(Name-mce) ListServ A Wise man speaks to improve race relations

[bill at billhowe.org]

http://fp.uni.edu/northia/article2.asp?ID=5061
<http://fp.uni.edu/northia/article2.asp?ID=5061&SECTION=1> &SECTION=1

 

A Wise man speaks to improve race relations

Sara Keating

NI News Writer ( University of Iowa Student Newspaper)

 

 "Tim Wise is a treasured ally against racism." Said Michael Blackwell when
introducing Tim Wise's Sept. 14 lecture entitled, "Race is not a card."

 

The Center of Multicultural Education invited Wise to come for diversity
week so that students, faculty, and anyone else with an ear for learning
could come and gain knowledge on the subject of racism.

 

After a formal introduction, Wise walked to the podium and took his audience
on a journey through his life, his struggles and his passions as an
anti-racist.

 

"Too often we only focus on surface matters," said Wise. "We tend to look at
culture as if it only means food, fabric, and festival. We forget what being
of a different culture really means: power, opportunity, and access."

 

In explaining how people need to ban together and stop lying to themselves
about what they really know, Wise stated, "We pretend we know about culture
but it's really like the parsley that they put on your plate at a fancy
restaurant. It's either to be 'pretty' or it gives you better breath.
Therefore, it's just for 'pretty' or it's to cover something up." 

 

He went on to explain that in people's lives they need to learn that the
information they have been given about culture and racism was probably given
to them by white Americans. These are the same white Americans that have
believed for years that there wasn't really a problem. 

 

"Denial is intergenerational. In every generation, statistics show that the
majority of people don't know what the truth really is."

 

Wise believes the reason people don't realize how big of a problem racism
can be is because they do not see it every day. "People don't really have a
reason to see the truth because they distance themselves from it. Out of
site out of mind. That is, until we challenge them on it."

 

Wise challenged many stereotypes facing different cultures and ethnicities
around the globe. He talked of how stereotypes prompt many of the stressors
within these different ethnicities. He also stated that each culture knows
the stereotype placed upon them and will perform adversely, especially
children in schools, when stereotypes are put into effect. 

 

Wise strongly stresses how unfair and unjust it is, but that white men get
to be individuals and said when things go wrong they pick out individual
aspects of white men who have done something heinous, whereas people of
color get stereotyped as a whole. 

 

"The kids who shot their classmates at Columbine had previously showed their
teacher a videotape of how they were going to mass murder their classmates.
They got like a B minus on the tape. What do you think would happen if those
two kids were black?" Wise said.

 

So what can people do to help stop the spread of racism? "Stop believing
that being white means you are privileged. This idea of privilege only made
us vulnerable to attack, like 9/11," answered Wise. "Take responsibility for
injustice."

 

Wise believes it possible to take responsibility, and that every little bit
counts. He explains how no one should wait around for the next person to
clean up the mess he calls racism. 

 

"Do it for the cause of solidarity. I'm doing this because it poisons me,
it's dangerous and weakens our country," Wise adds.

 

In conclusion to his speech, he stated his intention was not merely to
present the inequalities of the world nor impress upon white privilege. He
merely used these things as an example of how much real danger Americans are
in. 

 

Wise believes that the answers to problems will come in great struggle. He
talks about how students can start the struggle merely by looking at the
mission statement of their university and asking themselves how the
university actually applies it to real life. 

 

Next students can include the surrounding community so that there isn't a
pocket of antiracists surrounded by a world of ignorance. "It is only by
working together can we create real solutions. Students must create their
institution," Wise adds.

 

He believes that the violence will only amplify in time and Americans need
to be progressive and create change in this world and states, "I'd like to
be an ally, but I know that black and brown people will liberate themselves
from white supremacy."

 

The speech concluded with a standing ovation.

 

Gerri Perreaelt, professor of leadership studies would like her students to
be impacted the same way she has been. "It was very well done. I really wish
some of my students would have come. The way that he challenged all of those
stereotypes was amazing. He touches on a lot of things that students can
benefit from hearing."

 





Bill Howe 
 <http://www.billhowe.org/> http://www.billhowe.org

 
Past-President 

National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME)
 <http://www.nameorg.org/> http://www.nameorg.org

 

 

 

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