to be white? I was never really concerned with this question. I was
never in denial of the fact that racism is still prevalent in our society, though I was never
extremely concerned with the issue because I did not personally consider myself to be racist by
any means. I have had numerous close friends of different skin color throughout my lifetime. I
have never personally discriminated against anyone on the basis of race, and I have always been
offended by and hostile towards the multiple racial slurs that seem to exist so casually in the
American South even to this day. So that means I am against racism right? No, I suppose that it
does not.
There seems to be a common theme in each of my critical analyses I was never
concerned with [insert form of oppression here] since I used to consider myself an innocent
bystander on the topic, though now the issue has been illuminated in an entirely different way for
me. This theme is going to be true for this paper on racism as well. Whereas I previously
thought it was okay to be bathing in the pool of privilege of being a white American and not
participating in perpetuating racism; I now believe that if you dont take an active stand against
racism (or any form of oppression), then you are simply condoning its existence around you. And
I do not want to condone the existence of racism whether I am condoning it intentionally or not.
Beverly Daniel Tatum compares the different levels of racist behavior to the moving
walkways that we see at any airport (Tatum, 1997, p. 67). This analogy really put things into
perspective for me up to this point in my life I would be the passive racist who is standing still
on the conveyor belt. I am not running toward after the same goal as the active racist, but I am
allowing myself to be carried there by not working towards the opposite end. This analogy is
different from peoples normal idea of racism if they are doing nothing then they will stay in
the same place and not make anything better or worse. Though I would consider Tatums

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comparison to be a more accurate description since the moving belt under our feet better
represents the natural flow of racism in society. Racism will inevitably occur societally whether
we are promoting it or not so in order to reverse its effects or work towards a different goal we
must try and actively fight against it. By choosing to do nothing we are actually choosing to
participate in a racist society there is no neutrality on the matter. Those who are standing still
are passively racist.
With all of this being said, I am finding it difficult to change my position on the conveyor
belt from passively racist to running against the motion of the belt. What do I do to fight racism?
Jan Arminio states all whites must wake up. That would be nice if that could happen but I am
not sure how it is possible. She goes on to say this means acknowledging who we were as a
group, questioning whether this is still who we are as individuals, and deciding who we want to
become (Arminio, 2000, p. 126). Obviously our society has a long way to go in terms of being
equal; not just on a legal level, but also on an internal, emotional level. Though it is hard to
decide what measures must be taken in order to do so.
If whites are getting the spoils of a racist society without ever having done anything to
earn them, then I believe it is necessary to disrupt this system in order to work towards a more
equal society. I realize that, with me being white, that this is easier said than done. There are so
many privileges that I experience everyday that, before this class, I never even came close to
realizing. Tatum states one privilege as simply being always finding appropriate hair care
products and makeup in any drug store (Tatum, 1997, p. 67). This is certainly true in my life I
am a hair and makeup junky and I have never had trouble finding exactly what I want when I
want without having to worry about my skin shade or hair type. Though the privileges can be
range from something like this to things that are a little more significant. George Lipsitz

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describes how white privilege is even discretely woven into our legal system minorities are
less likely than whites to relieve preventative medical care or costly operations from Medicare
(p.81) and white parents are more able to borrow funds for their childrens college education
(Lipsitz, 1998, p. 83). It is disturbing to think that these things that I have benefitted from for my
entire life present discriminatory struggle to minorities in our country.
So should we challenge these white privileges? Yes, I believe that we should. It is the
existence of these privileges that allow for the lack of equality for minorities to continue existing
in society. Arminio is right; whites do need to wake up. We need to realize that we are benefitting
from being white every day and we need to be disturbed by this fact. Furthermore, we need to do
something about this so that we do not regularly benefit simply from the color of our skin. Does
this mean I should stop buying hair and makeup products that work for me? No (well at least I
hope not) but I should fight for the right products to be available to everyone at every store.
Obviously minorities have been fighting for their rights in society forever, but it takes agents and
targets fighting for the rights of targets in order to truly create equality.
It is disturbing to realize that I am living my life as passively racist. And it is frightening
to think that I must take an active stance in challenging white privilege in order to not contribute
to a naturally racist society. Though I consider this to be me waking up. The first step in
overcoming anything is to realize that there is indeed something to be overcome. It is sad to think
that America really is not the great melting pot and that everyone delighting in and benefitting
from each others diversity is a far off dream. At least from this point on I can do my part to
work towards a more equal nation that benefits everyone.

Critical Analysis
(2 to 5 pages)

Grading Criteria
Total points (100 pts max) ________98__________
1. Format

(5pts) __5__
a. Paper used standard form. Specifically, paper satisfied
requirements for spacing, font, margins, pagination, length, etc.

2. Quality

a. Free of grammatical and spelling errors? Clarity are points

clearly and logically made? Is the paper well-organized? Is the
paper free of excessive quotes? Merely repeating content of the
readings or video(s)? Depth of reflection? Thoughtfulness?
Critical self-reflection? If critical of a position, was an alternative
position presented and well-articulated? Overall quality.

(50pts) __48__

3.
Content
Were major components of the paper satisfied?
a. Answered required question #1
b. Answered required question #2

(45pts) _45___
(15pts) __15__

a. Other criteria
*Discussion of the 3 readings, and videos, and/ or class
discussion?
*Addressed how readings, class discussion, and/ or videos
illuminated
the issue of racism for you
(30pts) __30__
*Discussion of how your own identities (as a target or agent)
may be
shaping your reactions and learning process about racism
Like your previous papers, this one is very good. The points that you raise are very thoughtful.
There were a few typos, other than that, good job!