"There is a strange kind of enigma associated with the problem of racism. No one, or almost no one, wishes to see themselves as racist; still, racism persists, real and tenacious."
—Albert Memmi, Racism
"Color blind racism" -- the rationalization of contemporary racial inequalities by whites to keep racial minorities at "the bottom of the well" (e.g., dark skinned racial minorities have about an eighth of the net worth whites have).
Contemporary racial inequality is perpetuated by new racism practices that are subtle and institutional (e.g., "smiling face discrimination.")
Whites view racism as prejudice; people of color view racism as systemic or institutionalized.
Race is a social construction but it has a social reality.
"Racial structure" is the totality of the social relations and practices that reinforce white privilege. It exists to benefit members of the dominant race.
"Racial ideology" is the framework used by actors to explain and justify (dominant race) or challenge (subordinate race) the racial status quo.
The strength of an ideology lies in its loose-jointed, flexible application -- it allows for contradictions, exceptions, and new information. Ideology is a political instrument, not an exercise in personal logic.
Caveats:
1. Whites are the dominant race but are fractured along class, gender, sexual orientation, and other forms of social cleavage. They have multiple and often contradictory interests.
2. Not every single white person defends the racial status quo but most do.
The goal of this book is to uncover the collective practices that help reinforce the contemporary racial order.
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