Editorials
Editorial: Racism ’round the world
01:00 AM EDT on Friday, October 26, 2007
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence has been making use of a handbook called “dismantling racism 2006” put together by a consultancy called Dismantling Racism Works.
Here’s a passage:
“Racism = a white supremacy system.
“Racism is different from racial prejudice, hatred, or discrimination. Racism involves one group having the power to carry out systematic discrimination through the major institutions of society. By this definition, only white people can be racist in our society, because only white people as a group have that power.”
The language does say “in our society,” and it’s obvious that whites are still dominant in America, though one could argue that it’s the very rich who are increasingly important. But people of all races in America sometime express racist views. Obviously. That’s because racism and other sorts of bigotry against entire groups go with the human species. The consultant’s rhetoric is outstandingly inane, and, well, racist.
If you want to see racism, you may look anywhere around the world, from the pervasive racism expressed by many Chinese and Japanese toward other ethnic groups, the racism of members of some African tribes against ones whose members may have different facial features than theirs (remember Rwanda?); the racism of Arabs toward black Africans, the Malays toward Overseas Chinese, Turks toward Armenians and vice versa and on and on.
Oh, here’s another line from the handbook: “All Europeans did not and do not become white at the same time. . . . Becoming white involves giving up pieces of your original culture in order to get the advantages and privileges of being in the white group. . . . This process continues today.”
Tens of thousands of dollars in fees and expenses went to pay for such insights.
We want to hear from you
More editorials
Most viewed yesterday
Donaldson -- Brady's health will determine how far these Patriots go
After two preseason games, Patriots are far from being a super team
Inmate had sex with supervisor during work release, officials say
West Warwick, state of Rhode Island propose settlements in Station fire
Most active surveys
Are you considering switching to a cheaper alternative to heat your home?
Should the drinking age be lowered?
React to the latest Station fire settlement offer
Most e-mailed in the last 24 hours








