Blog #8

In the reverse racism video, the idea that white males are afraid of colored people having positions of power is discussed, and this can be linked to the idea that white males are uncomfortable in situations that scare them or give them discomfort. In the video, Wanda Sykes talks about how white males have this idea that if people of color take over positions of power, then reverse racism will ensue. This ties in with the ideas in Oluo’s chapter about Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, and the policing behavior that tries to deflect those who are passionate about racial oppression. This can also tie in with the first reading about the model minority myth, and the fact that there is a lack of political power and professional success among the “model minorities”, or Asian Americans, when the stereotype is that Asian Americans are the smartest and most successful minority group. I think Oluo summarizes this passage well with the line, “There is no set of racial or ethnic stereotypes that will set us free, no matter how appealing they seem on the surface” (Oluo 200). Racial oppression will not come to an end until we learn to see and value everyone for their history, culture, and challenges. In order to fight racism, there needs to be attention on all groups, not just one, and one of these tasks is fighting the model minority myth.