” In order to get beyond racism, we must first take account of race. There is no other way. And in order to treat some persons equally, we must treat them differently.” – Harry A. Blackmun
What are the four frames– I want to know them ! If this is you, you came to the right page of the website. All right, so understanding and explaining these four frames is a bit difficult but, let’s venture out into explaining this……
First, there are four frames(abstract liberalism, naturalization, cultural racism, minimization of racism) that whites use to decipher why, racism exists.
ABSTRACT LIBERALISM boils down to every individual having political liberalism and economic liberalism. Having political liberalism means that equal opportunities are available to everyone.When minorities are perceived to be given an advantage, no matter how small, this advantage is seen as unfair by others.
Key Point: Equal opportunities are available the question comes down to choice and choice defines why not everyone is equal.
NATURALISM is the mindset that racism happens naturally or that racial friction happens because, it can not be avoided. In a way it enables Whites to see racial friction problems as being “just the way things are”. A structural problem that occurs because of this mindset is the tendency to gravitate to ones own racial group. A tendency to gravitate to people that “our like us” is seen as being natural even if this goes against the colorblind ideal.
Key Point: Differences and racial tensions just happen naturally because that is the way that the system works. Everything is meant to work a certain way, naturally.
CULTURAL RACISM is used to try to explain why certain groups are not able to overcome obstacles to get out of there current life situations (whether that be in poverty or lack of education).
Key Point: Referencing/ Blaming the culture or racial group that someone belongs to as being the reason for why minorities continue to be were they are.
MINIMIZATION OF RACISM the title pretty much sums this stage up. But, racism is seen as not affecting the choices and life chances of minority groups. When minorities bring up that racism and discrimination are still present in a substantial way in their lives whites see them as playing the race card.
Key Point : Racism and Discrimination no longer exist because they are not as bad in the past. Thus, if they are not as bad they must not have a significant affect on the life choices of minority groups.
IN ADDITION these four stages were developed by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva and are the stages that are used often by whites to explain racial tensions and differences. It is uncommon for anyone to use just one of the stages. It is not uncommon for someone to use a variety and combination of the four to explain racial tensions and differences. The combo of the four is often used to explain the strong push for instilling a colorblind society.
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