2004_Human Rights Comm Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

. Many groups identified avoidance as a common response to racism. This includes staying away from places where they've been treated poorly or pursuing a type of psychological or emotional avoidance. Participants from a range of Asian backgrounds described a response to racism that was marked by a refusal to engage. It would be a mistake, however, to conclude that all Asian groups never engage in a more direct confrontation. The community conversations brought to light a few examples where people did try to deal with difficulties caused by racism more directly. . Auger was also a response to racism that was identified through the community conversations. Caraje is a concept related to that of anger, and it was cited by Latinos as one of their responses to racism. . Some participants identified more active ways of "fighting racism" such as using institutions and organized resources to counteract racism. . Several participants mentioned assimilation and integration as a response to racism. Others identified taking on the attitudes of the oppressors and becoming racist themselves. The "unengaged" Whites and communities of color share common beliefs about racial justice. A relatively small proportion of residents are actually "disengaged;" however, they are more likely to be part of the traditional "power elite" and stand out from others as not acknowledging they have certain advantages that are a result of being White. . In our survey, based on an analysis that combined responses to several items, about half of all racial groups fall into the Great Middle category, stating no preferences about the race of their neighbors and mixed beliefs about structural inequalities, with some belief in the injustice caused by racism. . Among Whites, 24 percent would prefer to live in racially mixed neighborhoods and have at least some belief in the injustice caused by racism (Integrated/Engaged); 13 percent state no preference with regard to the race of their neighbors and do not believe in structural inequalities (Disengaged); 12 percent prefer to live with other Whites and have mixed beliefs about structural inequalities (Isolated/Unengaged); and 2 percent prefer to live with other Whites and do not believe in structural inequalities (Structurally Disengaged). . The 24 percent of Whites characterized as Integrated/Engaged make up a larger proportion of residents in Ramsey County than elsewhere; are more often female, college educated, and renters; and more likely to describe themselves as unaffiliated religiously and Democrat. An assessment of racism in Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties 6 January 2004