Introduction
The frames or set paths for interpreting information are the central component of any dominant racial ideology. The four frames, according to Bonilla-Silva (2006), are abstract liberalism, naturalization, cultural racism, and minimization of racism. People use the frames to filter any racial issues and, as a result, explain racial phenomena in a predictable manner. This paper discusses abstract liberalism, as it is considered the most important among other frames and the hardest to explain.
Discussion
Bonilla-Silva states that the abstract liberalism frame entails combining notions associated with political liberalism and economic liberalism to describe racial issues in an abstract fashion (Bonilla-Silva, 2006, p. 56). He adds that white people may look “rational” and even “moral” despite rejecting ways to deal with the actual racial disparity by framing race-related issues in the language of liberalism (Bonilla-Silva, 2006, p. 56). The main part of abstract liberalism is ‘equal opportunity,’ which is defined as viewing everyone as an individual with options and applying liberal ideas to whites’ freedom (Bonilla-Silva, 2006). This assertion entails disregarding the numerous institutional and state-sponsored activities that underpin segregation and being indifferent to the detrimental repercussions of these actions (Bonilla-Silva, 2006). Others consider it unjust when minorities are considered to be granted an advantage, no matter how tiny.
Conclusion
Abstract liberalism can be seen when the fact that racial minorities are significantly underrepresented in most social institutions is often ignored in society. In other words, this is the abstract application of the concept of ‘equal opportunity.’ One of the brightest examples can be the education system. We can witness many universities and programs say they want their classes to be more racially diverse. However, white instructors have unjustifiably low expectations for kids of race, viewing them as underachievers whose flaws are clearly related to familial deficiencies and dysfunctions. Thus, it can be clearly seen that racism takes place under different frames, which often misrepresent society.
Reference
Bonilla-Silva, E. (2006). Racism without racism: Color-blind racism and the persistence of racial inequity in the United States. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.