Race

1
Race

• The Power of an Illusion

2

• What arguments was the film making about the
  biological basis of race?
• How was race defined in the early 1900s?
• How did segregation continue after WWII?
• What was the role of the Federal Housing
  Administration?
• What are the effects of this segregation?
• What are the economic impacts on peoples lives?
• What privileges did whites get for being able to
  live in the suburbs?

3
Access to Education

• In the past, the FHA policies had direct impacts
  on the opportunities for minorities.
• Some are still able to manipulate the system.
• http//www.nytimes.com/2007/02/16/us/16scottsdale.
  html?_r1orefslogin

4
Inequality Persists

• Rates of Poverty
• White (Non-Hispanic) 8.4
• Asian 10.9
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
  12.2
• Hispanic origin (any race) 22
• Black 24.7
• American Indian and Alaska Native 25.3

5
Structural and Individual Racism

• Individual Racism is the racist actions and
  attitudes of individuals.
• Structural Racism is racism that is built into
  the very institutions of society.

6
Individual Racism

• When we think of racism, we tend to think of
  individual racism.
• Individual racism is meant to keep a group in a
  subordinate position to a more powerful group.
• Racist comments meant to put someone in their
  place
• Discrimination in hiring

7
Racism is about POWER!!!!!!!!!

• It is not possible for a subordinated group to be
  racist to a more powerful group!
• Slaves are not racist for hating their slave
  owners!
• Likewise, oppressed peoples are not racist for
  desiring to cast off their oppression and
  inequality!
• Different ethnic groups may stereotype or carry
  prejudice regarding other groups.
• But, RACISM IS ABOUT POWER!!!

8
Structural Racism

• Structural Racism is often hidden in our
  institutions.
• Policies and laws disproportionately impact
  minorities negatively.
• Education
• Law Enforcement

9
Structural Racism Segregation after World War II

• Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
• The FHA underwriters warned that the presence of
  even one or two non-white families could
  undermine real estate values in the new suburbs.
• Inner-city neighborhoods were destroyed and
  replaced with Projects
• http//www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.ht
  m

10
Who is more likely to benefit from Affirmative
Action at Ivy League Schools?
11
Structural Racism - Legacies

• Legacies constitute a significant proportion of
  students accepted to universities, especially Ivy
  league schools (10-15) according to the
  Economist
• http//economist.com/world/na/displayStory.cfm?sto
  ry_id3518560
• Harvard accepts 40 of applicants who are
  children of alumni but only 11 of applicants
  generally.
• http//www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/01/20/timep.af
  firm.action.tm/index.html
• http//online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/g
  olden3.htm

12
Affirmative Action at Michigan Universities

• Michigan Ballot Measure bans the use of Race or
  Gender in college admissions.
• Colleges Regroup After Voters Ban Race
  Preferences
• http//www.nytimes.com/2007/01/26/education/26affi
  rm.html

13
What was left in

• 10 points - Michigan resident
• 6 points - Underrepresented Michigan county
• 2 points - Underrepresented state
• 20 points - Socio-economic disadvantage

• 4 points - "Legacy" (parents, step-parents)
• 1 point - Other (grandparents, siblings, spouses)
• 20 points - Scholarship athlete
• 20 points - Provost's discretion

14
Individual and Structural Racism are Linked
Together

• The actions of racist individuals will add up to
  impact minorities in general.
• Health Care
• Racism May Affect Infant Mortality Rates
• http//www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/29/420
  3/
• Some cases of individual racism are so pervasive
  that it creates a hostile environment.