Multiracial Americans and Social Class by Kathleen Odell Korgen

Author:Kathleen Odell Korgen [Korgen, Kathleen Odell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780415483971
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2010-04-21T00:00:00+00:00

Both Tina and Mya give examples that illustrate that while they believe racial discrimination still exists, they also believe there is a culture of poverty that exists among poor Blacks that keeps them inadequately educated and without many prospects for socioeconomic mobility. Their narratives imply that they believe that Blacks have a choice in leaving behind lifestyles that do not permit them to have any upward mobility.

While Mya and Tina do not explicitly state that Blacks have agency in determining their socioeconomic prospects, other respondents, such as Kelly, who is middle-class and identifies externally as Biracial, and Joe, who is also middle-class but identifies externally as Black, acknowledge that racism and discrimination somewhat limit the options available to Blacks, but discount this fact when used as an excuse by Blacks who fail to rise into the middle class. They supported their claims with anecdotes of family members who were able to do well even though they faced similar challenges.

Kelly professed that she is in favor of affirmative action because Blacks do face discrimination and not as many opportunities as Whites. However, she also made an argument that lack of opportunities and discrimination should not be excuses for failing.

Yes. Definitely. I feel like there is some merit to where that sentiment [that racial inequality stems from discrimination and lack of opportunities for Blacks] comes from, but being Black isn’t an excuse and I don’t respect it as an excuse … You take your struggle and you make it what you make it. You can allow society to strengthen your character or your determination … When I see people use it, it kind of makes me angry. You are accepting the role they want you to play. You might be broke, you might not have a job, you might have gotten kicked out of school, but that’s your situation, you decide how you are going to feel about it and where you are going to go with it. You can say, I’m Black, I don’t have opportunities, but you can then make opportunities and find ways.

Kelly firmly believes that it is up to the individual to find avenues to success even though she admitted that society does pose unique challenges for Blacks that do not permit them to have the same opportunities as Whites. However, her perspective shifted to a structural one when she addressed the government’s role in keeping Blacks subservient.

I definitely think it’s both [individual effort and structures] … I want to blame the government because I feel like they know it’s an issue and they will address it just enough to kind of keep people quiet … the extent to which racism still exists it is like our dirty little secret. It is something we know is there and people don’t want to talk about because if you talk about it you are either complaining or you’re complaining because of your situation. I feel like our legislation and like the general system is like broken.

Kelly’s dramatic movement from individual

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