http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/marty-knollenberg-african-americans-white_56631e64e4b072e9d1c66d9d?ir=Politics§ion=politics
This article elaborates on a Michigan State hearing regarding academic performance among different demographic groups within the state. The hearing made news and caused much controversy because state senator, Marty Knollenberg, was quoted saying that the reason for the academic disparities were due to the fact that "we can't make an African-American white". The purpose of the hearing was to break down all the data from Michigan schools and their data showed that race had nothing to do with the disparity in academic performance. Knollenberg has come under fire for his racist comments but has stated that his remarks were taken out of context and his only concerns are with improving education for all students. Another quote from Knollenberg: "You mention why these schools districts fail, and you mention economically disadvantaged and non-white population are contributors to that. And we can’t fix that. We can’t make an African-American white," he said at the meeting. "That's just, it is what it is."
Immediately after reading Senator Knollenberg's comments I thought of Mills' Racial Contract, specifically about how racism is institutionalized and how racism isn't necessarily a problem with the individual but society itself. Looking at both the quotes from the Michigan senator it is easy to point fingers at him and say that he is the problem and the reason racism is such a problem in America however, I would argue and i think Mills would argue, that the issue lies within the education system itself. Equality is never really talked about in school, which results in an environment that discrimination and racist comments are accepted. Our history of colonialism and slavery also play a key role into our acceptance of racism. But again that problem does not lie with the individual but the structure of society that allows racism to exist. It allows us to create stereotypes about different groups of people, similar to the stereotypes of African-Americans contribution to poor academic performance and low economic status that Knollenberg commented on. Until we try to fix racism at an institutional level and not an individual level it will never be fixed. We must look within our educational,economic, and political systems to change the way race is seen in our society.
I agree with Devon, and Mills, that this issue is institutionalized. This is based on years of racism against minorities. Years of discrimination in our laws and institutions have cause minorities to be pushed into lower-income neighborhoods and not have as many educational opportunities as their white counterparts do. This institutional racism is built into our history. We need to have major structural changes in society and politics if we want there to be change.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Racism needs to be fixed on an institutional level. Our history classes growing up taught us about racism, however it also taught us to accept racism in some form. We discriminate against minorities by making them live in low income places, and we dont provide them with the tools to achieve a higher education. we need to focus on fixing the structure of the institutions rather than fixing one person at a time.
ReplyDeleteI agree, that institutionalized racism runs very deep in the american society. People have been taught that minorities are not as smart and have used the white man as the token for what is right and as a goal for everyone else to achieve. Clearly, racism is showed through the statements of Knollenberg.
ReplyDeleteThis statement does not only hurt blacks and minorities but many other marginalized groups as well. For instance, anyone who is not white, straight, and privileged. The system tries to only benefit the people who fit this description. Thus, leaving out minorities, lgbtq communities, and women as well.
DeleteThis is definitely an example of institutional racism, although I also thing that Knollenberg is making the situation worse. It is important that people like him are held accountable for their actions, and in a better scenario, replaced by someone who is aware of these injustices and does their best to make others aware of them too.
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