In what ways does what Tim Wise refers to as "White Bonding" (102-106) interact with Thandeka's concept of "White Shame" (12-13, etc.)? It seems to me that white bonding is the action which would cause the self to abandon parts of itself and to flee into whiteness seeking acceptance in a larger community. However, if this is how "whiteness" is formed it stands to reason that, just as operant conditioning requires occasional reinforcement, whiteness would require the same. Are instances such as racial jokes a form of reinforcement of the conditioned "whiteness"? Are they outlets for an individual to express that they are in fact part of that (white) community? Or do they serve both purposes, both representing and reinforcing that belonging?
Following the parallel to operant conditioning I feel that this experience of white bonding is the most likely suspect for the reinforcement of "whiteness" and from this follows that in order to break free from this racial conditioning is to confront it with punishment (either positive or negative) in order to bring about the extiction of the behavior.
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I think you're right in the conditioning of whiteness is a reinforcement of the status quo. Like Thandeka said in her book, children are conditioned by their parents to fit in the white community. They are made to feel guilty to conform to the race. I think there are smaller, subtler reactions or nonverbals that people pick up on, it just doesn't have to be racist jokes.
ReplyDeleteI think fear of alienation serves to encourage "white bonding". I have been in situation where in a group of white people ( in my experience white males) there is a ritual fire circle of prejudiced jokes. On several occasions I would be in a group of kids who went to a private school with almost no non-white students. It would usually starts with blond jokes, or jokes about stupid women are. Then it usually moved to racial jokes. Everyone was expect to provide one and once they did they were rewarded with the groups laughter and congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI always felt so uncomfortable. I usually wouldn't participate, but sometimes I would. I was so afraid of being uncool or disliked that I participated in racist behavior to bond with my white brethren. Whatever I did I either felt upset because I felt excluded or guilty about what I had said.
that is really interesting and thanks for being so honest coop. I imagine being a little (white) kid and knowing that it is wrong but fearing that and how do you address it to that group of people. i feel like there is nothing you can say that would get a positive reaction or move the group to some sort of understanding that convinces them of their ignorance. I had that issue with Tim Wise and his solution of saying "I'm black" in response to racist jokes. Sure maybe the racist feels a little salty for a minute but i doubt they will refrain from saying the jokes when Wise isn't around or when he is around people that he really knows are white.
ReplyDeleteI guess i feel like it is in the education from the parenting. I went to a preschool and grammer school with a lot of white poeple and that type of stuff was not tolerated by any one at any age. If someone would have made a racist joke they would have been the 'uncool' one because they were out nubered by people who didn't appreciate that form of bonding. How thier parents got to a place where they didn't accept that i don't know and what they did or didn't do to their kids i don't really know either. maybe it was the school enviornment. maybe they were all racist and just hid it from since im apparently not white. It is just interesting, i guess, for me seeing that difference.
I find it amazing that people who tell these jokes are positively reinforced, whereas those who talk openly about racial discrimination are seen as the racist. It seems like the more we delve into the topic, the more it seems impossible to find a solution.
ReplyDeleteTo be completely honest the school that I went to open Racially discriminatory comments were also reinforced. The only criteria for being able to say this was that you could back it up with some kind of rationale. And they had no problem saying these things around non whites because they felt like they were right. I will admit that there were moments when my semi conservative views forced me to agree but I would have to hold my tongue if i openly agreed they would go further... Its like Bill Cosby you can agree but when you say that it is okay whites will run with it...
ReplyDeleteyeah, I definitely think whites are basically bred to be a certain "way," which is, undeniably, white. It's kind of similar to the way that girls are always taught to like pink and wear dresses while boys are raised to like blue and play football. I mean, honestly, whoever said pink was just for girls? But because thats just how kids are raised, no one ever questions it. And this idea is kind of sexist, but really not imperative to people's lives so no one says anything. Same thing applies to race issues.
ReplyDeleteIn my head, I'm imagining a bunch of white, male, young adults hanging out and telling jokes. They are trying to fit in and seem "cool." So much humor is based on making fun of people. I think the idea of them telling racist jokes to try to fit in to the White community is insightful. The jokes show how they are all the same, how they have power, how they are superior. The laughter of their friends reinforces the actions.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how many times I have heard someone tell a racist joke, but before telling it say, "I'm not racist or anything..." No, they're just flaunting their privilege, at the expense of other people, and reinforcing the power of Whiteness. Of course that's not racist.
Racist jokes amongst whites just reinforces the system...in this regard i agree with the various comments before but i'd expand and say that this reinforcement has help create a system with which whites can give themselves worth by deconstructing other races
ReplyDeleteI feel like there have always been tons of racist, sexist, and just generally politically incorrect jokes floating around me at school and social gatherings outside of school. I was really surprised some people haven't been exposed in the same way.
ReplyDeleteIt never seemed racist (etc) because it was 'just a joke,' and the teller obviously didn't mean it. Obviously there's still reproduction through this, but how much does the intent matter? I'd say at least somewhat.
Also I agree with Barret, most outlets of white reinforcement are wayyyy more subtle and not overtly about race. Just little things we don't even think about. invisibility...