“The impact of racism begins early. Even in our preschool years, we are exposed to misinformation about people different from ourselves” (Tatum 84).
This resonated with me because while I have always heard that children are impressionable, I did not think of how it impacts children in positive and negative ways. Thinking about the environment that children grow up in, they are most likely around the same people and ideals. Only when they branch out to different communities in high school or college can students learn firsthand about different groups of people unless they actively educate themselves.
“prejudice plus power” (Tatum 87).
This reminds me of Delpit and the culture of power. Those who have power are often least aware of it relates to how some white people are unaware that racism exists. If it is not spoken about then it cannot be changed, therefore, not recognizing the institution of racism will perpetuate it. Another piece of Delpit that applies here is that telling those without power the specific codes of power will give them power. This echoes the previous point that without openly discussing racism and its role in society, it cannot be changed.
“Active racist behavior is equivalent to walking fast on the conveyor belt. The person engaged in active racist behavior has identified with the ideology of white supremacy and is moving with it. Passive racist behavior is equivalent to standing still on the walkway. No overt effort is being made, but the conveyor belt moves the bystanders along to the same destination as those who are actively walking” (Tatum 91).
This analogy is helpful in understanding the different but not exhaustive degrees of racism. Those who support white supremacy are saying and acting against people of color whereas passive racists are not saying or doing anything. This is reminiscent of the bystander effect in bullying. By not standing up for the targeted person, the bystanders are allowing the bullying to continue. In the case of racism, those who do not speak or act against racism will continue to perpetuate the system in place.
“While I think it is necessary to be honest about the racism of our past and present, it is also necessary to empower children (and adults) with the vision that change is possible. Concrete examples are critical” (Tatum).
Going towards your point of not knowing how impressionable young children could be. Think of how many words kids pick up on that you don't want them to repeat. For one instance my dad once as a teenager accidentally cursed in front of a kid during a car ride and all that they could hear the whole way back was the kid repeating the same curse word that my dad had just said. Kids pick up easily on stuff and will constantly repeat them.
ReplyDeleteHi Liv! We completed the same reading. I chose to do quotes so it is very interesting so see what you did differently from me.
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