The Danger of Inferential Racism

Racism, thankfully is something that for the most part, wider society declines subscribing to. Or should I say, denies. Racism is a delicate subject in today's society, with so much historical tension around race and racism we find ourselves focusing so much on progress and what we assume is the dissolution of overt racism seen in the day of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade or the South African Apartheid. In today's modern society with the exception of some who have yet to come out of the dark, we pride ourselves on being a civilised, developed and open society, devoid of any of the old racist antics of our past. We assume the position of the "intelligent generation" that see race for the meaningless, made up method of separating us as humans that it is. Us in this so called progressive society see the idea of races, superior and inferior for the fake, egotistical means of segregation that it has so commonly been used as throughout history. Walking down an Auckland street here in New Zealand, we would be mortified to witness a racial attack on another fellow human, no? We wouldn't stand for degrading names and stereotypes being blasted at a member of our open, progressive society would we? I can confidently say that no, I nor anyone I know would stand for this type of overt racism. However, I am disappointed and sheepish to admit that I do know people that would engage in the lesser talked about, inferential racism. The racism that micro-aggressions consume.

What exactly is a micro-aggression? In a nutshell, micro-aggressions are everyday, quick and very commonly subtle attacks based on racial prejudice. These micro-aggressions can be both intentional and unintentional. They come in the form of little quips and judgements that unaware to themselves, degrade or demean a person of another colour or creed without overtly being "racist". These can come from people who do not classify themselves as racist, furthermore from people that would be disgusted at the very suggestion. Some of these quips go along the line of "You're asian, aren't you supposed to be a genius?", or "Wow, I'm surprised you don't speak like a Maori".  Micro-aggressions like these, while hard to admit, are common place amongst people who claim to be the furthest thing from racist. However this concept of inferential racism in the form of micro-aggression behaviours, are an issue amongst our so-called accepting and relaxed society. Overt racism is blatantly obnoxious and more often than not the result of a lack of education or information, however I see inferential racism as being the silent weapon here. We need to start focusing on the danger that everyday inferential racism presents to our society.