The second chapter of Patricia Hill Collins' book "Black Sexual Politics" addresses the idea of "new racism," which does not suggest any novel or groundbreaking features of racism. The portrayal of racism, both in the book and in real-life scenarios, includes familiar elements that have been present for centuries. These elements consist of three essential parts: racism itself, racial segregation, and how they are represented and evolve over time.
The essential elements for the existence of racism include the economical factor of influence, personal attitude (with or without political support), public opinion, and male/female segregation.
Although the author does not present any novel ideas about the nature and origins of racism, they do make a valuable contribution by providing a precise explanation of modern racism and its current manifestations. In the following discussion, we
...will delve deeper into these specifics.
The problem of racism in current global organizations centers on the inequitable allocation of capital influenced by race. It is expected that those who have possessed capital for many generations are hesitant to distribute it, particularly among individuals they view as a low-cost workforce. By examining history, we can trace this mentality back to chattel slavery, a system that specifically targeted black slaves and endured until 1865.
Initially, it was economic enslavement. The subsequent reconstruction period from 1865-1877 and migration to the North were all tactics employed to further enrich the white population, denying Afro-Americans their rightful share of the resources they rightfully earned.
Racial segregation directly led to the exploitation of Afro-Americans. This resulted in them being confined to undesirable workplaces and trapped in impoverished neighborhoods. Th
limited housing options available for black families, caused by racial segregation, enabled landlords to exploit the situation by raising rents and forcing families to live in cramped and unhealthy conditions.
The author mentions a new phenomenon in which opportunities for both youth and adults are becoming limited. The financial factor plays a significant role in this. Racist-capitalists secure their position by keeping black children in ghettos, preventing future opposition and dividing available capital and resources.
Moreover, racism in today's world goes beyond national borders as local and regional groups no longer subscribe to the same racial beliefs as the broader society. This remains a reality. Currently, children are not solely influenced by their families; instead, they are increasingly influenced by street culture while growing up.
What they observe is not comprehension but rather animosity and discrimination of a DIFFERENT type – loathing towards those who are white. The distinction from the past lies in the fact that back then racism had some connection to a particular nationality or skin color, and authorities or manipulators could exert some control over it. However, presently it has evolved into a state of chaos – a free-for-all conflict.
In the past, African men were denied the opportunity to support their families by not receiving the promised "40 acres and a mule" due to state authorization.
The gangster wars we encounter on the streets remain uncontrolled and devastating. Furthermore, these wars exhibit a more personal attitude compared to racial segregation.
Furthermore, new racism primarily relies on the manipulations performed through mass media. The implementation of innovative methods showcases dominant ideologies that assert racism no
longer exists. However, their primary purpose is to disguise the prevalence of racism across all aspects of human existence.
The rise of mass media allowed beliefs about Black sexuality to spread rapidly beyond those who read printed materials. This led to the normalization of social practices like lynching and institutionalized offenses such as rape in the fabric of American society, which were justified by strong ideologies.
The Birth of the Nation, a movie released in 1915, is the most notable example. It depicts the formation of the Ku Klux Klan with the intention of safeguarding white women from Afro-American males with desires.
In my personal view, I fully support the new definition of racism. In today's rapidly evolving world with advancements in technology, we cannot expect past incidents to remain stagnant. These occurrences have two options – either fade away as they become irrelevant in modern life or transform into a different form while still addressing the same underlying problem.
While I am hopeful, I recognize that racism and segregation cannot be instantly eradicated. However, Patricia Hill Collins effectively portrays their current manifestation. It is crucial to acknowledge that these concerns are not figments of imagination but actual issues that require confrontation. By acknowledging
their presence, we can begin the quest for resolutions.
To summarize, we appreciate the authors' important study on the impact of mass media in the United States in 2008. Their examination of that year's election revealed how racism and segregation were significant factors, given that one of the candidates was Afro-American. This analysis verifies the ongoing presence of racism as a prominent concern.
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