Two-Faced Racism by Leslie Picca Joe Feagin

Author:Leslie Picca, Joe Feagin [Leslie Picca, Joe Feagin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780415954761
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2007-04-23T00:00:00+00:00

PREPARATION FOR THE FRONTSTAGE

In our extensive data, another recurring theme that emerges is that the backstage is frequently a preparation and learning arena where whites get ready in some fashion for frontstage relations with people of color. In these private settings, whites teach each other how to act, or not to act, in the multiracial and multicultural frontstage. The journal accounts show recurring educational efforts by whites directed at other whites, including an offering of warnings of various kinds. Backstage interactions involve whites correcting each other’s racially related vocabulary and misconceptions or myths about people of color. This specific socialization is educational in nature. Generally, such education is different from whites’ teaching each other blatant stereotypes, openly racist notions, and racist inclinations, as these assertively racist views and actions are not intended, in the social politeness view at least, to be used openly in the frontstage settings with people of color.

The diary accounts show that white education backstage, as part of the preparation for the frontstage, frequently involves younger whites giving advice to older whites. A college student in the Northeast recounts an interesting racial event that involves educating her grandmother:

On this particular afternoon my friend Yvonne’s mother and grandmother were visiting my friend from California [all are white]. …After a little bit of casual conversation, … Yvonne began to list the restaurant options. Upon her mention of the Chinese restaurant uptown, Yvonne’s grandmother interrupted and began to tell a story. She said, “… The other day I was at a restaurant and I had a lovely Oriental waitress—” She didn’t get any further because Yvonne interrupted her. “Grandma!” my friend exclaimed, “People are not ‘oriental.’ Food is oriental and clothing is oriental, and there is even a part of the world often referred to as “The Orient.” But you can’t say that people are ‘oriental’!” Yvonne’s grandmother looked at her, completely shocked that she had been rebuked, but she was also pretty confused. “Well, then, Yvonne,” her grandmother said, “What are they called?” Yvonne told her grandmother that people from China or Japan, etc. are often referred to as Asian, or even directly by their heritage, if it is known, such as Chinese or Japanese. But she laughed again as she said, “Not oriental!” Her grandmother was pretty oblivious, you could tell, but accepted the mistake she had made and went back to her story, making sure to emphasize that she had an Asian waitress this time. (Caroline)

The backstage, where white relatives and friends gather privately, can be an educational setting where people learn a more accurate or less stereotyped terminology for racial and ethnic groups. Yvonne gives an extended antiracist performance that seeks to prepare her grandmother for future interactions in frontstage situations. Even though no Asians are present, Yvonne feels it important to teach her grandmother that describing someone as “Oriental” is unacceptable in the frontstage or the backstage. In backstage arenas, whites sometimes act to make other whites accountable on racial matters. Ongoing interaction is central

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