“That Conversation about Race” category archive

We are seeing numerous attempts to deny the reality of America’s history by, for example, pretending that America’s racist system of chattel slavery somehow wasn’t. It’s almost as if some folks think that, if students don’t learn about racism and bigotry in America’s past and present, said racism and bigotry didn’t–don’t–exist, and, consequently, no one past or present need acknowledge, be held accountable, or atone for them.

At the Las Vegas Sun, Greg Wieman argues forcefully that schools should teach history, not myths. A snippet (emphasis added):

White students are not taught to feel guilty or ashamed of their ancestors. They instead learn that the majority of Americans no longer find it acceptable to openly express racist views or discriminate against people of color. Nevada is wise not to limit classroom instruction regarding historical discrimination. It would create a solution to a problem that does not exist.

In contrast, modern-day Russia and China utilize biased curriculum and instructional materials to indoctrinate students about societal beliefs and thereby control the population. In the U.S., we should continue to move away from this method of political brain-washing. A free society grows stronger when frailties are exposed and corrected. Indoctrination is not knowledge.

It’s all about the algorithm.

The Zuckerborg is a malevolent kludge that despoils society as it packs the purses of its proprietors.

Ask me nicely, and I’ll tell you what I really think.

The Majority Report untangles the the real meaning of the term, “school choice.”

America’s original sin of chattel slavery manifests itself in many ways.

In a powerful piece at The Roanoke Times, Mike Ellerbrock recalls the moment when he realized how deeply racism is embedded in American culture and society. At the time, he was on a search committee for a new affirmative action officer at his university.

On my way to our second meeting, I ran into a fellow committee member whom I highly respect. As we walked across VT’s Drillfield, she asked me, “So Mike, did you call your eight colleagues?” I proudly said, “Yes, I did.”

She said, “I did, too, and guess what? After I called my eight American colleagues, I realized that I called all eight white people! I feel terrible, but that’s who I know.”

I shamefully responded, “Oh my gosh, I did, too! That’s who I went to grad school with, that’s who I’ve kept up with for years.”

It was a sobering moment: the system is unbalanced and self-perpetuating.

Follow the link for his discussion on where that realization led him.

At Psychology Today Blogs, Professor Rupert W Nacoste has some questions about why the who-shot-john over critical race theory:

Why is it that the so-called adults can’t handle this truth? Are adults using the claim of protecting children as an excuse, when the real issue is that they want to protect themselves from self-examination of their own feelings about (and actions toward) racial others? Is that why some whites have so much objection to “critical race theory?” Is that why that objection has so quickly turned into an objection to having America’s racial history taught at all?

Follow the link to see how he answers them.

A Karen intrudes on a Saturday stroll.