The Burning Issue : Race and Racialism

Abstract: The problems of racial strife, ethnic conflict, discrimination, a=
nd ethnic ghettoization, show no sign of abating. The ideology of multicult=
uralism and "colour-blindness" has proved ineffectual. This article investi=
gates why. Race as 'social construct' is criticized. Racial cognizance has =
its roots in the unconscious. Therefore it tends to be na=C3=AFve and exagg=
erated. This is borne out by research in cognitive science. Light is shed o=
n psychology's view of ethnoracial difference. Differences depend on which =
aspects of our common heritage that are become dominant in the population. =
Thus, it is not necessary to rely on a biological explanatory model. Yet, a=
 categorical denial of biological difference is not the right way to combat=
 racism. Community psychology research shows that ethnic integration does n=
ot foster sense of community. Ethnocultural separation, while maintaining c=
ultural transaction, is a better solution than integration. The article hig=
hlights the problem of difference anxiety in the context of ethnicity and r=
ace.

Keywords: cultural unconscious, white flight, segregation, psychosocial ali=
enation, dark nature, human kinds, difference anxiety, ideology of sameness=
, cognitive science, cultural psychology, ethnic sociology.

Read the article here:

http://mlwi.magix.net/racial_problem.htm