The dangers of individualizing racism
The dangers of individualizing racism Narratives that portray "racism" as an individual attitude, instead of a structural and systemic issue, are dangerous because they elide the magnitude and societal impact of racism. We need to remember some key points in this regard: · Racism is not just a personal attitude . Racism is deeply rooted in social structures, and operates through institutions, policies, social conventions and normalized cultural practices. Structural patterns of racism (re)recreate inequality and systematic exclusion. · Racism is structurally persistent . Over the course of many centuries, racism has had a lasting impact on Black and Afro-descendant people. Generations of structural violence, denial of opportunity, and systematic oppression have significantly impacted – and continue to impact – the lives of Black peopl...
