Do you agree with Skloot that including a race label when you are describing someone is an example of ways that race consciousness (and, presumably, racism) is perpetuated? How frequently do you come across this kind of linguistic behavior? How often do you ever hear someone described as a “white guy” or a “black lady,” for example? Do you consider it to be problematic? Why is race even mentioned when describing someone other people don’t know?
As I read this I wondered "Why does it matter what color they are?" Then I realized, I do the same thing. I am not racist. I have black family, indian family, korean family and we all put our pants on the same way. I think it just helps to paint a better image in your head of the person. I know some people use race in a negative way such as "I noticed a black man on the corner so I walked a little faster." That is a clear form of racism. Would he be less scary if he were white? However if one were to say "Johnny, was a tall black man with a handsome face." I find that acceptable. It simply helps you visualize "Johnny".
ReplyDeleteMorgan Hicks
I completely agree with Morgan in that describing someones race helps to better visualize them, and there is clearly a way to describe someones race without being racist.
DeleteStormy Wigley
I often hear people include race labels when describing a person. I am "guilty" of it myself, but I don't always think about it. As American citizens, we are exposed to a "melting pot" of cultures and ethnicities, yet we still take the time to distinguish one from the others. There is a difference between being visually descriptive (black man with an afro) and being blatantly racist (the sketchy black gangster looking guy).
ReplyDeleteEmily Davis
I went to a high school in which there was no one racial majority. It was broken up 45 percent white, 45 percent black and the remaining ten percent were broken up among the rest of the ethnic groups. It was always clear when someone used race to describe someone negatively. As Emily said, we live in a melting pot that combines cultures. Using race to help describe someone visually is perfectly acceptable. However, if you use race to describe anything else, (personality, skill, intelligence, etc.,) you are being racist by accepting a stereotype or creating a stereotype for that race.
ReplyDeleteCaleb Savage
I think it would be unfair to say using race to describe someone for appearance is racist. When asked by one of my teachers recently who was voted most attractive, I said her name and everything I could think of but until I said "the tall, skinny, Puerto Rican girl with super long hair" she had no clue. However, when choosing sides in academic team practice, the infamous "Asian smart kid" stereotype really hurt a friend of mines feelings. Personally I'd be happy if that was my stereotype, but I understand using race to describe a personality trait is racist. But as a visual, I don't think it's wrong.
ReplyDeleteRace is used descriptively in many situations; however, as Caleb said, we may also include stereotypes. However, I don't believe this always wrong. Sometimes attributes such as skills or physical appearance that are implied with a race description can paint a fuller picture In someone's mind. Though, as Emily said, there is a point in which those stereotypes that are insinuated can become derogatory leading to racism.
ReplyDeleteAllon Gillispie
I think that using race to better a person's visualization is acceptable. Like what Morgan said "He was a tall black man with a handsome face." I don't deem as racist but saying "oh you know, he was.... black and scary looking and.... he was a big scary black guy!", obviously, is an extremely racist comment. Like Kelsea said, if you're using stereotypes to judge someone's personality is wrong and can be offensive.
ReplyDeleteKarli Plunkett
I do not see anything wrong with identifying a person's race in a respectful way when one is explaining the physical appearance of someone. I think it is wrong for people to try and use another person's race to either talk highly or lowly about that person. I wish we lived in a world where race did not matter, and hopefully one day it will be that way.
ReplyDeleteKelsey Jackson
When I personally use someone's color in describing them, it to identify who I am talking about with the person I am conversing with. People are capable of using colors without being racist. I use it to identify, not critisize, and I use all colors from black to white. I also use color to get a point across (maybe this is a bad thing). I find that to adequately describe someone it helps to use the stereotype of their color as a reference, but even in these examples it should (and never will) be used in a derogatory way.
ReplyDeleteConsider this scenario: There's a knock at the door. One person answers the door; the other stays in the room. When the door-answerer returns to the room, the other person asks: "Who was it?" The door-answerer rerponds, "Some black kid who wanted to know if we want to subscribe to the newspaper."
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
1) Does the door-answerer's reference to the race of the newspaper vendor strike you as unusual?
2) Why would the door-answerer mention the race of the newspaper vendor?
3) Do you think it just as likely that the door-answerer might mention the height, weight, or some other physical characteristic of the vendor?
4) What assumptions might you make about the race of the door-answerer?