Commentary by Marquise
I was reading my friends about the President elect Barack Obama and the conversation
posed to me this entry. In my opinion, blatant racism is exists minimally amongst us. We as African Americans no do not have to worry about sitting in the back of the bus, or not being able to vote. One huge example of this land slide victory of president elect Barack Obama. Statistics show, although, African-American voters came out to vote in large numbers, many African Americans did not vote. Obama’s victory was because of white American voters who voted in the presidential election. However, even with the aforementioned, I believe racism exists in more passive ways and forms. For instance, an African-American well qualified advertising company gets turned down by a potential client for its white competitor because the client wanted they’re product to be appealing to everyone and not just minorities.
Today, class replaces race in being the top determinant of one’s socioeconomic
condition. Let’s take for example Will and Jada Smith’s children which of whom are
considered high class. They’re children are more likely to be more successful and better financially well off (independently from their parents) in any profession they choose than a white child whose father is janitor. Class is a big deals our society because it either offers or hinders networking opportunities, college options, career options and information in general. So while the African American boy from the projects of the Chicago can’t get a job, neither can the White boy from the trailer parks of the same city.
12 comments:
I believe that class and race are both large determinants of one's socioeconomic condition. One can not replace the other because they each hold different factors that affect socioeconomic conditions in different ways. Also race can affect networking opportunities, college options, and career options just as class does.
Destinee Moore
I whole heartedly agree. Racism definitely exist in more passive forms, but there is now a more active and loud division between Americans concerning class. People are treated for diffrently on a regular basis because of their financial standings or lack there of.
It is defintely clasim that has been around forever, it just seems to be becoming more and more prevalent in society today. Money is power, and if you have no power you are unfairly treated as such.
This post poses a very interesting yet truthful claim. Although I do not agree that class has completely replaced racism, class has become a tool for differentiating and placing people into groups. Considering that America is a capitalistic society, competition and status are utterly important. People are less focused on the hue of someone’s skin versus their affiliations and status in society. However, racism is not dead. The white child from the trailer park in relation to the black child from the city would still probably have more benefits and advantages based on race alone. Although racial disparities are not expunged from American culture, classism is ultimately climbing the latter as a disenfranchising tool for American people.
-A Pruitt
While the writer's argument is valid and has some ground, I disagree that classism will replace racism in today's society. Racism refers to that which involves the blantant discrimination and adverse treatment to an individual based on his or her skin color. Classism, however, refers to economic and financial status in society. To equate the two as equal and interchangeable is fallacious, at best.
It does not matter whether one person's parents make more or less, the opportunity and will to succeed still exists. For every Will and Jada, there is a Tanequa who is a single parent raising 4 kids by herself. Both kids will have to work hard to get far in life. The world of meritocracy, not nepotism, is the way this world works.
Also, while it is true President elect Obama won by the help of white voters, they are not the end all for political campaigns. It is, in fact, true that Obama would not have won had not the African American vote been so strong in his favor. Class is important, but not the end all be all. We have seen countless stories of individuals who went from rags to riches. The debate over sexism, classism, racism and other -isms is played out and continues to divide our country in times when we need to be a unified front.
I agree, racism isnt as blatant as it was before, but it is still visible in rural areas. Wow, I figured that but wouldn't a minority's face appeal to the masses more so than a majority's face would? The Will and Jada example you gave has always been the case honestly. I mean the only that would put that poor Cauasian American in a better position would be if by some chance the child had the opportunity to obtain higher education. Once that child obtains higher education, because of his ethnicity he will definitely be in a better position then any African American child in which shared a similar situation. With that being said, coming from a higher social class does have its benefits but classim is not replacing racism, racisim still exists. Its just more obvious when the people seem to be on a more equal playing field and the only difference is race.
I don't believe that classism is the new racism. Just because one starts off in a lower class does not mean he can not rise above it. everyone in life is faced with disadvantages, however that should not stop one on his/her path to sucess. Also i don't believe that people among different classes are discriminated against as thoroughly as race simply because there is so much help out there for people of lower classes. And who's to say that people in higher classes aren't discriminated against as well?
-J. Gibbs
commentary by shaunicie
Although the types of blatant racism that existed during the time of previous generations have largely declined, let us not be fooled into thinking that the racism our generation faces is not pervasive.
Barack Obama's victory was an important stride in racial equality, however certain parts of the campaign showed us that racism is still an important factor. Although the polls did not reflect it in the end, Obama had to contend with the Bradley effect. Many voters were uncomfortable voting for him because of his race and used smoke screens like non-existent ties to terrorists to justify their beliefs. We saw Michelle Obama being called a "baby momma" and berated for her expression of double consciousness while attending Princeton. These were blatant attacks on Michelle as a Black woman and are inextricably linked to race. We would be making a hasty generalization if we assumed that Barack's win was due more to racial acceptance than political and economic climate.
Class has become increasingly important, however socioeconomic condition remains largely determined by race. It is no coincidence that the majority of the world's poor are people of color. The racism that has been embedded in the hearts and minds of people for centuries remains. There are a few exceptional people of color who have been able to climb the ladder. Yet these people are fewer than their white counterparts. There continue to be more white faces in positions of power and influence. When the time comes to reach out and offer opportunity, these people in power will be more likely to aid those whose faces and not pocketbooks look like them.
I agree with the author is saying that it was the white vote that elected Barack Obama. If all of the African American population were to vote, they would only represent 12% of the population, which alone is not enough to win an election. And sadly to say, it is true, everyone did not vote! The author also mentioned that our society judges people by their economic status, before their race. And as much as I’d like to believe that it’s not true. Though some people may have access to a better education and luxury, it does not change societal feelings about their race. Yes, Obama did win, but the fear that he may lose was still pressing on the hearts of everyone. Why? Not because he wasn’t qualified, not because she went to Harvard and not Yale…but because of the color of his skin. America has made some progress, but they still have a lot of work to do.
I agree that institutional racism is the major challenge that racism poses to minorities in America today. Though I do not feel that elitism will replace racism (elitism has always existed), I do feel that it is important for us to acknowledge it as significant social issue in America.
Racism may not be as blatantly prevalent as it was in the past, yet there are still evidences that racism has not become entirely passive. For example, take the case of Megan Williams, the black woman who was brutally tortured by a group of white West Virginians for the mere fact that she was black. Also, take into consideration those involved in the Jena 6 incident. Although the young men did partake in violent activity, they were unjustly charged. This is blatant racism that stemmed from two southern cities and came to been seen on a national level!
Class does not replace racism overrall, just on the mainstream level. Educated blacks are definitely more likely to obtain high offices and highly respectable jobs; however, in day-to-day life, especially in small towns, racism and prejudices still hinder the advancement of many black people. We still have to go over and beyond the expectations that are needed to be met to secure a job while a white person who may be significantly less qualified is given the job with ease.
-Justine Burke
I agree that class is slowly taking over racism in today's society. However, racism is still a big issue as well. And it is true that Obama received the support of many white's in his campaign. However, it is a fact that Obama would not have won if it wasn't for the minorities "stepping up" as a whole.... To be continued
By: Farrah Shells
Well I wholeheartedly agree that racism is being replaced issues between the various social classes. However in my opinion this is covering up the fact that most of the people in the lower classes are people of color. Despite the fact that we may not openly see racism in our daily experiences does not necessarily means it has decreased or taken a back seat, it's just being overlooked by issues like class.
-Raisa Tuzo
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