In this chapter, Foner describes the discrimination and prejudice that the Jews and Italians faced in the past. The racism was scientifically based upon, with renown scientists at the time supporting the discrimination with bogus scientific facts. In reality, race does not even exist; it does not exist biologically but it does exist socially. Foner states that “Race, in other words, is a social and cultural construction, and what is important is how physical characteristics or traits are interpreted within particular social contexts and are used to define categories of people as inferior or superior.” I was intrigued by this statement because it is completely true; humans let ignorance perpetuate stereotypes associated with ‘racist labels.’
However, racism is a changeable perception in society. The Jews and Italians who were once discriminated are now considered to be ‘white.’ As students mentioned in class, the targets of racism and prejudice change over time and are a result of events that are occurring in the world. For example, Muslims are the targets of prejudice due to the terrorism attacks and the wars going on in the Middle East. My teacher, who is a Muslim, was the target of unfairness. Everyday when she went into the subway and there were ‘random searches,’ she was always chosen as the target of the random search done by the police because she wore a hijab.
Because of the racism that exists, many people have the notion that white people are superior. As Munazza Alam mentioned in the post before me, people are trying to lighten their skin because of this belief. In fact, in Jamaica, there are singers who publicize and promote skin bleaching. For example, Vybz Kartel released a song titled “Cake Soap,” in which the lyrics state that it is ‘cool’ to bleach your skin.
It was interesting to learn that the Asian immigrants are “almost whites but not whites.” This is because they come to the country with college degrees and the financial ability to purchase middle-class homes. Thus, the can fit more into the white social world. However, does this apply to Asians who are not light skinned?
-Anissa Daimally
