March 2004
University of Toronto
Recognition of racism helps in struggle, book says Minority groups have internalized the racial oppression they face in their daily lives and they need to recognize this in fighting for equality, says a University of Toronto professor.
"Racism and oppression are not just about crosses burning and black men being beat up in the streets," says George Dei, professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of U of T and co-author of Playing the Race Card: Exposing White Power and Privilege (Peter Lang Publishers, 2004). "That is part of it, but the real insidious work of racism happens internally within the oppressed. This book assists oppressed people understand the social pathology that encircles them and frames their lives."
Dei, along with co-authors Leeno Karumanchery and Nisha Karumanchery-Luik, explores the roots of racism in North American society and draws on everyday experiences of racism to examine how people of colour and other minorities are marginalized. The authors wrote the book to assist these groups to better recognize, understand and resist the impact of racism and oppression in their lives. "We want to develop the critical consciousness of the oppressed but more importantly, we hope the text will support them through that journey," says Dei.
CONTACT: Professor George Dei, OISE/UT, 416-923-6641 x2513, [email protected] or Sue Toye, U of T public affairs, 416-978-4289, [email protected]
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