By Sharon Blackwell As I was reading this article I was surprised by the way white students view minorities issues. Some were open-minded and felt that if everyone were treated as equal, then the world would be a better place. Others felt hostile because they were sick and tired of being blamed for the sins of their ancestors. I believe that many white people see racism completely different from a person in a minority group, because they really don’t experience racism. According to Strobel students need to explore what it means to be White because they need a “complex understanding on how social structures support ideological premises.” I believe that Whiteness is seen as something superior, pure, a flawless and something that should be desired by everyone. In my opinion White Privilege is the most elite, and most wanted status in American society and throughout the world. In America, it seems that white people have it a lot easier in everyday life than most minorities, and always get things handed to them a lot quicker. They seem to be preferred and considered the definition of refinement and desire.But not every white person can obtain this amazing privilege. It seems that white people sometimes discriminate against their own race, and placing other Whites in horrible stereotypes. Since the colonization of America, whiteness has always been worshipped and adored. Native Americans were even looked down upon because they lack whiteness, and were thought to be inferior. Slavery began because someone thought another race wasn’t as important, or superior as the white race. Even in today’s society this idea still exists.It seems that minority groups have become entangled in society’s obsessions with European features. I was watching a news documentary on Fox about discrimination and the world’s obsessions with beauty. It says in the documentary that China and other Asian nations are being influenced by Western and European cultures to alter their looks. Eyelid surgery is becoming popular among Asian women. They are having this surgery to put a fold in their eye above their eyelashes, just so that they can look more European. Also skin bleaching has become popular in many countries like the Caribbean Islands, Africa and India.In these countries, the lighter or whiter you are the better treatment you will get. It seems that Whiteness has blended itself in almost every society that is exposed to European and Western cultures. Even in the African American community I have heard many black men say that they prefer white women because they are beautiful, and are consider being the ultimate status symbol. Many African American women feel that White society doesn’t see them as beautiful or attractive.I believe that society norms are tainting American students because there is a lack of true diversity and unbiased attitudes. I feel that students aren’t being taught the true and deep meaning of racism, and social tolerance. This issue is always talked about quickly, and put on the back burner, and is never mentioned again unless, a student takes a class about racial diversity.As an African American woman, I completely agree with Strobel view about the lack of true understanding of racial issues in society. Since I was a young child, I was taught about racism and how I was going to be judged because of my skin color. My family told me that I was going to have to work 10 times harder than a white person in order to survive in this world. For example, if I were going to a job interview, I would have to make sure I look professional, talk in the proper way, and be over qualified for the job. I would have to go through all of these just because I am a black woman, and I am meant to feel inferior. I hope one day the society will be able to treat all of its citizens the same way regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, and social class.Sharon Blackwell lives and works in Seattle, Washington. She wrote this piece exclusively to CSMS Magazine.
Dominant and Co-Cultures
