Anti-Racism & Multi-Culturalism

[uu_mom]

This topic may make sense to many of you and seem like it's a natural that needs little help to achieve. We have mentioned racism here before, so apparently many do realize that it may not be something that will happen without some work. I think it's a very important issue and I want to point you to some resources.

Comments

w00t, AR/AO!

[valimagdon]

Have you seen the Guiding Documents that the White Allies have made? I'm not the keenest on all of them, but I have issues w/ alot of the AR/AO work being done by the UUA, especially since we're plauged with alot of white-privilige-guiltists and "white allies" who have no clue what its like to be a minority or a person of another color

Re: w00t, AR/AO!

[uu_mom]

I do understand that when you're ready you should move on and some ARE ready. I'd like to also, but I have many white friends who believe that they haven't benefitted from white privilege because they don't feel privileged or don't think they're white enough to qualify (i.e. Jewish). What do you think about changing tactics for these people or is understanding "whiteness" still a good goal for them? It seems that it's hard to recognize racism very well in today's context without understanding how our society has constructed it. It may not be invisible for you since you grew up understanding it, but many white people want to only focus on "reverse" prejudice or racism that negatively impacts them and their children. Do you not see that? And if so, what of people on this level who believe they want to be in the anti-racism conversation.

What group are you working with to try to move it on? I don't recognize a post on FUUSE as being one from you.

[luxanebulis]

Thank you for posting this! I was unable to attend the White Allies conference and was glad to find their listserv and documents.

synchronicity

[pezzae]

Someone on my friends list posted this the other day:
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~mcisaac/emc598ge/Unpacking.html
'The White Privilege Checklist' is a little USA-centric, but definitely a good way to open people's eyes to the privieges they enjoy unconsciously just by being a member of the dominant/majority culture.

How much racism is there in America?

[lukelea]

There is as a matter of fact very little real racism in America anymore, at least among whites. Even in the south, where I live and grew up, one almost never hears people make racist remarks or use racist epitaphs. In fact I cannot recall a single instance in the last 40 years, and I move constantly in both blue-collar and middle- and upper-middle class circles. You never -- and I mean never -- encounter people in real life who, even in jest or under their breath, oppose equal rights for all. There are those who have serious reservations concerning the legalized practice of reverse discrimination, but only because it violates the very principle of equality under the law which is the main bulwark against racism in the first place. Racial tolerance is a fact of life in these United States today, and we need to recognize the fact and be more appreciative of it, in my humble opinion. Let us give credit where credit is due.

Re: How much racism is there in America?

[lukelea]

Sadly the only real privilege in America is for those who are well-educated and of above average intelligence. For everyone else the deck stacked against them and life is a never-ending struggle no matter what color you are. It may seem like discrimination if you're black, but just ask the next white person you see working behind the check-out counter at Wal-Mart. Ask whether she has another job and what her life is like.

The issue is social justice, and unless the races can put the discrimination issue behind them get together on this nothing is likely to change. In my humble but honest opinion. I hope you will at least have the courage to challenge your own contrary convictions on this matter, and allow yourself the freedom to change your mind after you have talked to more of these unprivileged people. They have more in common than what divides them, though their enemies -- that is maybe too strong a word, their uncaring and unsympathetic superiors is closer to the truth -- much prefer that they not discover this fact.

Re: How much racism is there in America?

[uu_mom]

I am against all kinds of oppression. Poverty is an oppression and so is racism. Yes, people of all races and ethnicities can work together to lessen the miseries of poverty, but poverty is not likely to ever end. Misery is not limited to those in poverty, though. Poverty is not limited from those who are "well-educated and of above average intelligence" though it is usually the case. Misery is definately not limited from those who are "well-educated and of above average intelligence". There are many intelligent people who feel misery. If that were not the case, we wouldn't have the suicide rate that we have among middle and upper class people

your project

[lukelea]

I am sorry but this is sick. Quite predictably it will have precisely the opposite result you intend: it will encourage racial hate and discrimination, not reduce them; it will divide the American people not unite them; it will weaken and eventually destroy our liberal democracy instead of reforming it to reduce the many short-comings and imperfections it undoubtedly has. Get well soon.

Re: your project

[uu_mom]

What is sick? Racism? Yes, it definately is.

it will encourage racial hate and discrimination

What? And what evidence do you have that this is true. Since you said that you hadn't even see racism in 40 yrs., don't you think this lack of being able to see what really does exist is evidence that you don't have an answer to getting rid of racism? If you don't believe something exists, how can you ever get rid of it?

I go to church in a diverse community where we are working to end racism and we ARE successful. We will continue and are likely to continue to have more success. But if you've got some good ideas for an alternative plan and some good evidence that something would cause more racial hate, I'm open to hear about it.