Read the brief article linked above. Use this commentary to explore ideas and arguments from the text this week. Provide your own reflection on issues of constructions of whiteness and bringing a critical lens to the silences regarding blackness and black positionality.
Dr. Stiletto (such an awesome name) raises many points that are quite similar to the ones made by the authors from last week's readings: Morrison and McIntosh. First of all, Morrison wrote extensively on the fact that classic American Literature has been void of "the four-hundred-year-old presence of...Africans and then African-Americans" (5). Dr. Stiletto mirrors this aspect when she highlights the fact that society is attempting to "sanitize the conversation (on race)" by rewriting the "Adventures of HuckleBerry Finn" and "To Kill A Mockingbird." If Africanism is nonexistent in past literature and removed from current literature, what is our society really trying to do? It seems as if we are trying to ignore the race of African-Americans all together. But what would this accomplish? I suspect that is what Dr. Stiletto spends much of her scholarly time trying to figure out. In addition, Dr. Stiletto's "news exercise" directly correlates with one of McIntosh's points on White Privilege: "I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented" (2). By acknowledging the White Privilegeness of this situation in conjunction with Dr. Stiletto's focus of whiteness being the norm, one can begin to see just how "normalized" it has become. But yet, this is why we study it I suppose. In the same light, the fact that Dr Stiletto's friend was convinced that a white person must have pissed her off in order to study what she does suggests that African-Americans are only allowed to study other races if they are seeking vengeance against them. To me, this is a sort of silencing of black intellectual voice; if one were only ever allowed to analyze what upset us, we would live in a hostile and unpleasant environment. In order for these phenomena to be truly understood, the construction of whiteness must be broken down while black positionally is raised up and allowed to explore anything and everything regarding race and class.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit the title itself took it for me. Dr Stiletto is speaking the truth on the fact that Americans, black or white, do not realize that whiteness is a problem, but also a race. One thing I did not think about was the way white people are portrayed in newspapers or on the news. She stated that when the white race is mentioned they are either called white men, white women, or the white group. But as for non-white Americans, they are the “urban” people, saying their race is non-existent. As an African American, I can relate to Dr. Stiletto, not because she black, but the idea of Africanism is seldom. I like how she states it, “We must problematize the grandiose culture of civility: the pseudo-politeness we label “colorblindness,” “multi-culturaism,” “diversity,” or “post-racial” so rampant in our modern era that impedes us from addressing the circus of elephants in the room.” Even with Huckleberry Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird, we need to bring racism to the for forefront. “ Until white supremacist ideology is banished from human thought all radicalized humans will experience trauma and anguish.
ReplyDelete"Tacitly ignoring race and racism that thrives so well under the guise of ignored whiteness is a disservice to future generations and ourselves." This final sentence in Dr. Stiletto's article perfectly connects her work to the readings from last week. McIntosh calls for action in the excerpt we read of her essay. She writes, "Disapproving of the systems [racism, sexism] won't be enough to change them," and raises the question to white readers of whether we will simply acknowledge social injustice or "whether we will use any of our arbitrarily-awarded power to reconstruct power systems on a broader base." Both women stress to their readers (us) the importance of taking action to dismantle systems and end widespread acceptance of systems that oppress. Dr. Stiletto's story of her daily battle/work on teaching others-- and not just students, but other well educated people that are members of typically oppressed/subordinate groups-- that we have to do more than just acknowledge unfair advantages and unearned assets (privilege), but we must work against it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the "what white person pissed you off" is all to familiar as a young feminist. I can't even begin to count how many times classmates, family members, or even friends have asked, "what man pissed you off?" after I attempt to explain the dangers of patriarchy or especially male-dominated government.
All too* familiar. Pardon my grammar mistake!
ReplyDelete"What white person pissed you off?" When I read it I laughed... As a Black American.... A lot of white people piss me off. It goes as far back into slavery to now. I have a long list. I agree with the author completely when she says in the last paragraph "We can no longer duck tape or sanitize the conversation, like the reckless attempts to rewrite Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or To Kill a Mockingbird, and to read the United States Constitution without reference to slavery." I hate the idea of rewriting these books and trying to "edit out" history. I really hate that someone would want to go hide such a crucial part in not only Black history but American History. However I do not completely agree with the rest of the article. I do agree with her saying Whiteness is a problem, but I do not think people are ignoring the problem. People know whiteness is a race... People everyday make reference to it. Watch Family Guy, American Dad,The Cleveland show and a lot of other adult cartoons, it referenced to, but the real question is how do you respond. The media introduces it with a comical approach to kinda "ease" I guess a reaction from the minority group, and it does just that or upsets people even more.... Its hard to explain, but at least for me when I get mad at "Whiteness" I don't go with pray it off or do the "peaceful" thing as Martin Luther King Jr. believed. I am the kind of person who fights back,I was a fan of Malcolm X although I respect King Jr. to the utmost. My boyfriend is a good ole "southern" white boy. Grew up in a small town, farming white boy lol... So I deal with this "whiteness" all the time, but I just don't think it'll ever change not because people don't care or because it'll be erased out of history, but because a lot of people just don't know how to respond to it. So they just let it stay as it is.
ReplyDeleteThis article was perfect to go along with last week's readings. I thought that the profession of 'Dr. Stiletto' was very interesting, as well as the response that she got from others about her profession. There would be no shock in someone studying 'African American- ness'/'Blackness' or 'Femaleness/Woman-ness" or "Homosexual-ness'. But that is because those are the "different" groups. Those are the groups that lie outside of society's norm. It would be very odd to study "whiteness", "maleness"/"man-ness", or "heterosexual-ness" because those are the defaults. These groups are not seen as groups because they are the 'norm' and what is expected in society. When you think average American, you automatically picture a heterosexual white male. This is something that we have all been conditioned to accept and not question. Her studying the subject of "whiteness" threatens this default "color-less"/"group-less"/normal idea that is placed on being white, and for that fact also placed on being heterosexual and male. If we look at these attributes as normal (gender-less, race-less, sexuality-less) it makes privilege less visible. It also makes the 'other groups' into the opposite of what is considered 'normal' and look deviant from society.
ReplyDeleteI think that the quote "what white person pissed you off?" is very common. If someone holds grievances the burden is placed on them. Often the person that holds these views is seen as deviant and outcasted. When I speak out against oppressive institutions whether it be immigration laws, the treatment/ racial remarks about the president, or women and the glass ceiling, all of these stereotypes and attributes are thrown upon me. If you support marginalized groups, you have something against the dominant group. If you have something against the dominant group (white males) then you are un-American. If you are un-American you may as well just get out. This is highly problematic because I see supporting rights, freedoms, and EQUALITY as the premises of being AMERICAN. We must always strive for a more perfect union even when those who fear change try to stand in our way. Where would we be today if others had not done the same... Abolition? Women's Rights? Civil Rights? Voting Rights? ......
When I read this article I felt a strong correlation between what she was saying and the discussion we had out side of Foster Auditorium. The dedication of the Malone Hood plaza, and the Autherine Lucy clock tower is a perfect example of silencing racism. Dr. Stiletto's comment about the "duct tape" apparently meant a lot to most of us. It is the most thorough analogy possible. In fact, this would be perfect to make a statement. Obviously we can't but how great would it be to cover the clock tower in duct tape? I don't want anyone going to jail but anyway.. Dr. Stiletto definitely makes some eye-opening points on whiteness. When she suggested looking for things on the news and in the media such as the description of people, I did not even have to turn on the news. I know exactly what she means. America does differentiate people differently when telling a story- especially in regards to reporting crime. I think it is often times done subconsciously and goes unnoticed until otherwise pointed out like was done in this article. It is a shame that it happens like this. It is also a shame that we sometimes do not acknowledge race. (or "duct tape" it) It raises the question of where to draw the line? In forming this more perfect union that we are all (hopefully) striving for, where on either side is right from wrong. She makes legitimate points on both. It is almost as if we are stumbling through a transition that maybe we are a little unclear of just what to do. I would be willing to bet the majority of this is a lack of awareness for any of these issues. Also, a major part is the older generation still living. Many of "our" grandparents can definitely remember segregation, and even parts of slavery. There is a strong likelihood that our great-grandparents encountered slavery at some point. As morbid as it sounds, those people still keeping stung racial feeling are dying off. It will be interesting to see how the transition shifts as that happens. Will it just mean more "duct taping?" Hooks makes an obvious point about "duct taping" when writing about real estate in Greenwich Village in New York City. The buyer suggested wanting a racially diverse place to live, to prevent themselves as well as visitors from being viewed in a different way. The realtor assured them that is was more about "class" rather than race. After shopping around some more and returning (giving everyone a chance to see that the potential buyer was black) the apartment had suddenly sold. At that point it was hard to believe that all white living areas were about "class" over whiteness. The realtor basically lied to the client about the fine line in who lived there and why. Not only was that a cover up for not having to mention the unthinkable- race- it was a bit irrelevant to me, because if it is truly about class- then how can someone of a different skin color that can afford the SAME upscale place to live be in a lower "class?" Getting my drift at all? Class is generally described in terms of income, whereas this buyer was capable of affording this place, it obviously was not about class but race... and like Stiletto points out, the realtor was duct taped throughout the entire process.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.physorg.com/news189786634.html
ReplyDeleteI explored this issue a bit and found this article (link above) written by a psychologist and published in the "Journal of Counseling Psychology." There is a lot of advertising around it, but it is not junk or sketchy. The article itself is interesting in that it suggests that racism is actually worsened, less healthy, and more harmful to people mentally when left unrecognized. It also suggests some potential correlation at the end that can hopefully be further studied. It is not long, take a glance at it. I thought it was good...
P.S. To my awesome group #1, I do apologize for failing to blog, as it was my week. There is no excuse since this does involve all of you and I know your schedules are as full as mine and you all probably have to strategically plan just like I do. I have had some unexpected things going on and some issues that I've been dealing with and honestly week 7 slipped up on me. I will somehow try to make it up to everyone. I promise to be on my grind the next time it is my turn to start the blog. I hope everyone forgives me and doesn't kick me out of Intersections of Diversity because I've enjoyed getting to know y'all and we're the best because we have Ryan Gosling on our page. :)
Thank you,
Jamie