THE ESTABLISHMENT
Background | Introduction | Problem | Philosophy | Operations | Solutions
P-CoC Inc approaches the combat of colorism and racist ideologies from a place of understanding and not blame, yet lifts to the surface elements that reinforce racism and colorism to advocate for change.
BACKGROUND
On June 19th, 2020, P-CoC Inc | Parenting Children of Color, an Education-Advocacy group, held its inaugural meeting, coinciding with the celebration of Juneteenth, the date commemorating the emancipation of the last enslaved individuals. The meeting took place at the residence of Dr. Damaris-Lois Yamoah Lang, the Founding President of P-CoC Inc. Dr. Lang, whose doctoral research focused on the neurobiology of behavior, highlighted that social behaviors like racism and colorism stem from brain perceptions. She emphasized the need to address racial inequities by curbing negative external influences that trigger unconscious biases associated with racial stereotypes. P-CoC Inc is dedicated to promoting racial equity and recognizes that racial injustice has distinct characteristics that set it apart from other social injustices. Understanding the neuronal basis of race is crucial in effectively addressing the core issues of racism and colorism, which have become social pandemics.
INTRODUCTION
P-CoC is an organization dedicated to a singular critical perspective on race and color. P-CoC remains committed to maintaining the integrity of its process and avoiding mission creep caused by power dynamics and interest convergence, often mislabeled as intersectionality. Our focus is on a strategic engagement process centered solely on the theoretical lens of race and color. To ensure the authenticity and effectiveness of our work, P-CoC will utilize ethnographic settings in our venue-specific event spaces. These settings will provide the necessary environment for genuine observations that inform our Impact Evaluation process and shape the organization's direction. Whether it's our annual Juneteenth celebration, tabling engagements, programs, or similar events, our Venue-Specific Engagement Spaces will focus exclusively on social cues related to race and color, disregarding intersectionality dynamics. Ethnography, a qualitative design approach, involves immersing ourselves in specific settings to observe interactions, behaviors, and unique characteristics closely. Through this lens, we aim to critically inform our work and address the singular problem statement we are exploring. We look forward to the contributions and participation of individuals who share our commitment to advancing a deeper work on race and color. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on this crucial aspect of our society. Thank you for your support.
PROBLEM
Understanding the mechanisms of racism and colorism is crucial in combating these issues. The association of social constructs with blackness and whiteness perpetuates unequal treatment. Positive attributes are predominantly associated with whiteness, while negative stereotypes are attached to blackness. This association extends to skin tones globally, resulting in the privileging of whiteness and bias against blackness. Marginalized groups, primarily people of color, face unjust scrutiny and higher standards compared to their non-persons of color counterparts. Biased criticism diminishes the worth of marginalized individuals, hindering their progress. To comprehend these behaviors, we need to explore various dimensions of human experiences, including social, natural, spiritual, cognitive, and conscious aspects. The work of P-CoC Inc, a charitable, professional society focused on race and color equity, aims to support and advocate for persons of color by addressing colorism, promoting fair treatment, and authentic ethnicity, and unlearning social norms that perpetuate hate. Colorism fuels racism, which enforces inequalities through stereotypes. It is crucial for us, as a single human race, to actively work against these destructive forces and promote equity by challenging and eliminating the enforcers of racism and colorism.
PHILOSOPHY
P-CoC's driving philosophy emphasizes the importance of addressing racial inequities proactively and with goodwill. Merely raising awareness is insufficient. P-CoC combats racist ideologies by understanding their roots and aims to expose elements that perpetuate racism and colorism. Their work encompasses Neuroethology, Cognitive Psychology, and Racial Education. Neuroethology studies the neural basis of natural behavior, including facial skin-toned recognition and its impact on racial identity development from early human stages to adulthood. Negative social reinforcement leads to racial bias, which requires active unlearning to mitigate its social effects. Facial recognition difficulties based on race are associated with decreased activation in the brain's fusiform area and increased activity in the amygdala, the fear center. Negative societal stereotypes attributed to individuals with black skin tones reinforce fear centers in the brain, exacerbating biases in colorism and racial inequities.
OPERATIONS
P-CoC's role is to provide Educational-Advocacy in Schools and Communities. We conduct workshops and seminars and advocate for active solutions to address racial inequities. The committed Governing Board, consisting of Board Officers, the Vice President, and the Chair of the Advisory Board Council, safeguards against mission creep. P-CoC operates with a collegial, collaborative, solution-oriented, and assertive approach, utilizing an integrated engagement logic and organizational structure. The work involves direct engagements by the Governing Board and operations through ad-hoc committees.
SOLUTIONS
Individuals of color often experience stereotype threats, which contributes to academic challenges. Emotional interference in the brain negatively affects academic achievement, particularly during adolescence when cognitive and metacognitive states undergo significant changes. To address this issue, the education system must eliminate biased and stereotypical portrayals of individuals of color and incorporate greater ethnic diversity in curricular materials. Achieving a comprehensive and inclusive education necessitates a broader representation of individuals of color across societal systems, including positive portrayals in media and entertainment. These efforts aim to combat and reduce unconscious biases and stereotypes that influence our perspectives, actions, and decision-making abilities. By ensuring that individuals of color see themselves reflected in educational materials and have diverse educators, we can foster greater engagement and academic success. It is crucial to actively and intentionally develop racially diverse curricula in order to overcome the lack of representation in current academic literature, which is predominantly Euro-centric. Additionally, educating the general public about these issues, increasing awareness, and challenging ideologies that perpetuate ethnic dominance are essential steps toward cultivating an anti-racist mindset in society.