I like to think I’m not racist, but …

… well, evidently, I am. At least, according to the “racism” guidelines of the Seattle public schools.

Cultural Racism:
Those aspects of society that overtly and covertly attribute value and normality to white people and Whiteness, and devalue, stereotype, and label people of color as “other”, different, less than, or render them invisible. Examples of these norms include defining white skin tones as nude or flesh colored, having a future time orientation, emphasizing individualism as opposed to a more collective ideology, defining one form of English as standard, and identifying only Whites as great writers or composers.

I remember having a Crayola crayon that was “flesh” colored. Yes, it was kind of Anglo pink. I can see where some folks might ahve felt left out.

I’m not sure what “having a future time orientation” means. I’m a sci-fi fan — does that count?

I’m a believer in individualism, vs. a “collective ideology.” Apparently that makes me a cultural racist.

And I’m a believer in orthography and standard pronounciation of English. I guess that makes me a cultural racist, too.

I don’t pay a lot of attention to the race of writers and composers. I know what I like, though. I suspect that makes me racist, too.

Institutional Racism:
The network of institutional structures, policies, and practices that create advantages and benefits for Whites, and discrimination, oppression, and disadvantages for people from targeted racial groups. The advantages created for Whites are often invisible to them, or are considered “rights” available to everyone as opposed to “privileges” awarded to only some individuals and groups.

Apparently it’s possible to be racist without being aware of it. I suspect the opposite is also believed to be true, i.e., that if you are not aware of being racist, you probably are.

Race
A pseudobiological category that distinguishes people based on physical characteristics (e.g., skin color, body shape/size, facial features, hair texture). People of one race can vary in terms of ethnicity and culture.

Ethnicity
A group whose members share a common history and origin, as well as commonalities in terms of factors such as nationality, religion, and cultural activities.

Culture
The way of life of a group of people including the shared values, beliefs, behaviors, family roles, social relationships, verbal and nonverbal communication styles, orientation to authority, as well as preferences and expressions (art, music, food). “What everybody knows that everybody else knows.”

I gather that racism is a pseudo-scientifically bogus belief system. Ethnicism and culturalism, though, sound like they are good, positive things.

Acculturation
A dynamic process that occurs when members of one culture (culture of origin) come into contact with another culture (host/dominant culture) over a long period of time. The process involves exposure to, reaction to, and possible adoptions of aspects of the other groups culture. Adapting to the characteristics of the larger or dominant culture, while retaining some of one’s unique cultural traits.

Assimilation
The process of giving up connections to and aspects of one’s culture of origin and blending in with the host/dominant culture. Also, the wholesale adoption of the dominant culture at the expense of the original culture.

Acculturation = Good.
Assimilation = Bad.
Got it.

Equality
“In any given circumstances, people who are the same in those respects relevant to how they are treated in those circumstances should receive the same treatment” (p. 45). Equality defined in this way, looks at the individual and the circumstances surrounding him or her. It does not focus on group differences based on categories such as race, sex, social class, and ethnicity. This view is one of assimilation because it assumes that individuals, once socialized into society, have the right “to do anything they want, to choose their own lives and not be hampered by traditional expectations and stereotypes” (Young, 1990, p. 157).

Equity
“…. deals with difference and takes into consideration the fact that this society has many groups in it who have not always been given equal treatment and/or have not had a level field on which to play. These groups have been frequently made to feel inferior to those in the mainstream and some have been oppressed. To achieve equity, according to Young (1990), “Social policy should sometimes accord special treatment to groups” (p. 158). Thus, the concept of equity provides a case for unequal treatment for those who have been disadvantaged over time. It can provide compensatory kinds of treatment, offering it in the form of special programs and benefits for those who have been discriminated against and are in need of opportunity.”

Equality = Assimilation and Individualism = Bad
Equity = Inequality = Good.
Got it.

Prejudice
An attitude or opinion that is held in the absence of (or despite) full information. Typically it is negative in nature and based on faulty, distorted or unsubstantiated information that is over generalized and relatively in-flexible. Prejudices can be conscious or relatively unconscious.

Whew! Prejudice = Bad. That one, I think I got. Holding opinions based in over-generalized and inflexible and unsubstantiated information is prejudice. Yikes. Sounds nasty.

Anyway, my apologies to everyone I’ve offended with my future-thinking, individualistic, crypto-racism. Clearly I should have gone to school in Seattle, and I’d be well and truly goodthinkful.

Oops. Damn. Just referenced another white, male author. My bad.

(via the Agitator)