As we've had threads about "woke M&M's," privilege, and canceling Pink Floyd, I was reading up on the general topic and found this essay: The Four I's of Oppression (grcc.edu)
The four I's:
Ideological Oppression
Institutional Oppression
Interpersonal Oppression
Internalized Oppression
It also explains the concept of "reverse racism":
I've heard this view stated before, that people of color cannot be racist. They can be prejudiced, bigoted, and hateful as much as any other human, but they can't be racist because racism requires power. But then that prompts the question, what is power? Is power exemplified in what we see in the courts, in the media, by corporate America, and in the public policy implemented by our politicians and government?
At least on a public, overt level, it seems that the Powers That Be have made it clear that they are against racism, sexism, bigotry, and discrimination in all forms. This essay seems to address more subtle and hidden exertions of power, not its public face. From the essay:
This would suggest that the oppression is not conscious, but has been internalized.
The whole issue of "privilege" seems to raise a lot of hackles with people. People might hear terms like "white privilege" or "male privilege" or "white male privilege" - and it tends to put some people off, especially if they're white and/or male. (Although, as a side note, a lot of voices in the "manosphere" are men of color.)
As many of us already know, the right wing rejects this entire line of reasoning entirely. They categorically deny that there's any such thing as "white privilege" and contend that racism is all in the past, but not something that's actively practiced now. They would argue that Americans no longer judge people by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I myself have observed noticeable changes during my own lifetime, as well as seeing profound changes in the way many people think and perceive other people, such as the attitudes of my grandparents. It doesn't mean that anyone is perfect, but there have been plenty of white people who have made an honest, good faith effort to look at things differently and unlearn the many lies their teachers and parents/grandparents told them.
I was listening to a Republican on the radio the other day, where he was strongly denying any charges of racism and bigotry leveled against the right. He said "it's all about capitalism," where it's all based upon skills, merit, and ambition - where anyone can succeed with a bit of luck and pluck, as long as there's free markets and economic freedom. They claim it's the Democrats who want to keep the blacks "on the plantation" so to speak, by keeping them permanently dependent on the government dole. Of course, I and many others on the left don't really believe what they say, as it comes across as pretty disingenuous and is simply tailored in such a way as to not be overtly or explicitly racist.
Then there are liberals, progressives, and others of a more leftish bent who lean towards social liberalism yet still embrace the same capitalistic principles embraced by the right-wing. Indeed, it seems that the most "woke" also appear to be the wealthiest, while bigotry and racism are commonly associated with the poorest elements in society, the "hillbillies" and "rednecks" of Appalachia and "flyover country." I think they're probably being duped, though everyone seems to point to Trump and DeSantis as being the driving force behind a lot of this. But someone must be backing them.
A couple of observations which I've noticed are common in public dialogue on topics such as this is that some people want to label others as racist, who are then met with denials, and then the whole discussion degenerates into some kind of psychological analysis about whether someone is a racist deep down, yet somehow still in denial. It's like it's something people want to hide or not admit to, yet there may be telltale clues just the same.
Another thing that should be noted, and why I think this essay does have good deal of merit, is that, historically, both liberals and conservatives, along with racists and anti-racists, have operated from a position of power. The Civil War was one such struggle for power, and in many ways, the Civil Rights Movement was another struggle for power. This would indicate that the underlying issue is all about power and how it is wielded in our society by those who hold the upper hand. Whether liberal or conservative, it's mostly been people with white faces setting the agenda. Of course, people of color have made inroads into politics and made some gains, and perhaps that may be why there's been noticeable pushback from certain sectors and regions.
This isn't really about being "woke," at least not as I see it. I believe that there is a duty to historical truth that must be adhered to, so we have to tell the truth about where we've come from and where we are today. But I also think that we need to live in the here and now. I think it's ultimately a lost cause to try to approach this issue from some sort psychological viewpoint, the idea of exposing and unmasking the "inner racist" that white people are apparently so desperate to conceal. Even if there may be some merit to the idea, it's too cerebral and esoteric for the general public to be able to digest, especially if a lot of these ideas have been internalized and reinforced throughout one's lifetime.
There are those who realize that the milk has already been spilled and that history can't be changed, but believe that it's best to just move forward and promote a spirit of cooperation, unity, and egalitarianism among neighbors. We don't need to play any more "power games," which is where all that struggle for "power" comes from and it's what all the fighting and dissension is really about.
The four I's:
Ideological Oppression
Institutional Oppression
Interpersonal Oppression
Internalized Oppression
It also explains the concept of "reverse racism":
I've heard this view stated before, that people of color cannot be racist. They can be prejudiced, bigoted, and hateful as much as any other human, but they can't be racist because racism requires power. But then that prompts the question, what is power? Is power exemplified in what we see in the courts, in the media, by corporate America, and in the public policy implemented by our politicians and government?
At least on a public, overt level, it seems that the Powers That Be have made it clear that they are against racism, sexism, bigotry, and discrimination in all forms. This essay seems to address more subtle and hidden exertions of power, not its public face. From the essay:
This would suggest that the oppression is not conscious, but has been internalized.
The whole issue of "privilege" seems to raise a lot of hackles with people. People might hear terms like "white privilege" or "male privilege" or "white male privilege" - and it tends to put some people off, especially if they're white and/or male. (Although, as a side note, a lot of voices in the "manosphere" are men of color.)
As many of us already know, the right wing rejects this entire line of reasoning entirely. They categorically deny that there's any such thing as "white privilege" and contend that racism is all in the past, but not something that's actively practiced now. They would argue that Americans no longer judge people by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I myself have observed noticeable changes during my own lifetime, as well as seeing profound changes in the way many people think and perceive other people, such as the attitudes of my grandparents. It doesn't mean that anyone is perfect, but there have been plenty of white people who have made an honest, good faith effort to look at things differently and unlearn the many lies their teachers and parents/grandparents told them.
I was listening to a Republican on the radio the other day, where he was strongly denying any charges of racism and bigotry leveled against the right. He said "it's all about capitalism," where it's all based upon skills, merit, and ambition - where anyone can succeed with a bit of luck and pluck, as long as there's free markets and economic freedom. They claim it's the Democrats who want to keep the blacks "on the plantation" so to speak, by keeping them permanently dependent on the government dole. Of course, I and many others on the left don't really believe what they say, as it comes across as pretty disingenuous and is simply tailored in such a way as to not be overtly or explicitly racist.
Then there are liberals, progressives, and others of a more leftish bent who lean towards social liberalism yet still embrace the same capitalistic principles embraced by the right-wing. Indeed, it seems that the most "woke" also appear to be the wealthiest, while bigotry and racism are commonly associated with the poorest elements in society, the "hillbillies" and "rednecks" of Appalachia and "flyover country." I think they're probably being duped, though everyone seems to point to Trump and DeSantis as being the driving force behind a lot of this. But someone must be backing them.
A couple of observations which I've noticed are common in public dialogue on topics such as this is that some people want to label others as racist, who are then met with denials, and then the whole discussion degenerates into some kind of psychological analysis about whether someone is a racist deep down, yet somehow still in denial. It's like it's something people want to hide or not admit to, yet there may be telltale clues just the same.
Another thing that should be noted, and why I think this essay does have good deal of merit, is that, historically, both liberals and conservatives, along with racists and anti-racists, have operated from a position of power. The Civil War was one such struggle for power, and in many ways, the Civil Rights Movement was another struggle for power. This would indicate that the underlying issue is all about power and how it is wielded in our society by those who hold the upper hand. Whether liberal or conservative, it's mostly been people with white faces setting the agenda. Of course, people of color have made inroads into politics and made some gains, and perhaps that may be why there's been noticeable pushback from certain sectors and regions.
This isn't really about being "woke," at least not as I see it. I believe that there is a duty to historical truth that must be adhered to, so we have to tell the truth about where we've come from and where we are today. But I also think that we need to live in the here and now. I think it's ultimately a lost cause to try to approach this issue from some sort psychological viewpoint, the idea of exposing and unmasking the "inner racist" that white people are apparently so desperate to conceal. Even if there may be some merit to the idea, it's too cerebral and esoteric for the general public to be able to digest, especially if a lot of these ideas have been internalized and reinforced throughout one's lifetime.
There are those who realize that the milk has already been spilled and that history can't be changed, but believe that it's best to just move forward and promote a spirit of cooperation, unity, and egalitarianism among neighbors. We don't need to play any more "power games," which is where all that struggle for "power" comes from and it's what all the fighting and dissension is really about.
