Problem: "Antiracism: Overview" by Tyler Biscontini
Complete annotations as directed throughout the article. Answer the questions within the article on a separate piece of notebook paper.
Introduction:
Antiracism is the process of actively opposing racism, which comprises1 actions or policies that subordinate2 or elevates an individual or group based on racist ideas. Race is an artificial construct3 that classifies members of a society based on a few arbitrary4 physical or biological traits, such as skin color or eye shape. The construct of race, though artificial, has had and continues to have real world impacts. Racism has historically been used as a tool of oppression, for example, in the institution of slavery in the United States.
1. Underline the definitions of these terms: antiracism and racism. Need Assignment Help?
2. Biscontini describes race as "an artificial construct." What does he mean by this?
Antiracism differs from a lack of racism. To be antiracist, an individual must work to dismantle5 racism. Civil rights leaders throughout history practiced antiracism by holding protests and fighting for the legal and human rights of people of color. Some modern civil rights activists oppose the use of the term "antiracism," feeling that it sounds too harsh. However, proponents6 of the term argue that softer terms, such as "diversity and inclusion," fail to convey7 the strength and effort required to overcome systemic and often unconscious, racism8. Opponents of antiracism who have conflated9 it with Critical Race Theory (CRT), a legal theory that is not taught in primary or secondary schools in the US, have called for a ban on teaching the history of racism in the United States in public schools.
3. Biscontini includes a contrast in this paragraph. What two things is he comparing and how do they differ?