Racism in the 1990s: Psychological and social mechanisms still fuel prejudice, new book shows
* To schedule an interview, contact: Barbara Garrison (302) 831-1964 or [email protected]
* For a copy of the book, contact Katy Redmond (617) 867-9817 or [email protected]
Despite 1960s-era predictions of a color-blind society, "the blacks who are [financially] worse off have taken a giant step backward," and racism remains a fact of life in the United States because "people find psychological solace in elevating themselves at the expense of others," a University of Delaware researcher says in a newly released book.
"Racism is organic and evolutionary," says author James M. Jones, a UD professor of social psychology whose book--"Prejudice and Racism" (McGraw-Hill, 1997)--explores the historical, social and psychological manifestations of racism in America. "Racism changes over time, and that's why we need to study the problem continuously."
Compared to 1972, Jones says, some African Americans now are much better off financially. Yet, he characterizes these gains as an economic victory for a few, rather than a widespread blow to racism.
Some evidence suggests, in fact, that race relations in America are getting worse. "I could pick up the Washington Post every single day and it's filled with stories about prejudice and racism," he says. "Prejudice is a problem of differences. We treat people differently who are not like us, and we think people who are like us are better than they are."
The trial of O.J. Simpson and the beating of Rodney King are just two of the recent events analyzed in Jones' 578-page book, which includes a 27-page bibliography documenting his meticulous research. After examining social and scientific developments from the year 1500 through 1990, Jones plunges into the psychological mechanisms of prejudice.
He also describes several strategies for reducing prejudice--from the "salvation approach," which focuses on the perpetrators of prejudice, to the "remediation approach," whereby the targets of prejudice are the focus of prevention efforts. Both individual and institutional racism are addressed in Jones' book, along with barriers to reducing racism. Barriers include, for instance, Americans' tendency to value individuality more highly than teamwork.
"Creating conditions in which individuals cannot reach desirable goals as easily on their own as they can in joint cooperation with others may reduce prejudice," Jones notes. "Similarly, attainment of superordinate goals requires that groups work together rather than compete."
Jones outlines six key steps for reducing prejudice in America. Briefly, these steps may be summarized as increased efforts to encourage: (1) joint cooperation; (2) intergroup contact; (3) opportunities to "walk a mile in someone else's shoes" through media accounts of prejudice; (4) a greater appreciation of individual differences; (5) the expansion of boundaries and (6) support for a transactional approach, which forces people to consider the perspectives and purposes of all people.
"Two paths stand before us," Jones writes in an epilogue. "One, motivated by the best sense of liberty, equality and fraternity, moves us forward in the experiment in creating a more perfect union. A second, fueled by fear, self-interest, ignorance and mistrust, turns us backward, and diverts us from the struggle toward tolerance and perfection. Our diversity comes from different origins, experiences, and goals. Our best possible selves, as a nation and a people, will be determined by the path we choose."
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