Ep 7. 10 Excuses to Deny Racism

Decoded is a television series that focuses on issues of social justice and injustice. Each episode features a different topic, and the host, Franchesca Ramsey, breaks down the issues and presents them in a way that is both entertaining and educational. In season 1 episode 7, titled "10 Excuses to Deny Racism," Ramsey examines the ten most common arguments people use to deny the existence of racism.

Throughout the episode, Ramsey interviews a diverse group of people, including activists, academics, and everyday people, to get their thoughts on the issue. She also uses humor and wit to help illustrate her points and make the show more engaging.

One of the key themes of the episode is the difference between intentional and unintentional racism. Ramsey argues that while some people genuinely believe that they are not racist, their actions and attitudes can still have racist effects. She cites examples such as police profiling and discriminatory lending practices, which disproportionately affect people of color.

Another key theme is the idea of white privilege. Ramsey explains that just because someone has not experienced racism themselves does not mean that it does not exist. She uses the analogy of a fish swimming in water to illustrate this point – the fish may not be aware of the water, but it is still there.

Throughout the episode, Ramsey addresses the most common excuses people give for denying racism, such as "I don't see color," "I have black friends," and "I'm not racist, I have a black president." She breaks down each argument and explains why it is flawed.

For example, she points out that claiming not to see color ignores the experiences of people of color who face discrimination based on their skin color every day. And while having black friends may indicate that someone is not deliberately racist, it does not mean that they are immune to unconscious biases and prejudices.

Ramsey also addresses the idea that racism is a thing of the past, arguing that while progress has been made, racism is still a pervasive and systemic issue. She cites examples such as voter suppression and the school-to-prison pipeline as evidence that racism is still very much a part of American society.

Overall, season 1 episode 7 of Decoded is an engaging and informative exploration of the most common excuses people give for denying the existence of racism. Through interviews and humor, Franchesca Ramsey presents a compelling case for why it is important to acknowledge and address the issue of racism, both on an individual and systemic level.