Omni And Winant: Racial Formation Theory

You are saying I am the one with the problem because I am discussing about race, but does color matter? It is very toxic when one’s identity is erased and that person is being treated unfairly because of the color of their skin. In class, we have learned that race is a continuous issue that strikes the nation. The United States is trying to become a homogenous society combing all these different elements into one big melting pot to create a fusion of all nationalities. With learning about race based off of our readings there are three concepts that I learned from this course are implicit bias, colorblindness, and racial formation theory.
Implicit bias refers to our attitudes that affects our understandings in an unconscious manner (Brownstein).
Implicit bias can be transformed into racism; it shapes how we interact with one another. It is easy for us to remember the faces with our racial group, however, the fear of being stereotyped is what weighs each race down. I found this theory interesting because when we took the implicit bias test within one of my classes, this test is to research the prejudices of one form to another. It is very surprising to learn how we favor one racial group over another. Then, when the results are revealed it gives us some degree of bias and the interpretations that elaborate more hidden biases.
Colorblindness assumes everyone has the same experiences in America. When you fail to see color, and recognize the injustice and oppression, then you will start to face reality. Race is not only a factor that defines people, there is also gender, sex, and socioeconomic status that are put into categories as well. That my status is what determines the race I am. Even our names trigger the minds of some people; based off our name they know our race. I find the video by Joyner Lucas, “I’m not racist” very interesting. He gives his point of view from two perspectives that represents the white and black population. This is a video of a conversation that people don’t want to have. However, what lacks in this video is that with these perspectives, all white people didn’t vote for Trump and feel this way, and all black haven’t experienced the same struggle as the next. And to jump into conclusion that once we tell our sides we are going to hug it out immediately. It is a very idealistic meaning, however, hugging out an issue as deep as this doesn’t change because of a song, it changes when everyone’s mindsets changes.
Individual’s experiences process racial formation theory.
Omni and Winant suggest that racial formation theory connects to the organizations in society. The way we understand For instance, Black Lives Matter movement and how it focuses on saving black lives. However, someone who is of a different race, would argue that Black Lives aren’t the only ones that matter, All Lives matter. So, the use of race is to signify differences among us, therefore, cause these racial projects such as Black Lives Matter. We use race a sort of an assumption about someone which shapes our expectations about the person. Basically, Omni and Winant is suggesting that as individuals we have the power to change have the power to change the racialized social structure and eradicate racism (Nicki Cole) which will change our response about race. We try to have these racial projects to protest, but these racial projects aren’t solving anything, but creating deeper issues that is furthering detaching us as a
Country.
Race is still an issue because it is unconsciously observed. Images of stereotypes and people are judged based on the color of their skin. These concepts are the ones that stuck out to me the most because it seemed like we were always expanding on them each class period. I try not to be a racist towards people of different races. I am always fascinated by someone’s culture, I am glad they are able to share their culture to create unity amongst everyone. The ignorance that comes in play with people about race is ridiculous. Just because I may not uphold the same status as you, I beneath you. It is even sad that within our own race groups we still categorize the status of others.
There is lack of knowledge in general about race; the ignorance level of some people and how they examine others is ridiculous. Some say that if we were more knowledgeable in History about race, then the view of racism will change. Results of historically documented racism partially may help explain the relationship between someone's race and their perceptions of racism (Live Science Staff). However, the understanding of it tends to portray the person’s ignorance. Change is not going to happen overnight, it takes time for progression.
In my opinion, I have had some experiences where I was labeled by the color of my skin.
Spike Lee once said, just because you live in the same city, doesn’t mean you will have the same experiences. Everyone grows up in different households and learn the lessons about life; some lessons that are moral lessons, some are not. The lesson that I have learned is that you should always treat others the way you want to be treated. This class has helped me reflect on my own life and made me realize that racism steal goes on today. People’s mindset are stuck on the past and not embracing the present of progression. We are reminded at times about the past and that doesn’t excuse how we treat one
another.
It is a struggle for me at times because there are those stereotypes about African Americans; there only good at sports, the can do hair, they’re dumb. It is sad, but in my opinion, I feel like I have to work extremely hard so I will not be added to that statistic. I can remember I was a senior in high school, and we had an awards day for all the scholarships we received from our schools. My AP teacher, came up to me after the ceremony and told me that she had no idea I had that many scholarships. I didn’t know how to accept it at first, but all I could do was just stare at her and smile.