Terms like “Oreo” are a form of racialization whereby we grant race designations to cultural practices or behaviors.
True False
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is True.
Racialization refers to the process through which certain behaviors, characteristics, or cultural practices are attributed to specific racial or ethnic groups. Terms like “Oreo” are an example of this because they label individuals based on the perceived alignment of their behaviors with those of a particular racial or cultural group. In this case, the term “Oreo” is typically used to describe a Black person who is perceived as acting “white” or adopting behaviors associated with white culture. This is a form of racialization because it ascribes a racial identity to a person based not on their biological features, but on how their behavior aligns with cultural norms associated with another group.
The use of the term “Oreo” reflects a societal tendency to link racial identity with cultural practices. For instance, in the case of “Oreo,” the individual is often viewed as being “Black on the outside, white on the inside.” The implication is that certain behaviors or cultural practices—such as speaking a certain way, listening to certain types of music, or having certain interests—are “appropriate” or “authentic” for specific racial groups. This kind of labeling creates divisions and reinforces racial stereotypes by suggesting that cultural practices should correspond to racial identity.
Such terms also serve to marginalize individuals who do not conform to the stereotypical behaviors associated with their racial group. They reduce people to simplistic racial categories, ignoring the complexity and diversity of individual experiences. Instead of fostering understanding and acceptance, racialization through terms like “Oreo” promotes exclusion and perpetuates rigid ideas about race and culture.