How I understood racial formation from the class discussion - is how society over tiem views a race or classifies a group of people - for example - when people say Immigrant they automatically assume Mexican - even though any foreigner can be an immigrant. I get called Mexican at least twice a day and when I try to explain I'm from Peru - I still get " is that a country in Mexico?
DAMN! Twice a dayyy! lol ... I wasnt in class monday but i wont let that stop me from blogging. HOWARD WINANT & MICHAEL O when forming the idea and concepts behind racial formation seem to hit on relevant nail when theorizing their beliefs. The idea that "race is an unstable and ‘de-centered’ complex of social meanings constantly being transformed by political struggle” is amazing idea when considering the powerful concepts that superscede racial formation. Ethnocentrism, Cultural relativism,Social Class Structure. All things that pave the way for racial formation and the stratifying of race,class,ethnicity in our soceity
Joanna, I'm pleased to meet you. I understand how upsetting and frustrating it can become by people not taking the time to get to know you and assume which ethnic group you belong to simply by seeing you. I went through that on occasion when I was younger, some thought I was Hispanic LOL! And sadly, you 're right, when one states they are an immigrant,and they are of brown skin and straight hair, it is again assumed you are referring to Mexicans. America was built by immigrants from several, if not all countries, so that is why it is difficult to fathom why "race" is such an issue here!
I read the same article as Mr. Moultt, because I wanted to understand more about racial formation. The article indicated that at the point when we begin to understand that race overflows the boundaries of skin color, superexploitation, social stratification, discrimination and prejudice, cultural domination and cultural resistance, state policy (or of any other particular social relationship we list), once we recognize the racial dimension present to some degree in every identity, institution and social practice in the United States -- once we have done this, it becomes possible to speak of racial formation. This is huge. What would the world be like, if we can conquer this? Would we finally be judged on the content of our character and not the color of our skin?
Racial formation is a fascinating concept. Being judged by the standards of others can only prove bias. Based on a set of criteria, involving race as a key factor, developed by the majority population discrimination is alive and well. A person of color's freedom within the society in every aspect can be limited. Racial formation involves the three dimensions of prejudice: cognitive, affective, and conative.
I was thinking about what was discussed in class yesterday about being African in American and being African-American.
I personally at one time I had a problem with being classified as African-American I guess because I fully didnt understand what it meant to be that being that I dont know my African heritage, but I do know what it means for me to be black in America. Now its not such an issue for me because I do know that Iam a descendant of Africa and of Africians who were brought to America and forced into slavery.
The young lady in class that said that her African co-work had a real problem with black americans being called African-Americans. Why is that? What is wrong with us claiming that part of who we are? Why does he see us as not being African? Why? Why are we seen as less than African than the African immigrants who come here to America of their free will to make a better life for themselves and their families? Is it because we were not born on the Continent and not raised in an African Culture?
In reference to racial formation. It is amazing how we as individuals create raciel formation on our particular view of things. As Ms. Downing said in her comments. Can this be conquered? All people do not understand this racial formation. Just like me, until getting an understanding of something, asking questions (the right questions), we all could be wondering around lost. In this society, as a people, we must realize in this world, we have to live with and around each other. Yes, there are differences in our cultures and societies; can we learn or accept one another as we are? It is not about the color of our skin but what is inside of our hearts.
Dana, I agree, it is about the soul and heart of a person. But White America, as a majority race, can't get pass the color of one's skin. Sad isn't? In 2009 we are still being judge "not by the content of our character", but the color of our skin:(
I wasn't in class this week due to illness but I have been reading these blogs. The term racial formation to refer to the process by which social, economic and political forces determine the content and importance of racial categories, and by which they are in turn shaped by racial meanings. I read what this definition is saying but I didn't quite get the understanding of it. Is it saying that where we stand in society determines how we look at race?
Keisha....I did not understand it either until I began to listen to how Dr. G explained how we look at alot of different things. It is our position and what we stand for; or what we believe in our own eye sight what is right. Although we may think its right does not make it so. I do not remember exactly who it was in class, but they talked about dark skinned females verses light skinned females in videos. Yes, the majority of the videos, you do see the light skinned females. Beauty is not in the skin tone or shade of ones skin, but beauty is found deep within that person. So why not use all beautiful people? We (blacks, African American, etc.) are fighting against each other and pulling each other down when we should be helping one another get ahead in life. Race, ethnic background, etc. should not matter.
Dana, I am reading your post- and I began to think about my background- even though I am Peruvian- my father's father was Afro-Peruano - which means his family came to Peru from Africa when the Spaniards brough them there for slavery-around 1521- well anyways the whole issue with dark skin light skin exist in Peru today- my mom's side of the family is really light skinned compared to me and my brother- and as I was growing up my mom's sister use to call me "Negrita" which means little black girl - and till this day she still calls me that - i don't know if i should feel like she's offending me or its just a nickname - ?
To be clear, racialization is the socio-political proces of determining racial categories. For example, Jews used to be considered of the "Jewish race," but over time, they were re-classified as "White." All societies define who is in what category differently.
Racial formation is how these categories shape definitions of how groups see themselves and others as well as their interactions. As mentioned in class, these formations must be acted upon in order to exist, as they are not inherently true, but socially created. If people believe that "Black people don't play rugby," that belief influences their perceptions and treatment of others; if they start meeting Black rugby players, a new racial formation begins to slowly emerge. Obama's election perhaps has shifted Black youth's perceptions of themselves -- a new racial formation.
How I understood racial formation from the class discussion - is how society over tiem views a race or classifies a group of people - for example - when people say Immigrant they automatically assume Mexican - even though any foreigner can be an immigrant.
ReplyDeleteI get called Mexican at least twice a day and when I try to explain I'm from Peru - I still get " is that a country in Mexico?
DAMN! Twice a dayyy! lol ... I wasnt in class monday but i wont let that stop me from blogging. HOWARD WINANT & MICHAEL O when forming the idea and concepts behind racial formation seem to hit on relevant nail when theorizing their beliefs. The idea that "race is an unstable and ‘de-centered’ complex of social meanings constantly being transformed by political struggle” is amazing idea when considering the powerful concepts that superscede racial formation. Ethnocentrism, Cultural relativism,Social Class Structure. All things that pave the way for racial formation and the stratifying of race,class,ethnicity in our soceity
ReplyDeleteJoanna, I'm pleased to meet you. I understand how upsetting and frustrating it can become by people not taking the time to get to know you and assume which ethnic group you belong to simply by seeing you. I went through that on occasion when I was younger, some thought I was Hispanic LOL! And sadly, you 're right, when one states they are an immigrant,and they are of brown skin and straight hair, it is again assumed you are referring to Mexicans. America was built by immigrants from several, if not all countries, so that is why it is difficult to fathom why "race" is such an issue here!
ReplyDeleteI read the same article as Mr. Moultt, because I wanted to understand more about racial formation. The article indicated that at the point when we begin to understand that race overflows the boundaries of skin color, superexploitation, social stratification, discrimination and prejudice, cultural domination and cultural resistance, state policy (or of any other particular social relationship we list), once we recognize the racial dimension present to some degree in every identity, institution and social practice in the United States -- once we have done this, it becomes possible to speak of racial formation. This is huge. What would the world be like, if we can conquer this? Would we finally be judged on the content of our character and not the color of our skin?
ReplyDeleteRacial formation is a fascinating concept. Being judged by the standards of others can only prove bias. Based on a set of criteria, involving race as a key factor, developed by the majority population discrimination is alive and well. A person of color's freedom within the society in every aspect can be limited. Racial formation involves the three dimensions of prejudice: cognitive, affective, and conative.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about what was discussed in class yesterday about being African in American and being African-American.
ReplyDeleteI personally at one time I had a problem with being classified as African-American I guess because I fully didnt understand what it meant to be that being that I dont know my African heritage, but I do know what it means for me to be black in America. Now its not such an issue for me because I do know that Iam a descendant of Africa and of Africians who were brought to America and forced into slavery.
The young lady in class that said that her African co-work had a real problem with black americans being called African-Americans. Why is that? What is wrong with us claiming that part of who we are? Why does he see us as not being African? Why? Why are we seen as less than African than the African immigrants who come here to America of their free will to make a better life for themselves and their families? Is it because we were not born on the Continent and not raised in an African Culture?
In reference to racial formation. It is amazing how we as individuals create raciel formation on our particular view of things. As Ms. Downing said in her comments. Can this be conquered? All people do not understand this racial formation. Just like me, until getting an understanding of something, asking questions (the right questions), we all could be wondering around lost. In this society, as a people, we must realize in this world, we have to live with and around each other. Yes, there are differences in our cultures and societies; can we learn or accept one another as we are? It is not about the color of our skin but what is inside of our hearts.
ReplyDeleteDana, I agree, it is about the soul and heart of a person. But White America, as a majority race, can't get pass the color of one's skin. Sad isn't? In 2009 we are still being judge "not by the content of our character", but the color of our skin:(
ReplyDeleteI wasn't in class this week due to illness but I have been reading these blogs. The term racial formation to refer to the process by which social, economic and political forces determine the content and importance of racial categories, and by which they are in turn shaped by racial meanings. I read what this definition is saying but I didn't quite get the understanding of it. Is it saying that where we stand in society determines how we look at race?
ReplyDeleteKeisha....I did not understand it either until I began to listen to how Dr. G explained how we look at alot of different things. It is our position and what we stand for; or what we believe in our own eye sight what is right. Although we may think its right does not make it so. I do not remember exactly who it was in class, but they talked about dark skinned females verses light skinned females in videos. Yes, the majority of the videos, you do see the light skinned females. Beauty is not in the skin tone or shade of ones skin, but beauty is found deep within that person. So why not use all beautiful people? We (blacks, African American, etc.) are fighting against each other and pulling each other down when we should be helping one another get ahead in life. Race, ethnic background, etc. should not matter.
ReplyDeleteDana, I am reading your post- and I began to think about my background- even though I am Peruvian- my father's father was Afro-Peruano - which means his family came to Peru from Africa when the Spaniards brough them there for slavery-around 1521- well anyways the whole issue with dark skin light skin exist in Peru today- my mom's side of the family is really light skinned compared to me and my brother- and as I was growing up my mom's sister use to call me "Negrita" which means little black girl - and till this day she still calls me that - i don't know if i should feel like she's offending me or its just a nickname - ?
ReplyDeleteTo be clear, racialization is the socio-political proces of determining racial categories. For example, Jews used to be considered of the "Jewish race," but over time, they were re-classified as "White." All societies define who is in what category differently.
ReplyDeleteRacial formation is how these categories shape definitions of how groups see themselves and others as well as their interactions. As mentioned in class, these formations must be acted upon in order to exist, as they are not inherently true, but socially created. If people believe that "Black people don't play rugby," that belief influences their perceptions and treatment of others; if they start meeting Black rugby players, a new racial formation begins to slowly emerge. Obama's election perhaps has shifted Black youth's perceptions of themselves -- a new racial formation.