Silencing History

DEFINITION
Omitting, dismissing, or deliberately re-writing history.

EFFECT ON RACIAL DISCOURSE
Isolates racial disparities and attitudes from a historical context and instead presents them as a unique, individual instance. Results in incomplete or inaccurate understandings of the root causes of these disparities and attitudes. Obscures the pathway to illuminate which solutions are most viable or warranted. Miseducates the public.

EXAMPLE
Tribal leaders have floated a proposal to expand an American Indian gaming facility in a suburb of a major city where state lotteries and scratch cards abound. Media coverage of the American Indian proposals primarily reflects the perspective of and the potential effects upon the non-Indian population and do not mention principles of tribal sovereignty and self-determination; how tribal lands were reserved through treaties with the United States; or the importance of economic development for Native tribes.

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In This Section:

Intro: Seven Harmful Racial Discourse Practices to Avoid
  1. Individualizing Racism
  2. Falsely Equating Incomparable Acts
  3. Diverting From Race
  4. Portraying Government as Overreaching
  5. Prioritizing Intent Over Impact
  6. Coded Language
  7. Silencing History

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