This has been a very enlightening class for me. Although I am not a racist person, this class has given me more of a first-hand account of racism in reality as opposed to something I would merely read in a textbook. Throughout race, gender and the media, I have learned more information about the deeper forms of racism, aside from the typical news you see on television at night. Although I do not necessarily believe that Tim Wise’s take on all white privilege being interpreted as racism, I do recognize white privilege in my daily life, which I did not think of prior to this class.
One of the bigger things I have learned from this class that directly affects me daily was Tim Wise’s video in class about “white privilege.” Being able to hear the opinions from those in our class what were not white was truly an eye-opening experience because I was able to learn an alternative perspective to typical activities, like shopping, working out, buying coffee, etcetera. I had never paid attention to the service I receive while shopping versus how my friend that is African American is treated. Along those lines, earlier this semester, I was watching an episode of a reality television show, and the point of the show was to cast actors, one as an employee, one a manager, and one an African American shopper. The employee was supposed to stage an accusation of theft upon the shopper, in order to see which other shoppers in the store would come to her defense. Surprisingly enough, two of the three times this test was done, European tourists came to the defense of the woman. Other shoppers just stared and continued to shop because they did not want to get involved or assumed the accusation was true. The American frame of thought, the social order, already in play and changing that trend is incredibly difficult when people already have an opinion set in stone.
Throughout this semester, I have had the opportunity to look at racist issues in a different manner and light, which I never would have otherwise seen. However, one thing I would have liked to have seen more of this semester is a more significant focus other minorities, aside from mainly African Americans. However, over the course of the semester, I have really enjoyed our guest speakers and the information I have gained from them as well as the readings and class lectures/discussions.