Racism

Jeannette - posted on 08/10/2009

Jennifer, my husband listens to a podcast for gamers by gamers. Idk who/what is called and he's not home to ask. Anyway, he listens to this white American guy who lives in Japan and married to a Japanese woman. The guy makes note often about how he is not allowed in certain public establishments in Japan because he is not Japanese.

He said there are signs posted in English for Americans to understand, as well as the Brits and whomever else speaks English...Japanese only. The way we talk about racism here, I would think we were the worst. I have a child with a man from Northern Ireland. He said that while growing up the North part of Ireland considered the South to be trash and the Northerners saw themselves more as Brits.

My family has several multiracial couples. I am married to a white guy because I was flat out told I would be disowned by my family if I dated outside of my race because it was a "sin". My cousin had a child with a black guy and true to form, they rebuked her. All except for my sister and myself. We threw her a baby shower (which my mother attended) and bought just about everything she needed as if we were her mother! Her son is now 3, she is married to the guy (and he's a great funny guy who loves and supports his family!) and her grandmother lets her come to her house w/her son, but not her husband. Her mother does not allow her or her son at her house. Instead, she sees her grandson at her mother's house. (she says her husband is a racist and won't allow it...it's her 4th husband! Go get a better one!) My cousin said that my husband would leave me for accepting any/all of this...well, little did she know, my oldest daughter had already been dating a black young man for over a year, and my husband met him more than once-and liked him! I cannot stand when any person ASSUMES that everyone that looks like them, or lives in the same area must think like them! My dear daughter is now dating another young black man who is really good with her.

My son, bless his heart, is 13....and has told me exactly twice...he loves Mexican girls and Indian girls! He just loves the way they look and has had a serious crush on one for all of last year! How can I not love the person that makes my child so happy?

My family is coming around. My mother has met my daughter's first boyfriend (and pitched a fit, which I shut down!) and she is aware of my daughter's current boyfriend. My mother has not made not one comment, or even given her opinion! *phew*! I told my mom flat out, my children will always be welcome in my home and at my table...no matter what...it's called unconditional love my dear.

Not to mention, I have several family members that I love dearly, who've married Puerto Ricans, Thailandese(sp?), Mexican...love doesn't just stop!

Kelly - posted on 08/09/2009

I seriously thought this was like The Onion. Ya know, satire? I didn't think anyone in their right mind actually believed Faux News is a serious news source and anything other than a right wing propaganda machine.



Wow.

Vanessa - posted on 08/09/2009

Quoting Jeannette:

He was getting negative remarks for Hussein, yes, but he was not getting negative remarks for his skin color. Soooo....unless he was speaking to the blind listeners of America, he pointedly pointed out the obvious. I am glad that we have a biracial president. I do believe that when parents tell their kids, you could be a leader of tomorrow, the child should be able to believe it. Now, ALL kids can feel that ALL possiblities exist for them...as it should. I am eager to see our leaders of tomorrow! My family is mixed with various races, and it is beautiful to me...I love that we don't all look exactly alike! The picture becomes more dyanmic, when you can see a variety.

I do believe that he got negative remarks about his middle name however the uniqueness of his first and last name was given just as much negative feedback. I live in Mississippi where racism is still very much so alive and it has really come to the forefront since Obama has become president. One of the reasons I have so much respect for president Obama is because he did not make reference to his race constantly. You have people printing fake money surrounded by watermelon of him during the election, politicians sending emails of all the presidents on them but President Obama pictured as an ape. If there is or has been any references to his ethnicity it surely has been by others and not him. He could have addressed more things that he just let go.

Jennifer - posted on 08/09/2009

I just wanted to add that being a minority does not exclude you from being a racist. I'm Chinese-American (born in the US), and my mother grew up in Taiwan. My mother is extremely racist. She looks down on every other non-Chinese Asian. I remember her telling me many times that the only acceptable races to date are White (of course she used the term "foreigners" in Chinese and not actually "white") and Chinese. It wasn't until I was in my 20's that I was able to admit I found non-white/Asian people attractive, and blacks were the last I was able to see as attractive. I remember her telling me that maybe blacks with very pale skin were not like other blacks when I was in high school because she had a black doctor with very pale skin who she actually respected. I was floored, but I knew by then not to bother arguing with her about race. She didn't vote for Obama for many reasons, but when my husband and I argued with her about it, she admitted race was a big reason. She just couldn't trust him.

I know I harbor pre-conceived notions about race, gender, sexual identity, sexual preference, political affiliation, job-status, etc. Making generalizations is a very human, and I believe it's adaptive in many circumstances. I personally hope I don't pass on any negative generalizations to my children, and I hope that I don't make detrimental decisions based on them. But, I know that I'm not perfect and I will sometimes.

Btw, I think it's ironic that we call anyone of Sub-Saharan decent "black." Obama's black, even though he's 1/2 African and 1/2 white. Do we call anyone of Asian decent "yellow" or "asian?" Are Ms. Wilcox's children yellow/Asian? What about if her children, which are 1/4 asian, have children with whites. Their children would be 1/8th asian, so... are they going to still be yellow/asian? That's what we now say about blacks... lol. Maybe by then, this won't be such a big deal.

Btw, again, the US, as much as we talk about race and complain about racism, is actually less racist than many other countries. If you pay attention when traveling to other countries, you'll notice that ethic groups are much more segregated in everyday life than they are here. I was always able to pick out the American tour groups from a distance because you'd see people of many different ethic backgrounds mingling together. I was in Australia for 6 weeks in 2001, and I was able to count on my hands the number of biracial couples / multiracial groups of friends I saw the entire time. I came home to the US, and I gave up counting after walking through to the luggage carousel. Yes, we have a long way to go, but at the same time, we're doing pretty good in many ways.

Jeannette - posted on 08/09/2009

I disagree with reporting fishy emails as mush as I diagree with the govt having the right to listen in on your phone conversation with your cousin from New York. The fishy email address has no point other than govt paranoia...the Patriot Act stepped up to include eavesdropping by the masses! Ummm....so I was making reference to history regarding the paranoia and past paranoid leaders....remember them? How did they affect their countries?

George Bush was dubbed "King George" and rightly so, because he acted like he was our ruler born into that position. He was an elected talking piece just as Barack Obama is. They often forget that. The Democrats are in power...let's see...



There are radials on both sides....do you EVER listen to Nancy Pelosi speak? omg!

It is soooo easy to get emotionally caught up in what the media wants you to hear...which is why I recommend C-SPAN, the channel that plays what the politicians are saying out of their own mouths. I don't want Stockard's opinion inflicted on what J.C.Watts is saying, any more than I want Sean Hannity's opinion inflicted on what Edwards did last week.

I am not here to incite argument, or to sway opinions...I am here to say, hey! guess what?!? There's lying cheats in every pack! I think in many of my posts I have attacked both sides, because I, not unlike most of America, don't trust either of them.

I am not going to argue which legislation should be or shouldn't be passed...not here anyway....I'll write my elected officials. I'll ask questions, give my opinions, but I don't think I care to argue....I'll try not to be a part of any race/class war by shooting off at the mouth...I'll make every effort to respect you and your opinions, and when I disagree I will bring up another side of the story, and make effort not to name call when doing so. I don't want to encourage hate/fear mongering by being a hater or an attacker on those who oppose my views.

Sometimes it is hard to wade through posts that are riddled with "fear mongerers", "radicals", "crazed radicals", "stupid people"....why do people who are asking questions of their opponent have to be labeled such? Now, I am not getting whatever Hitler emails you're getting...and I don't read most of my emails...soooo...maybe I am at an informational disadvantage in that I don't get my information from just anywhere.

I would like to see other political parties rise up in America, that are not already seated in corruption, and wish to create a more balanced America.

JL - posted on 08/09/2009

While I get the point behind asking Americans to report fishy emails I do not personally totally agree with tactic of openly asking people to send the fishy emails. I think it would have been better to ask people to stop reading all the crap and think for themselves because dangerous misinformation is circulating out there and too many people are believeing it as if they have forgotten what critical thinking means. I have seen 2 seperate posts on COM posting information from some of these fishy emails and people believed every word of it without researching it .....has ignorance become the American mantra. Take the twitter rightsoup email that I keep getting from all my Republican freinds..it is full of BS... I have had to direct them to the politco truth sites which decipher all the misquotes and misleading information so that they can inform themselves on what parts are correct and what parts are not. It would be lovely if more Americans would use their skills of critical thinking rather than blindly follow every email that is out there and jumping onto all these conspiracy theories about Obama's birth legitimacy.



I am a Liberal Democrat but I don't read everything they send me and think Oh yes they are 100% correct..no I research and think for myself. The problem with many of these emails is that they are inciting fear mongering among the public with inciteful rhetoric. DO we really need to bring Hitler into the talks about health care come on. We all know when his name comes up that is brings up images of murder, hate, and genocide, so the only reason to say some of this crap is not to try to talk about different proposals but to start attacks on the Democrats which are now turning into violence. This is all about a fight over control..Democrats are trying to hold on so they can pass some kind of healthcare reform and Republicans are trying to gain back power by grabbing onto any disagreements among Americans and spinning them into full on absurdities. Look the birthers movement...it is starting to take hold over a segment of the Republican party. The party is now letting fringy ideas become the common mainstay. I have had friends and family members who have asked that their names be removed from the Republican registration lists because they feel like the crazy extremists are becoming the norm rather than the fringe and they would rather not be associated with a party that uses inciteful rhetoric and stands by while people are threatening violence. It is one thing to stand up and say I do not agree with the health care bill and I want something else brought to the table but it is a totally different thing when you say it is evil and that it would kill my disabled child (As Palin has so brilliantly stated.)



What kind of adults go to town hall meetings so they scream and fist fight..that is not what participatory democracy is about. The whole point of the fishy email thing is to allow Democrats to address the lies and put out the correct information. Someone has to combat the ignorance that is gripping this nation. I do not hear too many on the otherside standing up against the inciteful rhetoric and actually suggesting that we all sit down and talk. I have yet to see a variety of proposals come out from the Republican party ..all I hear is NO NO..how about offering something. Nothing will be accomplished if people on both sides do not stop screaming and acting like fools. We need healthcare reform and we do not something that is comphrensible for both sides but I do not see how you can have an intellectual conversation with people who are talking about Hilter, Nazi's, and are actually threatening the lives of our political representatives. I say if they really want to talk and have their views listened to then stop using the Hitler rhetoric which is obviously meant to bring up violent viseral reactions. I am personally disgusted with how Americans are acting lately....what is going to happen is politics as usual will keep on and NOTHING will get done and 16 years from now we will once again be talking about how to fix our screwed up healthcare, education, and economic system.



I would like to also add that I keep hearing how we should not pass this healthcare bill just because 49% of Americans agree with it. I have had conservative freinds tell me a slight majority should not be enough to think that it is ok to pass this...Umm I find it hypocritical for them to state this seeing how it was a slight majority that voted against gay marriage in California. In that case I heard the mantra that is what the majority wants and thier vote should not be disregarded in order to protect the minorities rights. Now we have a slight majority in favor of the healthcare bill and if they could vote to have it passed they would yet we are suppose to now disregard the majority rules idea that the other side used in their defense against gay marriage because now they are in the minority...funny. And for the record we live in a Republic where the majority rules concept is not how we function. Our government was set up to protect the minority rights.

Jeannette - posted on 08/09/2009

He was getting negative remarks for Hussein, yes, but he was not getting negative remarks for his skin color. Soooo....unless he was speaking to the blind listeners of America, he pointedly pointed out the obvious. I am glad that we have a biracial president. I do believe that when parents tell their kids, you could be a leader of tomorrow, the child should be able to believe it. Now, ALL kids can feel that ALL possiblities exist for them...as it should. I am eager to see our leaders of tomorrow! My family is mixed with various races, and it is beautiful to me...I love that we don't all look exactly alike! The picture becomes more dyanmic, when you can see a variety.

Debbie - posted on 08/08/2009

Depends on WHY you didn't vote for O

Vanessa - posted on 08/08/2009

I believe President Obama spoke of the uniqueness (so to speak) of his name because so many people made reference to it in a negative manner, not because he was playing the race card. As far as him becoming the first African American or bi-racial president, I feel it should have been acknowledged in the manner it was.

Jeannette - posted on 08/08/2009

Veronica, great post. You are well versed in what you've been taught. Have you come to any conclusions on your own that may be different or enhanced what you've learned from other teachers? We are all potential students at all times, so I ask this of myself. I am glad you brought up how our education system in Texas works, or doesn't work, as you well pointed out.

I agree with the "robin hood" system that was proposed several years ago. I think the taxes raised for education should be put in one pot and divided equally, the same amount per child, no matter the size or location of the school. So, if each student in River Oaks in Houston is granted 7500.00/year, then each student in Lovelady Tx should be afforded the same 7500.00/year. I also understand that throwing money at people does not make them smarter. Education comes from the home, the school, the community, and the child. The child's attitude can affect whether or not they learn anything at all.

Also, our schools in TX are desegragated. I know, I grew up here, and have lived here all my life. I went to one of the most diverse schools in TX, Sam Houston High School; We were one of the first to accept foreign exchange students as well. : )

Because our schools are mixed, and any child can attend any public school....why are the white students still considered "advantaged" over the minority students? I honestly do not see how they can be sitting in the same classrooms, being taught the same subjects, eating the same lunches, and yet don't have the same advantages of learning the same information they are all being taught. They live in the same community, go to the same malls, have the same teachers...I am baffled that minorities are stifled in their ability to learn? Am I missing something?

Again, I do agree that more affluent children will have better books than mine, better opportunities for extracurricular choices, more computers, but I don't allow my kids to be lazy or play dumb. We live in a district where the free lunch/reduced lunches are received by 70% of the student pop. But I don't let my kids act like they don't have the opportunity to learn.

Jeannette - posted on 08/08/2009

I think it is interesting that you overlooked Obama's comments throughout his campaign, that threw the race card on the table, for all to cringe from. He is the one who pointedly remarked, more than once, on his campaign trail "I may look different, I may have a funny name"...I just thought, don't worry Barack, your good buddy Oprah can help you with that. Really, he threw that card down when no one was being negative. As a matter of fact, ALL of the media were intrigued by the notion that Mr. Obama could become our first biracial President. I understand that more recently any comments against Obama's proposed health care is being seen as "fishy", and even has an email for people to report their neighbors/friends for "fishy" language regarding the health care plan. Ummm....does anyone here know history? Who does this sound like? Is that okay with you? The Patriot Act under Bush was damaging enough to our ability to speak freely, now the white house wants us to rat each other out? Paranoid are we? Also, there is a double standard in our media. When Bush was painted up as the Joker in Vanity Fair, no one uttered a word. When Obama was painted up as the Joker in an ad, it is seen as hate speech. When did this stop being America and become Amerika. I am not a racist...I love people, I hate stupidity, and stupidity like AIDS knows no race (it affects all). I have no tolerance for racists....and I am very serious about this...NONE, because it would directly affect people I love in my family, and it would affect who my children choose to date/marry, and I cannot have that. Again, it is not hard to accept and love people...ideals can be argued, humanity cannot. Interesting topic to start....please don't look at just one side of the story, because every story has two sides and your beginning post was an attack on one side with the possiblity of the other side being guilty as well. You've done well to start interesting conversation though. : )

Michele Smith - posted on 08/06/2009

Quoting Shannon:

Shelley, I haven't been online in a bit - I really appreciate your response. And I've never really thought about it in the way that you just wrote it. Your professor is correct, we are privileged being born white in this country. I definitely agree with affirmative action and never realized how much until I listed to Pat Buchanan speak this past week. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/...

And Michele - while I applaud teaching your children to do their best - please remember that until we actually achieve a 'post-racial society' there will always be someone there saying that crap. Teach your children that good, honest, non-racists will not say these things and will appreciate all of their accomplishments and that honest employers and application boards will not pick someone based on race. If they do that your children shouldn't want to work there anyway. (Not telling you how to raise your kids, just giving extra advise if you want it!)

Shannon thanks! I am an open person to listen to others perspective and gain insight . I understand what you are saying. I do tell my children that everyone is not like that. I guess since we have been living in the South I have been more defensive because of what I see here...

Veronica - posted on 07/24/2009

Shelley... you speak the same truth that the People Institute teach "...it takes a white person to stand up and help other whites to understand this white privilege." Actually when the Peoples Institute does their training Joe Barndt or another of white colleagues takes the floor for the discussion on white privilege. I have seen folks get up and leave, but they come back the next day after talking with friends and reading or what-not and feel guilty. The goal is not to make Whites feel guilty for something they were birth into, but to simply be aware.



And Shannon, many of them say I don't feel racist, but after the training they notice things that they have never paid much attention to in the past. Many of them come back to the training and are outraged by what they witness on television from commercials to movie, from the way folks are treated at their office to how people are treated in the judicial system. I sat with a judge who admitted that after taking this training he felt bad about some of the decisions he made on civil cases that included CPS because he had preconceived notions about the family because they were of color. Just making him aware of his biases made him think and now he handles cases differently. He said he checks himself when it is black family before whereas before he never did that.



I didn't get upset when he talked about it. I felt saddened, but he thought he was doing what was best. He wasn't considering culture, socio-economic status, past familial relations, or anything. I am just glad he considers all these factors now.

Shelley - posted on 07/24/2009

Veronica, thank you so much for your contributions to this conversation. I believe that only through this kind of knowledge can progress truly be made. You have definitely taught me some things! In addition to the readings that have already been mentioned, from a mommy perspective, I've come across a book by the Anti-Defamation League, Hate Hurts: How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice. It gives tips and advice for parenting that conquers bias and encourages appreciation for our differences -- in case any of you are interested. Also, in reference to Michele's comments about racists not understanding that black parents want the same for their children as everyone else, in my women's history class, I read What a Woman Ought to Be and to Do by Stephanie Shaw. It's written by a black woman history professor, and it is about the first few generations of free black women in America. It discusses the desires that freedmen and women had for their free young daughters, the pains they went through to ensure their education, the obstacles that were in their way b/c of racism, and the obligations they had to their communities -- to represent them and to help them. It was so very enlightening, and I would suggest it to anyone intersted in not repeating the mistakes of history. It's also just a nice history lesson to pass on to our children, as it's not just the history of black women, but also the history of our fellow Americans.



So, then there's Professor Gates of Harvard. When will it end? It seems like it's just one thing after another in the news about racism these days. Obama was given an opportunity to address this issue at his press conference the other night, and I'm not sure how I feel about his response. He stated his bias as a friend to Gates, but not as someone who has also experienced racism. He stated the FACT that minorities are disproportionately arrested and jailed in America, and he said the police acted "stupidly". I'm glad it was addressed, but I want to hear more from him!!! He is in such a unique position to address this issue...



In Nashville this summer, there was a contoversy over swimming pools. There are several publicly funded pools in the surrounding areas, and many are being updated, improved, and constantly worked on. However, there was one in an "underprivileged" area that was not receiving any attention for no apparent reason other than the "underprivileged" status of the neighborhood. The state representative for the area called the local news out there to get something done. Is that really what it takes for black and white neighborhoods to taken care of equally? I understand the concept of schools being funded by property taxes (I'm not saying I agree w it), but in an area such as this, maintaining pools, in which the funding is not determined by property taxes but is taken out of one big fund, WHY is there such a discrepancy? Racism.



Another thing I learned from Dr McIntosh was that just as it takes a man to stand up and help other men to see women are able to do everything just the same as they are (the conservative women would NOT agree), it takes a white person to stand up and help other whites to understand this white privilege. They'll never understand it if it comes from a black mouth. We are the only ones that can make a difference on this issue. Recently, I've become more interested in racism than ever before, Like Shannon, I feel like so much progress has been made, and then all these things are coming up in the news to just knock me back down to reality. It is not a daily reality to me b/c I am white, but I want to help my children to understand the concept of white privilege and continue working toward closing all of the gaps that exist between people of different races.

Shannon - posted on 07/22/2009

Thank you, that makes more sense! I will read what you suggested. Sometimes I feel like we've moved so far forward toward ending racism and then something in my life or in the news shocks me into realizing we aren't close.

Veronica - posted on 07/22/2009

Shannon,

I mean what you said, "...living my life as a white person I am probably taking advantage of things that I don't even see/realize." This is exactly what I mean.

I encourage you to read those books I referenced. Joe Barndt breaks it down really well. I loved this man.

I have to get in bed cause I am doing a medical study, but I have enjoyed this conversation with you all. I love ya'll. Another safe place where we can openly share thoughts, experiences, concerns, and truths.

Shannon - posted on 07/22/2009

Veronica,
I appreciate and understand most of what you wrote. I do believe that only white people CAN BE racist. Do you truly believe that all white people are racist & do you mean racist in how they feel toward others or how they live in society?

I know you said you weren't attacking me - this isn't defensive or angry, just trying to understand better. I don't FEEL racist, however I will concede that by living my life as a white person I am probably taking advantage of things that I don't even see/realize. Is this what you mean, or do you mean all white people are haters.

Thanks for the clarification!

Shannon - posted on 07/22/2009

I just want to stop & say thank you to everyone contributing to this. I thoroughly appreciate the education I am receiving here. Race is a very touchy subject and if we could open up just a little more we could confront the issue better, I believe.

I saw an episode of Sesame Street, a rerun, with Whoopi Goldberg and Elmo talking and they were complimenting the differences that they had and ended up talking about Elmo's beautiful red fur and Whoopi's beautiful brown skin and how it is different but Elmo liked Whoopi's so much he suggested they trade. It was silly, but I thought it was a good approach to take with kids.

When my son asks, as I'm sure he will eventually, I plan to tell him that people have different skin color just like they have different eye and hair color. Can anyone think of a better way to explain it to a child?

Veronica - posted on 07/22/2009

I work with victims of domestic violence and good majority of them are immigrants. I have constantly check myself because I will find that when I am reading a file I have my preconceived notions. I don't want to be biased when working with the women because I don't know their story. So, I think this training has really helped and I wish every School of Social Work would incorporate it somehow.

Rachael - posted on 07/22/2009

Veronica, you made a very good point. My husband (who is white and Texan, btw...lol) learned this very distinction during his undergrad studies that only whites can be racist for the very reasons that you mentioned. I just thought I'd throw this in for the conversation--minorities, on the other hand that show discrimination against whites or any other majority is described as "racialism". Strangely enough the idea in itself is a fallacy, as being in the minority makes it impossible to discriminate, yet I know from experience that many of us minorities unfortunately feel some degree of disdain towards whites. It sucks, but unfortunately that is part of the dynamics of simply being a minority. :-/

ME - posted on 07/22/2009

Veronica, I am so glad that you explained this better than I did on the Poverty/Welfare thread. I was trying to explain to some of the women that minority individuals cannot be concidered racist, and that institutionalized racism is a problem that must be challenged by every person who is capable of recognizing it, but I fear I did not get my point across. I also took a dismantling racism training (in order to be a women's crisis/domestic violence advocate), and I started the training with a very different understanding of racism and of my role in it...I left convinced that ignoring the problem is, simply put, just as bad as openly supporting racist institutions and racist people or groups. We have the same system of funding education here in IL, and a very serious problem with discrepancies in the quality of education. Just to add to your point...not only do fewer people own their homes or properties in minority communities, but those that do pay less taxes anyway, because their property value is concidered "lower" and they pay less in property taxes...it is an incredibly racist system of funding education, and until it is changed or supplemented, there is little hope for change. Education is the only true equalizing force, in my opinion, and without an equal education, I fear for the generations to come!!!

Veronica - posted on 07/22/2009

I am new to this forum and I love it already. I have read every comment. I love how you all can talk about this subject so freely. But here I go...



Texas is a Red State and I live in the little bitty dot that is Blue, Austin. Funny as it may seem our legislature mandated that our Child Protective Services program (child snatchers) look at racism and determine why African American children are disporportionately represented in the foster care system (this is happening all over the country). They went on to further mandate a solution if it is due to racism. For the last two years, I have been invited to a number of Undoing Racism workshops that are funded by the Texas Legislature (what?!!!!). So I have learned a lot about gate keeping, racism, white privilege and racial oppression, as well as racial superiority and inferiority. I am still not an expert, it just raised my awareness. However, a lot of the information was hard for me to swallow and I cried at first. The tripped out part is I am black.



Shannon hear me out when I say this and please don't think I am attacking you.



Every white person is racist whether you want to embrace it or not. Shelley was talking about it in her blog. White people are racist simply because their opportunity to capitalize on the white privileges (Your birth right). Whites are the only individuals that can be racist (I will explain this in a minute). White people have a lot of power, just as men have a lot of power. I still have not learned to explain this power dynamic thing. But, they way I understand it is how I have just explained it.



Now for my explanation... Racism = race+power. No other race has power; therefore they cannot be considered racist. Other races can only practice racial prejudice and discrimination. Minorities do not have the power to oppress. The only races with this power are whites. If you want more information about this ideology contact the Peoples Institute for Survival and Beyond, (http://www.pisab.org). The People’s Institute can supply you with a list of readings on this matter if you are interested.



Other readings if you’d like are Silent Racism by Barbara Trepagnier (http://www.silentracism.com)and Dismantling Racism: The Continual Challenge to White America by Joe Barndt. I have met both these individual even took a Sociology class with Dr. Trepagnier. Both are awesome speakers and writers. Both attended the Undoing Racism Training. Joe is a trainer with the People’s Institute and actually teaches the training when they begin to talk about white privilege and its contribution to racism. I love this training now.



Shelley what you spoke of towards the end of your blog, "[Racism] is an invisible system conferring dominance on whites," is referred to as institutional racism. Institutional racism exists in every system. In education, job market, judicial and correctional, local, state, and federal government. It exists in the medical system, public welfare system. A good example of institutional racism is with the school district.



Here in Texas, (because I don't know how it is done anywhere else) property owners pay a property tax which also goes toward funding the schools in your district. Here's the issue, in less affluent areas school go without funding; however, in more affluent areas school are funded. What ethnicity or races of people live in less affluent area- predominately African American, Hispanic, and immigrant individuals. How many of them actually own houses to pay this tax to fund their school - not very many. See the racism. I am sure there are measures to correct this, but the fact still remains, schools in less affluent areas are underfunded and children in these areas do not get the same chance as the children in the more affluent neighborhoods.



I will go on and on, but bottom line is all you white folks on here talking about this subject and issue are doing your part in dismantling racism and I applaud you. The first step is recognizing how you contribute and then the next step is doing something about. This action takes many forms.



Here is my challenge for those of you who have cut off your negative influences… challenge their belief system. Question the inconsistencies. Because doing nothing is like silence, you aid in perpetuating the cycle. If you challenge others beliefs then it gets them to thinking. I am not saying take your kids around them, but if you are around when the make that dumb remark challenge them on it.

ME - posted on 07/22/2009

Did anyone see the story about the 63 minority children kicked out of the pool in PA? It makes me really embarrassed for us as a country!!!! That poor little boy crying to the news anchor because he didn't know there were still racist people in our country...he just about broke my heart!

Shannon - posted on 07/21/2009

I want to share a story with you, but I'[m going to preface it with this. I have friends who claim to not be racist but "Chinese men freak me out" or "damn Mexicans taking all our jobs" (to which I reply 'don't you mean illegals?')

So I claim to not be racist. When I find some racial stereotype to be true I'll laugh, but as far as hating a certain race. No. But I've wondered if I was somehow like my friends, worried about it, really. Am I an undercover racist?

Anyway one day I was discussing the primaries with my parents and the conversation went like this-
Me: Why is it a big deal if one is black and one is a women?
Mom: WHAT? Because it is?
Me: No! Why does it matter if one has more pigment and one has ovaries? Will this effect anything?
Mom: It is a big deal to a lot of people
Dad: Shannon, is that really how you see it? Pigment and ovaries?
Me: Yes, that's what everyone is talking about "a black man and a woman". Those are the only differences!
Dad: (gives me a big hug) Then I'd say we raised you right.

Do you get the moral of my story? Because I don't know exactly if I can spell it out, but it was a big moment for me.

Shannon - posted on 07/21/2009

Shelley, I haven't been online in a bit - I really appreciate your response. And I've never really thought about it in the way that you just wrote it. Your professor is correct, we are privileged being born white in this country. I definitely agree with affirmative action and never realized how much until I listed to Pat Buchanan speak this past week. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/...

And Michele - while I applaud teaching your children to do their best - please remember that until we actually achieve a 'post-racial society' there will always be someone there saying that crap. Teach your children that good, honest, non-racists will not say these things and will appreciate all of their accomplishments and that honest employers and application boards will not pick someone based on race. If they do that your children shouldn't want to work there anyway. (Not telling you how to raise your kids, just giving extra advise if you want it!)

Michele Smith - posted on 07/20/2009

I am an African-American who grew up in the north living in the Deep South...need I say more. What frustrates me is that white people( racist) have to realize that we as Black folks want the same for our children and families as they. It's that simple. It's ashame that I have to teach my kids that they have to excel so someone doesn't say," You just got into that program because you are black" . They have to work 110% because they are going to be held to different standards, but that is the way the world is.

Shelley - posted on 07/17/2009

Shannon, sorry I haven't responded earlier. I've been busy. =) I agree that some racial stereotypes have merit. In addition to your examples, black churches are a very unique experience. When I took a class on intercultural communication, we had several Japanese students that went to church w a black girl in class. The class agreed that it was a unique cultural experience, and they will definitely never forget it! Lol. I roomied with two young black women from Memphis in 06, and I learned a lot! I learned how to BBQ, make rotel cheese dip, and fry the hell out of everything!! They would be so proud to see that statement! Lol. They learned a lot from me, too. I taught them to swim, or well to float, and to roll a joint. It was interesting how much flour and oil was in our cupboard at one time. It was definitely new to me, and now that I cook a lot of stuff they taught me, I laugh at the amount of oil I go through... I also roomied with another young black woman who came from a very different background. She was from CA and taught me a lot about the diversity in the black community. It was hard for her here in TN, where she didn't really fit in w either the black or white communities. My point is that you are right about the merit to racial stereotypes, although of course there are always exceptions. This can only be learned by life experience. If you never leave the farm and hate people of other races simply b/c, well you are ignorant. I saw a bumper sticker at school that said, "End Hate Crimes Embrace Diversity". Love it. We should acknowledge the merit to racial stereotypes but have enough intelligence to know that one person does not represent an entire ethnic group.



I attended a lecture by a professor at Wellesley. Her name is Peggy McIntosh, and her paper is called "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack". She gets really upset about it being posted online and suggests that it be requested from the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women at 781-283-2522, in case you're interested. It's $4.00. Anyways, she's kind of old and was raised in racism. She says that being racist is her "hard drive" and she has to turn it off and insert another program to see things differently. It's possible to overcome a racist upbringing, if you so want. She goes on to say that white people need to understand that they are privileged b/c they are white, just as men are privileged over women. How can whites understand what it is like to be black? We are not black. She believes whites are taught to not recognize white privilege, which is nothing but an unearned asset (you're born white or male) that we cash in on daily. From a women's studies perspective, we understand male privilege and ask them to give up some of it. It is the same for whites. We should recognize that our lives are easier than those of blacks and give up some of our privileges or at least advocate to give more assistance to black people. I'm glad that affirmative action is still in place and I hope the NAACP is around for another hundred years or more. She went to Memphis, after lecturing at MTSU, to give a co-lecture with a black man who teaches African American Studies. She said that he found her paper and was astonished that it was written by a white woman. She said, "It's nice to be in the presence of white people who know they are white." "Racism is not only individual acts of meanness. It is an invisible system conferring dominance on whites."



I know my thoughts aren't very well put together, but I hope I'm at least getting my point across. Let me know if you want more specifics.

Rachael - posted on 07/17/2009

I have huge issues when it comes to racism/bigotry. First of all, I'm biracial (Asian/white), and second, I live in the American South. With as much progress that the South has made in regards to racism, it still unfortunately exists here. I won't go into much detail, but in short--the next time someone asks me when I plan on going home to my country, I'm going to be a little more than peeved. My father's side of the family, unfortunately is a lost cause...I just tend to avoid them, just as any other bigots that I encounter. :-/

Aubrey - posted on 07/17/2009

Wow! Wonderful comments everyone! I would add my own, but I just found a quote that may sum what I had to say up (which would have probably been quite wordy), in only a few words:

We would rather be ruined than changed;
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die.
~W.H. Auden

ME - posted on 07/16/2009

I have slightly more tollerance for elderly people who were born and raised in a different time with a different understanding of the world. I have a very sweet old aunt, 89 I think, (my gramma's sister) who is very racist...but she rarely says anything in front of me that I take issue with (maybe 2 or 3 times in my life). I'm sure that my gramma, who is also a little racist, has told her how my parents and my family feel about that kind of thing. My gramma never uses racist language in front of us, and she's 86, and has a 6th grade education...so, I try to be a little more understanding about how her views developed. I would, however, challenge anything inappropriate that they said in front of my children...86 year old gramma or no! I have a hard time explaining my feelings...but she IS my gramma...ya know...so, that's the long way of saying, yes...it does make sense!

Shannon - posted on 07/16/2009

Quoting Mary:

shoot...I thought I replied to this one already...I'll try again...I absolutely will NOT bring my children around people who I know to be Racist or Homophobic for any reason! I think that it is irresponsible to teach one's children that anything about the way a person is born is a cause for hatred or abuse. I will not allow people to use the f word (re the LGBT population) nor the N word in front of my child (or future children) for any reason, including as a joke. I immediately challenge them on their use of that hate-filled speach and ask them not to use it in front of my boy...I will always do this, because I want my children to know for certain that this kind of behavior/treatment of other human beings is totally ignorant and unacceptable!

Mary, I agree completely. This particular cousin is a bit older than me so we never played together as kids, but as I grew into a teenager I began to realize what he was saying at Thanksgiving dinner and such - and no one was correcting him. I was shocked.

He hasn't seen my son since before my son's 1st birthday and I hope to keep it that way. I will not send my son over to play with those cousins, even if their Dad isn't there. Due to a rift in the family we don't do holidays together anymore so I think I can easily avoid him unless something big comes up.

As much as I hate to add to family drama this issue is big enough for me to avoid him completely. I have no respect for him at all.

The thing is I recently asked my mother why he's like that and she said that her brother is the same way. My uncle has never said anything at all in front of me that would make me think that. I believe my Mom, my point is that if my uncle feels this way he never disrespected my parents by passing on to their kids.  It does not excuse the racism at all! But it does put him slightly higher in my respect as far as his repect for me. Does that make sense? (Just slightly higher)

Katrina - posted on 07/16/2009

It's an example of humanity's desire for strife, supremecy, and egotism. At a monumental time in history, a country that was once divided within itself over black/white issues, we are fortunate enough to have someone take a stand to reverse the problems in this country, and "seem" to have the politics of people ahead of anything else (especially his bi-racial heritage) and people are still battling over the half of a man... it's sad when people are given a third option for their bi-lateral thinking they still choose only half of the best solution.

ME - posted on 07/16/2009

shoot...I thought I replied to this one already...I'll try again...I absolutely will NOT bring my children around people who I know to be Racist or Homophobic for any reason! I think that it is irresponsible to teach one's children that anything about the way a person is born is a cause for hatred or abuse. I will not allow people to use the f word (re the LGBT population) nor the N word in front of my child (or future children) for any reason, including as a joke. I immediately challenge them on their use of that hate-filled speach and ask them not to use it in front of my boy...I will always do this, because I want my children to know for certain that this kind of behavior/treatment of other human beings is totally ignorant and unacceptable!

Shannon - posted on 07/16/2009

It does!

Actually, here's another one for you - I have a conservative cousin on my mother's side and I'm ready to close him out of my life completely. Not because he's conservative but because he's racist and I don't want him around my child and I don't want my child around his.

This cousin of mine (in front of his children ages 3 and 7) very frequently uses the phrase 'cock-sucking-n-word' (I apologize for the profanity). He refers to the first family like that, and any and all people of color. And I don't think he's met anyone of color as he's never left the farm!!!!!

In the past I've told him not to say that (or the derogatory f-word toward homosexuals) in my presence, and the angrier I got the funnier he thought it was. Now it just made me think he was ignorant, but I do not want him influencing my child in any way whatsoever.

Any thoughts?

ME - posted on 07/16/2009

I just had an interesting exchange on another page with someone (who shall remain nameless), I pointed out the results of a very recent study in the state of IL that showed the unemployment rate for african americans to be above 24% while that of whites is 9.5% (nat. avg.). The independent agency that did the study blamed this on poor quality of education in low income neighborhoods and racist highering practices. She called me Rev. Farakhan for sharing these stats...it's safe to say she is conservative...I'm not saying that one bad apple spoils the bunch...so, please don't take it that way...but I would say that it's safe to say that Racism still exists in the GOP!

Shannon - posted on 07/14/2009

Quoting Shelley:

I totally agree. Have you ever heard of bell hooks? She's a feminist and as a black woman, focuses on the intersection of gender, race, and class. She has written some children's books that are great. I love them. Skin Again is a cute little book about how we all look the same on the inside, no matter the color of our skin. Do you think by teaching my children in this way, I will be helping them to notice racial differences or to accept them and move past them? I'm curious what your perspective is on this. Is it wrong to think that having a black president could possibly help race relations in America? Or does it just make the remaining divides more noticable? I'm very frustrated by all this recent mess.

The younger generation will definitely include more biracial individuals and others who are more accepting of diversity. I can't wait for them to be at all levels of elected office! America is a melting pot, and our political representatives should reflect this, with more women and individuals of different races. I am optimistic about what my generation will do one day...

Shelley,

This highlights something I've been saying for years, well, I've been saying it to my husband. As long as shows like Scrubs, etc, make comedy out of racial difference we won't move past it. And they don't do it in a negative way, but they highlight it almost every episode.  Chris Rock & others make a big deal out of race in comedy. This highlights race.

However Denis Leary was on the view earlier this year and said we should embrace our differences. Well, I don't think he put it that way. But he said they are not negative stereotype if they are true and why can't we admit them? His examples: Irish people get drunk and fight at funerals, and African Americans talk to the movie screen in the theater. I have witness both of these on more than one occasion. Was every Irish person drunk and fighting? No, but they were doing shots at a funeral. Was every African American talking to the screen? No, but that theater was loud. Is there anything wrong with that? No, people are different.

The question is - do we point these out? If we do, can we ever get past racism?

ME - posted on 07/12/2009

What a disgusting person this Shay is...and I certainly agree about Palin as well. I was horrified by what she and John McCain let go on at some of their Rallies...I know that McCain eventually pointed out that his constituants who believed Obama to be a Muslim were incorrect, but I thought it was too little too late! I don't remember him ever saying that it shouldn't matter if O WAS a Muslim American...because such a person might still make a wonderful leader! To a certain extent, I do believe that the younger generations are less racist, but having spent quite a bit of time in public schools as a sub. teacher, I know that MOST kids still sit with their own racial group in the caf. at lunch. I'm not saying that this means there's no hope, but it is a little discouraging!



I love Bell Hooks, and I think that she has a lot to say on race relations, and am SO happy to hear that she also writes childrens books...Teaching to Transgress is a great book, for teachers (and parents), and can be used as a resource for understanding the differences in cultural learning styles, etc.



As for NOT voting for O due to racism...I had tons of friends (and I use that term loosely) passing around scarey emails during the election. Some of them were about B.O. being a Muslim, some were about his race, some were about his support for women's rights (to choose), some were about his support for the LGBT population, some were about a fear of science and a demand that we teach religion instead of fact, and some where about his plans to turn us all into socialists. Whatever they were, they were intended to instill fear in the middle class, moderate, white population...and they were at best, emotionally charged lies and half truths. If this isn't Racism/sexism/homophobic/regressive, I don't kow what is. I have to hope that it means the eventual end to our outdated two party system, and also that the republicans will be OUT of power for a long time to come...but I'm afraid that there are plenty of racist/sexist/homophobic/regressives out there...and that together, they can do a lot of damage. This means that open-minded, thoughtful, and passionate democrats and social democrats have to work together to keep them from acheiving their regressive agendas! Moms are on the forefront of this battle, because we have a direct line to the next generation, and we are very much responsible for what is to come!



This leads me to a huge question I have as a parent...and I might start it as a new thread, but I will see...How do we raise intelligent children in an anti-intellectual era??? I am so scared for my children...I am so pleased that we have a president who is not afraid to be proud of his education, his intelligence, and his capacity for rational thought, etc...but SO many republicans (during the election) were using B's obvious intelligence as a negative, and then they solidified their fear of education by nominating the stupidest person possible as vice president...kids (both genders) are poor writers, hate to read, and seem to think it's amusing to be uninformed...what are we, as parents going to be able to do about this???

Shelley - posted on 07/11/2009

I totally agree. Have you ever heard of bell hooks? She's a feminist and as a black woman, focuses on the intersection of gender, race, and class. She has written some children's books that are great. I love them. Skin Again is a cute little book about how we all look the same on the inside, no matter the color of our skin. Do you think by teaching my children in this way, I will be helping them to notice racial differences or to accept them and move past them? I'm curious what your perspective is on this. Is it wrong to think that having a black president could possibly help race relations in America? Or does it just make the remaining divides more noticable? I'm very frustrated by all this recent mess.



The younger generation will definitely include more biracial individuals and others who are more accepting of diversity. I can't wait for them to be at all levels of elected office! America is a melting pot, and our political representatives should reflect this, with more women and individuals of different races. I am optimistic about what my generation will do one day...

Vanessa - posted on 07/11/2009

I believe the younger generations are not hung up on race like the older generations are. This is true for blacks, whites and other races as well. So many older people are just so stuck in their ways it is almost impossible for them to be open to change. There are actually some black people whom have stated that President Obama has not done enough for black people since being elected. This is ludicrous to me because he is not president of the black race, he is president of our entire country. We as a society will have to move past this. I look at my two year old everyday and the more she develops the more I am convinced racism is taught. She knows nothing of color when she see a person she just see a person. If what happend to the children in PA had happend to my child I would be seriously upset. I don't know what was worst in that situation the act itself or the weak and pathetic excuse that was given for the action.

Shelley - posted on 07/11/2009

historic appointment, not election. Sorry.

Shelley - posted on 07/11/2009

In the news recently, there is the PA club that turned away black children because of their "complexion". Apparently, they paid about $2000 to be able to use that pool, and when they arrived, the white adults used derogatory and racist comments to make sure they knew they were unwelcome. It disgusts me.



Then, there's Sonia Sotomayor. It seems that Republicans have nothing against the way she's ruled on the court. They call her a moderate Progressive. Lindsay Graham even said he thinks he could vote for her. Then, all that's left to oppose her on is her ethnic identity. Pat Roberts, Sam Brownback, and others have refused to even meet w her and are very open about, basically, opposing her b/c of her race. Is the GOP aligning itself w racists?.. I saw an interview w a Princeton poli sci professor last night, and she was saying that Republicans are trying to capitalize on "white anxiety" b/c of Obama and now Sotomayor. And that they will go down in the history books as opposing the historic election of the first Latina to the Supreme Court on account of her race. Sad legacy to leave to young Republicans. They have A LOT to overcome. Can they seriously think this 1910 strategy will work in 2009? Do they really think there will be enough white people with a supremacist way of thinking that they can win any election w only white votes? There's also been talk of Sotomayor's own "racism." For example, "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life." And I have found other quotes relating to her understanding of our patriarchal society. (I can't find it right now. I'll post it later.) I'm so relieved and excited about her nomination. Finally, somebody gets it!





Haven't we, as a country, come a long way in race relations? When I took a history class in college, our text book was African American history from the Civil War on. I remember leaving that class, walking around campus, seeing the ethnic diversity on my campus (which before was just normal), and recognizing what had to be done to achieve that diversity. I felt very proud of my fellow Americans, and I thought to myself, what will it be like in 20 more years? Will my children notice the color of other people's skin? You know, how much progress can MY generation make on race relations? I was very optimistic about the future. With this last election, again, I was proud of my country. Of course there were the uneducated sheep who refused to vote for Obama based on race and his "secret Muslim" identity; it was inevitable. However, I felt like we were at another stepping stone on the way to equality. I'm deeply saddened by the actions and words of my fellow Americans since the election of Obama. As a country, why do we want to go backwards? Do we really want one of the two major parties to openly capitalize on "white anxiety"? From everything I've read, race relations are going to shit, and I couldn't be more disappointed or more disgusted by what I'm seeing. Hispanics are a growing demographic, and Republicans won't have a chance in 2012. I'm deeply saddened by the reversal of race relations. What do y'all think will happen in the future. Does it depend on how Obama's 1st term goes? When are people gonna get it?

Vanessa - posted on 07/11/2009

Well said Joy. As you stated, I don't believe EVERYONE that did not vote for Obama is a racist either however, there were people who actually did not vote for him because of that reason and people need to realize that. If republicans are angry for being labeled racist then why don't republican politicians and leaders come forward and speak against the ones that are? Let everyone know that the Republican Party will not tolerate any displays of hatred or racism. Maybe deep down many of them feel the sameway but fear their political careers will be over if they were true to their feelings. President Obama stepped in and denounced attacks on Pailins daughter during the campaign. But as you also mentioned, she never denounced any of the hatred expressed by supporters at her rallies. By not speaking out paints a picture of tolerance of this sort of behavior. Just as you stated, silence is just as bad as participation. On several occasions I have heard racial remarks by people I know and in EVERY situation I let them know just how ignorant their comments were and that I do not associate with racist people.

JL - posted on 07/10/2009

I think it is wrong to generalize that someone who did not vote for Obama did so because they were being racist but in the same thought I think it is naive for those who belong to the Republican party to simply disregard the fact that racist overtures and rhetoric was being heard and seen during the election and still now from Republicans and that there are people who did not vote for Obama because of his race..I know a few people who have an issue with Obama's race. I don't think the Republican party is a racist party or that everyone who is a member is racist.. I mean I know that there are racist in the Democratic party as well but all the openly racist remarks and the blatant use of fear tactics against minorities at election centers have been coming from self professed Republicans and too often few Republicans leaders come out to loudly and publicly attack such blatant racist and hateful crap. I just keep thinking about all those Palin rallys during the election and all those people that showed up with stuffed monkeys that had Obama's face glued on the heads and how I heard people loudly yelling out the N word and Coon and other racist things and not once..not even once did I hear Palin speak out against any of that even after she was informed and was shown what was going on at the rallys. What kind of friggin leader keeps their mouths shut when such disgusting stuff is being done at their events...this is just one of the reasons why that lady is not fit to serve. Sorry for the rant but I am tired of Republicans saying we are all trying to incorrectly paint them as racist when we are not doing that but we are asking them to stand up against the racist crap that is coming from their fellow Republicans because in my opinion Silence speaks just as loudly. Plus I cannot ignore the facts that since the 1980s there has been a load of research done on how the Republican party in local, statewide, and national elections has used fear tactics and threats to keep minorities from voting. And they wonder why we still need Affirmative Action.