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Racism and sexism are not "problems" or "topics." They are ways of defining reality and living our lives that most of us learned along with learning how to tie our shoes and how to drink from a cup.
Paula Rothenberg
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Racism and sexism are deeply ingrained societal constructs that shape our reality from a young age.

In this quote, Paula Rothenberg argues that racism and sexism are not merely societal issues or subjects of discussion; they are fundamental frameworks through which individuals perceive and engage with the world. These ideologies are woven into the fabric of our lives, often learned unconsciously alongside basic skills, highlighting the pervasive nature of prejudice in our upbringing and daily interactions.

Themes

RacismSexismSocietyPrejudiceReality

In practice

Example use cases

During a diversity training session to highlight the importance of understanding systemic issues.

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White privilege is the other side of racism. Unless we name it, we are in danger of wallowing in guilt or moral outrage with no idea of how to move beyond them. It is often easier to deplore racism and its effects than to take responsibility for the privileges some of us receive as a result of it... Once we understand how white privilege operates, we can begin to take steps to dismantle it on both a personal and institutional level.
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