Race: The Power of An Illusion (Episode 3)

In episode 3 of, Race: The Power of An Illusion titled “The House We Live In,” race is identified as being an illusion, but it is also “profoundly real” because it is the first thing we notice about a person.

Skin color and other physical characteristics are the first things that we notice about a person. Often times, whether we mean to or not, these physical characteristics create judgments of who these people are. Stereotypes and assumptions are made from outward appearance. People also think they can “know” a person just by how they look and their skin color. Race means nothing without the social meaning placed with certain races. This means that we cannot really “see” race, not only because it is made up, but also because it is defined by social meaning. Chances, opportunities, and identities are all affected by race. If certain races are oppressed, then they want to “fit in” somehow and feel more accepted and less oppressed. Immigrants were oppressed when they came over to America. They originally hoped for a better life and many opportunities. However, immigrants became oppressed and placed below all whites that were already in America. However, immigrants that had white skin would eventually be able to use their “whiteness” to oppress blacks and other “races.” American citizens used to be defined as white. Immigrants started out as not being included as citizens, but those that were white became included later because they were white. Possibly the most oppressed racial group would be considered the blacks. In the past, race was defined as what percent ancestry you were, and this was defined differently in different states. Therefore, one could cross a state line and change races, agreeing with the fact that race is a made up and socially constructed idea. Also, this shows that those in power, “whites,” determined races. “Whiteness” was what the common white said it was, and this resulted in white privilege. Those that had ancestry that were not white were considered foreigners, and from this they could not receive white privilege even if they were white. The FHA and the GI Bill racialized neighborhoods and constructed even more “whiteness.” This also increased racial inequality due to wealth.

The GI Bill was intended to aid all war veterans. Why did this bill not do what it was supposed to do? Fear? Power? Privilege? Difference? All of these played its part in the GI Bill not producing the right results. Whites saw blacks as different because of their skin color and felt that blacks were less human or “not as good” because of that. Whites were also in power and had white privilege. They did not want to give this power or privilege away, and they feared they may lose some of it if blacks were aided by the GI Bill just like whites were.

Race is made up and socially constructed. Therefore, race does not say anything about a person and race should not matter at all. What should matter is what is on the inside. What a person thinks and feels and believes should matter. If anything should classify people into groups, I would have to say religion would be the difference that it is based on. And this difference would be real, not created as race is. Also, there would not be so many problems because one’s religion cannot be seen by just looking at someone.