I don't think I buy that Racism is Prejudice plus Power.. the idea that those people without power are incapable of racism or sexism.
Racism, as it had always been defined to me, is defined as: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
That's Merriam-Webster's definition and I do agree that perhaps the definition MIGHT be more nuanced than that, I think the latter part about superiority, is the crux of racism or sexism.
It's the unfounded belief that 'us' are inherently better than 'them'.
It's that supposed inherent superiority based on sex and race that I'm picking up in that comment, and why I label that comment as Racist.
I don't think Ms. Sotommayer is saying she's prejudiced against men and white people and I DO NOT believe she's racist, but I think her comment is saying, whether she meant to or not, that she believes a Latino Woman, with experience, is inherently superior, at least in this one arena, then men.
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Date: 2009-05-29 04:58 pm (UTC)I don't think I buy that Racism is Prejudice plus Power.. the idea that those people without power are incapable of racism or sexism.
Racism, as it had always been defined to me, is defined as: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
That's Merriam-Webster's definition and I do agree that perhaps the definition MIGHT be more nuanced than that, I think the latter part about superiority, is the crux of racism or sexism.
It's the unfounded belief that 'us' are inherently better than 'them'.
It's that supposed inherent superiority based on sex and race that I'm picking up in that comment, and why I label that comment as Racist.
I don't think Ms. Sotommayer is saying she's prejudiced against men and white people and I DO NOT believe she's racist, but I think her comment is saying, whether she meant to or not, that she believes a Latino Woman, with experience, is inherently superior, at least in this one arena, then men.