Ingrained Stereotypes Continue to Surface

It’s important that we continue to focus on the ways that racism differs from bigotry. While we are all socialized to accept stereotypes as truisms, most of us consciously realize that they are not accurate or fair, and we work to avoid buying into them. So we’re not bigots. Former Wisconsin governor and Republican presidential candidate Tommy Thompson is probably not a bigot. Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita is probably not a bigot. This week, however, they reminded us about their (and our) racism.

At a county Lincoln Day dinner last week, Rokita sounded a familiar cry that African Americans were too loyal to the Democratic Party. According to the Chicago Tribune, he was referring to the fact that 90% of black voters support Democratic candidates and said, “How can that be? 90 to 10. Who's the master and who's the slave in that relationship? How can that be healthy?” As expected, there was criticism among black state legislators, and Rokita issued his mea culpa: “I do understand it hurts. I don't think I did really in the beginning because of the way I meant it, which had nothing to do that was denigrating. I was trying to be positive and it came out the wrong way.”

Like growing list of public figures who have recently made racist statements, the apology is couched in the claim that the speaker is not bigoted. But, as we repeatedly have noted in this space, intent is not the issue. Thoughtlessness is not the issue. Racism is the issue, and focusing on intent merely diverts attention away from that.

Salon.com reported Thompson’s comments in a piece this past Monday. Speaking at a gathering of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Thompson was discussing his financial success since he’s left public service. Here’s what he said: “I'm in the private sector, and for the first time in my life I'm earning money. You know, that's sort of part of the Jewish tradition and I do not find anything wrong with that.” After realizing that some were uncomfortable with the comments, Thompson tried to clarify by saying, “I didn't [by] any means want to infer or imply anything about Jews and finances and things. What I was referring to, ladies and gentlemen, is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion. You've been outstanding business people and I compliment you for that.”

He went on to explain, “I mean, blacks are good dancers, Hispanics work hard, Asians are good at math. They’re all to be commended!”

Ok, we made up that last part, but the point is that what those in privileged group often perceive as compliments are nonetheless stereotypes that are harmful because they are often used against members of those groups by constraining them to narrow characteristics and rendering them one-dimensional caricatures rather than fully human. Clearly, the intent is to compliment, but such a comment reveals deeply-held stereotypes.

As always, we are not arguing that folks should simply be more careful about what they say. That won’t get us any closer to working on the real problems (in fact, quite the opposite is true). We are arguing that individuals and American society as a whole needs to better discuss and understand why such prejudices are still ingrained in our individual minds and large social system. Focusing on these oft-repeated prejudicial statements only usually gets us no further than blaming the speaker him or herself and giving a (albeit necessary) public shaming. But, it should go much, much further than that.