Racism as a System of Advantage

Question 5 

Wellman describes racism as a “system of advantage based on race.” Tatum prefers this definition to other definition because Wellman argues that racism is a universal element in the US socialization. According to Wellman, it is almost impossible to live in US modern society and fail to be exposed to some element of the institutional, cultural or personal expressions of racism in the American society (p. 106). Also, it is assumed that, as a consequence, every individual received certain information about the groups disadvantaged by racism.

Question 15 

During the early twentieth century, Asian immigrants were repudiated citizenship, and even Asian-Americans suffered from systematic economic, social and legal discrimination which downgraded them to second-class citizenship. Asian-Americans were scorned as “Yellow Peril” which was a threat to the moral and economic fabric of the country, and thus faced a lot of violence and prejudice. As a result, some Asian-Americans started a movement which was aimed at fighting for equal inclusion in the US, and the rights to participate actively in the judicial and political processes which defined the country, and mobilized grassroots efforts which sought to better the working and living conditions of poor and working-class Asian-Americans (p. 116). In this way, they pursued to be classified as white before the law by being treated equally and enjoying the same privileges as white Americans. People living in the US from many diverse Asian ancestries came together under the Asian-American umbrella to unite groups with different languages, cultures, ethnicities and countries of origin in unity for social justice.

Question 16 

Vincent Chin was a Chinese-American engineer who died after being beaten Michael Nitz and Ronald Ebens. Nitz and Ebens attacked Chin after a fight which occurred at a bar in Highland Park, where they were celebrating his bachelor party with friends before his forthcoming wedding. Seemingly, the two presumed chin was Japanese, and they used racial insults while attacking him. Nitz and Ebens blamed Chin for the Japan’s automobile industry’s success, despite Chin being of Chinese ancestry (p. 123). During this time, there was racial animosity at Metro Detroit towards Asian-Americans, particularly as the Japanese car imports penetrated in the US home market. Resentful employees blamed recent layoffs on Japanese competition.

Question 17 

The examples of anti-Asian violence shows that Asian-Americans were largely based oppressed based on their race. Asian-Americans were a subject of racial profiling, racism, and discrimination and stereotyping. The hatred and violence against them prevented them from upward mobility in places of work, and stifled their economic and social progress. Asian-Americans who were believed to be successful were seen as a threat to white Americans, and would be beaten and assaulted, like the case of Vincent Chin, who was attacked by two white Americans, leading to his death (p. 124). Overall, Asian-Americans experienced varied forms of discrimination, across various areas of life. For instance, many were victims of institutional forms of discrimination such as being denied jobs and receiving lower wages. Besides, they experienced racial slurs and negative comments about their race.

Question 18 

In Frye’s chapter “Oppression,” she talks about double bind idea in gender, which refers to "situations in which options are reduced to a very few and all of them expose one to penalty, censure or deprivation.” Frye uses this principle to femininity and the predicament faced by women frequently in discussing oppression. For instance, it is generally unacceptable for a woman to be sexually active or sexually inactive and labeled as uptight or man-hater (p. 132). This lack of choice pervades very deeply into females’ daily life which even minor actions such as how they decide to talk or dress are criticized. To her, this is the true meaning of oppression.