"White Privilege" Lesson Draws Nat'l Attention

[Radarma]

 http://thegrio.com/2013/01/17/white-privilege-lesson-in-wisconsin-high-school-draws-national-attention/

As most of you know, I am greatly interested in how we are handling discussions regarding race and class within our schools.  

What do you think of the parent's concerns in this story? And how do you feel about the material and how it is presented?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

National attention has been drawn to a Wisconsin high school’s “American Diversity” course after one parent alleged that students are being taught white people are oppressors of minorities, reports Fox News.

One parent of a Delavan-Darien High School student spoke to Fox News.

“They’re teaching white guilt.  They’re dividing the students,” this parent told said.  ”They’re saying to non-whites, ‘You have been oppressed and you’re still being oppressed.’”

The parent, who requested to remain anonymous, claims she became alarmed by the content on some handouts that her 18-year-old son brought home from school.

A class handout defines “white privilege” as:

A set of advantages that are believed to be enjoyed by white people beyond those commonly experienced by non-white people in the same social, political, and economic spaces (nation, community, workplace, income, etc.)

Students were also instructed to visit the toy section of a local Wal-Mart, where they were to count the number of white dolls versus the number of black dolls.

School district superintendent, Robert Crist told Fox that “a lot of red flags go u in my mind when I look at the materials.  Her concern has merit.”

“Ideally, you would want to present one theory that might be way on the left and another theory that may be way on the right and if you find one in the middle you can present that, too,” he continued. “Now you have a well-rounded discussion in my opinion.”

Crist noted that the course has been suspended, while it is under review.

 

[Lizard_Lina]

Lmfao
Maybe its just because of where I live but we don't have that issue here
And no its not because of my white arrogance, its because we don't have that problem here
And if you know about akron I would love to know where you were driving from that was two hours away and didn't have anything for black children closer than that
And I take nothing for granted. I've had my share of prejudices done against me. Don't think because I'm not black I'm ignorant.

Quoting mommajen32:

It's petty when you don't have a black daugjter and there are few resources (dolls, toys, hair products)...available. The internet has helped so much. When I was young I remember my mom travelling 2 hours to Akron to find black baby dolls for us. Maybe to you it is petty...bit again that is an example of an attitude born in majority privilege. Taking for granted not having to jump thrpugh hoops to get things you need



And when folks speak up and say X needs to change there will be people that discredit that boice immediately to say qhat they SHOULD be worried about bexause of course you know better than we do. Can you see the arrogance in that? That my dear is what the whole lesson is about.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

You handle it the way its been handled. You rise above it. You fight for change. And when there is change, be proud and excited. You don't turn around and say "oh well wal mart has less black dolls than white ones". How petty is that? That's just as bad as white people freaking about not having a month or a tv chanel. Who cares? Focus on the bigger picture. Do something about it if it bothers you so much. But to sit around and whine "its not the same, white people don't get it." Is stupid. There are plenty of white people that understand inequality. Black people are not alone in this game that race plays. But standing around pointing fingers at various scenarios trying to one up each other on who is more oppressed does nothing. Focus on the positive. Focus on the change.

Quoting mommajen32:

And when the negatove happens in a real way, in real life you recommend doing what exactly? Am I supposed to say, "well atleast we can use the same bathroom"?







There's a time for celebration and a time to handle business that still needs done. We are not there yet and we owe it to our kids to make sure we get there. A lot of people, thousands put their heads in the sand...that's why the problems perpetuated so long.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

This is the best way to handle it. Focus on the positive. Focus on the forward drive. If you choose to only focus on the negative, division is amplified.

Quoting MomTiara19:

 

Quoting AdellesMom:

Focusing on where we've come from doesn't erase our history, and it doesn't erase the fact that there's institutional racism, and white privilege. Ignoring a problem isn't right, and teaching current and future generations how to learn from past generations' mistakes is how we learn.

Quoting MomTiara19:

I am uncomforable with this.

I think the focus should be more about how things have changed,and that we all have opportunities,and civil rights.

Focus on where we have come  as Americans and unity.

I totally understand your point.

I just think addressing the situation in this manner only stirs up more racism and negativity than help.Personally as a black woman I feel like focusing more on how far as a nation we have come, and more positive things like our president being black/mixed race is definitely a sign of progress.

We cant erase the past history.....but we can make a better future.

 

[candlegal]

I didn't bring my children up to feel guilt and I am not going to teach it to my grandkids.  I taught them that everyone is equal and that is what my children are teaching my grandchildren.    We haven't done anything to feel guilty about and neither did our ancestors.

Quoting Jacqalyn:

Why should my child feel guilty for someone else action just because they share the same skin color?
I could be wrong here but that's like saying if you are a male you should feel guilty because some males rape women.
Yes are children should be taught that racism does still exist but not everyone is a racist. I could be reading this wrong but to me it sounds like they are trying to keep racism alive. .If a person of color doesn't feel oppressed, they must be blind to what is around them and if a white child doesn't feel guilt for something they didnt do, they must either not care and are in fact racist themselves.

[Radarma]

 Don't mess with her role here; she is the one who sits back and tells everyone else how it really is, and how they should really feel and think.

Nuthin else matters, she gots it allll figured out.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

Lmfao
Maybe its just because of where I live but we don't have that issue here
And no its not because of my white arrogance, its because we don't have that problem here
And if you know about akron I would love to know where you were driving from that was two hours away and didn't have anything for black children closer than that
And I take nothing for granted. I've had my share of prejudices done against me. Don't think because I'm not black I'm ignorant.

Quoting mommajen32:

It's petty when you don't have a black daugjter and there are few resources (dolls, toys, hair products)...available. The internet has helped so much. When I was young I remember my mom travelling 2 hours to Akron to find black baby dolls for us. Maybe to you it is petty...bit again that is an example of an attitude born in majority privilege. Taking for granted not having to jump thrpugh hoops to get things you need



And when folks speak up and say X needs to change there will be people that discredit that boice immediately to say qhat they SHOULD be worried about bexause of course you know better than we do. Can you see the arrogance in that? That my dear is what the whole lesson is about.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

You handle it the way its been handled. You rise above it. You fight for change. And when there is change, be proud and excited. You don't turn around and say "oh well wal mart has less black dolls than white ones". How petty is that? That's just as bad as white people freaking about not having a month or a tv chanel. Who cares? Focus on the bigger picture. Do something about it if it bothers you so much. But to sit around and whine "its not the same, white people don't get it." Is stupid. There are plenty of white people that understand inequality. Black people are not alone in this game that race plays. But standing around pointing fingers at various scenarios trying to one up each other on who is more oppressed does nothing. Focus on the positive. Focus on the change.

Quoting mommajen32:

And when the negatove happens in a real way, in real life you recommend doing what exactly? Am I supposed to say, "well atleast we can use the same bathroom"?







There's a time for celebration and a time to handle business that still needs done. We are not there yet and we owe it to our kids to make sure we get there. A lot of people, thousands put their heads in the sand...that's why the problems perpetuated so long.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

This is the best way to handle it. Focus on the positive. Focus on the forward drive. If you choose to only focus on the negative, division is amplified.

Quoting MomTiara19:

 

 

Quoting AdellesMom:

Focusing on where we've come from doesn't erase our history, and it doesn't erase the fact that there's institutional racism, and white privilege. Ignoring a problem isn't right, and teaching current and future generations how to learn from past generations' mistakes is how we learn.

Quoting MomTiara19:

I am uncomforable with this.

I think the focus should be more about how things have changed,and that we all have opportunities,and civil rights.

Focus on where we have come  as Americans and unity.

I totally understand your point.

I just think addressing the situation in this manner only stirs up more racism and negativity than help.Personally as a black woman I feel like focusing more on how far as a nation we have come, and more positive things like our president being black/mixed race is definitely a sign of progress.

We cant erase the past history.....but we can make a better future.

 

 

[Veni.Vidi.Vici.]

Quoting Radarma:

 Don't mess with her role here; she is the one who sits back and tells everyone else how it really is, and how they should really feel and think.

Nuthin else matters, she gots it allll figured out.

 

perhaps you're the yin to her yang

[LindaClement]

Ditto.

My kids didn't do any of that to anyone. Neither did I.

My great-grandparents were servants and labourers. No guilt here at all...

Quoting candlegal:

I didn't bring my children up to feel guilt and I am not going to teach it to my grandkids.  I taught them that everyone is equal and that is what my children are teaching my grandchildren.    We haven't done anything to feel guilty about and neither did our ancestors.

Quoting Jacqalyn:

Why should my child feel guilty for someone else action just because they share the same skin color?
I could be wrong here but that's like saying if you are a male you should feel guilty because some males rape women.
Yes are children should be taught that racism does still exist but not everyone is a racist. I could be reading this wrong but to me it sounds like they are trying to keep racism alive. .If a person of color doesn't feel oppressed, they must be blind to what is around them and if a white child doesn't feel guilt for something they didnt do, they must either not care and are in fact racist themselves.

[survivorinohio]

I know exactly where she is and I am not at all surprised that the drive was a necessity.  In all the times I have been in or near her town (the town she grew up in) I have never seen a person of color. Period.   I have been there many many many times and was very near there just last Sunday.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

Lmfao
Maybe its just because of where I live but we don't have that issue here
And no its not because of my white arrogance, its because we don't have that problem here
And if you know about akron I would love to know where you were driving from that was two hours away and didn't have anything for black children closer than that
And I take nothing for granted. I've had my share of prejudices done against me. Don't think because I'm not black I'm ignorant.

Quoting mommajen32:

It's petty when you don't have a black daugjter and there are few resources (dolls, toys, hair products)...available. The internet has helped so much. When I was young I remember my mom travelling 2 hours to Akron to find black baby dolls for us. Maybe to you it is petty...bit again that is an example of an attitude born in majority privilege. Taking for granted not having to jump thrpugh hoops to get things you need



And when folks speak up and say X needs to change there will be people that discredit that boice immediately to say qhat they SHOULD be worried about bexause of course you know better than we do. Can you see the arrogance in that? That my dear is what the whole lesson is about.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

You handle it the way its been handled. You rise above it. You fight for change. And when there is change, be proud and excited. You don't turn around and say "oh well wal mart has less black dolls than white ones". How petty is that? That's just as bad as white people freaking about not having a month or a tv chanel. Who cares? Focus on the bigger picture. Do something about it if it bothers you so much. But to sit around and whine "its not the same, white people don't get it." Is stupid. There are plenty of white people that understand inequality. Black people are not alone in this game that race plays. But standing around pointing fingers at various scenarios trying to one up each other on who is more oppressed does nothing. Focus on the positive. Focus on the change.

Quoting mommajen32:

And when the negatove happens in a real way, in real life you recommend doing what exactly? Am I supposed to say, "well atleast we can use the same bathroom"?







There's a time for celebration and a time to handle business that still needs done. We are not there yet and we owe it to our kids to make sure we get there. A lot of people, thousands put their heads in the sand...that's why the problems perpetuated so long.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

This is the best way to handle it. Focus on the positive. Focus on the forward drive. If you choose to only focus on the negative, division is amplified.

Quoting MomTiara19:

Quoting AdellesMom:

Focusing on where we've come from doesn't erase our history, and it doesn't erase the fact that there's institutional racism, and white privilege. Ignoring a problem isn't right, and teaching current and future generations how to learn from past generations' mistakes is how we learn.

Quoting MomTiara19:

I am uncomforable with this.

I think the focus should be more about how things have changed,and that we all have opportunities,and civil rights.

Focus on where we have come  as Americans and unity.

I totally understand your point.

I just think addressing the situation in this manner only stirs up more racism and negativity than help.Personally as a black woman I feel like focusing more on how far as a nation we have come, and more positive things like our president being black/mixed race is definitely a sign of progress.

We cant erase the past history.....but we can make a better future.

[Lizard_Lina]

Which town

Quoting survivorinohio:

I know exactly where she is and I am not at all surprised that the drive was a necessity.  In all the times I have been in or near her town (the town she grew up in) I have never seen a person of color. Period.   I have been there many many many times and was very near there just last Sunday.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

Lmfao

Maybe its just because of where I live but we don't have that issue here

And no its not because of my white arrogance, its because we don't have that problem here

And if you know about akron I would love to know where you were driving from that was two hours away and didn't have anything for black children closer than that

And I take nothing for granted. I've had my share of prejudices done against me. Don't think because I'm not black I'm ignorant.

Quoting mommajen32:

It's petty when you don't have a black daugjter and there are few resources (dolls, toys, hair products)...available. The internet has helped so much. When I was young I remember my mom travelling 2 hours to Akron to find black baby dolls for us. Maybe to you it is petty...bit again that is an example of an attitude born in majority privilege. Taking for granted not having to jump thrpugh hoops to get things you need





And when folks speak up and say X needs to change there will be people that discredit that boice immediately to say qhat they SHOULD be worried about bexause of course you know better than we do. Can you see the arrogance in that? That my dear is what the whole lesson is about.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

You handle it the way its been handled. You rise above it. You fight for change. And when there is change, be proud and excited. You don't turn around and say "oh well wal mart has less black dolls than white ones". How petty is that? That's just as bad as white people freaking about not having a month or a tv chanel. Who cares? Focus on the bigger picture. Do something about it if it bothers you so much. But to sit around and whine "its not the same, white people don't get it." Is stupid. There are plenty of white people that understand inequality. Black people are not alone in this game that race plays. But standing around pointing fingers at various scenarios trying to one up each other on who is more oppressed does nothing. Focus on the positive. Focus on the change.

Quoting mommajen32:

And when the negatove happens in a real way, in real life you recommend doing what exactly? Am I supposed to say, "well atleast we can use the same bathroom"?









There's a time for celebration and a time to handle business that still needs done. We are not there yet and we owe it to our kids to make sure we get there. A lot of people, thousands put their heads in the sand...that's why the problems perpetuated so long.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

This is the best way to handle it. Focus on the positive. Focus on the forward drive. If you choose to only focus on the negative, division is amplified.

Quoting MomTiara19:

Quoting AdellesMom:

Focusing on where we've come from doesn't erase our history, and it doesn't erase the fact that there's institutional racism, and white privilege. Ignoring a problem isn't right, and teaching current and future generations how to learn from past generations' mistakes is how we learn.

Quoting MomTiara19:

I am uncomforable with this.

I think the focus should be more about how things have changed,and that we all have opportunities,and civil rights.

Focus on where we have come  as Americans and unity.

I totally understand your point.

I just think addressing the situation in this manner only stirs up more racism and negativity than help.Personally as a black woman I feel like focusing more on how far as a nation we have come, and more positive things like our president being black/mixed race is definitely a sign of progress.

We cant erase the past history.....but we can make a better future.

[Raintree]

Today, in Lincoln Nebraska, there is a neighborhood- a covenant- near the golf course where it is illegal to have non-whites stay the night.

There is white privilege. There is discrimination against non-whites.

[Raintree]

Then: We are all the same, except those colored people, who need to use a different drinking fountain so as not to infect the superior white drinking fountain. 

Now: We're allowed to think that was bullshit and talk about the causes of it and help to insure it won't happen again. 

Quoting Radarma:

 What are you rambling on about?

It's clear you care what I think.

Today vs. Elliott's approach:

Then...we are all the same, our physical traits do not define us nor dictate our intelligence

Now...we are all the same, except if you are brown you are being oppressed and if you are white you are oppressing

I trust that clears up your confusion, and I will remind you this post is not about stereotypes.

Quoting stacymomof2:

Wait I have blue eyes, but a few pages ago you were saying I was stereotypically "submissive" because I understand sociological concepts.  So which stereotype am I supposed to be outraged at again?

Hey don't you use examples of crimes committed by black people to prove THEY are predisposed to...let's say...combativeness?  It's so confusing as to which we are allowed to believe or not believe.

I find it amazing that you don't understand the concept of this study.  The point is not the color of someone's eyes.  The point is that the color of someone's eyes is an irrelevant factor, and institutional racism BASED ON IRRELEVANT CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS WHAT COLOR YOUR SKIN HAPPENS TO BE has an effect on people no matter what they look like.  Jesus you are so locked into "us vs them" that you put your own hang ups on everything you see.

Quoting Radarma:

 LOL, awesome, here we go...those downright combative blue eyed white ppl.

And NO ONE asks for a source? lol

What a heapin crock of shit.

 

[survivorinohio]

I live in Akron I was in the Cadiz area over last weekend.  I am under the impression she grew up in  the latter town and that is the town I was referring to

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

Which town

Quoting survivorinohio:

I know exactly where she is and I am not at all surprised that the drive was a necessity.  In all the times I have been in or near her town (the town she grew up in) I have never seen a person of color. Period.   I have been there many many many times and was very near there just last Sunday.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

Lmfao

Maybe its just because of where I live but we don't have that issue here

And no its not because of my white arrogance, its because we don't have that problem here

And if you know about akron I would love to know where you were driving from that was two hours away and didn't have anything for black children closer than that

And I take nothing for granted. I've had my share of prejudices done against me. Don't think because I'm not black I'm ignorant.

Quoting mommajen32:

It's petty when you don't have a black daugjter and there are few resources (dolls, toys, hair products)...available. The internet has helped so much. When I was young I remember my mom travelling 2 hours to Akron to find black baby dolls for us. Maybe to you it is petty...bit again that is an example of an attitude born in majority privilege. Taking for granted not having to jump thrpugh hoops to get things you need





And when folks speak up and say X needs to change there will be people that discredit that boice immediately to say qhat they SHOULD be worried about bexause of course you know better than we do. Can you see the arrogance in that? That my dear is what the whole lesson is about.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

You handle it the way its been handled. You rise above it. You fight for change. And when there is change, be proud and excited. You don't turn around and say "oh well wal mart has less black dolls than white ones". How petty is that? That's just as bad as white people freaking about not having a month or a tv chanel. Who cares? Focus on the bigger picture. Do something about it if it bothers you so much. But to sit around and whine "its not the same, white people don't get it." Is stupid. There are plenty of white people that understand inequality. Black people are not alone in this game that race plays. But standing around pointing fingers at various scenarios trying to one up each other on who is more oppressed does nothing. Focus on the positive. Focus on the change.

Quoting mommajen32:

And when the negatove happens in a real way, in real life you recommend doing what exactly? Am I supposed to say, "well atleast we can use the same bathroom"?









There's a time for celebration and a time to handle business that still needs done. We are not there yet and we owe it to our kids to make sure we get there. A lot of people, thousands put their heads in the sand...that's why the problems perpetuated so long.

Quoting Lizard_Lina:

This is the best way to handle it. Focus on the positive. Focus on the forward drive. If you choose to only focus on the negative, division is amplified.

Quoting MomTiara19:

Quoting AdellesMom:

Focusing on where we've come from doesn't erase our history, and it doesn't erase the fact that there's institutional racism, and white privilege. Ignoring a problem isn't right, and teaching current and future generations how to learn from past generations' mistakes is how we learn.

Quoting MomTiara19:

I am uncomforable with this.

I think the focus should be more about how things have changed,and that we all have opportunities,and civil rights.

Focus on where we have come  as Americans and unity.

I totally understand your point.

I just think addressing the situation in this manner only stirs up more racism and negativity than help.Personally as a black woman I feel like focusing more on how far as a nation we have come, and more positive things like our president being black/mixed race is definitely a sign of progress.

We cant erase the past history.....but we can make a better future.