I know I am jumping back a bit with this topic, but I still cant help but wonder how to fix this problem of racism. Now that we have been discussing and analyzing society, its issue of colorblindness, and how segregated we have become (Hartigan points out that studies have shown that America is as segregated now as it was during the time of Martin Luther King Jr... a fact that has stuck with me and makes me think as I walk around during the day) I am left wondering, what now? How do we fix this? How do we stop pretending like our world is full of color when it is really quite black and white?
Usually, when you have a social issue or a problem that needs fixing, a lot of time it is awareness that brings about the most change. When clubs at SLU try to raise money for a certain cause, generating awareness is generally the area that requires the most time. I wonder if this could apply to colorblind racism. Would making people aware that colorblindness exists help facilitate social change? The fact that racism exists today subtly makes it difficult. I think that our class proves that education is crucial to understanding how our society has evolved to where it is, but we have yet to understand how to catalyze change. I think that minorities are very aware of racial tension, so it is necessary for the majority to stop ignoring it and fix it. For example, I think that SLU writing the article about the student who made the comment about "lynching" someone had a very large awareness component.... yet little is being done to fix the situation. If more racial issues were written about blaming the majority for racism, would people listen if they do not see it due to being colorblind?
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I have to agree with much of what you are saying. I often think about the statistic that Hartigan includes about schools today being as segragated as during the times of Martin Luther King. I wonder if there are any efforts to combat this trend? And if not, what can be done?
ReplyDeleteAbout the article in the University News, I do think that it raised awareness. But was the intent of that article to raise awareness about this actual incident? Or does it raise awarenss on another level--that of being pro-active?
I have discussed this issue with students, professors, and administrators. And while everyone is sympathetic and in favor of doing something, there is no clear answer or direction of what can be done. True, discussion panels are wonderful, but how do you encourage participation from the general student body?Can something else be done to fix this?
There have been talks about reworking and better defining the "cultural diversity" core class requirement. Should there be a specific course that everyone at SLU should take that would educate the student body on cultural diversity issues? I was thinking, wouldn't it be great if everyone took the Race and Ethnicity course as their "cultural diversity" requirement?
I think that everyone at Universities should be required to take a class on race and ethnicity. That way the message and lessons will get to the people who really need to hear them. Think about people who are taking this class, or people who go to talks on race etc. They are usually people who are educated to some degree about it, or who consider themselves not racist or are outraged by racism. These are not exactly the people that this message and awareness needs to get to. I like going to these talks, and I am learning a lot in this class, but these will not stop racism.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if everyone had to take this class or go to talks etc, there might be some change, but we are also products of our culture and how our parents raise us. Sometimes it is hard to question how you have been raised or beliefs you have had your whole life....it's always hard for a kid to accept that santa doesn't exist. if you get a kid who was raised in a racist home and raised to believe that they are better because of their race (are you thinking of a white person in this example?? haha) then it would be hard for them to accept the lessons that a class like this would have to offer. but awareness is meant to help those who do not know...and encourage those who already know to keep on truckin and maybe even gain a new perspective on the issue whether it be racism, violence against women, poor healthcare or education systems, etc.
I think the class requirement is a fantastic idea. I think this class has especially opened my eyes to what is happening... social issues that I did not notice before are much more black and white. I truly believe if this was brought up to everyone on campus it could really change things. The discussion panel is great, but how much can that really help? The people that need the information and who are ignorant would not probably attend a panel, or read an article in the newspaper. If forced to take a course, those people might actually learn something. While people are influenced a lot by how their parents raise them, I know personally I have learned different opinions through becoming aware. I think this course would be a great idea! No matter how much people protested or said "it was stupid" they would be forced to sit there and listen and learn a little!
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