Institutional racism: it is real Essay

Power, wealth, and prestige. These are elements that humanity has been striving for since the age of man. Inherent in these objectives is struggle. Who shall be dominant? To whom shall the prevailing structure of society be based? In modern society the power, wealth and prestige has been the blanket that wraps Western European culture. Out of the hubris has emerged a backlash of outrage that many from different racial groups have expressed over the disproportionate number of power positions (CEOs, VPs, owners of football clubs, to owner’s of the local pub) that are Western European. This has become a standard or defined norm of rightness and often righteousness wherein all others are judged in relation to it. This norm is reinforced through institutional and economic power. It is the combination of these elements that makes complete power and control possible. Introduction Power, wealth, and prestige. These are elements that humanity has been striving for since the age of man. Inherent in these objectives is struggle. Who shall be dominant? To whom shall the prevailing structure of society be based? In modern society the power, wealth and prestige has been the blanket that wraps Western European culture. Out of the hubris has emerged a backlash of outrage that many from different racial groups have expressed over the disproportionate number of power positions (CEOs, VPs, owners of football clubs, to owner’s of the local pub) that are Western European. This has become a standard or defined norm of rightness and often righteousness wherein all others are judged in relation to it. This norm is reinforced through institutional and economic power. It is the combination of these elements that makes complete power and control possible. It is important to remember that an established norm does not necessarily represent a majority in terms of number; it represents those who have ability to exert power and control over others (Axelson, 1998). What is Institutional Racism? This type of power dominance is called institutional racism (IR). IR has its roots in racism which has many definitions: Racism: Attitudes, practices, and other factors that disadvantage people because of their race, color or ethnicity. Racism can be directed against any race, color or ethnicity. Some examples of racism are obvious, such as graffiti, intimidation or physical violence. Racial and ethnic slurs and â€Å"jokes† are other examples. Unfortunately, they are often ignored because people do not know how to deal with them. Other forms of racism are not obvious, such as discrimination in hiring and apartment rentals, or policies that disadvantage members of certain races, whether intentionally or not. Racism exists at three main levels: individual, institutional and cultural. (http://www. rose-hulman.edu/safezone/glossary. html) or Racism: The intentional or unintentional use of power to reinforce prejudice to isolate, separate, exploit and disadvantage other racial groups based on a belief in superior racial origin, identity or supposed racial characteristics. Racism is more than just a personal attitude; it is the systemic or institutional form of that attitude. Prejudice + Power = Racism. (http://www. lsuagcenter. com/en/administration/about_us/Human_Resources/Diversity_Center/dictionary/index. htm#R) or Racism: 1. An act of discrimination based on an ideology of racial superiority. 2. The institutionalization of collective prejudice resulting in a system of advantage based on one race having power over others. This subordination is supported by the actions of individuals, cultural norms and values, and the institutional structures and practices of society. (http://principles. ucdavis. edu/glossary. html#R) Institutional racism has just as many definitions: Institutional Racism – The conscious and/or unconscious belief in the superiority of the dominant racial group that manifests itself in the inclusion of other dominant racial group members and the exclusion of other racial group members. (http://www. lsuagcenter. com/en/administration/about_us/Human_Resources/Diversity_Center/dictionary/index. htm#I) or Institutional racism: The network of institutional structures policies, and practices that create advantages and benefits for Whites, and discrimination, oppression, and disadvantage for people from targeted racial groups. The advantages created for Whites are often invisible to them, or are considered â€Å"rights† available to everyone as opposed to â€Å"privileges† awarded to only some individuals and groups. (http://www. purchase. edu/Diversity/dictionary.aspx) or Institutional Racism: (Systemic Racism) Racism conveyed in practices, customs, rules and standards of organizations, including governments, that unnecessarily disadvantage people because of their race, color or ethnicity. They do not always involve differences in treatment. Educational requirements that are not related to actual job duties are an example. (http://www. rose-hulman. edu/safezone/glossary. html) Relevance of Institutional Racism The above definitions that define racism and institutional racism are varied in the context of their language. However, their ideas are inclusive, similar and are all correct depending on who uses that definition. A much more comprehensive definition of institutional racism would be: The intentional or unintentional use of power to reinforce prejudice to isolate, separate, exploit and disadvantage other racial groups based on a belief in superior racial origin, identity or supposed racial characteristics. conveyed in practices, customs, rules and standards of organizations, including governments, that unnecessarily disadvantages people because of their race, colour or ethnicity. They do not always involve differences in treatment. This subordination is supported by the actions of individuals, cultural norms and values, and the institutional structures and practices of society. Other forms of racism are not obvious, such as discrimination in hiring and apartment rentals, or policies that disadvantage members of certain races, whether intentionally or not. [name of student] The question that needs to be asked is, â€Å"Just how relevant in today’s modern society is institutionalized racism? † Look around and see who has key positions in the world’s various multinational companies. Take a look at sports teams and see who has ownership. Observe who is on the cover of the majority of magazines and look at who we follow as our cultural icons. Without the use of numerical and empirical studies and only utilizing the gift of sight it can be pronounced that the majority who has these positions are Western European. IR occurs when the structure of an organization, political system, or business allows racist attitudes to be integrated in its system. Such trends may occur within an institution without their intentional injection or inclusion within that institution. Examples of IR: people of colour under-represented and misrepresented on television, racially biased standardized tests used to determine who will be admitted to higher education programmes and institutions, reliance on low-paying immigrant labour by farms and factories. A branch of IR called â€Å"the glass ceiling† is one of the most pervasive forms of institutional racism (Massingale). The glass ceiling refers to the general tendency for the existence of an upper limit in the high ranks of corporations, above which it is rare for a minority to appear. The Federal Glass Ceiling Commission, an American produced report states that only 29 percent of the nation’s work force is made up of white males, while those individuals hold 95 percent of corporate senior management positions (Massingale). One extremely controversial example of institutional racism is racial profiling. This involves creating a portfolio and list of criteria that is used by law enforcement to identify perpetrators.