Sociologist Eduardo Bonilla-Silva identified four patterned strategies on which white people rely that work to perpetuate racial inequality without necessarily appearing to be openly “racist.” Identify these four strategies, and give an example of

Question

each.

Please provide the best answer for the statement.

Answer 1

1. Abstract liberalism—A tactic involving the deployment of ideals associated with economic and political liberalism (such as individualism, choice, and “equal opportunity”) in an abstract way that ignores the concrete effects of centuries of racism. For instance, someone might oppose affirmative action by saying that it violates ideals of equal opportunity, ignoring the ways in which systemic racism is already preventing equal opportunity.
2. Naturalization—A tactic of rationalizing racial inequality by proposing that it results from people’s natural differences and inclinations. For example, someone might blame racially segregated neighborhoods on people’s supposedly natural inclination to live around people similar to them.
3. Cultural racism—Like naturalization, but focusing on culture rather than nature. For example, someone might argue that a racial group does poorly in school compared to whites because the members of that group do not value education.
4. Minimization—This refers to the ways white people suggest that race is no longer the most important factor in determining the life chances of members of a racial minority. For example, someone might claim that “most people are not racist anymore,” thus minimizing the effects of racism and suggesting that racial minorities are being too sensitive or using their race as an excuse.