BLACK LIVES MATTER
We stand with Ferguson
For accompanying curriculum guide go to:
www.domesticworkers.org/ferguson
Michael Brown, 18 years old,
shot by Ferguson, MO police
Aug 9, 2014
Michael Brown’s
mother
This is not an isolated incident
With a partner, discuss how this situation
relates to other things you know about or
have experienced.
You can consider racism, militarization of law
enforcement, criminalization, repression of
protest, etc.
RACISM
Individual and social beliefs, attitudes and actions
that claim white people are superior to other
people. In the US, white supremacy describes the
organization of society based on white people
having authority and power over culture, society,
economy and government.
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Internalized
Interpersonal
Institutional
Structural
Internalized Racism
Internalized racism lies within individuals. There
are private manifestations of racism that
reside inside our minds.
Examples: prejudice, internalized oppression
and privilege, and beliefs about race
influenced by dominant culture.
Interpersonal Racism
Interpersonal racism occurs between
individuals. Once we bring our private beliefs
into our interacion with others racism is now in
the interpersonal realm.
Examples: public expressions of racial prejudice,
hate, bias and bigotry between individuals
Interpersonal
Racism
One racist tweet
about Ferguson
http://www.mediaite.com/online/thoughtcatalog-tweets-possibly-the-most-racistcommentary-about-ferguson-riots/
Institutional Racism
Institutional racism occurs within institutions.
Instutional racism is discriminatory treatment,
unfair policies and practices, and inequitable
opportunities and impacts, based on race.
Example: Over 300 black people are killed each
year by law enforcement. One every 28
hours.*
*Malcolm X Grassroots Movement study, http://mxgm.org/operation-ghetto-storm-2012-annual-report-on-theextrajudicial-killing-of-313-black-people/
Institutional Racism
Black people are
disproportionately
targets of police
violence
Examples of institutional racism in Ferguson
● While ⅔ of the population of Ferguson is
black, the Mayor is white, and 5 out of 6 city
council members are white.
● Only 3 of 53 police agents in Ferguson are
black
Structural Racism
Structural racism is racial bias across institutions and
society. It’s the cumulative and compounded effects
of an array of factors that systemactically privilege
white people and disadvantage people of color.
Example: The “racial wealth divide” (where whites have
many times more wealth of people of color) results
from generations of discrimination and racial
inequality.
Examples of Structural Racism
● Black unemployment in the US is 12%, while the
national average is 6.7%.
o In St. Louis County, 47% of African American men
ages 16-24 are unemployed.
● According to the US Census, 1 in 4 black families live
in poverty. For women headed households, the
number increases to almost 50%.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
We stand with Ferguson