Ordinariness
of Racism
OVERVIEW
Some people don’t think of racism often, and some deny that it even exists, but Critical Race Theorists argue that racism is so pervasive, that it is an ingrained part of American institutions. So much so that it is an ordinary part of daily life in the United States to a point that it may be unrecognizable to some. Protests, policy changes, and numerous court cases have attempted to address blatant racism such as discrimination in employment, voter disenfranchisement, and redlining. However, there’s another form of racism, that isn’t as easily detected in the form of racial, economic, and educational disparities that are deeply entrenched in the institutions of the United States. Institutionalized in policies, regulations, and processes that work to maintain racial hierarchies and privileges, and work against minorities.
OBJECTIVES
1. Define the term ordinariness.
2. Understand how racist systems, policies, and institutions can go unnoticed and unchecked.
3. Apply the concept of ordinariness to the practice of and lasting effects of redlining.
FURTHER READING
Bonilla-Silva, E. (2022). Racism without racists color-blind racism and the persistence of racial inequality in America(6th ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.
Delgado, R., and Stefancic, J. (2017). Critical race theory: An introduction. New York University Press.
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS
1. Given the argument that racism is normalized in the United States to the point that it is an ingrained part of its institutions, resulting in Blacks, Indigenous people, and people of color experience racism often. If you are not a person of color, how difficult is it to gauge how frequent, how often, and how egregious racism is in the United States? Does your own racial identity dictate whether or not you agree that racism in the United States is institutionalized? Is it possible to know how other racial groups, other than your own, experience discrimination and racism?
2. What are some of the ways that institutionalized racism causes generational effects? Can a society mitigate these generational effects and begin to dismantle institutionalized racism?
4. What harm does saying “I don’t see color” cause? How does ignoring race negate the life experiences of people of color? Give examples and explain your answer.
ACTIVITIES
1. Although Critical Race Theory dates back to the 1970’s it has recently been pushed to the forefront of many political debates. Survey several diverse news sources for the topic of Critical Race Theory. Listen to the reasoning of those on both sides of the debate. Analyze justifications given for the support or rejection of the idea that institutionalized racism is pervasive as argued by Critical Race Theory.
2. Some argue that America is a land of opportunity, and anyone with a strong work ethic is able to pull themselves up like anyone else. How does either oppression or privilege impact an individual's chances for success? Does every individual, regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, etc. have the same access to the rights, benefits, and pathways to success available in society?
3. Research one or more of the following terms (in diverse news sources, published articles or books, survey results, or other peer-reviewed data sources): racial disparities in education, housing, food insecurities, access to health care or life experiences; wealth gap; or racial segregation. Summarize your findings and discuss how the data proves or disproves institutionalized racism and why.