Racism: Appropriate Social Norm

Sherman (2000) also argued that modern racism has progressed from belligerent, harmful behavior to a more subtle variety. This attitude is more difficult to understand, yet is seen more harmful because it is concealed in order to make it seem an acceptable social norm. Subtle and modern varieties of racism create an image that is more politically correct and socially acceptable. This method of discrimination may be considered to be a “polite” form of racial discrimination. “Previously, racism was easier to define and institutionalize (Brick, 2008). As Aronson, Wilson & Akert (2001) pointed out, the behavior of natives toward immigrants can be anticipated from the quantity of both blatant and subtle measures of bias. People who score high on the elusive racism scale (those who use racial discrimination in socially acceptable ways), but low on the blatant scale, tend to reject immigrants in more subtle and socially acceptable ways such as cultural differences, accent discrimination, language use or even discriminating against a person based on his/her appearance.
Shin’s (2014) study, illustrated how Yu-ri, a grade 12 student from Korea in a public high school in
Cervatiuc (2009) argued that often “immigrants do not have the luxury to interact with whom they choose, as their opportunities to speak English are generally limited and socially structured for them” (p. 255) and that, as a result, many become “marginalized, introverted, and sensitive to rejection” (p. 255). Even though many EAL learners make numerous attempts to socialize with local members of the mainstream society (Whites), racial discrimination restricts their participation (Shin, 2014). In such cases, as Kanno and Varghese (2010) noted, “Co-ethnic friends become a default backup for EAL students”(p. 323) as a result of the inaccessibility of friendships with native English speakers