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I read an article on afro.com recently that attributed Penny’s actions to “subliminal” or “subconscious” racism. So yes, Sigmund Freud has gotten into the act!
How this writer who is just sitting in a room somewhere knows about what is in Penny’s consciousness mind, nobody knows--much less in his “subconscious” mind.
I fully accept the pos…
I read an article on Afro.com recently that attributed Penny’s actions to “subliminal” or “subconscious” racism. So yes, Sigmund Freud has gotten into the act!
How this writer who is just sitting in a room somewhere knows about what is in Penny’s consciousness mind, nobody knows--much less in his “subconscious” mind.
I fully accept the possibility that Penny may have been a conscious racist, not to mention a “subconscious” one. But that is only one possibility among many possible explanations, and a possibility for which there is, as of now, no evidence that I know of.
The only explanation I can come up with for this type of projection is that there is a subset of people who WANT racist explanations for every misfortune that befalls some one of a particular race because it cuts off discussion of other, possibly more uncomfortable explanations.
What’s sad about this is there is PLENTY of real racism going around, and calling everything racist cheapens the impact of the genuine article. The boy who called wolf syndrome. So, it actually detracts from efforts to hold demonstrated racism to account.
But this type of thing--“subliminal” racism--will continue to be the norm as long as it has the intended effect. My only hope is that this type of thinking not infect our system of justice. So far as I know, “subconscious” racism has yet to be found the basis for a hate crime. But there’s always a first time.
PS. Nasty personal attacks have almost completely replaced argument on issues of race and gender. I don’t know how you keep your cool.
“ The only explanation I can come up with for this type of projection is that there is a subset of people who WANT racist explanations for every misfortune that befalls some one of a particular race ”
I’m currently working on an article on this topic.
I am very eager to read it, Steve. We share a deep interest in the neglected topic of the psychological impact of racism in the United States--both on “whites” and “blacks.” It’s unique in many ways.
You might be interested in this article, which discusses heightened perception of racism caused by the focus on microagressions: https://freeblackthought.substack.com/p/the-best-microaggression-training-7e8
What jumped out at me and is tangentially related to your comment was this:
/begin quote/ “there is abundant research demonstrating that heightened perceptions of racism, discrimination, racialized violence and inequality have highly adverse effects on the psychological (and even physical) well-being of people of color. That is, the more people perceive themselves to be surrounded by others who harbor bias or hostility against them, and the more they view their life prospects as hostage to a system that is fundamentally rigged against them, the more likely they become to experience anxiety, depression, psychogenic and psychosomatic health problems, and to behave in antisocial ways.” (Emphasis in the original)
So, if you are trained to see more bias and racism, and if you therefore come to see more of it, this actually has well-established adverse impacts on the psychological and even physical well-being of people of color. /end quote/
One of the tenets that guides my choices in life is "you create what you focus on" or "you get more of what you focus on". It's just how it works on this planet for whatever reasons - the gods or evolution - take your pick. Our minds literally create reality in a certain way.
Really interesting. The idea that micro aggressions are real, but cause little harm if you don’t let them get under your skin. But if everyone tells you they are delivered with hostile intent or gross insensitivity, then the harm is greatly magnified and much more difficult to rectify. Social relations among diverse groups crumble as a result.
Reminds me of Jonathan Haidt’s book The Coddling of the American Mind.
Haidt’s 3 Great Untruths:
1. What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker
2. Always trust your feelings
3.Life is a battle between good people and evil people.
Good stuff. I just listened to several of his Youtube videos last week. He has an original mind and is insightful thinker - quite eloquent as well. I have his book "The Righteous Mind" on my shortlist.
The Righteous Mind is his best book. Worth reading very slowly as it is just packed with original and deeply insightful content, when you finish, put it down for a while and read it again. It’s that good.