Racialised Bodies by Zoe Lawder https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies Race is a social construct rather than a biological fact. en-us 2016-08-16 00:10:59 UTC 2016-09-09 02:33:52 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/File.png “Race is a social construct, rather than a biological fact” (DeMello, 2014. P. 214).                                                                                                                                                                                  Despite strong scientific evidence to the contrary, many people still regard race to be a biological feature, rather than a product of society. Many scientists now believe race to be purely a difference in physical characteristics, and that it does not therefore equate to different sub-groups of humans. According to DeMello (2014, P.215) “race is a social, economic, and political system of division and inequality”. Populations are divided into groups based on their physical appearances, such as skin colour, and are then placed into a ranked hierarchy. Those at the top of this hierarchy (in western societies this equates to people of Northern European descent) are then afforded privilege. Whilst those at the bottom of the hierarchy (often those with dark skin) face systemic disadvantage.                                                                                                                                                                          Bonilla-Silva (2006, cited in Turner & Whang, 2012. 314) believes that the United States has transgressed from simply a society in which ‘whites’ are dominant over ‘blacks’, to one in which there exists a spectrum of skin tones. Those people whose skin tone falls closer to the ‘white’ end of the spectrum, are afforded greater privilege over those who are further towards the ‘black’ end of the spectrum. bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118352770 In this collection pad I have gathered together articles, images and videos which explore the idea of 'white privilege' and discrimination based on skin colour. ]]> 2016-08-16 00:15:32 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118352770 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118358739 "Angélica Dass's photography challenges how we think about skin color and ethnic identity" (TED, 2016)
The artist has matched each variation in skin tone to a pantone colour code. She undertook this project to highlight the absurdity of  labels such as- black, white, yellow and red. She wants to challenge the notion that a persons skin colour can be used to form a first or long-lasting impression. ]]> 2016-08-16 01:08:23 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118358739 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118360684 A short video in support of the 'Black lives matter' campaign. It contains some sobering statistics regarding differing opinion on how much race affects privilege. ]]> 2016-08-16 01:28:25 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118360684 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118361601 "Colorism is an extension of racism in which people of color are discriminated against based on their proximity to whiteness. The closer to white a person is, the more social advantages he or she experiences." (Biakolo, K. 2016)
Despite evidence that skin bleaching agents can be carcinogenic many people continue to use them in order to obtain lighter skin. This is a symptom of white privilege, and the portrayal of white skin as beautiful and desirable.]]> 2016-08-16 01:36:01 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118361601 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118363817 "White Flight"
This is a term I hadn't heard before, but apparently is being used in reference to the increasing trend of white middle-class parents sending their children to schools outside their local catchment zone, so as their children can attend school with students of a similar race and class.]]> 2016-08-16 01:57:56 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118363817 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118387800 I recently watched the documentary series "Desperately Seeking Doctors" on ABC and was appalled to see the conditions in which many aboriginal people still live. How can this be allowed to happen in a wealthy country such as Australia? The disparity between the services offered to Aboriginal communities and those available to 'white' Australians is simply shocking. It's a stark reminder of white privilege. 
 "a program that all Australians, whatever the colour of their skin, should watch." (Lawford Benning, cited in Laurie, V. 2011)]]> 2016-08-16 07:17:23 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118387800 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118507217 The recent publishing of a Bill Leak cartoon, in The Australian newspaper, which depicted Aboriginal fathers as drunk and irresponsible, has reignited discussion regarding racism in Australia. It's astonishing that the publication of such a racially derogatory cartoon was allowed. The cartoon was placing blame, for the over-representation of indigenous youth in the justice system, with parents. Instead of looking at the systemic disadvantage many indigenous people face. In response, a social media campaign #indigenousdads, is trying to dispel some of the stigma that surrounds aboriginal men.]]> 2016-08-16 23:56:17 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118507217 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118515218 17 year old Jasirah Bin Hitam, undertook a social experiment to try and change popular misconceptions surrounding Indigenous Australians. She stood on a beach with a sign inviting strangers to hug her, in an effort to increase trust between 'white' Australians and Aboriginal people. This experiment has since been replicated in other parts of the world.]]> 2016-08-17 01:40:27 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118515218 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118517115 Image from Australia day 2016]]> 2016-08-17 02:06:43 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118517115 This is the image displayed by Google on Australia day 2016, created by a Canberra High School Student. Google featured the image to draw attention to reconcilliation issues in Australia. It is a stark contrast to images published in the Australian media. Why is it that so many Australians can not see the celebration of Australia day as offensive to the indigenous community. bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118517256 2016-08-17 02:08:37 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118517256 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118517456 The Australian media's portrayal of Australia day, very distinctly "white".]]> 2016-08-17 02:11:12 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118517456 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118517812 "White privilege means not being affected by negative stereotypes that have been perpetuated and ingrained so much into society that people believe them  to be fact. Black men are (often portrayed as) angry, primitive beasts with insatiable sexual appetites" (Blackmon 2013)]]> 2016-08-17 02:15:05 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118517812 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118518759 Shannon Murdoch, who emigrated to Australia from the U.S, regularly encounters racism from "white" Australians, because of her skin colour. Despite being highly intelligent, beautiful, clean and well-presented, some people are still unwilling to sit next to her, or they feel threatened by her. Why is this? Is it because of the way 'black' people have been portrayed throughout history, that they are criminals, more animalistic, not civilised, not trustworthy
"It's about the skin I'm in and no matter what you do, you are still always black first." ]]> 2016-08-17 02:25:09 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118518759 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118679645 Fashion's Blind spot.
The fashion industry is dominated by white models.]]> 2016-08-18 01:34:51 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118679645 bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118680365 A visual used to raise awareness of white privilege. ]]> 2016-08-18 01:42:39 UTC https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118680365 References. bazoe https://padlet.com/bazoe/racialisedbodies/wish/118843451 Blackmon, M. 2013. https://www.buzzfeed.com
DeMello, Margo. 2014. Body Studies: An Introduction. Routledge, Oxford.
Laurie, V. 2011. http://www.abc.net.au
TED. 2016. https://www.ted.com
Leeds Craig, Maxine (2012) ‘Racialized Bodies’, in Turner, B.S., Pitts, V. & Whang, S. (Ed’s) Routledge Handbook of Body Studies. Taylor & Francis, Florence. 321-331

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