Comments on: Everyday Language of White Racism

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:05:46 +0000

Brent, you may not think of “gangbangers” that way but some significant research in a multiracial residential community in Chicago is now showing that whites use “gangbangers” as code language for black and Latino youth. Many whites there and elsewhere are concerned about social desirability (“political correctness” is actually inaccurate as a term) in public settings. The key is to understand how thinly disguised codewords signal much deeper and extensive racialized thinking today.

By: Brent

Brent — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:21:43 +0000

I think what this most demonstrates is the old saying in science: “If you look hard enough for evidence of something, you’ll find it.” What is ironic is that much of the codewording is the result of the political correctness movement, which merely silenced the rattles of snakes but did nothing to make them less dangerous, and caused significant resentment in whites who, perhaps imperfectly but with laudable intentions, try not to be racist in actions or words but who find the perceptual landscape an impregnable minefield and give up in frustration. The net effect is that many whites who might have supported efforts to defeat overt racism develop racist attitudes and perceptions of minority groups as “overly sensitive” or “lacking a sense of humor,” not to mention decreasing empathy toward those who most seek it.

George Carlin did a marvelous routine on the linguistic landscape and white people’s frustrations with it, tracing the confusion felt by white people through assorted descriptives such as black, Negro, African or Afro-American, colored people, people of color, etc. I’ve personally always been somewhat puzzled by black, which is rarely accurate but especially off in describing those like Tiger Woods, Halle Berry, or our current President, and since when aren’t Native Americans colored? For that matter, even whites are more pinks or beiges, but then I doubt many guys would want to be called “that bunch of pink guys.”

I’d also like to note that perhaps the author is stereotyping a bit as well; I for one do not think of “gangbangers” as being minorities, the original gangs were Irish and Italians in this country, and many people I’ve known in my life – and been a landlord to – in public housing were whites.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:31:37 +0000

I am glad you find this brief overview useful. I strongly encourage you all to take a look at the book, as it is very sharp on things like language, and the quiet spaces between words that signal coded undertandings. The silences of racist language.

By: PPR_Scribe

PPR_Scribe — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:56:59 +0000

Thanks for the review. Sounds like an interesting read.

I’ll be interested to read more about the defensiveness issue. For example, I have participated in discussion among anti-racists where the idea of calling It something else in order to facilitate discussion and not shut down conversation. Of course the “It” is racism (the “r-word”). I have generally resisted this notion, thinking folks are either willing to talk or not and sugar-coating will not make much difference.

But I am willing to consider that I could be very wrong about this…

By: macon d

macon d — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:33:21 +0000

Just a second to Victor Ray’s comment. Thanks for the alert to what looks like a very useful book!

By: Victor Ray

Victor Ray — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:02:10 +0000

Thanks Joe for the review. I am really looking forward to reading this book. I am often amazed at white refusal not only to acknowledge racism in language, but also denial of substantive facts.