racism

I found the reading we did last night more interesting than I thought I would. The McIntosh article and the 50 questions really sealed it for me. I do live in a racial environment. So I got to thinking, do I know what it is like to benefit from living in a "white" society? Yes, those benefits were made clear to me by McIntosh. Then I ask, do I know what it is like to run against the current of discrimination. I think I might. Sure, I'm a white male, that in and of itself should guarantee a home run. But I'm also over weight. How many doors has that closed? I have a learning disability, how many doors has that closed? I'm from South Eastern Ohio, how many doors has that closed? One foot is a half size bigger than the other, how many doors has that closed? I now have a better understanding of how racism is woven into the fabric of our society. Please understand, I'm not trying to deny its existence, influence, and power. What I'm trying to understand is this, what do we do next? Where do we go from here. I've recognized the problem, at least to a degree. McIntosh have some suggestions for the individual, and that's all great stuff, but as a group, where do we go.

I'll admit it. I have many students who's post secondary plans involved sitting at home waiting for a check they didn't earn to come in the mail and nothing I say or do can convince them to try for a better future. I try to teach that while you can survive for a while that way, the world is changing and that may not be an option for too many more years. At some point, it comes down to personal responsibility. Take what you have and go with it. Build up both your strengths and weaknesses. The harder it is, the sweeter the reward. This is the old bootstraps idea. I don't know, in terms of racism, where society's responsibilities' end and individual responsibilities begin. I just don't know, I used to believe that I knew, but now I'm so unsure. Should I give up my job and the ability to support my family because I'm white and I've had an unfair advantage. Should I have to score higher on a test for the same scholarship because I'm white? Maybe I should have to do these things. Maybe that is fair. More importantly, what should I be teaching my students. I've decided to teach them that they need to understand the issues and make an intelligent, well informed decision. That's what I'm going to have to do.