2008 Woodie Awards
Social, academic education key to fighting racism
Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: Features
George Yancy, a visiting philosophy professor, lectured here Friday about how racist attitudes pervade even the subtle actions of many people today.
That fact that this still happens is frustrating for many reasons.
Many would argue that something as deeply ingrained as racism cannot be excised from the psyche overnight, but instead requires a fresh start by a new generation.
In 2008, more than a generation after Civil Rights, this seems an overly optimistic assessment.
Many neighborhoods remain as segregated as they were four decades ago, even as others audaciously claim that ending racism is as simple as ceasing to discuss it.
Besides, didn't slavery end six generations ago? Every generation after has failed to fix the problem on its own.
The fact is that racism is still a huge issue. Although Barack Obama has since proven himself a serious presidential contender, let it not be forgotten that a year ago many still questioned how realistic such a run could be.
Things appear to have changed; Obama is the first black man running for president that has been taken with a degree of seriousness by the media, unlike Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.
Regrettably, many do not even feel comfortable openly discussing issues of race, and that complicates our ability as a society to properly address and answer the many obstacles we face.
Another source of frustration is that there is no hard and fast solution to the problem of racism. The best bet seems to be teaching youth a sense of tolerance. Unfortunately, in the absence of such an environment, a negative feedback loop seems inescapable and another generation of bigots are born.
Indeed, when one is frequently exposed to a rich variety of races and cultures, one can develop a better grasp of his or her surroundings.
Although people often fear what they don't relate to, with a little understanding and knowledge, it seems possible to inoculate oneself against the irrational mistrust of which Yancy speaks.
If not exposed to other races and cultures, we run the risk of forever following in the footsteps of our intolerant and fearful forefathers.
Fortunately for us, we are lucky enough to be immersed in a diverse and accepting atmosphere. Now we just need to take advantage of it.
Again, the best tool to battle racism or any form of discrimination is education - academic and social alike.
That fact that this still happens is frustrating for many reasons.
Many would argue that something as deeply ingrained as racism cannot be excised from the psyche overnight, but instead requires a fresh start by a new generation.
In 2008, more than a generation after Civil Rights, this seems an overly optimistic assessment.
Many neighborhoods remain as segregated as they were four decades ago, even as others audaciously claim that ending racism is as simple as ceasing to discuss it.
Besides, didn't slavery end six generations ago? Every generation after has failed to fix the problem on its own.
The fact is that racism is still a huge issue. Although Barack Obama has since proven himself a serious presidential contender, let it not be forgotten that a year ago many still questioned how realistic such a run could be.
Things appear to have changed; Obama is the first black man running for president that has been taken with a degree of seriousness by the media, unlike Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.
Regrettably, many do not even feel comfortable openly discussing issues of race, and that complicates our ability as a society to properly address and answer the many obstacles we face.
Another source of frustration is that there is no hard and fast solution to the problem of racism. The best bet seems to be teaching youth a sense of tolerance. Unfortunately, in the absence of such an environment, a negative feedback loop seems inescapable and another generation of bigots are born.
Indeed, when one is frequently exposed to a rich variety of races and cultures, one can develop a better grasp of his or her surroundings.
Although people often fear what they don't relate to, with a little understanding and knowledge, it seems possible to inoculate oneself against the irrational mistrust of which Yancy speaks.
If not exposed to other races and cultures, we run the risk of forever following in the footsteps of our intolerant and fearful forefathers.
Fortunately for us, we are lucky enough to be immersed in a diverse and accepting atmosphere. Now we just need to take advantage of it.
Again, the best tool to battle racism or any form of discrimination is education - academic and social alike.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Daniel Pedigo
posted 4/15/08 @ 7:55 PM CST
This article, frankly, is best suited to people who actually think that intelligence is the key to moral behavior. I don't actually know anyone who buys that line, but this article would certainly be approved by such persons. (Continued…)
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