Symbolic racism in politics: models, outcomes, and forms

Political Psychology

Discuss how the politics - is - complicated that model is different from symbolic racism in terms of the outcomes these forms of racism produce. Use two examples to substantiate your arguments.

In many democracies, one of the core principals is respecting the rights of everyone. This is in spite of race, income or ethnicity in determining opportunities and how an individual is living their life. On the surface, this is the ideal of all democracies, yet underneath it all there are various challenges. This is because there are a wide variety of political forces that will have an impact on the forms of racism that are produced.

One way to understand these different views are with the politics -- is -- complicated model. This is when someone will base their beliefs about racism and equality on other political factors. The objectives with this kind of philosophy are to see the impact that a policy is having by: allowing the person to help themselves. Once this occurs, is when someone can be able to have sustainable achievements through: becoming independent and self sufficient. (Cottam, 2010, pp. 173 -- 174)

A good example of this can be seen by looking no further than, the views that many people will have about: minorities and government programs (i.e. food stamps / welfare). In most cases, many of the well educated individuals will claim that the minorities in these programs are lazy. On the surface, this may appear to be racism. However, a little further down these arguments are based on the fact that these programs are creating no social upward mobility. The reason why, is because many of these plans have no accountability. Over the course of time, this encourages many different minorities to become lazy. Where, they have no motivation to: push themselves forward and they begin to believe that they are entitled to these benefits. Once this occurs, it means that most people will fall into a never ending pattern of dependency on these programs. This is important, because it is showing how this belief is based on the political program and its effectiveness (which are influencing these views). (Cottam, 2010, pp. 173 -- 174)

As a result, this model argues that those ideas-based is on these views are not racist. The reason why, is these beliefs are built on the actual effectiveness of the programs to address these issues. This is when these ideas will influence the thoughts that a particular individual about select groups of people. (Cottam, 2010, pp. 173 -- 174)

The outcomes from this kind of model are that many individuals can climb farther in life. This is because the philosophy is based upon everyone being held accountable for their own actions. However, this can also produce negative outcomes. As this model is taking a more uncaring attitude about the challenges that someone is going through. This is significant, because it is illustrating how this approach has can have both: positive and negative outcomes. (Cottam, 2010, pp. 173 -- 174)

Symbolic racism is when a person believes a blanket set of views about a particular group of people. Over the course of time, these kinds of ideas can lead to changes in beliefs about various minorities in society. This is the point that these kinds of views will become that of society itself and a part of the status quo. (Cashmore, 2001, pg. 221)

A good example of this can be seen in the Deep South, after the end of the Civil War until the mid-1960's. What was occurring; is the views that Southern society had about slaves (before the Civil War) influenced these ideas for many decades after the conflict ended. The reason why is because, symbolic racism created the belief that African-Americans were inferior. This would lead to beliefs within society that whites were superior to blacks and that they should not be allowed to use the same facilities. This is based upon the idea that whites did not want to stoop down to such a low level by: having to share the same public facilities. (Freeman, 2000)

As a result, the Jim Crow Laws were enacted during this time. This made it legal to have separate facilities for the whites and blacks. The way that symbolic racism is being applied is with the views is that whites were superior to blacks. This led to beliefs that these ideas were: correct and they supported the different social institutions to enforce these principals. (Cashmore, 2001, pg. 221)

In this case, symbolic racism is seeking to produce one outcome (systematic oppression of different groups within society). This is because of the ideas that one particular demographic of the population is superior to others. Over the course of time, this will create vast disparities within society (as the majority are benefiting at the expense of minorities).