The color of racism (5x8 - 1/31/12)
Posted at 7:20 AM on January 31, 2012
by Bob Collins
(32 Comments)
Filed under: Five by 8
Racism in Duluth, the return of Select A Candidate, melted memories, the X -- and L and V -- factor, and Minneapolis: The whole grain city.
1) RACISM IN BLACK AND WHITE
Is an anti-racism campaign targeted to white people in Duluth racist by definition? You could probably see this coming after MPR's story on the "Unfair Campaign" last week.
"We swim in a sea of whiteness, it's the norm," Ellen O'Neill, one of the campaign organizers, said. "If we're white we don't have to think about it, we don't see it. So the first step is getting white people to see it."
Mission accomplished, and there's a pretty good chance the chatter about the campaign -- "a backlash," the Duluth News Tribune calls it today -- is exactly what organizers were planning.
"The issue of racism is real, but it doesn't pertain only to whites. A campaign directed only to white people is by definition racist," Duluth resident Phil Pierson said. He's set up a Facebook page opposed to the campaign.
I've spent a lot of time and energy exploring this issue, considering all points of view, and I have to remark on something pretty incredible. No matter how deep I dig, or how many opinions I listen to on whether the unfair campaign is just or not, I keep going back to my initial gut feeling that I got when I first saw that billboard. That was a feeling of disgust. I saw it and my first thought was, "well...that's just RACIST!"
I'm going with my gut on this, folks. And because the unfair campaign has chosen to base their efforts on a racist stereotype, I can't bring myself to support it. Their efforts have been spearheaded by some of the most off-the-wall liberal feminist racists this city has ever seen, and somehow they duped some otherwise respectable people and organizations into supporting them. I can't speculate on their reasons for doing so. I can only shake my head in disappointment that they'd blindly follow a racist message with their misguided hope that the end will justify the means. I assure you, no good will come from this. It's just more racism, and that's not the direction this city needs to go.
"To assume that it's hard for whites to understand racism is insulting to my intelligence," another resident said.
Meanwhile, WCCO reports a St. Paul teacher is on leave after allegedly singling students out for insults based on the color of their skin:
Latasha Tolbert said sixth grade teacher Tim Olmsted told her daughter that she'd be standing on the corner with a sign begging for money on the expressway.
"He told the whole entire class that it is easier for him to teach rich white folks than poor black people," Tolbert said.
And the Wall St. Journal says segregation is now at an all-time low in the U.S.
2) THE RETURN OF SELECT A CANDIDATE
Without fail each election season, MPR's Select A Candidate is the most trafficked page on the MPR website. The traffic reveals a lot about how we educate ourselves about the people who are running, and it would probably surprise people who've been covering the presidential campaign for almost two years.
Traffic is very high on a daily basis, but the largest spike in traffic will occur the day before an election.
Find the beginning of this year's edition here.
3) OF MELTED MEMORIES
Where do all the Crashed Ice professionals go once they leave Saint Paul? Valkenburg in Holland. The races there start this week, and the track looks nothing like the one constructed near the Saint Paul Cathedral earlier this month:
Meanwhile, back at the Cathedral in Saint Paul, there's no indication the location was the center of the "crashed ice universe" just a few short weeks ago...
... except for this pile of dead ice.
4) THE X -- AND L AND V -- FACTOR
We're just five days away from Super Bowl SomethingOrOther. Yes, XLVI. Roman numerals have gone the way of cursive penmanship, Associated Press says, so why are we still using a dead numerical system? Quid quid latine dictum sit, altum videtur -- "Anything stated in Latin looks important."
Which came first? The V or the X?
You didn't intend to start your day in Latin class, did you?
5) MINNEAPOLIS: THE WHOLE-GRAIN CITY
If you've read this far down, it's possible you're younger than when you started. That's the healing power of Minneapolis-St. Paul, ranked 4th in a survey of cities in which to stay young.
Denizens of this vibrant Midwestern metropolis know how to take care of themselves, and that makes it one of the best places to stay young. Minneapolis-St. Paul is best when it comes to eating whole grains, which helps residents have the best blood pressure, too. It's also second best for low stress, and third best for adequate sleep and vitamin D -- all of which make this a youthful city.
Bonus I: Stuff Minnesotans don't say:
Bonus II: Camilla Williams has died. Before her, African Americans didn't get to sing opera.
Bonus III: How the current crop of candidates handle hecklers, as judged by a comedian. (Slate)
TODAY'S QUESTION
The Minnesota House is considering a bill that would make teacher evaluations a factor in determining teacher layoffs. The bill would end the "last in, first out" approach dictated by teacher seniority. Today's Question: What role should evaluations play in teacher job security?
WHAT WE'RE DOING
Midmorning (9-11 a.m.) - First hour: Preview of the Florida primary.
Second hour: Is eliminating seniority-based teacher layoffs an effective way to reform education and save schools money?
Midday (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.) - First hour: Reusing abandoned places.
Second hour: An Intelligence Squared debate: Should the UN admit Palestine as a full member state?
Talk of the Nation (1-3 p.m.) - First hour: Seeking the "other side" in political commentary.
Second hour: Reparations for Japanese-Americans interned in the U.S. during World War II,
All Things Considered (3-6:30 p.m.) - In 1965, a Florida newspaper editor approached homemaker Lucy Morgan and asked if she wanted to be a reporter. The young woman entered the profession with no journalism experience. But she did have the tenacity to eventually investigate politicians, expose lobbyists, and win a Pulitzer Prize. Meet the 71 year old who is still reporting from Florida's capital
Comments (32)
"Their efforts have been spearheaded by some of the most off-the-wall liberal feminist racists this city has ever seen..." Okay, Phil. We get it.
Re Racism:
Finally a program aimed at white people! Being a white male from a middle-class family I never thought I would ever get this kind of attention. I always get to see scholarships for minorities, groups set up for women in science or business etc., and I never thought I would finally get something aimed only towards me!
I am sick of this racism "stuff." These campaigns don't do much of anything except show people who care that there are still people who don't care. The people who don't care- still don't care. It is 2012; we have all sorts of programs to HELP minorities but nothing that ever brings people together. All of the diversity events I have seen involve people who aren't the ones who really need to be there. Maybe it is just me, but really how much are these anti-racism campaigns helping?
Duluth was home to one of most disgusting, violent acts of racism this state has ever seen. And while they (municipally, at least) acknowledged the lynchings of 3 African American circus workers with memorials and plaques, it certainly shouldn't stop the citizenry from speaking out about on-going issues. Until racial disparities are null, there still needs to be a discussion.
I was sickened by the Duluth campaign. It assumes that I, as someone who identifies as White or Caucasian, am too stupid to recognize racism and that I need a billboard to tell me. It also assumes that I could never be the victim of racism. This campaign is shameful, divisive, and a waste.
-- "Anything stated in Latin looks important."
Gosh Bob it sure does. My favorite, which, my father taught me as a child: "Illegitemate non carborandum"
Those commenting that racism can go in all directions and from all directions (ie: that not only white people can be racist) are correct, but the institutional racism that has been a part of this country since its inception is not the same. We do live in a culture where white privilege is very real, but many white people, especially in a city like Duluth that is removed from a lot of it specifically because it is not as diverse, are not aware of it.
It is not a matter of being "too stupid" to recognize racism. It is a matter of not being exposed to people and situations and environments that would cause one to realize how much the set up of this country benefits white people JUST BY DEFAULT.
The Duluth campaign made you sick? Good. The anger and disgust you're experiencing is something that people of color long ago had to learn how to deal with every day of their lives.
"It's hard to see racism when you're white"
Maybe it is. I think it's a point that's worthy of thoughtful discussion and study, rather than heated rants. Is it easier to see racism if you are white and are:
married to someone who isn't white?
have adopted a child who isn't white?
are openly gay?
are transgender?
are a woman?
How does your perspective, all of the things that make you who you are, color your view of racisim? Will the billboard help spark meaningful discussion? I don't know. But I don't buy BenCh's statement that nothing ever brings people together. There are many opportunities. That's one thing I love about living in the Twin Cities.
I was talking with a college professor recently, who had a first year student write in a reflection that "I'm white, race issues don't really effect me."
Congratulations to all the self-congratulatory people who say they get it, but there are a lot of Minnesotans who don't yet. Please don't get in their way.
"The Duluth campaign made you sick? Good. The anger and disgust you're experiencing is something that people of color long ago had to learn how to deal with every day of their lives.
Posted by Drew Salisbury | January 31, 2012 9:07 AM "
It boils down to 'Live and Let Live'
eh, D. Sal?
This article was posted to my FB page by a relative who lives in Duluth, it was my introduction to the campaign.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/221199/group/Budgeteer/
I applaud the campaign.
Then the campaign makes more assumptions: that I have never known a person of a different race, taken opportunities to learn about and enjoy other cultures, traveled to a place where I might not be in the racial majority, or basically that I have never looked beyond "White America." I have no problem with being encouraged to put myself in someone else's shoes.The problem is I don't feel encouraged; I feel shamed. Shamed for something I cannot control. I don't think that people of other races want me to feel shamed and sickened. As a woman who has been discriminated against because of my gender, I don't want men to feel this way either. I want to encourage them to see me as a person. The dialog should move us away from the disgusting past, not make us dwell upon it.
So Amy you have never preform racist actions like:
-being automatically scared of a black man at night
-picturing welfare recipients as black
-received finical assistance from a family that was able to accumulate wealth from jobs/loans/housing that was flat--out denied to people of color
-received skills/knowledge(how to make a budget, balance a checkbook, etc) from a parent that was not denied this information because of their race
-just exist in a system where you have not had to deal with the above
I believe that privileged classes of people(male, white, hetronormative) should be shamed to get this unfair assistance and fight for equality.
NOT lucy-
I'm a white male from a middle class background. I am friends with (and for the most part, would consider myself one of) the "off-the-wall liberal feminist racists" Phil describes in his quote.
When we discuss politics, social justice, race, etc., I often get uncomfortable, even angry, because it's rough hearing a lot of criticism about a group that, at least because of my gender and skin color, I am very much a part of. I think, "Hey, you realize when you make these generalizations about white men, how evil they are, etc., you're talking about me right? Even if you aren't talking about me specifically, I am a white male. But I am also a person: a complex, multi-faceted individual, and I don't like being talked about in that way when none of my personal actions or beliefs are being acknowledged by the generalizations you're making."
But if that is the most I have to worry about, being uncomfortable in a conversation, or by an ad campaign, I am pretty blessed, no? Maybe my personal beliefs and actions aren't reflected in the generalization the campaign makes, that doesn't mean I can't continue to act and live in ways that DO uphold my beliefs.
And the fact of the matter is this: I may not be able to think of a specific occasion where I consciously did or said something racist (although I'm sure I have, idiocy is part of the human condition), but just me living the life I do, with the privileges that come along with it, someone, somewhere in the world, and most likely not the same color as me, has suffered because of it. There are only so many resources in the world, and each one I get, indirectly, it means someone else doesn't. I don't mean to suggest that I feel like I should apologize or feel guilty for the opportunities I have, but I would have trouble sleeping if I didn't even acknowledge that I have them.
I suspect if the Duluth folks had framed this as an "examining race-based privilege" ad campaign, we'd be a little more forgiving. I think the ad campaign was meant to be more of a wake-up call to us white folks, rather than another example of advertising catering to white Minnesotans.
I do think it's much harder to "see" racism and classism when you don't live it every day. It certainly is for me. I wonder quite often about what special privileges I'm afforded as a well-educated white girl. I have instant credibility where many others don't.
Once we privileged folks start to get this, we can start having a more legitimate conversation about race in Minnesota.
So, because my White mother (whose family was on welfare for a period when she was a child, that is who I picture when I picture someone on welfare) taught me to balance my checkbook, I am racist?
I also never claimed to have never judged someone by their race, or other external characteristics. I am simply weary of the "us vs. them" mentality that these type of campaigns project. And weary of today's conversation. Good day, and good luck.
"I believe that privileged classes of people(male, white, hetronormative) should be shamed to get this unfair assistance and fight for equality."
Posted by chris | January 31, 2012 9:53 AM
I disagree, Chris. I don't think that "shame" and wanting to "fight for equality" have anything to do with each other. Feeling ashamed just makes people defensive and angry (see posts above) and pushes people to disengage.
I am white and hetero, and I'm not ashamed of it. Why should I be ashamed to be who I am? But I DO fight for equality. In fact, I work in a sector that combats racist inequality. Why? Because racism and other forms of discrimination are *unjust* *immoral* and *harmful*. There are many good reasons to confront and dismantle racism. You don't need to shame people to move them to action. You can start by affirming the common humanity in all of us.
Thanks SusanWB for combating discrimination! I guess I meant not shame about who you are (because you can't change that), but of your actions-if you won a foot race because the other guy started 4 laps behind you, would you feel proud of that victory? I think recognition of privilege->shame->work for equality is a valid thought process. I guess I wonder if there have been any studies on what is the most effect method of moving the privilege into recognizing and combating discrimination
If you have a problem with the campaign in Duluth, perhaps you'll listen to a white guy. Here's a great video on the topic of white privilege.
Worth watching for his introduction, at the least.
I'm not necessarily for the campaign, but as a white male I can at least admit that I will NEVER understand racism to the extent of any minority in this country. White people saying they are offended that people think they don't understand racism... Res ipsa loquitor.
I'm not necessarily for the campaign, but as a white male I can at least admit that I will NEVER understand racism to the extent of any minority in this country. White people saying they are offended that people think they don't understand racism... Res ipsa loquitur.
"Posted by Drew Salisbury | January 31, 2012 10:09 AM "
defensive much?
: )
NOT lucy-
Did it come across that way? That was not my intention. After hitting send I realized it wasn't really appropriate to direct it at you as I ended up not really addressing your comment as much as just expanding on my original thoughts.
I don't know if SwimCreative (ad agency) came up with the slogan but it's absolutely brilliant. I love it when creative marketing types use their powers for good instead of, say, helping Pepsi battle Coke.
I'm going to go sit with the middle-aged white men arguing about how they can too see racism. They're more fun than the white people pissed off about a racist ad.
"Posted by Drew Salisbury | January 31, 2012 11:20 AM "
: )
Taking into account what is considered appropriate these days, your so-called 'inappropriatness' is welcomed.
No one likes to be generalized into a category and certainly not in a condescending shaming way. Demographics and location are the big dog here .
I've always thought this (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-he3fwFHwYmc/TWu-cNq98RI/AAAAAAAAAHE/jLcFdfUkAJA/s400/cartoon4.png) is a clever and accurate cartoon.
Title: A Concise History of Black-White Relations in the U.S.A.
Jeff-
Great comic. Do you know the source? I'd like to share it but I want to give credit to the artist.
Never mind. I forgot Google exists. Bob, you can delete this and my most recent comment if you'd like.
Seen on Facebook
A 50- something year old white woman arrived at her seat on a crowded flight and immediately didn't want the seat. The seat was next to a black man. Disgusted, the woman immediately summoned the flight attendant and demanded a new seat. The woman said "I cannot sit here next to this black man." The fight attendant said "Let me see if I can find another seat." After checking, the flight attendant returned and stated "Ma'am, there are no more seats in economy, but I will check with the captain and see if there is something in first class." About 10 minutes went by and the flight attendant returned and stated "The captain has confirmed that there are no more seats in economy, but there is one in first class. It is our company policy to never move a person from economy to first class, but being that it would be some sort of scandal to force a person to sit next to an UNPLEASANT person, the captain agreed to make the switch to first class." Before the woman could say anything, the attendant gestured to the black man and said, "Therefore sir, if you would so kindly retrieve your personal items, we would like to move you to the comfort of first class as the captain doesn't want you to sit next to an unpleasant person." Passengers in the seats nearby began to applause while some gave a standing ovation.
I am white and for me racism is not hard to recognize. I see it directed at white people from some of the black community on a daily basis.
I'm waiting for billboards that show Jewish, Japanese and Korean people who also did nothing to achieve their privileged status in American life.
That plane story that is spread around on Facebook is false. I hate racism, but to make up a story like this really doesn't help the cause and really is pretty racist itself.
David Slaughter 2012 Court files 10cr10406, Good morning Request to have my trial reinstated I am writing today not only about myself but about a child. A baby in need of assistance that day almost 2 years ago in the Lion's park. Were I thought I could use the 911 service but I was sadly mistaken depending on the officer that was sent out that day. The abduction and eventually kidnapping where my new neighbor unknowingly awaited them to take them to the bus stop. He is also my witness. A child that was missing for almost six days. There was no investigation about the 911 call that was never answered about a child in dire need of help and without shelter on the street. With drug addicted nonparents that had brought the child to me in the first place and are in need of a lot help themselves. Stealing hustling pandering pan handling bagging and prostitution living on the run living on the streets of Minneapolis. They thought they were hurting me yes they were. What ever happened to the rights of this baby he is a person too entitled to all rights like every American. What ever happen to the investigation about the 911 call I made about a child abducted and kidnapped taken to Minneapolis to live on the streets. This child and every child deserves better than that!!! There was no investigation about that 911 call no follow-up and no investigation at all. I guess it was just a noncall. I was hurt pretty bad and by the third day there was nothing from Chaska's police department I started to prepare myself to go out and look for this child without anyone's help. By the fifth day I was up still in great great pain but I was up and I called my friend to help me go look for the missing baby boy. By the way he is also my witness. Minneapolis is a big city it was doubtful that we would find anything out there they could be anywhere. About 4 to 5 hours before we had a lead on where they might be. and The we checked strip malls and stores and homeless shelters are where homeless people hang thank you God it was warm that week. The child not deserve this injustice. What would you do if it was your nephew's child and you raise the nephew too. Black people and I as a black man has been through more than my fair share of injustices as a man and as a people as it is well documented and. As for my attorney Bethany Koch we have been at odds from the begining. A man is innocent until proven guilty . I have been guilty from the start to my apartment complex that threw us out after nine years of faithful tenant management partnership all because of this case . She has been trying to get me to plea from day one. If I had listened to her advice I would be guilty of everything now. First trial found innocent by way of self-defense as well as a second trial that I never got the chance to have because of her legal advice !! That's my attorney advised me to plea because he didn't believe in my innocence. Maybe she was trying to save the state some money. In any case that's not her job. Her job is only defend me. Which by the way she never tried to do. Even in the first trial winning it from her talent only was not the case. But from the proof in the case that is why would like to throw myself on the mercy of the court ask the permission of Your Honor's the court County city and the state. Why I would like to take back my plea and have my trial. 1. My legal defense has never been a defense to me. 2. I was coerced by my public defender before we came in to accept the plea . She said now I can go and talk to the gentleman that was talking about a Aftord plea and that I could give him a call. 3. It's all or is her is as old as is about me was about a 911 call and never answered and a child being abducted four overs five days . 4. This Alford plea was a plea already offered to me . And this was stated in court by my public defender. I was never offered anyl Alford plea therefore my public defense lied in the courtroom about offering it to me. In any case I was never offered anything about an Alford plea therefore my defense lied to help the prosecution. I have never felt so alone in a courtroom since I've been in Minnesota . 5. The prosecutor his offer never made. That means the prosecution and the defense either lied together in the court room to where the offer Alford plea was never made in this case. 6. I was also hurt by your jail attendants. 7. I was also stabbed by an EMT paramedic. 8. I was found not guilty by reason of self-defense against the assault on the paramedic. What about the assault on me by the paramedic he stabbed me. 9. The state prosecuted me and the other 3 fifth degree assaults of three healthy white men with their children. I was when woman and two children the police took him away without a child. 10. Where is the child and where is the investigation of the child being missing. 11. This makes a mockery of our judicial system and our Constitution of the United States of America. 12. As for the officers that day they are supposed to be hailed to a higher standard than average citizens and uphold the laws and bylaws of our great country I don't know what these officers were doing but it wasn't by the laws they were taught. God bless you and God blessed the United States of America and everywhere else. Thank you please help need my civil rights and please help this child get his civil rights too.
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