Racial formation theory is the idea that race is a socially constructed identity, where racial categories are determined by social, economic, and political forces. In Harry Elam Jr.’s Reality, he talks about the reality of race and how certain events can bring forth a “reality check” for the witnesses. He also talks about the idea of “performative display” and its use as a form of building the identity of a community.
Race is a complex system that involves everything from biology to anthropology. As humans, we like being able to look at something and categorize it. Our brains want to be able to make sense of all the information being thrown at us and categorization is the most straightforward way of doing so. We have a natural inclination to discern faces (this is why we see faces in the clouds or our coffee foam) and along with that, we have the natural inclination to find the differences between things. So from a biological standpoint race is a way to categorize people of similar phenotypical expression (face shape, hair color/ texture, melanin production, etc.). However, race is much more complex than that. Race is the culmination of culture, history, and shared experiences by a group of people. Those who want to see the world as “colorblind” are missing the crucial understanding that people are different and that’s okay. Even though we’re different, it doesn’t mean we have to have conflict.
In Elam Jr.’s Reality, he uses two incidents as case studies for the idea of reality checks and performative displays. The first being the killing of Emmett Till in 1955 and the second being the beating of Rodney King in 1991. Although these events were separated by almost 40 years the social issues that caused these events were the same. A racial divide between African Americans and caucasian Americans. This divide between races is a prime example of racial formation theory. American history shows the abuse and violation of POC by the ruling whites. This history set the stage for how these races perceived each other in the future.
In the case of Emmett Till, his mother wanted an open casket so that the world would see the atrocity that was committed. She wanted to make sure that her son’s death couldn’t be swept under the rug and passed over. She knew that people needed to see the mutilated face of her son to bring the shocking reality of what African Americans endure to the public. “The event… catalyzed the anger of the spectators, which enabled them to translate long-held frustrations over racial injustices into social resistance.” (Elam Jr. 173) In this instance the idea of race was the main focus for the media, i.e. a black kid was beaten to death by white men. However, one could argue that the idea of race was somewhat broken down as the general public, black and white alike, came to the understanding that no human should be treated this way. Race happened to be why the story got coverage, but racial formation theory is displayed via the breakdown of “racial alliances.” People felt for Emmett Till and his family because they appealed to their humanity and connected one human to another. This proved that although race is a significant trait a person embodies, it does not create the sense of humanity that ties us all together.
Racial formation is a tool that can be used for good and evil. During the LA riots, African Americans were in a rage over the beating of Rodney King. They were angry at the white police, and rightfully so, however, their violence only acted as a detriment to the way their race was being perceived. The same racial formation that brought African Americans together in solidarity was used to lump them all together as violent and destructive.
When looking at racial formation through this example, it becomes clear to see why racial formation theory considers race as a socially constructed concept. We as humans have created defined categories based on shared experiences and shared histories. Race can bring us together in solidarity and give us the strength to stand together. But it can also be used to target communities and make generalized judgments about everyone that shares the same race. In essence, race is another tool we have created, and like all tools, it can be used to build something wonderful or tear things down. Either way, the color of someone's skin doesn’t constitute good or evil. It’s their personal beliefs and actions that determine what type of human being they are.
References
“Race Matters.” Performance by Cornell West, YouTube, YouTube, 27 Apr. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUdPI21I7As. Accessed 26 Sept. 2022.
Reinelt, Janelle G., et al. “Reality.” Critical Theory and Performance, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, 2007, pp. 173–188.
Keelan, I appreciated that you explained racial formation and the process of it. I also agree that race is much more complex than one can speak of, but that does not mean we don't talk about race. I also like that your mention Till and King, because you are correct even though those events were 50 years apart, this is a reoccurring thing. Too often are people of color being beaten and killed because of the skin color.
Keelan, I really loved how you talked about racial formation as a process that happens following a reality check. I talked about it too in my own reflection. Particularly, you said quite poignantly "The same racial formation that brought African Americans together in solidarity was used to lump them all together as violent and destructive." I think this is a process we have seen first hand in the reality checks that we have lived through. Particularly these reality checks tend to bubble up a lot of the suffering experienced by black people due to racism, and as such sometimes "rioting" takes place. This has been a cycle that has repeated itself. "Rioting" in these situations is an act of anger,…
Keelan, very good analysis on the racial formation, and relation of the cases. Regarding that it is a tool that can be good and bad, of course it can be, but it all depends on the type of person you are, many of these influences where you grew up, how you were taught or simply the person decided to take that thought. Furthermore, I do find it necessary for African Americans to use destruction and violence. They have ALWAYS been victims of destruction and violence. I know violence can only bring more violence and there is the prime example of it. But as Dr. Cornel said, it all comes back to Empire. Power is what has caused these divisions and…