Racism is a very controversial, yet imperative topic to discuss. What comes to mind when you hear the word “racism”? A white man whipping a black man? The black man living in the “ghetto”? Black men without jobs? Examples like this usually run through a person’s mind when we hear that word. People usually think of all the common and obvious illustrations, that our brain paints us. However, is there more to the obvious racism that we see, feel, and encounter everyday? Is there racism that we don’t see that are clearly in our everyday lives? How about the products we use, wear, and want? What, and where are some of the subtle racist remarks that are interpreted in our everyday lives? Racism is everywhere. Racism is made up from stereotypical thoughts that can be be displayed in plenty of ways covert, or overt, targeting all types of race.
DISPLAYING RACISM
Sometimes racism is displayed through the movements and actions of people. When a black individual is waiting to be served in a restaurant, sometimes the waiter/ waitress would wait, continuing what they were doing. However, when a white individual comes in to be served, the waiter/waitress would immediately help her, instead of the black individual. What message would that display? That the white individual is more “worthy” than the black individual.
Now, there is a lot of racism between the caucasian man and the black man. However, take a step back; there is racism all around you, aimed at all races. Racism can be found in magazines, the books we read, the TV episodes and commercials we watch everyday. (SEE VIDEO #1)
Looking at that, do you see the connection now? The things that we see every day can affect us in all types of ways. “The average American over the age of 2 spends more than 34 hours a week”, according to Nielsen statistics. Since we are usually accustomed to watch TV, we are used to the racism that is displayed on the TV. Do you not think that can alter our thinking in small ways, without us even knowing? Different sayings or funny jokes can be shown on the television, which are made for us to either agree with, or laugh at. How do you think stereotypes started? Stereotypes: “a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.” Stereotypes such as black girls “have no edges” or “mexicans will always be a janitor” can be viewed as funny jokes, but may be hurtful to many individuals because it labels them as a whole. You are insulting their race, labeling every single person the same as the next, just because they have the same ethnicity. You made a joke about their race, which is racist.
DISPLAYING RACISM
Sometimes racism is displayed through the movements and actions of people. When a black individual is waiting to be served in a restaurant, sometimes the waiter/ waitress would wait, continuing what they were doing. However, when a white individual comes in to be served, the waiter/waitress would immediately help her, instead of the black individual. What message would that display? That the white individual is more “worthy” than the black individual.
Now, there is a lot of racism between the caucasian man and the black man. However, take a step back; there is racism all around you, aimed at all races. Racism can be found in magazines, the books we read, the TV episodes and commercials we watch everyday. (SEE VIDEO #1)
Looking at that, do you see the connection now? The things that we see every day can affect us in all types of ways. “The average American over the age of 2 spends more than 34 hours a week”, according to Nielsen statistics. Since we are usually accustomed to watch TV, we are used to the racism that is displayed on the TV. Do you not think that can alter our thinking in small ways, without us even knowing? Different sayings or funny jokes can be shown on the television, which are made for us to either agree with, or laugh at. How do you think stereotypes started? Stereotypes: “a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.” Stereotypes such as black girls “have no edges” or “mexicans will always be a janitor” can be viewed as funny jokes, but may be hurtful to many individuals because it labels them as a whole. You are insulting their race, labeling every single person the same as the next, just because they have the same ethnicity. You made a joke about their race, which is racist.
In most cases, however, in multimedia racism can be racist in many sly ways. People will laugh, and even agree to such insults without even considering they are being stereotypical, or racist. Some may even laugh at their own jokes about their OWN race. Many people ridicule other because of their looks. Some tease other individuals about their flaws that are ‘associated” with their race, because a majority of that ethnic group has such qualities. African Americans are used to being teased because of their “huge lips, and big butts”. Italians usually have “big noses”. Indians “have nasty feet and toes, because all they wear are sandals”. Now, we usually see such things, because some may apply to some people. I know a lot of African Americans with big lips and big butts, but I can honestly say I know African Americans with very thin lips, and flat butts. Same goes for italians and indians. I know some with whom that applies to, however, is should not be concluded that all italians have big noses, or the black girl you down the street will have a big butt. Everyone is unique in their own way. The way that they were packaged was unexpected, with all types of flaws and qualities. We are not robots, we are not the same, which people fail to realize.
SUBTLE RACISM IN BRANDS
It’s a shame how many companies slither their biased opinions into their products, that they provide to the general public each and everyday. Some diaper companies or other companies that provide essentials for children, promote stereotypical situations on the cover of the product, without some customers even realizing it. Let’s take a look:
It’s a shame how many companies slither their biased opinions into their products, that they provide to the general public each and everyday. Some diaper companies or other companies that provide essentials for children, promote stereotypical situations on the cover of the product, without some customers even realizing it. Let’s take a look:
As we have here, on the left, a Black mother with her child. We see the same on the right side of the package with the caucasian mother with her child as well. However, what is missing here? Well, as we can see, the black mother has no father by her side, to accompany the baby. When we look on the right, we see that the family of the white folks is complete. What is the message here? The white family usually consist of a father, mother, and child. The complete family. When it comes to Black families, the father is either not around or left the black mother, degrading black women everywhere.