Racial stereotypes are a huge part of American society. They have been engrained in everyone’s thinking. Bourdieu’s idea of habitus can be related to this. Habitus are ideas that are socially formed within an individual, they are projected to be real, continue to be propelled, and are their origin is not consciously thought of. This also related to another concept from Bourdieu called bodily hexus. Bodily hexus is like muscle memory, but in this case it is also emotion and physical memory. So once these ideas have been defined, we do not really challenge them.
Meaning has been placed on the phenotypic differences in individuals. This is why when people ask, “What are you?” the answer is followed by ideas and stereotypes associated with certain groups. With a small amount of information, people think they know something about someone. As stereotypes continue to play out and groups continue to adhere to them, this helps to perpetuate inequalities and stratification. Many of us are not aware of where our preconceived notions of race come from; it has become a part of us, almost like an instinct.
This behavior is played out daily at airports. In the article I read, it describes complaints of racial profiling that has occurred in airports. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are told to check anyone with suspicious behavior. Obviously suspicious behavior is not easy to define; so ultimately looking for suspicious behavior becomes looking for suspicious minorities as perpetuated by their stereotype. Because meaning has been attached to certain races, the TSA agents are racially profiling against Latinos, blacks, and Muslims. The interesting thing is that before 9/11 attacks, there was no meaning attached to being Muslim and flying on a play. After 9/11 the stereotype of a Muslim terrorist is largely predominant. Even for people who do not believe this, they are aware of the stereotype and what it now means to be Muslim in America. And this, the acknowledgement of incorrect stigmas and stereotypes, but no movement to change these meanings is the root of the problems. The bodily hexus that we have has stopped people from making movements to erase these ideas. Although many people do try to fight against these ideas, there is still the idea of stereotypes. The constant need for symbolism and meaning attached to different things continues on.
We know all blacks are not violent or gangbangers, we know not all Latinos jump the border illegally and do not pay taxes, we know not all Muslims are terrorists, but we do know all the stereotypes. The problem with stereotypes, is that people may try not to personally assign characteristics to certain individuals, but the larger picture is that these meaning remain regardless. Having people try to challenge bodily hexus or habitus is something that is needed, but is a very difficult thing to do.
It is hard to imagine if this is even possible, I am not even sure that it is. Bourdieu’s analysis of how we become socialized to believe these things to be true, even when they are not, is not an inspiring one. What can we as individuals do? Probably nothing. Taking something that you have had as a part of you for your entire life and trying to get rid of it is impossible. Perhaps just being able to fix material differences – although not the ideal end goal is the best we can do.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/us/racial-profiling-at-boston-airport-officials-say.html?pagewanted=all
Meaning has been placed on the phenotypic differences in individuals. This is why when people ask, “What are you?” the answer is followed by ideas and stereotypes associated with certain groups. With a small amount of information, people think they know something about someone. As stereotypes continue to play out and groups continue to adhere to them, this helps to perpetuate inequalities and stratification. Many of us are not aware of where our preconceived notions of race come from; it has become a part of us, almost like an instinct.
This behavior is played out daily at airports. In the article I read, it describes complaints of racial profiling that has occurred in airports. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are told to check anyone with suspicious behavior. Obviously suspicious behavior is not easy to define; so ultimately looking for suspicious behavior becomes looking for suspicious minorities as perpetuated by their stereotype. Because meaning has been attached to certain races, the TSA agents are racially profiling against Latinos, blacks, and Muslims. The interesting thing is that before 9/11 attacks, there was no meaning attached to being Muslim and flying on a play. After 9/11 the stereotype of a Muslim terrorist is largely predominant. Even for people who do not believe this, they are aware of the stereotype and what it now means to be Muslim in America. And this, the acknowledgement of incorrect stigmas and stereotypes, but no movement to change these meanings is the root of the problems. The bodily hexus that we have has stopped people from making movements to erase these ideas. Although many people do try to fight against these ideas, there is still the idea of stereotypes. The constant need for symbolism and meaning attached to different things continues on.
We know all blacks are not violent or gangbangers, we know not all Latinos jump the border illegally and do not pay taxes, we know not all Muslims are terrorists, but we do know all the stereotypes. The problem with stereotypes, is that people may try not to personally assign characteristics to certain individuals, but the larger picture is that these meaning remain regardless. Having people try to challenge bodily hexus or habitus is something that is needed, but is a very difficult thing to do.
It is hard to imagine if this is even possible, I am not even sure that it is. Bourdieu’s analysis of how we become socialized to believe these things to be true, even when they are not, is not an inspiring one. What can we as individuals do? Probably nothing. Taking something that you have had as a part of you for your entire life and trying to get rid of it is impossible. Perhaps just being able to fix material differences – although not the ideal end goal is the best we can do.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/us/racial-profiling-at-boston-airport-officials-say.html?pagewanted=all