Deck 18: Racism: What It Is and What It Isnt

Question 1

Many victims of racial injustice have opted to use the word "racism" in a much broader way than Lawrence Blum recommends. Do we have some obligation to defer to the way those people use terms like "racist" and "racism?" If you think so, defend your view, and then discuss how Blum might reply. If you think not, explain why, and then imagine how someone might criticize your position.

Answer 1

Include a thesis that's focused and appropriate given the assignment.
Clearly and succinctly state the main argument for the thesis.
Correctly identify and defend the argument's controversial premises using sound reasoning, well-chosen examples, insightful analogies, etc.
Demonstrate the ability to imagine a reasonable criticism that someone might make against the student's argument.

Question 2

Do a little searching on the Internet for some recent events where people or actions are being called "racist." Find three events where Lawrence Blum would say that we should describe the moral problem differently. In your essay, describe the case, explain why people used the language of racism, and then explain how Blum would have us talk about it. Finally, explain why you side with either the original descriptions or Blum's.

Answer 2

Complete all parts of the assignment.
Demonstrate understanding of Blum's taxonomy of race-related moral failings and the ability to apply that taxonomy to new cases.
Offer thoughtful assessments of the cases, either agreeing or disagreeing with Blum's way of seeing of them.

Question 3

Lawrence Blum says that the white officers who killed Officer Young probably weren't racist. Do you agree with this claim? Why or why not?

Answer 3

Demonstrate understanding of Blum's views about racism, including his taxonomy of race-related moral failings.
Include a thesis that's focused and appropriate given the assignment.
Clearly and succinctly state the main argument for the thesis.
Correctly identify and defend the argument's controversial premises using sound reasoning, well-chosen examples, insightful analogies, etc.

Question 4

What does Blum say about racial anxiety?

A) Racial anxiety is a form of racism, but you aren't responsible for it
B) Racial anxiety is a form of racism, and it's morally problematic
C) Talking about racial anxiety is unhelpful and misleading
D) Racial anxiety is not a form of racism, but it's still bad
E) Racial anxiety is not a form of racism, but it's still a character flaw

Question 5

According to Blum, if you treat other races as having lesser value, you are ________:

A) Employing racist stereotypes
B) Engaging in racial inferiorization
C) Engaging in racial antipathy
D) Engaging in racial homogenization
E) Engaging in racial mixing

Question 6

According to Blum, why do people avoid having productive conversations about race?

A) People are afraid of appearing racist
B) People are afraid of giving offense
C) People are afraid of revealing their ignorance of other racial groups
D) People don't want to reveal prejudices that are not socially acceptable
E) All of the above

Question 7

Historically racist doctrines and social systems like Nazism, slavery, segregation, apartheid are stark examples of which main mode of racism?

A) Suppression
B) Inferiorization
C) Paternalism
D) Antipathy
E) None of the above

Question 8

Which of these is NOT an alternative to the term "racism" that Blum discusses?

A) Racial anxiety
B) Racial injustice
C) Racial homogenization
D) Racial mixing
E) None of these are alternatives to the term "racism"

Question 9

According to Blum, we should use the term "racism" when there is ________:

A) Ignorance and anxiety
B) Discomfort and antipathy
C) Inferiorization and anxiety
D) Degradation and injustice
E) Inferiorization and antipathy

Question 10

On Blum's view, you can kill someone as a result of employing a racist stereotype without actually being racist.

Question 11

What is the problem with racial homogenization?

A) It is offensive
B) It leads to gun violence
C) It leads to racist housing policies, which systematically disadvantage certain groups
D) It treats all members of a racial group as though they're the same
E) It's a form of racism

Question 12

How does Blum define "racial anxiety?"

A) A psychological condition that's only recently been acknowledged by psychologists
B) A psychological condition for which there is no known therapy
C) Being unable to function around members of another racial group
D) Being uncomfortable during interactions with members of another racial group
E) Being ignorant of the histories of members of another racial group

Question 13

According to Blum, if someone uses a term without thinking about the racial baggage that comes with it (such as "boy"), we should describe that as________:

A) Racial injustice
B) Racial inferiorization
C) Racial insensitivity
D) Racial homogenization
E) Racial mixing