Racism (and many other -isms, but here I'll just focus on race) is a very real issue in the world today. This year in IB English, focusing on the media, naturally we discuss race issues a lot. But I often go back to an interview with Morgan Freeman (I believe from 60 Minutes).
MIKE WALLACE, CBS`s "60 MINUTES": Black History Month, you find...
MORGAN FREEMAN, ACTOR: Ridiculous.
WALLACE: Why?
FREEMAN: You`re going to relegate my history to a month?
WALLACE: Come on.
FREEMAN: What do you do with yours? Which month is White History Month? Come on, tell me.
WALLACE: I`m Jewish.
FREEMAN: OK. Which month is Jewish History Month?
WALLACE: There isn`t one.
FREEMAN: Why not? Do you want one?
WALLACE: No, no.
FREEMAN: I don`t either. I don`t want a Black History Month. Black history is American history.
WALLACE: How are we going to get rid of racism until...?
FREEMAN: Stop talking about it. I`m going to stop calling you a white man. And I`m going to ask you to stop calling me a black man. I know you as Mike Wallace. You know me as Morgan Freeman. You`re not going to say, "I know this white guy named Mike Wallace." Hear what I`m saying?
I know this isn't exactly what we're doing in English, and it is probably important to be able to recognize microaggressions, but at what point do we need to just stop and see people as people and leave it at that? In English class already, I've become aware of a few stereotypes that I never even knew existed. Wasn't I better off NOT knowing these? Sometimes I agree with Freeman, that if we just stopped talking about race and pointing out stereotypes, the "race issue" would slowly be diminished over time. Any thoughts?
A wise teacher of mine once said that racism will end when we do not need Black History Month. Although it could be considered a cultural celebration in some instances, in my opinion (and the opinion of Morgan Freeman) it is simply a contrived observance by the federal government to single out an ethnic group. This is marginalization, believe it or not!
ReplyDeleteKronzer told us about "colorblindness" as a bad thing, as in not considering race when making a statement. However, I want there to be a day when colorblindness is the normal, because then race will not factor into anything. We will not even need separate ethnic cultures; we can all unite as the human race. (I surprise myself with my idealism today!) Still, I wonder where much of our humor would go...(see my post from 2 weeks ago about "the Death of Comedy")
I agree with you, Jackie, on this one. By drawing attention to our differences we make it an issue, the ignorant among us will then attempt to claim that one side is superior. This doesn't help the problem of isms, it gives those likely to develop them a reason to generate opinions. If we were to make the whole topic of isms taboo, eventually they would degrade into nothing as it's not acceptable to pass on your ideas on the subject, because people are not born with stereotypes this could correct the problem. The best way to combat an idea is to restrict the transfer and have a good majority not accept it's existence. A lot of work to kill an idea, but every person on board furthers the cause.
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