     Aisha | Thursday, November 09, 2000 - 02:55 pm
Racism results from the transformation of race prejudice and/or ethnocentrism through the exercise of power against a racial group defined as inferior, by individuals and institutions with the intentional or unintentional support of the entire culture.
I believe that racism at the cultural level is the defining issue that needs ot be understood to solve our problems today. In my psychology class, a young somalian girl was reduced to tears, because her effort to join with a somalian brother in a class project was rejected and her intentions or motivations challenged. This young woman's self-concept was strongly agalitarian, non-racist, and accepted. She was offended and hurt ot be treated as if she was just another white/black/non-somalian sister. The mistrust of the somalian brother was strong and uncompromising. I point out to both of them that they, as indeed the whole class, were victimized to some extent by the facts of our cultural past as far as race is concerned. We cannot expect things to flow smoothly and gently. There are deep scars for Somalian people, feelings of guilt and misunderstanding of privilege among the "Americans."
America is what it is, the most open society on earth, because of its struggles with liberty and its successes and failures in embracing all of its citizens.
As we stand on the brink of a new century, we are confronting the challenge of inclusion and diversity in the most straight-ahead way we ever have as a nation. The challenge and guidance of us is crucial to the ultimate success of maintaining our strength and purpose. As a psychologist, i am interested in figuring out how we can create a society in which people feel better about themselves, have legitimately expanded opportunities that do not simultaneously stigmatize them for taking advantage of them. I believe that just as slavery was a psychological as well as an economic institution, social policies can help solve the race problems only if they are understood in psychological terms. My own work on race,culture, and personality is provoked by my belief that the problems and solutions are social psychological in nature. I invite you to read and learn more about what we know and formulate your own ideas about what you can do as a scholar,teacher, or a citizen to make the 21st century more respectful of our rich human diversity and the strength it provides upon which the future of our humanity ultimately rests.
Thank-you. |
| Ayaan | Thursday, November 09, 2000 - 03:02 pm
wow! my goodness this is really not my level, i would have to say that sis, at some parts of your paper i got lost, and in some parts it really blew me away. I am no longer 100% sure if your soamlian, i mean to write something as powerful and intriguing as that, i am 100% sure your not. I would honestly have to say that i don't know nor have any feedback as to what you are asking of us. Only to say that i'm impressed that a sister like youself could write some as imperative as this. By reading that i'm sure without a doubt in my mind that you are a psychologist.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
P.S. where have you been hiding yourself during all these discussions? They could've used your way of thinking-your views on certain things.: : take-care |
