After reading this article, I immediately recalled the documentary “Brazil in Black and White” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g29P3-xj7GQ). This issue of colorization is something that transcends across the world, but I am most familiar with how it is portrayed in Latin America and the United States. The concept that being light/whiter is better and overwhelming disproportionality of lighter persons being in higher socio-economic statuses and embodying the ideals of beauty is alarming. Another video that conceptualizes this notion that society portrays minority members as being seen as lesser is in “The Doll Test” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkpUyB2xgTM). This is among young children who are already being taught that who they are is lesser because of societal ideals and intersectional notions that account of inequality. It is unfortunate, and many ways (at least I know in the education system), there is this push for multiculturalism and perpetuating the concepts that everyone is equal and if you work hard you too can “make it”, but you have to account exterior environmental factors that contribute to opportunity and ability. In a college setting check out: I too Am Harvard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAMTSPGZRiI).
I was ignorant of the impact of the slave trade in Brazil and am grateful for the information included in this article. While reading, I halted on a statement claiming that economic inequality was due to stratification of class and not race. I do not think these two instances can be separated. Both are socially constructed means of classification. If majority of the black population is poor, how can race not be a factor? Colorblindness is still racism, failure to recognize difference in race and class as the reason for inequality is arrogant and disrespectful to those affected by oppressive institutions. At least Brazil is recognizing the error in their ways. America has been trying to pretend slavery did not occur for years while condemning slavery and discrimination in other countries. It does not make sense. What can be done?
People of darker skins tones have always faced inequality it seems. This upsets me as I read about the start of civilization coming from Africa and the great kingdoms found there. Racism is a hot topic in the US, but seems to me like it’s worse in other places. In my own personal travels, I noticed that black people were treated differently though, I never understood the reasoning behind it. The area I live in, Prince George's County, is quite diverse, but has a high population of African Americans and most of my friends growing up through elementary through high school were black. I was the minority. This further solidifies the idea that racism is learned.
I try to explain to people all the time, that people of a darker complexion have always felt inequality, it could be in the Spanish culture, the Asian culture, Middle East especially (most people don't even realize). Even in the black community light vs dark. It's just all upsetting.
After reading this article, I immediately recalled the documentary “Brazil in Black and White” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g29P3-xj7GQ). This issue of colorization is something that transcends across the world, but I am most familiar with how it is portrayed in Latin America and the United States. The concept that being light/whiter is better and overwhelming disproportionality of lighter persons being in higher socio-economic statuses and embodying the ideals of beauty is alarming. Another video that conceptualizes this notion that society portrays minority members as being seen as lesser is in “The Doll Test” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkpUyB2xgTM). This is among young children who are already being taught that who they are is lesser because of societal ideals and intersectional notions that account of inequality. It is unfortunate, and many ways (at least I know in the education system), there is this push for multiculturalism and perpetuating the concepts that everyone is equal and if you work hard you too can “make it”, but you have to account exterior environmental factors that contribute to opportunity and ability. In a college setting check out: I too Am Harvard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAMTSPGZRiI).
ReplyDeleteI was ignorant of the impact of the slave trade in Brazil and am grateful for the information included in this article. While reading, I halted on a statement claiming that economic inequality was due to stratification of class and not race. I do not think these two instances can be separated. Both are socially constructed means of classification. If majority of the black population is poor, how can race not be a factor? Colorblindness is still racism, failure to recognize difference in race and class as the reason for inequality is arrogant and disrespectful to those affected by oppressive institutions. At least Brazil is recognizing the error in their ways. America has been trying to pretend slavery did not occur for years while condemning slavery and discrimination in other countries. It does not make sense. What can be done?
ReplyDeletePeople of darker skins tones have always faced inequality it seems. This upsets me as I read about the start of civilization coming from Africa and the great kingdoms found there. Racism is a hot topic in the US, but seems to me like it’s worse in other places. In my own personal travels, I noticed that black people were treated differently though, I never understood the reasoning behind it. The area I live in, Prince George's County, is quite diverse, but has a high population of African Americans and most of my friends growing up through elementary through high school were black. I was the minority. This further solidifies the idea that racism is learned.
ReplyDeleteI try to explain to people all the time, that people of a darker complexion have always felt inequality, it could be in the Spanish culture, the Asian culture, Middle East especially (most people don't even realize). Even in the black community light vs dark. It's just all upsetting.
ReplyDelete