Hi folks, The subject of racism really seems to have touched a nerve for alot of folks. Harrison recently invited all to engage in civil conversation at all levels. I believe racism is one of many ideal topics for this discussion. So here goes.
The one truth I do know is that race is buried deep in the conciousness of North Americans from the United States. It is a construct built into the foundation of the U.S.... it is institutionalized (racism) into almost every facet of life. It is buried so deeply that for most "whites", racism and it's impact is invisible. This is one of many unearned priviledges recieved just for having "white" appearing skin. Priviledge is a form of power recieved. Every "white" person in the United Staes is born into this priveledge, whether they want it or not. It is automatic in the United States. Another white skin priviledge is being able to pick and choose how where and when one deals or confronts racism. For this reason I am not surprised at the comment: "I am also noticing the community service movement includes a majority of white people - incidently doing service mostly for people of color." I have found that many "whites", altough well intentioned, are exercising their "white" priveledge by picking and choosing which service to affiliate with or what to provide. My question is...did they ask the people of color what service were needed and when/where it should be delivered? Or did they decide on their own that this is what was needed? I have learned to ask what people need and want..not assume. As a "white male" this was a radical change in my thinking as I was socialized to do just the opposite (be racist). When I have asked people of color what they need or wanted me to do, most told me to help other "whites" become aware of their white skin priveledge. I believe OS can be a powerful force in leveling or eliminating the power (priveledge) so "whites" can truely hear what others need and care about. Once the power dissappears, "whites" will no longer be able to exercise the priviledge of picking and choosing where, when, and how to deal with racism. What they hear, see and experience in OS will surprise them. There is another spin on race that chnages it's dynamics. Is it possible that race is a myth? White is the absence of color or pigment. Melanin pigments ones skin. Even albinos, the lightest skinned of all people have some degree of melanin...If there are no true "whites" (people with no melanin) then we all must be people of color with variety of ethnic variations. For "whites" in the U.S. to acknowledge this would mean giving up their "whitness". The real deep issue for "white" around race would now surface...giving up power, the one thing most "white" are blindly accustomed to recieving...from birth. So what race warms up the most to Open Space....The Human Race. Rich Norris Satellite Beach, Florida (407)779-0531 <[email protected]>
