How Do You Score On The Racial Knowledge Inventory?

If Step One in our quest to become less racist is admitting and examining our own racism, then Step Two might be reaching out and engaging those from cultures other than our own. (Bonus: By engaging in Step Two with humility and an open mind, we will simultaneously develop in Step One as well.)

How conversant are you in the language and important ideas of some of the various American minority cultures? Try taking the following Racial Knowledge Inventory* to find out:

1. What is a Curandero?

2. What does the term Nisei mean?

3. What does the one drop rule mean?

4. What does chi mean?

5. The acronym NAACP stands for what?

6. What is meant by the term La Raza?

7. Among Native Americans, what does the expression noninterference mean?

8. Name the native language of the majority of Sikh immigrants.

9. What is the Tuskegee experiment?

10. What does yin and yang mean?

How did you do?

I was pleased to get 7 ½ out of ten correct. But then I realized I had only a cursory knowledge of most of the topics I got right. So I had a great time doing some research to learn more. I hope you do, too!

*Taken from Derald Wing Sue’s 2003 book, “Overcoming Our Racism”.