Lest We forget: The Five Rules of Racial Standing by Derrick A. Bell... The Five Rules of Racial Standing come from a chapter in Derrick Bell’s book Faces At The Bottom Of The Well: The Permanence Of Racism (1993). They are the rules whites in America use to determine how seriously to take someone’s statements. Bell, as a law professor, was thinking mainly of court cases, but the rules apply just as well to talk shows, books, blogs, the news and even at work – anywhere whites stand in judgement. It applies to the bullshit grand jury that investigated the intent of the white supremacist, Darren Wilson should be indicted for the murder of Michael Brown, Jr. --- Ray Winbush FIRST RULE The law grants litigants standing to come into court based on their having sufficient personal interest and involvement in the issue to justify judicial congnizance. Black people (while they may be able to get into court) are denied such standing legitimacy in the world generally when they discuss their negative experiences with racism or even when they attempt to give a positive evaluation of another black person or of his work. No matter what their experience or expertise, Blacks statements involving race are deemed special pleading and thus not entitled to serious consideration. SECOND RULE Not only are blacks complaints discounted, but black victims of racism are less effective witnesses than are whites, who are members of the oppressor class. This phenomenon reflects a widespread assumption that Blacks, unlike whites, cannot be objective on racial issues and will favor their own no matter what. This deep seated belief fuels a continuing effort - despite all manner of Supreme Court decisions intended to curb the practice - to keep black people off juries in cases involving race. Black judges hearing racial cases are eyed suspiciously and sometimes asked to recuse themselves in favor of a white judge - without those making the request even being aware of the paradox in their motions. THIRD RULE Few Blacks avoid diminishment of racial standing, most of their statements about racial conditions being diluted and their recommendations of other Blacks taken with a grain of salt. The usual exception to this rule is the Black person who publicly disparages or criticizes other Blacks who are speaking or acting in ways that upset whites. Instantly, such statements are granted enhanced standing even when the speaker has no special expertise or experience in the subject he or she is criticizing. FOURTH RULE When a Black person or group makes a statement or takes an action that the white community or vocal components thereof deem outrageous, the latter will actively recruit blacks willing to refute the statement or condemn the action. Blacks who respond to the call to condemnation will receive superstanding status. The Blacks who refuse to be recruited will be interpreted as endorsing the statements and action and may suffer political or economic reprisals. FIFTH RULE True awareness requires an understanding of the Rules of Racial Standing. As an individuals understanding of these rules increases, there will be more and more instances where one can discern their workings. Using this knowledge, one gains the gift of prophesy about racism, its essence, its goals, even its remedies. The price of this knowledge is the frustration that follows recognition that no amount of public prophesy, no matter its accuracy, can either repeal the Rules of Racial Standing nor prevent their or prevent their operation. ================================================== Derrick Albert Bell, Jr. (November 6, 1930 – October 5, 2011) was the first tenured African-American professor of Law at Harvard University, and largely credited as the originator of Critical Race Theory. He was the former dean of the University of Oregon School of Law and Professor of Law at New York University.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 09:35:14 +0000
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