Unpacking the Race Talk

• Published in: Journal of black studies Vol. 44; no. 6; pp. 572 - 589
• Main Author: Orelus, Pierre W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.09.2013; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: African Americans; Colors; Critical race theory; Ethnic Identity; Hegemony; Identity Politics; Linguistics; Low Income Groups; Oppression; Presidents; Race; Race relations; Racism; Social change; Socioeconomics; Stereotypes; Students; U.S.A; United States history; White people; Whiteness studies; Whites; United States > US; linguistically and culturally diverse students; critical race theory; racism; White hegemony; race; transformative educational and social change
• ISSN: 0021-9347; 1552-4566
• DOI: 10.1177/0021934713497057

Race is one of the most contested topics. With the political victory of Barack Obama as the first African American president, discussions about racial issues in the United States have surfaced to the forefront of political debates. Yet, critics have argued that there is not much discussion about race given its significance in the history of this country. Informed by critical race theory, this paper examines the underlying reasons explaining the silence of many people about race. It goes on to examine race through a mosaic lens, pointing out various factors directly connected to it, such as racial identity politics, racism, multiracialism, and White hegemony. Finally, this paper analyzes the manner in which socially constructed racial stereotypes have contributed to and have been used to justify the poor socioeconomic situation and marginalization of People of Color, including linguistically and culturally diverse students.