white privilege | white privilege
Dec.29.2009
A QUAKER CHILD CONSIDERS RACISM IN AMERICA
Imagine trying to convince a fish, happily finning around in its native element: "You're wet!"
This image, for me, sums up the elemental condition of many white people regarding racism in the United States. And yes, this has to do with my...
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Nov.28.2009
A QUAKER CHILD LEARNS ABOUT SKIN COLOR IN AMERICA
My first lesson in the long and torturous history of race in this country came in the lap of someone I loved, but only later I realized that this moment signified something much larger than either of us.
Our family had a black cleaning lady who...
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Nov.01.2009
I've begun to see our perceptual capacities as a kind of funhouse (only not always so much fun). Our paths to clear sight are blocked here by obstacles, there by distorting mirrors. It's easiest to spot the places a fellow-traveler has been tricked into thinking a mirror is a window; and hardest...
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Sep.25.2009
Some days it seems so obvious that we might get a lot further ahead if we could admit just how far behind we are.
For instance, what if for one day all white people admitted that yes, indeed we are all inherently racist? And what if we went even further to say that it is only the degree to which we...
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Aug.17.2009
"How dare you say this is about racism!"
And a pleasant Monday to you too sunshine, I thought, as I stared at my computer screen this morning, reading over the first e-mail of the day.
It was from someone who had apparently seen my presentation on CNN last night, in which I explained why...
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Jul.30.2009
Honoring President Obama’s request that the controversy involving a black Harvard University professor and a white Cambridge police officer become “a teachable moment,” here’s my contribution to an old lesson that we white people tend to be slow to learn.
In lectures about the United States’ system...
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Mar.12.2009
Nuances in the Princess City
Niceties were what is was all about. Be nice to those less fortunate than us but don’t associate with them unless you have too. Be nice to older people but avoid them if you could because they would take up all your time. Be nice to the colored folks because they can...
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Mar.03.2009
I was raised in Mishawaka, Indiana in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Mishawaka got its name from Princess Mishawaka of the Potawatomi tribe. Princess Mishawka was revered in our town; she was on the city emblem, police cars and the city sign coming into town. Now, I cannot be certain but I do not...
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Jan.30.2009
Here, at long last, is a new poem.
whenever i say i'm from alabamapeople seem to want to askwhat it was like to hold that fire hosei never have to answerbut if i did i'd tell themi...
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Jan.20.2009
Many of you have already seen this poem, but it seems appropriate to pull it back out for today.
i wish that i were langston hughesor even maya angelouable to cry out for freedomover the roofs of the worldfrom a position of surprisingand unaccustomed strengthbut sadly i am notfor no matter...
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