Showing posts with label systemic racism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label systemic racism. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 05, 2017
Monday, January 23, 2017
Racism, location and enduring poverty
Living in a poor neighborhood changes everything about your life
In 1940, a white developer wanted to build a neighborhood in Detroit.
Meaning black people.
Read and view more here.
So he asked the US Federal Housing Administration to back a loan. The FHA, which was created just six years earlier to help middle-class families buy homes, said no because the development was too close to an "inharmonious" racial group.
Meaning black people.
Read and view more here.
Wednesday, July 01, 2015
The hard work of "unlearning"
White people want to fix things--that's our default position and it grows out of our privilege and power. The following essay needs to be read. So, read it.
A lot of white people recently have asked me how they can put an end to racism in the United States.
They see the problem. They want to help. They want to fix what is broken.
And, after some reflection, I think I have an answer — the one thing white people can do to end racism in this country.
Are you ready for it?
Okay, here it is.
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
That’s it. You can’t do anything that will solve racism completely in the United States.
That’s because contrary to what white culture tells us as white people, we aren’t the world’s saviors.
We don’t have all the right answers.
I’m not even sure we’re asking the right question as white people, to be honest.
The world isn’t waiting on white people to fix the problems of the world, to come up with a quick-and-easy solution for a deeply systemic problem.
It’s tempting, of course, and probably well-intentioned, to go to our black friends or to black churches and to ask, “How can we help?” or even to suggest “Have you thought about doing this or that?” Our first impulse is to seek integration of some kind with the black institutions that we have, up until the point of the latest tragedy, ignored.
As white people, our desire is to make a difference in the lives of the hurting, the wounded, and the oppressed. Because one of the insidious pieces of white supremacy is that white people read the Bible as saviors, casting themselves in the role of Jesus or Moses instead of Pilate or Pharaoh.
Read on here.
The 1 Thing White People Can Do to End Racism
June 29, 2015 by
A lot of white people recently have asked me how they can put an end to racism in the United States.
They see the problem. They want to help. They want to fix what is broken.
And, after some reflection, I think I have an answer — the one thing white people can do to end racism in this country.
Are you ready for it?
Okay, here it is.
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
That’s it. You can’t do anything that will solve racism completely in the United States.
That’s because contrary to what white culture tells us as white people, we aren’t the world’s saviors.
We don’t have all the right answers.
I’m not even sure we’re asking the right question as white people, to be honest.
The world isn’t waiting on white people to fix the problems of the world, to come up with a quick-and-easy solution for a deeply systemic problem.
It’s tempting, of course, and probably well-intentioned, to go to our black friends or to black churches and to ask, “How can we help?” or even to suggest “Have you thought about doing this or that?” Our first impulse is to seek integration of some kind with the black institutions that we have, up until the point of the latest tragedy, ignored.
As white people, our desire is to make a difference in the lives of the hurting, the wounded, and the oppressed. Because one of the insidious pieces of white supremacy is that white people read the Bible as saviors, casting themselves in the role of Jesus or Moses instead of Pilate or Pharaoh.
Read on here.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Racism and forming children
The broadcast of a recent video of Oklahoma University fraternity students singing racially charged lyrics (including a refrain that speaks of lynching black people and uses the "N" word with clearly casual ease) shocked many people.
Frankly, I wasn't too surprised. I run into such attitudes frequently.
What troubled me most was the light-hearted, nonchalance of those involved.
Where does one learn the "values" of such an insensitive, thoughtless, hateful, racist frame on life?
On the other hand, where does one learn truth, the sort of truth that resists evil when it's encountered.
Here's the horrific video.
Watch it again.
Let it soak in.
As you watch, try to put yourself in the shoes of your African American neighbors.
If you are a parent, use this shameful display of hate to teach your children the truth they will need to be a force of transformation and unity that stands resolutely over against the darkness of this latest example of the spirit of racism that remains alive and thriving in our society.
Over 60 years ago, Ms. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. She stayed on the bus and she didn't get up or off.
Today we face a similar choice as white people.
When we face moments of hatred and racism, we must be brave enough to deal with the bus we may be riding.
In our case the challenge will be to stand up, speak out and get off any bus going into the terrible darkness defined by our nation's past in this country.
Form your children in love, acceptance and celebration of the beauty of all of God's children.
And, by all means, never tolerate expressions of hateful racism.
Frankly, I wasn't too surprised. I run into such attitudes frequently.
What troubled me most was the light-hearted, nonchalance of those involved.
Where does one learn the "values" of such an insensitive, thoughtless, hateful, racist frame on life?
On the other hand, where does one learn truth, the sort of truth that resists evil when it's encountered.
Here's the horrific video.
Watch it again.
Let it soak in.
As you watch, try to put yourself in the shoes of your African American neighbors.
If you are a parent, use this shameful display of hate to teach your children the truth they will need to be a force of transformation and unity that stands resolutely over against the darkness of this latest example of the spirit of racism that remains alive and thriving in our society.
Over 60 years ago, Ms. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. She stayed on the bus and she didn't get up or off.
Today we face a similar choice as white people.
When we face moments of hatred and racism, we must be brave enough to deal with the bus we may be riding.
In our case the challenge will be to stand up, speak out and get off any bus going into the terrible darkness defined by our nation's past in this country.
Form your children in love, acceptance and celebration of the beauty of all of God's children.
And, by all means, never tolerate expressions of hateful racism.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Never forget
My office contains the display of several Native American artifacts.
Often people ask me "Why the Native American material?"
Natural question, I suppose, since not many people think much about the subject or the people to whom we owe so much.
The ongoing discussion about sports mascots, especially in professional sports and particularly in the NFL with the Washington franchise, offers a reminder and the space to at least acknowledge the issues surrounding native peoples who were dispossessed, largely by my ancestors.
I collect and display the Native American items as a reminder to everyone that oppression, injustice, fear, hatred, racism and notions of ethnic superiority run through our national narrative from start to present.
A people with our history should practice humility and exercise sensitivity far beyond what comes natural for most of us.
The New York Times published an editorial today by Yale professor, Ned Blackhawk ("Remember the Sand Creek Massacre") that brings much more focus and seriousness to the tragic story of Native Americans and the invasion of their homelands.
Here's how Blackhawk begins:
Remember the Sand Creek Massacre
By NED BLACKHAWK
NOV. 27, 2014 NEW HAVEN
MANY people think of the Civil War and America’s Indian wars as distinct subjects, one following the other. But those who study the Sand Creek Massacre know different. On Nov. 29, 1864, as Union armies fought through Virginia and Georgia, Col. John Chivington led some 700 cavalry troops in an unprovoked attack on peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho villagers at Sand Creek in Colorado. They murdered nearly 200 women, children and older men.
Read the entire essay here.
Often people ask me "Why the Native American material?"
Natural question, I suppose, since not many people think much about the subject or the people to whom we owe so much.
The ongoing discussion about sports mascots, especially in professional sports and particularly in the NFL with the Washington franchise, offers a reminder and the space to at least acknowledge the issues surrounding native peoples who were dispossessed, largely by my ancestors.
I collect and display the Native American items as a reminder to everyone that oppression, injustice, fear, hatred, racism and notions of ethnic superiority run through our national narrative from start to present.
A people with our history should practice humility and exercise sensitivity far beyond what comes natural for most of us.
The New York Times published an editorial today by Yale professor, Ned Blackhawk ("Remember the Sand Creek Massacre") that brings much more focus and seriousness to the tragic story of Native Americans and the invasion of their homelands.
Here's how Blackhawk begins:
Remember the Sand Creek Massacre
By NED BLACKHAWK
NOV. 27, 2014 NEW HAVEN
MANY people think of the Civil War and America’s Indian wars as distinct subjects, one following the other. But those who study the Sand Creek Massacre know different. On Nov. 29, 1864, as Union armies fought through Virginia and Georgia, Col. John Chivington led some 700 cavalry troops in an unprovoked attack on peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho villagers at Sand Creek in Colorado. They murdered nearly 200 women, children and older men.
Read the entire essay here.
Tuesday, September 02, 2014
A respected voice not often heard. . .
Here's a word from a respected source that we don't hear from very often.
In fact, I can't recall the last time I heard him speak.
Clearly, we have more work to do in this nation.
We see evidence of that reality on a daily basis in the city.
A fundamental part of our work here focuses on racial reconciliation.
This has always been true.
I know we will continue to work at bringing people together.
In fact, I can't recall the last time I heard him speak.
Clearly, we have more work to do in this nation.
We see evidence of that reality on a daily basis in the city.
A fundamental part of our work here focuses on racial reconciliation.
This has always been true.
I know we will continue to work at bringing people together.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Considering racism: personal reflections
Racism hurts. In fact, it destroys, and the destruction goes deep into a person's psyche.
Racism and prejudice are not the same. All racists are prejudiced. But racism combines a hateful prejudice with power. It's the power that gives prejudice teeth, transforming it into a force that works in individual lives and decisions, but even more importantly, it also spawns policies and systems capable of oppressing entire groups of people on the basis of race and ethnicity alone.
Without a doubt over my lifetime, we've made progress as a nation in our struggle with and against racism. Still, two factors combine to ensure that our struggle must continue.
First, systemic racism still exists, and in some situations it is on the grow.
Disproportionate numbers of African Americans end up in prison in this nation. Violence against black "suspects" fills our news: young people in hoodies, an asthmatic adult choked to death, a young man in Ferguson, Missouri gunned down by a police officer as he held his empty hands high above his head in a posture of surrender, organized attacks on various essential expressions of the Voters' Rights Acts threatened to call in question the legitimacy of our electoral process. I know black mothers who feel compelled to teach their children how to react to authority figures in our culture, especially police officers. Who am I to question their assessment of the world their children must face even today? Rather than question or minimize, I just need to listen and learn. I could go on. People who protest too much about any conversation involving the so-called "race card," make me wonder about their true worldview regarding the subject.
Second, seasoned civil rights warriors have been defined in many respects by their experiences in the battle against racism. Such self-definition must be honored, not rudely brushed to the side.
Many activists in my generation simply cannot forget what went before the progress we have made. Frankly, it is unfair to ask them to forget that which has defined their lives so completely. White persons who insist on "moving on" or who urge us to forget the past in defensive responses to words like I am sharing right now, just don't understand. There is a time for simple listening in a real attempt to understand those who have been wounded and forever altered by the pain of the long night's struggle. The progress many white folks and even younger minorities want to quickly tout would not have been realized without the sacrifice of the generation that calls on us to never forget.
Sometimes being thoughtful means simply being silent, even when you don't agree, so that real hearing, listening and understanding can happen.
Racism and prejudice are not the same. All racists are prejudiced. But racism combines a hateful prejudice with power. It's the power that gives prejudice teeth, transforming it into a force that works in individual lives and decisions, but even more importantly, it also spawns policies and systems capable of oppressing entire groups of people on the basis of race and ethnicity alone.
Without a doubt over my lifetime, we've made progress as a nation in our struggle with and against racism. Still, two factors combine to ensure that our struggle must continue.
First, systemic racism still exists, and in some situations it is on the grow.
Disproportionate numbers of African Americans end up in prison in this nation. Violence against black "suspects" fills our news: young people in hoodies, an asthmatic adult choked to death, a young man in Ferguson, Missouri gunned down by a police officer as he held his empty hands high above his head in a posture of surrender, organized attacks on various essential expressions of the Voters' Rights Acts threatened to call in question the legitimacy of our electoral process. I know black mothers who feel compelled to teach their children how to react to authority figures in our culture, especially police officers. Who am I to question their assessment of the world their children must face even today? Rather than question or minimize, I just need to listen and learn. I could go on. People who protest too much about any conversation involving the so-called "race card," make me wonder about their true worldview regarding the subject.
Second, seasoned civil rights warriors have been defined in many respects by their experiences in the battle against racism. Such self-definition must be honored, not rudely brushed to the side.
Many activists in my generation simply cannot forget what went before the progress we have made. Frankly, it is unfair to ask them to forget that which has defined their lives so completely. White persons who insist on "moving on" or who urge us to forget the past in defensive responses to words like I am sharing right now, just don't understand. There is a time for simple listening in a real attempt to understand those who have been wounded and forever altered by the pain of the long night's struggle. The progress many white folks and even younger minorities want to quickly tout would not have been realized without the sacrifice of the generation that calls on us to never forget.
Sometimes being thoughtful means simply being silent, even when you don't agree, so that real hearing, listening and understanding can happen.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Monday, November 18, 2013
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
It's about justice
Systemic justice is a result-oriented justice
Marcus Borg contends that Jesus has something to say about the way we organize ourselves in community — that when a society is structured to serve the self-interests of the wealthy and powerful it is not a just society. “If you have a society in which 1% of the population own 43% of the wealth, it is pretty clear that the 1% has structured that society so it kind of worked out that way — and they have a tremendous amount of power to sustain it.”
– Marcus Borg in Living the Questions 2.0
Internationally known in both academic and church circles as a biblical and Jesus scholar, Marcus Borg was Hundere Chair of Religion and Culture in the Philosophy Department at Oregon State University until his retirement in 2007. Borg has been described by The New York Times as “a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars” and is the author of over twenty books, including the popular “Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time” and “The Heart of Christianity.”
“LtQ Clips” offer thought-provoking observations and comments on spirituality and religion from prominent authors, scholars, and thinkers. These excerpts from“Living the Questions” curriculum are designed to spark conversation in questioning the dominant pop theology of American Christianity.
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Disparity
| Black Americans Given 60% Longer Sentences than White Americans for Same Crimes submitted by Amanda Lang |
A new academic study of 58,000 federal criminal cases has found significant disparities in sentencing for blacks and whites arrested for the same crimes. The research led to the conclusion that African-Americans' jail time was almost 60% longer than white sentences... The report concludes that sentence disparities 'can be almost completely explained by three factors: the original arrest offense, the defendant's criminal history, and the prosecutor's initial choice of charges.'
Read the entire report here.
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