Pre-class Hook

For centuries whites have oppressed those they deem racially inferior, by claiming they were educating the savages for example or bringing them religion…yeah ok right. We all no European colonization of India or Africa was only a matter of land, new products such as raw material or foods. We can also mention the “free humans”. In our western ideology we think that this is set in our past, we feel so good about ourselves because we freed black people from slavery and almost think that they should thank us. But in reality is all this really over? In reading Hook we realize that no, it isn’t. Even though we tell ourselves we are not racist, we do not participate in the act of Othering, we do. It is ingrained in our ideology. It is embedded in our psyche. Before this text I honestly did not see that. And this ideology is perpetuated by the media, even celebrated by it. We use the Other as a commodification, like Benetton adds, presenting children of different races playing together. They say, look we promote diversity and battle discrimination. But in reality they attempt to get a gold star from consumers who think that by purchasing in their store they are doing an anti racist action! All Benetton really does is increasing the gap between us and them, pointing out that “they” are different.

Another interesting point Hook makes is that of sex. I don’t know if this applies to everyone but I understand what he is saying here. When whites express the desire to have sex with the Other, they think it is a way to understand and know the Other but also as a way to change themselves. We think this action erases racial imperialism as we try to become the Other. but it does not eradicate the politics of racial domination it only promotes them. Hook says the only solution is the mutual recognition of racism at work in our western society.