WomenCo.

Without a doubt, I think there are definitely stereotypes which effectively compound the difficulty women face today (when applying for jobs, expressing public opinions, and so on...). Black women in particular are often portrayed as highly sexualized - but when this type of sexualization is also an objectification, it becomes even more dangerous, and forecloses the possibility for black women to empower themselves.

If anybody is having trouble coming up with an example of how we all perpetuate stereotypes, think about the way we arbitrarily assign gender to other anonymous drivers when we're in our cars; next time you get cut off, you'll probably noticing yourself blaming either a man or a woman, specifically, for their bad driving.

I think AM_Morgan's point about stereotypes is key. in general, I find it difficult to strike a balance between reacting as i am genetically and culturally programmed to, and not giving into expected behaviors, but once I catch on that I am just being provoked, I try not to react at all.

As a woman of color I would have to say, that yes we do get slammed with the old double negative. I've experienced
myself to many times, and I have chosen not to give them the satisfaction or the power to provoke a desired reaction
from me.

My experience is an interesting one to share here, I think. I am white, but Latin American.

When people meet me in person, I have never felt discriminated against. But when they see my name on a résumé or e-mail first, when they meet me, I have gotten some surprised looks or, "I thought you were Hispanic," which I felt was really inappropriate.

As is usually the case in these types of situations, ignorance has a lot do with it: Many people don't know that a lot of white people live in Latin America (in addition to blacks, Asians, etc.).

Absolutely...and this includes all women of color:

• Black or African American


• Latina or Hispanic


• Asian

etc...etc...If you identify as Woman of Color this incudes you...however, it is more detriment to those that are visibly a woman of color...

White Privilege Exploration

and here was my take on it: (in excerpt)

McIntosh: “White Privilege”

The purpose of this essay was for a White woman to acknowledge, define and bring societal awareness to the fact that the notion of White privilege is a reality in society. The author studied the privileges of men and noticed that there were many similarities of the privileges afforded White people. So in part, she began to study and research the privileges and extensions of not only, male privilege, but also, White privilege. She studied how each had its advantages and specific degrees of seperation. The essay in addition, provided a long list of privileges she believed are afforded her simply because of her race, and skin tone. She acknowledged that these privileges are consistently given to those of the White race on many levels; however, some White people take advantage of those privileges, while others like her feel the need to expose and eradicate the practices of White privilege.

First she decided to look at herself and identify the daily affects of White privileging that existed in her life. Then, she came up with a lengthy list of privileges that as far as she could discern none of her Black associates could rely on in their daily lives. The privileges ranged from: having the choice to only interact with those exclusively of your own race, to representation in media, to living in a neighborhood where you would be accepted, to more serious issues like. THe more serious list included: the guarantee that her (white children) children will receive a proper education, and also that being White meant she did not have the pressure to represent her entire race. There were many issues of privilege based on politics, education, daily interpersonal communication and interaction that a person of the White race is privilege to have, which she listed, from not worrying about IRS audits to feeling welcome in most public places and institutions. Finally, she broke down the components of White privilege by daily effects. And ended by anh explanation, that she didn’t even realize the effects of White privilege until she had written them down.

This was a personal account and process by which the author learned not only, her acceptance and compliance of White privilege, but also, she learned she had been afforded something that she had not earned just as men had not earned many privileges they are afforded simply based on gender. She became aware that many opportunities are handed out to people based entirely on their race. She further realized that being White was asset and made her free to explore any avenue she chooses regardless of dominant culture or traditional norms. Yet, in the end she says that this privilege is all encompassed and can result in empowerment that is not deserved and makes the White race able to over dominant in society.

This article brought to light many issues dealing with White privilege. It was a hard reality check for the author as well as a disapproving stand to take. She made the point that being oblivious to White privilege is just as negative a reinforcement as male advantage, which is similarly a continued strong viewpoint in society. In the end, she ask the question how long will it take to awaken the consciousness of White people to realize that the White privilege they use and impose on others is a construct needed rebuked and reconstructed to include a more balanced system of awards.

Some White people understand the damage they cause by exerting their White privilege, and are not truly oblivious as our author may have been to such privilege. Some White people have become accustomed to this privilege and take advantage of it on a daily basis. Some White people understand and choose not to care of the consequences of accepting their White privilege. And some White people will never admit anuything of the such exist. Those White people do not see privilege as unearned rewards; but instead value privilege as a customary way of life. The author stated herself that she hadn’t realized some of the privileges of being White until she actually sat down and starting thinking of them. And it wasn’t until then, when she was amazed how many she came up with. This acknowledgement in itself leans credence to the fact that some White people --- even those more actively engaged in social and civil inequities are not privy to becoming adapted to and using their own race to afford them privilege, be it unconsciously or consciously.

The author stated that she had reflected on such privilege only when she understood male privilege, and how its patriarchal power was abused by men, and was mostly used to oppress other’s – that she identified her own White privilege as just as damaging to the society she lived. She then decided that like some men she would try to become self-aware, and rectify the privilege status of unearned power. She came to understand the attitudes of those without such privilege. In the end, McIntosh was made more self-aware and more conscientious of her Whiteness and the privilege afforded by the color of her skin; which in no means to her, should her Whiteness be allowed to benefit her with unearned rewards.

 Caveat:

It also made me think of the privilege we as light skinned, or mixed Black people are afforded on a daily basis especially in our own culture, but also, in society as a whole. Some of the same privileges are awarded but not on such powerful scale as with White privilege. There are advantages we can take simply because of the pigment of our skin as well, or the texture of our hair. Yet by no means does this privilege equal or qualify or become institutionalized to the extent of the power and privilege of being White.

ARW (C) 2008

Maybe I shouldn't be speaking on this topic, since i'm not going to jump on the wagon and say "Amen, sister" to this stuff.  I think "people of color" or whatever description they aren't offended by today are overprivileged.  Before you jump on my back and call me a racist, please read on.  They have so many scholarships, types of assistance, and other privileges, they can't help but be successful.  So, they didn't get a job? It is automatically because somebody is racist, right?  Well, maybe someone else was truly more qualified.  And God forbid, the person was white.  Do you know what irritates me most about that, is that people expect to be given a job or opportunity just because they are of a different color.  They are so used to being "handed things" in life, and learning that if they don't get what they want, it's because they are black, or hispanic, or whatever race they may be.  When I was an E4 in the Navy, I was married to an E3, and we had 2 babies, yet we couldn't get qualified for WIC because we made $40 more than the income limit.  Yet, a black female E-6, who was married to another E-6, qualified.  Yet they made over $1000/mo more than we did.   Another example, I worked at a helicopter squadron with a black female E-4 who cried that she was "being worked like a n----r" (HER WORDS, NOT ANYONE ELSE'S), so she would be leaving by 5pm everyday while the rest of us were still up on aircraft working 12 hour days to avoid having her file an EO complaint.  She was transferred up to a job in Training, which helped her with promotion, while the rest of us just did our jobs.  We had 7 or 8 other blacks in maintenance and she was the only one crying racism.  We all had the same job.  She wasn't treated any worse than the rest of us, she was actually treated better because people had to walk on eggshells around her, because if you get an EO complaint against you, it sticks, and YOU have to prove it's not true!   So I can honestly say, I'm not racist, at least I wasn't until I was surrounded by people like that.   I don't know what I owe people like that.  They say it's because of the slave days, but I never owned any slaves, and until I meet someone who was a slave, then that's when I'll give my regards and respect.  They earned it.  Until then, no matter what race or ethnicity you are, you need to work to earn respect (in this country anyways).  Enough with the handouts and assistance to those who don't need it!  Leave it for those who DO NEED IT!  I'm truly sorry if this offends anyone, but I just feel for people who work their butts off and don't get a bit of help, yet there are those who are just plain lazy and expect others to support them.

There is a difference between an individual and a group. Your example is of individuals that take advantage of affirmative action blking74, and you perfectly say that there were 7 others that were black and did not do what she did. So to stereotype a WHOLE group of women, because of one or two bad apples is sad. I am involved with a black man, and as he has tried to climb the corporate ladder, there are fewer and fewer role models for him. He, just like you works really hard, he just like you earned his degrees, and has worked hard and stayed loyal, and he has watched people with less education and experience get jobs he is better qualified for. Discrimination - hard to say no.

In addition, the military is a hard place to compare in this discussion. It, as an organization has created levels of discrimination quite blatantly, which increases issues these issues. Gays and women are just 2 examples in RECENT history of discrimination in the military.

This is really a conversation worth continuing.

There are structural inequalities in our country that are slowly improving, yes, but that still do prevent people of certain socio-economic standing -- including ethnicity/race -- from advancing.

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To answer the question asked in this thread: Yes it is harder for women of color. It's hard for women, period. Add on non-white status, and it's even harder.

How much longer will it take until it is generally and widely accepted that being a woman, a foreigner, of color, having a foreign passport, a disability of some sort, etc. etc. etc. is not a DETRIMENT or IMPEDIMENT of any kind, but instead something that will only make that person a STRONGER candidate for any job, given the varied life experiences, outlooks, and ideas they can bring to the table?

Is the fact that the Democratic Party just nominated a black man, born of a mother from Kansas and a father from a tiny tribal village in Kenya, a sign that perhaps the United States at-large is finally moving to embracing multi-raciality, globalism, multi-culturalism?

What are tangible, clear-cut steps women of color can take to dispel preconceived notions about them based on race/ethnicity (in personal and professional situations)?

This is such a hard topic for me,  I've had moments that I've felt that women of color has had a raw deal, but then others when I feel like color is used to their benifit.  I think that management is forced to look at diversity and if she/he does not have enough diversity,  people want to know why.  Even in Girl Scouts we get hit every year wanting to know how to get more of this race or that to join so our diversity numbers are better.  If we spent less time calculating all the diversity then we may be able to spend more time making sure those we have working for us deserve to and those we are hiring are really qualified for the job. 

But heck what do I know I'm just a Scottish, Irish, English, Icelandic, Sweedish, French, German, Cherokee American who didn't qualify for any scholarships, did not finish college and is still paying off the student loans. 

Oh and yes I am large breasted and was told I got a job one time because the boss like looking at my boobs.   Even if that wasn't the reason, it ruined any chance I have of being taken seriously.

Daniela says ...

What are tangible, clear-cut steps women of color can take to dispel preconceived notions about them based on race/ethnicity (in personal and professional situations)?

 

That's a good point/question. I have been lucky in not having to face the issues discussed here. If it were me, and if it were a race issue, I may even consider changing my name and not specifying my race. I would professionally do whatever I could to get the interview and make a good impression. This said, I do think it's very unfair that in today's society people are still so backward in this regard. It makes absolutely no sense to juge someone on these things.