Analysis on Overt Covert Racism
Racism: Overt and Covert Hegemonic practices through Social Constructionism in Black America
Johnny Yeh
Racism is socially constructed in society and is used to differentiate privileges, wealth, and social class amongst individuals. Overt and covert racism have unique distinction in the sense that, one is explicit and the other is implicit. Thus, in today’s society, practices of popular culture account for hegemonic depictions in overt and covert racism. Firstly, overt racism is explicit in the sense that it is intentionally out there to demonstrate differentiations in the individual or group through harm or attacks. Secondly, covert racism could be considered an implicit method in which can be thought of as the effects of overt racism. Furthermore, covert racism in the example of black discrimination would be the generalization or stereotyping of African-Americans by the mass public (non-blacks) who perhaps can be thought of as, “brainwashed”. Lastly, through social constructionism hegemonic practices can be found in overt and covert racism. With that, White America has effectively socially constructed an ideology that became hegemonic towards the Black community through the effects of overt and covert racism.
Racism in, “Identity and Community” is defined as the concept in which discrimination in human beings is based on physically, biologically, and genetically distinct types. Because of that, racism is the clear distinction of these “types” which begins the hierarchical distinction between racial groups. Overt racism is depicted in the film, “Malcolm X” where it is socially constructed such that the ideology that Blacks were an inferior race and should be treated harshly because of their skin color and origins. The manifestation of racism towards Blacks by White America is clearly overt racism as it explicitly and intentionally advocates the discrimination of African-Americans. Not only that, groups such as the Ku Klux Klan in the film are a
Johnny Yeh
Racism is socially constructed in society and is used to differentiate privileges, wealth, and social class amongst individuals. Overt and covert racism have unique distinction in the sense that, one is explicit and the other is implicit. Thus, in today’s society, practices of popular culture account for hegemonic depictions in overt and covert racism. Firstly, overt racism is explicit in the sense that it is intentionally out there to demonstrate differentiations in the individual or group through harm or attacks. Secondly, covert racism could be considered an implicit method in which can be thought of as the effects of overt racism. Furthermore, covert racism in the example of black discrimination would be the generalization or stereotyping of African-Americans by the mass public (non-blacks) who perhaps can be thought of as, “brainwashed”. Lastly, through social constructionism hegemonic practices can be found in overt and covert racism. With that, White America has effectively socially constructed an ideology that became hegemonic towards the Black community through the effects of overt and covert racism.
Racism in, “Identity and Community” is defined as the concept in which discrimination in human beings is based on physically, biologically, and genetically distinct types. Because of that, racism is the clear distinction of these “types” which begins the hierarchical distinction between racial groups. Overt racism is depicted in the film, “Malcolm X” where it is socially constructed such that the ideology that Blacks were an inferior race and should be treated harshly because of their skin color and origins. The manifestation of racism towards Blacks by White America is clearly overt racism as it explicitly and intentionally advocates the discrimination of African-Americans. Not only that, groups such as the Ku Klux Klan in the film are a
Citations: Annalee Newitz. “White Savagery and Humiliation, or A New Racial Consciousness in the Media.” White Trash: Race and Class in America. Edited by Matt Wray and Annalee Newitz. New York and London: Routledge, 1997. 131 – 154. O 'Brien, Susie, and Imre Szeman. "Identity and Community." Popular Culture: A User 's Guide. 2nd ed. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2009. 241-243. Print. O 'Brien, Susie, and Imre Szeman. "Introducing Popular Culture." Popular Culture: A User 's Guide. 2nd ed. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2009. 21-23. Print. Reference to the movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104797/