Through the lens of a minority.
Introduction
What is ‘race’ to me personally? Well, I am a Micronesian from the Pacific Islands which has a certain geographical location on this planet. Race to me refers a group of people with a certain likeness, way of living, same or at least similar language and history or backgrounds. This is not based on certain definition, but from what I’ve heard tossed around in conversations and medias. When I came to Oregon, I experienced what I then called racial discrimination. Later, I would refer to as prejudice based on race.
‘The End of Race Politics,’ written by Hughes Coleman disagreed against identity politics, advocating for individualism and shared progress, while dismantling harmful beliefs about race and race-based policies.[1] I will be sharing about how my convictions has been affected and why.
The Concept of Race
Hughes started explaining, what is race, by arguing that it is a social construct, a concept, that was created to explain or describe what we see in our surrounding. [2] He further concluded that, “The concept of race falls into a third category. It’s neither completely natural nor completely socially constructed. It’s a social construct inspired by a natural phenomenon.” [3] The base of his argument was that the human race has one beginning, but the uniqueness to each group was the end result or the effect of the environment in which they have lived in.
At the concept of race as a ‘social-construct’ is bearable to think about since all have one beginning. But still there is grouping of people like ethnicity, due to diversity, which is the end result of their environment. The word ‘race’ or ‘racism’ may be discounted or deleted, the bias or preconceived opinion(s) toward a group of people toward the other still exits.
Neoracism and Colorblind
“Neoracists agree that race matter deeply and inherently, but not because of genetics or divine decree. Instead, they believe race matters for societal and historical reasons: that discrimination in favor of non-whites is justified on accounts of the hardships they endure – hand hardships their ancestors endured – at the hands of whites.” [4] Hughes also emphasized an important similarity between neoracists and old-school race supremacists, which is ‘race matters.’
On the other hand, ‘colorblind’ which is based on the principle that everyone should be treated fairly in both our public policy and in our private lives, without any regards to race.[5] Colorblind is said to be standing on the opposite side of neoracism. It seems that in neoracism, white people, or ‘whiteness’ [6] is associated with negativity toward the non-white race. I wonder what it would look like if this ‘social-construct,’ race does not exist? Would both ‘neoracism’ and ‘colorblind’ would be talked about but instead of race, it would be ethnic group?
Summary
As a non-white, this is my observation. At first, I think of ‘racism’ as an actual word, not a ‘social-construct.’ As I was growing up on my Island, there was this word that was used to described outsiders, especially white people. They were named, ‘REWON,’ which literal meaning is, RE (from), WON (above). The name may be derived from what they have, and what they can do, or even the difference in appearance. To the best of my knowledge is that it came from their inferiority toward them. This is how I grew up thinking about this social-construct, race, as something that really exists. Moreover, as there is different types of, and the existence of discrimination. Though I come to understand some of these, it is sad to see my fellow Micronesians getting sucked into somewhat like neoracism movement without knowing what it is.
In closing, I believe that if racism do not exist because there is no such word as, ‘racism,’ prejudice and bias toward other groups still exists. And it is still as damaging as racism.
[1] Summary of The End Of Race Politics by Colman Hughes. https://www.bing.com/search?q=what+is+the+main+theme+of+The+end+of+race+politics+&form=ANNTH1&refig=60900B60D6A64E92BC0B9C1ED8AEF125&pc=U531&ntref=1.
[2] Hughes, Coleman. The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America (pp. 33 – 34). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid (pg. 18).
[5] Ibid (pg. 19).
[6] Ibid (pg. 20).
About the Author
Noel Liemam
14 responses to “Through the lens of a minority.”
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Thank you Noel. I wonder, how does your Micronesian identity influence your perception of race and its social implications compared to broader racial discussions in the U.S.?
Hi, Debbie, thank you for your comment. Our current view of racism is mostly influenced by how racism is discussed in the U.S. However, we may not be part of it, we seemed to believe and think discrimination do exist. But even in our small individual communities in Micronesia, there is still discrimination and prejudices among each other. I could say yes, and on the larger scale.
Hi Noel, I am sorry for the prejudice you have experienced in coming to America. I pray for a world in which this does not exist.
My mom also came to America as an immigrant and struggled to find her way amongst Americans. Some were racist towards her because of America’s history with Japan during WW2. But in other ways, there were more barriers than just her race.
One point that I think Hughes makes is that prejudice isn’t always towards a person’s race or ethnicity, but there are other factors (that often go hand in hand) that contribute to this prejudice. Things like language, choice of food, attire, holidays, entertainment, etc., also play into cultural prejudice people have.
How do you differentiate between the prejudice due to race and other factors?
Thank you, Christy, for your comment. With the past 30yrs that I have been residing and working in Oregon, I have mostly encountered prejudices with regards to race than culture. But when asked where I am from, those are the time I encounter those that are related to culture (food, dress and way of life). It does not bother much, I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, improving one’s cultural intelligence would be a way to improve one’s understanding about other people. Thank you again, Christy.
Noel,
I appreciate your perspective as a Micronesian. You mention that some of your fellow islanders have been sucked into neoracism. How have you seen this exemplified?
Hi, Adam, thank you for your comment. Well, I might be wrong, but few of the small organizations of pacific islanders in the Pacific Northwest (Northern Oregon and Southwestern Washington) have been guided and advised that since we (Micronesians) cannot do certain things, we need a few (a group) to stand between us and the state government. The idea behind this is that we are Micronesian, and they are Americans. Thank you again, Adam.
Hi Noel, Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective as a minority in the US. I was intrigued and saddened by the origin of the word “rewon.” We have a word in West Africa, “toubab.” It was used predominantly for white people, but can also mean foreigner. It is a generally used term, but also has some derogatory implications. What do you think would have helped bridge the gap and feelings of inferiority with the “rewon”? What advice to you have for a rewon/toubab living in Africa?
Hello, Kari, thank you for your comment. I believe both names originated by how we related to each other. For example, in my context, the name came as a result of what my ancestor’s perception of the outsiders and what they can do. Maybe as we improve how we relate to each other (people from different places and cultures), we can see each other as fellow brother and sister (as in from one race), then this could improve. My next-door neighbor is a 70yr old white man, my landlord is a middle-aged Chinese, and my co-workers are Micronesians. One thing that keep me and them on the same level is for me to ‘remain-relational’ as described in one of our readings. Thank you very much, Kari.
Hi Noel, thank you for your post and sharing. You wrote that when you first came to Oregon you experienced discrimmination. May I ask if you still experience this and if your children are experiencing it as well. How do you talk to your children about this?
Hi, Diane, thank you for your comment. I may have used a stronger word. I guess I should have say that I was experiencing prejudice. Or even maybe misunderstood. I came to Oregon in 1995 and enrolled in Community College. Without any placement tests, I was placed in English as Second Language. There reason was that English is my second language. Then again with my son, he was placed into English as Second Language Class because his parents’ first language is not English. I wrote the teachers that English is not our second language, however, my son’s First and only language is English. He was born and raised in Troutdale Oregon and never been to my home island. And he is just the same as the kids down the street.
Once in a while, I meet some people with little cultural intelligence and world geographical knowledge. Other than that, I understand that we are just human, each with our own way. Troutdale OR has been my home from over 10 years.
Hi Noel,
Thank you for your post.
If the concept of race were replaced by ethnic groups as social constructs, how might this shift impact the discourse around neoracism and colorblindness? Do you think that the same tensions and debates still exist?
Hi, Shela, thank you for your comment. As race is considered as a social construct, I would say that ethnicity is not. I would think that the debate and tensions would still exists but within different angles.
One important question to ask is how we how do we lead in this context. Thank you, Shela.
HI Noel,
What is one thing that you wish white people knew about you and your experience when they meet you? How would that change interactions and relationships?
Thank you.
Hi, Julie, thank you for your comment. Well, for one, we are harmless. We may be from different ethnic backgrounds, but we are just people like everyone else. We have feelings and fears like everyone else as well. Thank you Julie.