Toward a Comprehensive Theory of Racial Oppression

1. Initiation of Oppression: At an early point in time, the European colonialists established hierarchical group relations with the peoples they oppressed and exploited for their land and labor. Soon this hierarchy of oppression was explained in racial terms. The subordinated groups were viewed as biologically and culturally inferior races. This racialized oppression has never been eradicated and remains central to U.S. society to the present day. 2. Mechanisms of Oppression: In the past and in the present, racial hierarchies are supported by a range of dominant-group feelings and attitudes, including hostility, contempt, and fear. Although these feelings and prejudices are important, racial hierarchies are perpetuated primarily by the discriminatory practices carried out by many members of the dominant racial group (in this case, white Americans) against those in subordinate racial groups. 3. Privileges of Oppression: Great material and symbolic privileges benefit those in the dominant racial group. Much misery and serious social and economic burdens come to those in subordinate racial groups. 4. Elite Maintenance of Oppression: The actions of the white elite have created and maintained organizations, institutions, and ideologies that reflect its vested interest in racial and class hierarchies. Most non-elite whites have accepted the society's racial hierarchy, along with fewer material resources than the elite, because of their access to certain privileges and advantages generally associated with whiteness. 5. Rationalization of Oppression: Once a system of racial oppression and privilege is put in place, it is thoroughly defended and rationalized by a set of racist ideas. An ideology accenting superior and inferior racial groups is created and circulated by those whites in power and is taken for granted and further circulated by many rank-and-file whites. 6. Resistance to Oppression: Opposition to this racial oppression is a constant in North American history. African Americans and other Americans of color have a long history of individual and group protest against the reality and burdens of racial oppression.