Pre-Reading: Gilroy (The Disappearance of Race)

1 Pre-Reading: Gilroy (The Disappearance of Race) Mount Royal University COMM 3500-001: Media, Culture and Communication Theory Richard Erlendson March 12th, 2023 2 Pre-Reading: Gilroy (The Disappearance of Race) Key Quotation: “I must confess, firstly, that I came here determined to update some old and overly familiar pleas for the renunciation of 'race' as a critical concept and, secondly, that I do not expect to succeed in persuading you of the rightness of this reorientation” (Gilroy, 1998, para. 2). Connection to my life: This quotation resonates with me because like Gilroy, I've faced pushback and doubt when I've tried to get people to think differently about race. But instead of discouraging me, it just makes me more determined to keep challenging old ways of thinking and promoting conversations that welcome everyone, no matter their background. In my life, I've often been involved in talks about race, who we are, and fairness. Whether it's in school, at work, or with friends, I've always tried to break down rules that leave some people out or treat them unfairly. I believe it's important to really look at things closely and question the way we've always done them if we want things to get better. Gilroy also talks about how we need to update the way we talk about getting rid of the idea of 'race.' This shows how our conversations about who we are and where we come from are changing. We need to be flexible and open-minded as we talk about race and ethnicity, just like Gilroy says. Gilroy's words remind me that it's tough to change the way people think about things like race. But if we keep talking and listening to each other, we can break free from old ideas and understand each other better. Significance and connection to the topic: The significance of the quote highlights how complicated it is to fight against the idea that race determines who we are. It points out that convincing people to see race differently is hard because of all the social, cultural, and historical influences that shape how we think about it. 3 These influences go beyond just what individuals believe—they're also built into the systems and power structures that keep racial inequalities going. The quote also makes me think about why some people resist changing how they see race. It suggests that it's not just because they don't know any better or don't care, but because they have strong beliefs and are afraid of upsetting the way things are. So, it's a call to keep working to change how we think about race. It tells us we need to keep talking about it and really thinking hard about what it means, not just as individuals but as a society. Changing things for the better means not only thinking differently but also taking action to break down the unfair systems that keep inequality going. The quote challenges us to face the tough truths about race and to keep working towards a fairer, more understanding society. It reminds us that the fight against racial stereotypes and inequalities is ongoing and that it takes bravery, determination, and a willingness to face uncomfortable facts. Challenging idea: One challenging concept from the reading for me is the resistance to renounce 'race' as a critical concept despite the acknowledgment of the limitations and contradictions it presents. The author's honesty about such a concept feels familiar to me. I've had a tough time convincing others to think differently about race too. It shows me how deep-rooted our ideas about race are and how tough it is to change them. A big problem I face is that people stick to what they're used to and what they believe. Race has been a big deal for a long time, shaping who we are, who has power, and how society works. Getting people to think differently means not just making good arguments, but also breaking down beliefs that have been around for generations. Changing how we talk about race also means thinking about what's right and fair. Talking about race brings up questions about fairness, who has power, and who doesn't. It's not just something we talk about in classrooms; it's something we need to think about because it's the right thing to do. Dealing 4 with these challenges reminds me that talking openly and thinking deeply about race is important. Changing how we think about race takes time, understanding, and being okay with feeling uncomfortable. It also means being honest about our own biases and how we might be adding to harmful ideas about race without realizing it. It’s hard to let go of old ideas about race. But it's a challenge we need to face because it could help make society fairer and more equal. 5 References Gilroy, P. (1998). Race ends here. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 21(5), 838–847. doi:10.1080/014198798329676 http://libproxy.mtroyal.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&AuthType=ip,url,cookie,uid&db=sih&AN=1178288&site=ehost-live