While I was reading Tim Wise's essay, "Exploring the Depths of Racist Socialization", I felt frustrated. Apparently this man has not yet forgiven himself or his families history when it comes to racism. It felt like the information he was putting in his essay was mainly personal. It felt like he had a lot to get of his chest. "Fact is nigger is still the first word on most white people's mind when they see a black man being taken off to jail on the evening news". WHAT? I don't think that. Yes, I see color. That is obvious. But I do not see a "nigger", because I choose not to see one. I see a person. Just like if a white person was sent to jail, I don't think "oh there goes that cracker/whitey/Anglo-Saxon/Caucasian piece of shit." I think there goes someone that possibly made a bad choice. It's too bad we couldn't just drop every title we were ever given with and just be known by our name instead of a race. We create racism when we do this. I believe as long as there are races there will be racism. How can people overcome the title they are given when something like a Census is out there gathering statistical information to prove where certain races stand in life. Give people the freedom to succeed in life, and maybe they will.
After finishing reading this essay, I had an "I'm still struggling" moment. It is so hard to get out into words what I believe, even though I know what Tim Wise was saying wasn't something I agreed with. I just felt even more confused. It seems with each article or essay I read that is about racism in some way or another, just leaves me asking more questions. Like where this author got their information? Is racism more of a personal issue then a public issue? Or is it both? Sometimes I wonder if we are just making it a bigger issue then it really is, and then other times I disagree with that statement.
It is possible that Tim Wise's late grandmother said the things she did before she died was in fact because she had Alzheimer's disease. I do know though, that because of his essay, my behavior toward racism has changed. I can no longer look at the older generation without thinking that it is quite possible that each elderly person I meet might be racist because of their upbringing. I can honestly say that was never the first thought that went through my mind before reading this.
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Good points. It is nice to see a well articulated argument against the author. I agree with you about the creation of racism and I think Tim Wise was hasty to generalize so easily. The generalizations he made are what lead to the generalizations he is arguing against and he therefore contradicts himself. I too have a tough time "saying what i believe" when i just can't get the words out, but you made your point. Nice job
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