"Racism is defined as prejudice plus power"

Race at the American Music Awards

     I just read two snippets about artists at the AMAs and race. The first, Katy Perry Performs in Racist Geisha Costume at the AMA’s, echoes what seems to be an increasingly common refrain on certain parts of the Internet (or at least I'm getting more familiar with them!). Color Lines discusses the cultural appropriation and racism that Katy Perry displays by "dressing as a Geisha". There's some other insightful (Psychology Today) and short (Vulture) commentary that leads me to my contribution to this conversation: a sidebar on the phrase "politically correct".
     Whenever I'm talking to someone that uses the term "politically correct", I panic a little. My mind goes into overdrive as I think about how I will respond to someone with whom I likely disagree at a fundamental level. You see, I've decided that "politically correct" tends to be code for "not racist", at least for how I define racism. I would wager that my interlocutors do not share the same definition of racism, and these different understandings of race, racism, and racial experiences is, I think, central to the discussion at hand. I should note that sometimes "politically correct" also means "not homophobic", "not sexist/misogynistic", or some other type of society-level power dynamic. In fact, in conversation I tend to substitute the terms in my head and other people sound something like this:

person: "Why do they have to be so politically correct not racist? He bought that costume at the store and painted his face black to complete the look. He's obviously not saying that Black people today wear bones in their hair and grass skirts."
or
"The liberals are taking over with their political correctness not racist-ness."
or
"Sorry, I know this is not politically correct racist, but it's how I feel."
Anyway, it seems pretty certain to me that "political correct" is quite often used as a racialized code word, that is, it's used to activate and mobilize racist sentiments in a socially acceptable way.

     To turn back to the AMAs, another post from Color Lines points out another salient crop-up of an artist's explicit engagement with issues of power and race in Macklemore’s Trayvon Martin Tribute Matters — Here’s Why. In contrast to Katy Perry's (obliviously??) racist performance, Macklemore continues to endeavor to contribute a White antiracist perspective. While he does fumble topics of power and privilege at times, I find it interesting to see him try.
In other news, people of color don't have to listen to Macklemore songs or read antiracist literature to understand that society in the US is racist and actively oppresses people of color (among countless others). I think of Kanye's gripping "New Slaves" and the more recent "Love is the Answer" video from Aloe Blacc.

"no one cares about your guilt"

Title: The Difference Between Cultural Exchange and Cultural Appropriation
Author: Jarune Uwujaren
Publication: everyday feminism
Date: September 30, 2013
Link: http://everydayfeminism.com/2013/09/cultural-exchange-and-cultural-appropriation/

Commentary:
What a great discussion of cultural appropriation. Non-accusatory, refrains from taking a know-it-all, holier-than-thou position. Deftly navigates a complex analysis of an immensely complicated subject. I like also that it abounds with tips and examples for living and interacting in a multicultural world (with a history of colonialism and oppression).
I'll admit I hardly know where to start with advice like "cultural appropriation should be mutual". I guess a start to that is knowing what you have to offer in the exchange. I used to think (oh-so-naively) that history could be eschewed in favor of a "forward-thinking focus". (Don't ask what that even means). Of course, that reflects a problematic position of (extreme?) privilege--and probably willful ignorance--to not have to think about reverberations of the past in the present and to be able to ignore how *everything* you have and enjoy are mired in ongoing exploitation extending far backward in time. If nothing surely the self-examination would help me examine what I am and am made up of, not to mention a deeper understanding of culture and my situatedness in socio-history.

The ultimate solution is not, as I'm sure this author would agree, is not to stop appropriating minority and marginalized cultures, but to thoroughly decolonize them. This sort of decolonization goes beyond physical geography and into the complex social geographies and intricacies of Culture writ large. I've abstracted beyond the accessible level with which concepts were presented in this article, and really beyond my firm understanding. Nevertheless, I think respect is a solid place to start. Listening and understanding are essential tools for Anglos to break out of their obliviousness. And what a great line "no one cares about your guilt". Reflecting the blessedly-more-common sentiment of late that it's not all about the feelings of the privileged.
This helped me continue to think about (and continue to not answer "successfully" (: ) my wonderings around hula skirts and "hawaiian" shirts.

With great articles on a particular dimension of privilege/oppression, I wonder what parts can transfer to other dimensions. In what ways do straight people colonize queer folk? Obviously, many aspects don't carry over, but the appropriation of cultural signifiers and uneasy (and ultimately incomplete, unequal, and oppressive) "assimilation" of the minority seem appropriate.

If it wasn't clear already, these are first-draft thoughts. They barely spent any time in my head, hence their under-formed and unelaborated nature. They also more likely than not include oppressive assumptions (unfortunately), so as always I welcome any comments the reader has to offer.

"on the way up, we don't argue 'my lack of privilege is worse than yours', [but] we work to elevate"

Title: Kyriarchy 101
Author: Jogeek
Publication: Unapologetically Fat
Date: October 22, 2009
Link: Kyriarchy 101

Commentary: I like this article about "kyriarchy" because it does a great job at explaining intersectionality and the complex interplay of privileges and power. The author's personal examples are at once clear and compelling. She does a great job of making the big points about why this sort of "systems perspective" of privilege is important and makes the appropriate caveats (e.g. not diminishing victims or their experiences). I also love how it ends with a sort of call for action about how to talk about and deal with privilege(s).
It's probably not ideal to use the term "privilege" in the sense of some static and monolithic idea that is coextensive with power. I'm reading a cool dissertation from the field of critical geography (Queer Appalachia) that tries to map discriminatory spatial processes, without reifying or privileging hegemonic discourses and practices -- I think. So the trick, as I believe Jogeek is trying to maintain, is to discuss and address privilege in a way that empowers those who are harmed by various oppressive power structures.

"[don't expect] differences in IQ between Hispanics and whites because neither category exists in nature"

Title: Yes, let's talk about race and IQ
Author: Lisa Wade
Publication: Politico
Date: August 22, 2013
Link: http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=404994AD-B150-45ED-86B0-2773717ADDD5

Commentary: I think Lisa Wade is awesome. She translates social research to publicly readable formats. Her blog, SocImages, is intellectually sound and immanently compelling. I like this piece for Politico because she critically addresses a common perspective on race and IQ and that positions concerns. Dr. Wade's interdisciplinary background is evident through her skillful weaving of different strands (and fields) of evidence regarding what connections between "race" and "intelligence" exist and what they might mean. Cogently written piece.

"Skyler had become a kind of Rorschach test for society"

Title: I Have a Character Issue
Author: Anna Gunn (actress who plays Skyler White on Breaking Bad)
Publication: New York Times
Date: August 23, 2013
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/24/opinion/i-have-a-character-issue.html

Commentary: I really enjoyed the mention of Carmela Soprano of "The Sopranos" and Betty Draper of "Mad Men"; really excellent points of comparison for someone who watches a lot of TV. What an excellent way to initiate conversations around sexism and patriarchy. I also found myself thinking of Alicia Florrick in "The Good Wife" and considering how it's different for a protagonist. Anyway, Anna Gunn raises the important points about gender and society in a brief and personal piece.
Further reading: Defending Skyler White
Can we accept complex female characters? at Feministing
I Hate Strong Female Characters

"the American left is void of compassion, which is at the very heart of the true left"

Title: Shoot the fat guys, hang the smokers
Author: Joe Bageant and Other Joe
Publication: joebageant.com
Date: November 2011
Link: http://www.joebageant.com/joe/2009/11/-shoot-the-fat-guys.html

Commentary: I was judging my neighbors (whoops!) the other day as I caught whiffs of their cigarette smoke, when a concern entered my head. I was given pause by the negative associations with smoking that ran through my mind. I tried to give some critical thought to the issue, but quickly turned to the Internet for assistance. I was interested in how people have assessed the framing of smoking and smokers and was pleased to find this piece. I appreciate how Joe brings in classism and draws helpful parallels between perceptions and shaming of "smokers" and "fat people". The condemnation of the classist use of "Merkins"/"Murricans" resonated with me in particular. I certainly don't agree with everything said or how it's said, but the 2 letters here helped me reevaluate my anti-smoking bias.
     It seems like a social-justice-y take on the issue, although not written in the way I'm used to reading about social justice. A little more raw and opinionated--than the sanitized academic-speak I know--could come off as lacking some of the compassion he calls for. But definitely incisive.
      Describing the US as a "predatory society" reminds me of another article I'll have to post soon...

Trigger Warning: Some possibly offensive (incl. patriarchal) language and body shaming appear in article.

"Real, productive workers are relentlessly squeezed and exploited"

"On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs"
STRIKE! Magazine
Grad school's a real job. Grad school's a real job. Grad school's a real job.
Not a real thorough anthropological analysis, but some interesting ideas about shifts in the type of work people do.

http://www.strikemag.org/bullshit-jobs/