When backstage racist behavior occurs, people of color are typically not present. This exclusion is a defining characteristic of such environments.
Understanding the "White Backstage"
The concept of the "backstage" in the context of racism refers to a specific social space where white individuals, particularly those with a proclivity for discrimination, feel comfortable expressing and reinforcing racist thoughts and behaviors without the presence of those they target.
Key aspects of this "backstage" environment include:
- Exclusion of People of Color: Individuals of color are generally not invited into this space. Their absence is deliberate and stems from the discriminatory views of those present.
- Perception of Inequality: Within these backstage settings, white individuals engaging in racist behavior, such as certain fraternity members and their friends, do not view people of color as equals. This foundational belief underpins their exclusion.
- Cultivation of Racist Thought: This "backstage" area serves as a breeding ground where white-racist thoughts and tendencies to discriminate are often passed along and reinforced through various "ritualized performances." These performances solidify and perpetuate the discriminatory mindset among the participants.
Therefore, the very nature of this "backstage" environment necessitates the absence of people of color, making them the primary group not present during the occurrence of such racist behavior.
