The Tale of the White Fish

Racial Identity Stages PEOPLE OF COLOR 1. Pre-Awakening 2. Awakening 3. Immersion 4. Disintegration 5. Pseudo-Communitarian 6. Humanitarian WHITE PEOPLE 1. Pre-Awakening 2. Awakening 3. Revisioning 4. Reversal 5. Pseudo-Communitarian 6. Humanitarian

1. PRE-AWAKENING Very little thought is given to race If they identify with any group it is with their ethnicity (but not as “white”)

White people are often caricatured as all being in this stage – and many are They are blissfully ignorant of what it means to be “white” They have no problems

2. AWAKENING See that there is an “us” and “them” Begin to see whiteness and think about white culture Can take one of three paths: A. Tendency to avoid racial issues (risks) B. Deny inequality and obstruct “minority empowerment” C. Seek a deeper understanding of race issues

2. AWAKENING A.Avoid racial risks and remain stuck in this stage This is the beginning of political correctness. “California Street Sign”

The PSU-UP undergrad population is about 77 percent white. What percentage of the people in the photos of the Strategic Plan publication are white? a.94 percent b.86 percent c.72 percent d.61 percent e.48 percent

2. AWAKENING B. Deny inequality and obstruct the improvement of race relations Lots of people in this stage join “racist” groups and organizations Neo-Nazi Knuckleheads

2. AWAKENING C. Seek a deeper understanding race issues and lay the foundation to move forward to next stage Address race issues and racism (can be jagged)can be jagged Learn the language of race communication – “When is it okay to use racial and ethnic signifiers?”

Have you been in some sort of non- physical confrontation with other white people since the start of the semester? a.Yes b.No c.No but I would have had I not “bitten” my tongue

What is guilt? regret or remorseful awareness of having done something wrong

Feeling some guilt is probably inevitable for most of us because: guilt is just a small step away from feeling “bad” about something it is an integral component of our Judeo Christian culture it is a much used parenting tactic

White guilt is the remorseful awareness of having been racist or having benefited from racism.

How people of color help keep white people at this stage: 1.White concern (and WG) is dismissed 2.Keep white people on edge (anger) 3.Talk about the past and inequality 4.People of color sometimes (secretly) feel good when whites struggle - “It’s about time you struggled.”

How would white people at the Revisionist Stage react to Black People Love Us?Black People Love Us a.Laugh and find it funny b.Maybe laugh a little but be uncomfortable c.Find it insulting d.Be confused because they wouldn’t get the humor

4. REVERSAL Discomfort leads white people to: get angry at people of color fall back into old patterns Discomfort stems from not being seen as an individual

From a SOC 119 journal many years ago…back when people wrote with pens and paper!

While I was growing up I didn’t think about the fact that I was white. I noticed other people who were not white, but I didn’t call myself white – or “German” or “German American,” which is my family’s culture. Then when I got to college I started to hear people refer to themselves by their color or race, especially people of color. Everyone was “black” or “Asian” or “Mexican” or “Haitian.” This seemed odd to me but it was also kind of cool and motivated me to look into my own family’s history. I got into being German and learned about my past.

After being in this class I have started to think about being white and how being white matters to my own experiences in the United States. I have also been able to see the privileges that come with whiteness. I don’t personally feel privileged and my family is not rich and I have never had the thought that I receive advantages over someone of color, but I also see that my race is advantaged as a group. I don’t like that and the more I have learned the more I have felt guilty for being white. I feel angry toward all of the racist white people who have discriminated against other races, especially Native Americans.

But after hearing so many things about what white people have done I’m starting to resent the people who talk about race constantly and keep throwing it in my face. It’s not my fault that I’m white and I don’t feel like I’m better than anyone else. I’m just trying to do the best for me without hurting anyone else but it seems like other races want to stand in my way by constantly reminding me that I’m white and don’t deserve what I have….I want to be seen as me, as an individual who is trying to change the world and who is not racist and not like other white people. It seems like we’re not getting anywhere or making progress.

Some things that white people say at this stage: “Why can’t you (people) just change and then this problem of racism would go away.” “I don’t have to put up with this.” “I’m not the only problem.” “Minorities are just as racist as white people.”

Why the anger at this stage? Don’t Call Me White Lyrics Don’t Call Me White Lyrics

4. REVERSAL Discomfort leads white people to: get angry at people of color fall back into old patterns Discomfort stems from not being seen as an individual

5. PSEUDO-COMMUNITARIAN Refocus on institutional structures of inequality and difference White people can get stuck here and over- associate with people of color - seek approval from people of color

UNIVERSITY PARK - Fall 2010 (Undergrad Enrollment) Total Undergrad Student Population: 37,988 PercentPA 2005 Black: (3.8%)[10.5%] Asian/P.I.: (4.7%)[2.2%] Hispanic: (4.4%)[3.8%] Nat. Am: (0.1%)[0.2%] White: (73.4%)[82.9%] International: (9.0%) [NA] Mixed: (1.7%) [NA] Unknown: (2.9%) [NA]

Which racial identity stage best matches where this person is at?this person a. Pre-Awakening b. Awakening c. Revisioning d. Reversal e. Pseudo-Communitarian

6. HUMANITARIAN White people move into this stage when they begin to: - trust themselves for answers - look toward more evolved whites for guidance They develop a full awareness of race and embrace all cultures (including white culture)

Which racial identity stage best matches where you’re at? a. Pre-Awakening b. Awakening c. Revisioning d. Reversal e. Pseudo-Communitarian or Humanitarian

What would a white person at Stage Five think about this commercial?this commercial a.Totally offended b.Maybe offended but probably uncomfortable c.Not offended but doesn’t think it’s funny d.Thinks it’s funny

VIDEO: “Russell Peters” (36:20 – 44:30) Russell Peters on white people

“Rockin’ the Suburbs” SongLyrics SongLyrics