Ali Rattansi's 'Racism: A Very Short Introduction'

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l In “Racism A Very Short Introduction” by Ali Rattansi, he explains some theories that explained all human variation where how people categorize. He states four assumptions. First, Rattansi says: “race was the key concept for an understanding human variation.” (Rattansi 31) Second, there were distinct physical markers that characterized the different races, especially skin color, facial features…and shape of skull.” (Rattansi 31) Third, each race was innately associated with distinct social, cultural, and moral traits.” (Rattansi 31) Fourth, the races could be graded in a coherent hierarchy of talent and beauty, with whites at the top and blacks at the bottom.” (Rattansi 31) These four assumptions are based on how we categorize people based …show more content…
He states: “With the growing popularity of measurement of skull and brain size, it was often claimed that women’s low brain weight and deficient brain structures…and this explained their inferior intellectual abilities.” This demonstrates how women were categorized as the same as the lower races where it shows the the inferiority in terms of their intellectual abilities. It also shows gender stereotype where they think that women have lower capacity of ability to think wisely. Furthermore, Rattansi also claims race classification in terms of black and white history and disparity. He asserts: “In 1790, an Act of Congress decreed that all free white persons ‘shall be entitled to the rights of citizenship’… it seemed so ‘natural’ to exclude non-whites and women that the subject never came up.” (Rattansi 39) It portrays that non-whites and women were not included in terms of the rights of citizenship and it shows inequality. Rattansi also shows ‘one-drop rule’ meaning that any person who has the blood line with even one ancestor of African Ancestry is considered black. (Rattansi …show more content…
In terms of Racism 2.0 and meritocracy, Wise explains that people’s perception in the U.S. as a meritocracy where there were people who were superior, whites, and there where people who were inferior,blacks. Wise asserts: “the idea that if you work hard and apply yourself can be anything you want be.” (Wise 105) It portrays that this all based on hard work and responsibility. Wise states: Since Racism 2.0 relies principally on characterological judgments about persons of color-they dont work hard enough.” (Wise 105) It shows that people of color are not trying hard to succeed based on people’s perception. Wise points out some success and chances: “By believing that black folks and other folks of odor could do better (if they would try harder).” (Wise 106) It shows that if people believe in the ability and greatness of the blacks and people of color, it will create justice and equality. In terms of Racism 2.0 as stereotype threat, Wise shows that being black is connected to being unintelligent or considered as a group of intelligence deficit. Wise demonstrates stereotype for blacks: “the group stereotype such as black students taking tests, confronted by the fear that if they do poorly, their performance might be seen as evidence of a group intelligence.” (Wise 108) It shows that if blacks did not do great at taking test it means that

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