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The Sam Frescoe Project
#SamFrescoe #racism #race #hatred
Every American is impacted by racism. Whether by an individual’s decision, a collective action, or a government sanctioned use of force, no one is fully insulated. So, is racism in the United States a social-political problem? Those that talk the talk agree in great and loud tones that racism is a problem. However, when it’s time to walk the walk, behaviors suggest a different answer.
Racism is popular. The term seems to have a wide span of
usage while, simultaneously, being reserved for use by selected people-groups
and contexts. Given this perception, it seems that racism has a fluid,
multi-faceted nature that is both inclusive and exclusive, simultaneously. This
character is further reinforced by expressions of self-identity and community-belonging
along, what are called, racial lines.
Racism is a polarizing. It represents a phenomenon that is
harmful to some while being beneficial to others. Consider the following
statements. – Racism is an absolute moral wrong (an abomination of humankind).
Racism is benign (an aid to those that can’t care for themselves). Racism fuels
an industry for the transfer of wealth (financial benefits, prestige and
notoriety, legal benefits). Racism is a “call to action” (seeking reparations).
Racism is a mechanism for seeking justice (racial justice). Racism legitimizes
compelling outcomes (employment, affirmative actions). Racism rationalizes
otherwise inexcusable behavior (rioting). Racism provides victim status
(oppression). Racism marginalizes (supremacy, embarrassment, humiliation and
demonization). Racism rallies (power, “call to action”). – These are just some
examples offered by one person. However, because everyone has a unique
perspective and experience, I am certain that this list is not comprehensive.
“There is a perceptible shift in
our National dialogue on race. We are experiencing a move away from definitions
that describe the relationships of different groups of people to newer definitions
designed to stifle discussion by negatively characterizing discussion, dissent,
or protest.” – Kevin Myles[1]
So, given the complexities, how does someone “wrap their
mind around” a working definition of racism?
Getting Started
To address the question, I intend to examine racism as a
term of vocabulary. Specifically, I intend to determine if the derivation of
racism (as a term) can provide a better understanding of racism in America. I
began by considering racism to be a derivation of two words: race (noun/root)
and ism (suffix). Then, compared that derivation to current definitions of
racism. Finally, I will conclude by addressing the question directly.
While researching, I examined a number of modern
dictionaries. I selected sources that have a long history of printed editions,
and those that seem to be well-respected online resources. Additionally, to
gain a sense of historical perspective, I consulted a Webster edition claiming
to be published in 1828. Other online dictionaries seemed to contain entries
that have a popular or slang tone, and where not considered due to a lack of
long-standing rigor. Four primary sources were consulted: Dictionary.com,
Google, Merriam-Webster, and Oxford. Additional sources are cited.
Can examination of “race” and “ism” provide a better
understanding of racism?
Partially – In my view, racism, a term derived from race
(noun) and ism (suffix), has two working definitions (deviation notes and
citations are located at the end of the article):
1. Racism
is a prejudicial or discriminatory doctrine for the purpose of classifying human
beings according to a particular state, quality, and/or pathological condition.
2. Racism
is a prejudicial or discriminatory combination of ways, means, and ends for the
purpose of classifying human beings according to a particular state, quality,
and/or pathological condition.
The first definition describes a way of thinking based on
what is observable. The desired result is a set of policies, principles, rules,
or guidelines suitable for classifying human beings. It seems reasonable to
imply the existence of an observer and the observed, and that this way of
thinking is seen in a highly negative social-political light.
The second definition describes a strategy of doing based on
what is observable. The desired end-state is a combination of ways and means
suitable for classifying human beings. To my mind, it seems reasonable to imply
the existence of actors (policy-makers, doers), a population, political will
(ends), and an executive mechanism of observation (ways) and enforcement
(means). Additionally, this kind of strategy is viewed in a highly negative
social-political light.
However, there are significant shortfalls. Neither
definition adequately specifies particulars to be observed, nor why those
particulars are deemed important. In my view, to derive a working definition
for racism, then these shortfalls must be more adequately addressed. Ironically,
modern definitions of “racism” (as a stand-alone term) seem to be helpful in
addressing the two identified shortfalls: observations and significance.
Racism
To no surprise, racism (noun) has many definitions. Given
the scope of this piece, and the shortfalls identified, I limited the
discussion to those definitions that could be categorized as “beliefs and
doctrine” and “relationships and interactions.” Definitions of other forms are
not discussed.
Beliefs and Doctrines[2],[3],[4],[5]:
Racism takes a form that can be used to describe a set of beliefs or doctrines
of practice. It seems clear that this line of reasoning subscribes to the
following: the differences, characteristics, capacities and/or abilities among
human beings are inherent to their race; human beings can be grouped by race;
and, races of human beings can be arranged in a hierarchal manner as to
distinguish any one race as superior or inferior to another.
Relationships and Interactions[6],[7],[8],[9]:
Racism seems to be an instructive construct for dealings among human beings.
This line of reasoning seems to subscribe to the following: a condition of
hatred, intolerance, prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism against an
individual perceived to be of a race different than the evaluator.
Historical Perspective: It seems
clear that the term, racism, as spoken in the English language, is a relatively
recent development. Its first known use seems to be at/near 1902.[10]
However, one source claimed that the term can be traced back to 1865-1870 under
a French term, racisme.[11]
It should be noted that the Webster dictionary of 1828 did not contain the
term, racism, at all.[12]
How does this understanding of “racism” address the
shortfalls?
Shortfall-1: Particulars – It seems
clear that racism is concerned with differences, characteristics, capacities
and/or abilities inherent to particular human beings. This lead to a
re-examination of “race” and the attachment of particulars: skin color, facial
form, eye shape, genetic markers, and/or other arbitrarily features.
Shortfall-2: Significance – It
seems clear that racism performs three functions:
1. Racism
groups human beings by race.
2. Racism
assigns a hierarchal value to individuals by distinguishing any one race as
superior or inferior to another.
3. Racism
prescribes a condition of hatred, intolerance, prejudice, discrimination, or
antagonism against an individual perceived to be of a race different than the
evaluator.
“Race-Ism” à “Racism”
Racism is a doctrine. – Racism is a prejudicial or discriminatory
set of policies, principles, rules, or guidelines suitable for classifying
human beings according to differences, characteristics, capacities and/or
abilities inherent to particular human beings (e.g. skin color, facial form,
eye shape, genetic markers, and/or other arbitrarily features). – This
definition implies at least the following: the existence of an observer; the
observed; the observer can discern inherent differences, characteristics,
capacities and/or abilities of the observed; and the observer intends ill-will
towards the observed.
Racism is a strategy. – Racism represents a prejudicial or
discriminatory plan, approach, or scheme (or set of plans, approaches, or
schemes) designed to classify human beings according to differences, characteristics,
capacities and/or abilities inherent to particular human beings (e.g. skin
color, facial form, eye shape, genetic markers, and/or other arbitrarily
features). – This definition implies at least the following: the existence of
actors (policy-makers, doers, by-standers); a population to be classified;
political will (ends); an executive mechanism of observation (ways) and
enforcement (means).
Critiques
There are those that disagree with my approach for
understanding racism.
- Robert
Hugs, of Everyday Feminist, claims dictionary definitions are “opinions of some
people.”[13]
- Luke
Visconti, of Diversity Inc., claims the dictionary definition of racism is “too
white” and lacks “nuance and is incomplete.”[14]
- Pat
A. Bidol, Developing New Perspectives of Race, claims the proper definition of racism
is prejudice plus power.
“Much of the social history of the
Western world over the past three decades has involved replacing what worked
with what sounded good. In area after area - crime, education, housing, race
relations - the situation has gotten worse after the bright new theories were
put into operation. The amazing thing is that this history of failure and
disaster has neither discouraged the social engineers nor discredited them.” –
Thomas Sowell
Putting It Together
Racism believes in devaluing (diminishing, cheapening,
reducing) human beings.
Racism provides doctrines and strategies for its own ends
(aims, goals, objectives).
Racism is prejudicial (harmful, detrimental, damaging) and
discriminatory (unfair, bigoted, inequitable, intolerant).
Going Forward – A Solution
Racism is stupidity compounded by hate. – For me, this is
the question. If you consider any two people, each fully vested with natural
rights and human meaning, then how can you say one is more valuable than the
other?
“We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and
the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are
instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the
governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these
ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute
new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers
in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and
Happiness.” – Declaration of Independence, Paragraph-2
Given the last several years of upheaval, removal of racism
from our social-political structures should be a priority. For if the United
States is to be a nation of freedom-loving people, then racism must be made
impotent and all of its citizens uniformly valued.
Thank you. – Sam Frescoe
Your View
Your thoughts and perspectives are important. I invite you
to tell me what you believe with the comment section below or at samfrescoe@gmail.com.
© 2017 – SamFrescoeProject.Blogspot.com – All Rights Reserved
“Race-Ism” – My Derivation
For the purposes of this section, racism (noun) is derived
from two words: race (noun/root) and ism (suffix). This assumption seems to be
supported, somewhat but not definitively, by Webster[16]
and Dictionary.com.[17]
Other parts of speech were not considered.
Race
Race (noun) has multiple definitions;
however, given the frame and intent of this piece, I limited the discussion to
those definitions that could be categorized as “classification” and “lineage.” Other
usages of race, such as competitions, are not discussed.
Classification[18],[19],[20]:
Race can take a form commonly used to describe a classification of human
beings. Characteristics of this form include the following: human beings can be
grouped into divisions/classes/categories according to arbitrarily selected
physical characteristics (ex: skin color, facial form, eye shape, genetic
markers).
Lineage[21],[22]:
Race can take a form used to describe the lineage or ancestry of human beings.
Characteristics of this form include the following: a family, tribe, people, or
nation descended from a common ancestor/ancestors; and, a group of people
sharing the same culture, history, language, etc.; an ethnic group.
Historical Perspective: It seems
clear that the term, race, as spoken in the English language, is a long lasting
term. Its first known use seems to be within the 14th century[23].
The Webster dictionary of 1828 does define race as “lineage of a family, or
continued series of descendants from a parent who is called the stock” or as a
grouping of hooved (particularly equine) animals. [24]
Ism
Ism (suffix), the word, has many definitions;
however, given the frame and intent of this piece, I limited the discussion to
those definitions that could be categorized as “doctrine,” “oppression,
prejudice, discrimination,” and “condition.” Other usages of ism are not
discussed.
Doctrine[25],[26]:
Ism can be used to denote a doctrine of thought. Characteristics of this form
seem to include: existence of a system of principles, theories, or ideas; a
manner of action or behavior consistent with a system of principles, theories,
or ideas; adherence to a system of principles, theories, or ideas.
Oppression, Prejudice,
Discrimination[27],[28]:
Ism can be used to denote the following: prejudice or discrimination on the
basis of a specified attribute; an unfavorable act, practice, or process.
Condition[29],[30]:
Ism can be used to denote the following: a particular state or quality of being
or property; a result of an action; a pathological condition marked by
resemblance to a specified person or thing.
Historical Perspective: It seems
clear that the term, ism, as spoken in the English language, is a long lasting
term. Its first known use seems to be at/near 1680 [31]. However, it should be
noted that the Webster dictionary of 1828 does not define “ism” as a
stand-alone term. [32]
A prior derivation I’ve offered as part of previous posts – Racism
is a decision-making doctrine by which a person or people group makes decisions
concerning their interaction with a differing person or people group on the
basis of skin color.[33]
[1] Kevin
Myles. “Racism vs Race-ism: The changing language of race in America”. Daily
Kos. Published 22 Apr 20009. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/4/22/723329/-
(accessed 170115)
[13] Robert
Hugs. “Why Using the Dictionary Definition of Racism Just Doesn’t Work”.
Everyday Feminist. Published 15 Mar 2015. http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/03/dictionary-definition-racism/
(accessed 170115)
[14] Luke
Viscosti. “Ask the White Guy: Is the Oxford Dictionary Definition of Racism Too
White for You?”. Diversity Inc. Published 6 Aug 2013. http://www.diversityinc.com/ask-the-white-guy/ask-the-white-guy-is-the-oxford-dictionary-definition-of-racism-too-white-for-you/
(accessed 170115)
[16] Racism.
Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language. Gramercy
Books. 1989. Page-1184
