What were the themes presented in the video clips you watched? How did the individual make sense of their own racial identity in relation to their other identities?
Racism and racial disparities have consistently raised concerns in the United States. In the video "On White Privilege," Tim Wise expounds on racism that is perpetuated through the concept of whiteness in America (Challenging Media, 2020). The theme of racism and slavery are presented through political and economic divisions of the society. Race emerged in the United States as a socio-political construct meant to justify whites' superiority over racially different groups, including blacks, Mexicans, and Chinese (Miles & Brown, 2003). Tim Wise makes sense of his racial identity by criticizing the existence of racial identities that led to the creation of a white superiority notion in the US.
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What or how have you felt growing up or living in the United States?
Life in the United States has been both enjoyable and challenging. I am a white American and have had the privilege to associate with Native Americans' ideologies. However, despite the identifiable notion of white supremacy, living in a multi-ethnic society, necessitates interactions with all races.
What have you experienced or felt about race and racism in the US?
I have witnessed some form of discrimination of African Americans both in school and within the society. Similarly, I am conversant with racial segregation in the 1960s and discriminations of immigrants in the last decade.
What messages did you get about your racial group? What messages did you get about other groups?
My racial group is often cited as biased and discriminative against other ethnic groups. Conversely, African Americans and Mexicans have been cited as being associated with drug trade and violence. According to Miles and Brown (2003), racial disparities impact the integration of people of color in political institutions, schools, employment, and social groups. Such instances are attributed to the increasing differences in social-economic identities in society.
What other social identity groups do you belong to? How has your racial identity intersected with your other identities?
I identify with American women or girls, Christianity, and the middle social-economic class. Since most white Americans, especially my parents, are Christians, my racial identity has dramatically contributed to the ethnoreligious identity. In making sense of my race, I have learned to identify with Native Americans while respecting other races—nonetheless, I identity with the expected conduct of American women in the society. However, I recognize social, economic, and political equality and the significance of each racial group in society.
References
Challenging Media. (2020). Tim Wise: On White Privilege [Video]. Retrieved 24 May 2020, from https://youtu.be/J3Xe1kX7Wsc .
Miles, R., & Brown, M. (2003). Racism . Psychology Press.
