In today's lecture, we discussed the distinction between white supremacy and racism. In doing so, we made the distinction between institutionalized perception of white supremacy and individual psychology of racism. The professor also noted that these two are not completely separate but they are intricately connected. I believe this relationship between social institution and individual perception is not limited to the context of race but also extends to other aspects of our perception.

Today's discussion has reminded me of Talcott Parsons and his perceptions on Institutions and Social Evolution. I personally find this topic very interesting and I thought it would be beneficial to share my understanding of Parsons's view to facilitate this discussion on the distinction/connection between white supremacy and racism.

Parsons argues that the elements of our society (such as political institution) serve an important function of internalizing cultural norms. He specifically notes that, "internalization of a cultural pattern is not merely knowing it as an object of the external world; it is incorporating it into the actual structure of the personality as such" (p. 141). To speak in this context, for example, individual not only observes the institution of white supremacy but also internalizes that institutional perception of white supremacy to his/her perception on race. I believe this quote assists understanding the professor's point on how white supremacy and racism, although distinct, are not completely separate.

Not only is Parsons helpful in exploring this relationship between white supremacy and racism, his view raises interesting issues that are relevant to this course. We have been discussing law as the weakest form of social control. However, according to this view by Parsons, law is a powerful mechanism of social control because social institution like law shapes individual perception. To my understanding, under this view, law is effective form of social control not because it makes people do something that they do not want to, but because law shapes what people think they want.

What are your thoughts on this view?

-- MinKyungLee - 10 Apr 2012