This piece is a copy I composed years ago when learning to draw. I don’t recall the title but I did record that it depicts the “southern view of a carpet bagger canvassing black votes for personal profit. Not all northerners came to the south with such motives.”
Today, I’m using video footage in our discussion for Race 2012. I think this particular video is relevant to our topic, as it brings a historical context, as well as some current issues which are of value as it pertains to Jane Elliott’s “Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes” experiment that I presented here last week, in addition to current race matters.
Share your thoughts. While you’re a guest here, you don’t have to say the politically correct thing (ahem, aheeeem). And even then, you may still get it wrong, which is why we’re talking in the first place. Tim Wise is your speaker today, folks.
To visit other bloggers participating in Race 2012, visit Monica’s page. You can also watch the PBS Special, A Conversation About Race and Politics in America, by visiting the website.
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
Wow, same tactics still being used today. 47% don’t matter. Are you familiar with the Milgram study? Essentially it seems to be generally human nature when you give people “power over” other people they tend to exercise that power in deference to authority regardless of personal ethics. I think I’ll share the clip.
No. I’m not familiar. Please do share the clip. Thank you.
Powerful video. I’ll be looking for more like this one and sharing them.
He’s a very powerful speaker. Please share. Glad you enjoyed Mr. Wise.
Compelling, passionate speaker who raises the issue central issue that I whole-heartedly believe: class, not race is the great divider.
Let’s face it, we can look at all the of difference between any two people or we can look at all of the similarities between the same two people. It’s a choice. That cultures repeatedly choose to focus on differences and make those differences the basis to distribute social and economic resources inequitably is shameful and baffling to me. Together we are stronger and better than we can ever be as divided. Why don’t people get that?
I missed last week’s discussion, but every semester that I taught my sociology courses, I showed the film of Jane Elliott’s experiment. We always had a great discussion about it.
I miss those days…
Maybe you should start another blog and put those skills to use. Or teach online.
Wow, I’d never heard of this guy before.
Watching and shaking my head. Powerful and so true.
He has quite a few videos on the Tube. Check him out. Glad you liked.
Amazing Tosh. I have never heard of this guy, but the way he sums it up is so powerful. I love how your blog makes me want to think and talk about all the things I’m not necessarily in the mood to write and think and talk about.
I came here from the other post, where you describe the Sudanese women lightening their skin. What you said about “if you can’t be black in Africa …” spoke volumes. So next I think I have to do a “what is race?” post, I guess. (Just haven’t wanted to open that can of worms. You know I used to do diversity workshops in grad school.) But I am ready.
And, by the way, I’ve barely scratched the surface of your blog, but it’s a truly special one. That comes out corny-sounding but I mean it.
I learned of Tim Wise from a radio show I listen to during the 2008 election and immediately bought one of his books. He breaks it down clearly.
I’m certain you could write very eloquent pieces that go way deep for Race 2012. I was somewhat hesitant about this particular post but it is this conversation we’re not having. Open the can of worms.
Glad you enjoy the blog. I’m talking nonsense on here most of the time but every now but I have some lucid moments here and there.
Tim Wise is one of the most prolific and important white anti-racist voices of modern times. White people, especially, should be listening closely to what he has to say. I used the same clip in one of my Race 2012 posts earlier this month. Check it out; I’d love to know your thoughts.
Your site is fantastic, Totsy, and the conversations you’ve started are compelling. This lurker is sticking with you long after the Race 2012 project is done.
I’ll defintely check out your post. Glad to meet you and would love to have you hang out.
Another strong post, Totsy. You’ve been amazing on this project, really bringing forward the topic of race and its many facets. Thanks so much, my friend!
Thanks, Monica. Glad to have the invite.
Profound video. “This hasn’t stopped; this isn’t ancient history”, says Tim Wise. The same class wars continue, and I think that this is what is truly at stake in this election, though the fears are hugely veiled under the curtain of racism. I say that “when the greater of us neglects the lesser of us, we have failed each other as Americans”. I think that the more that non-blacks and non-minorities speak up about race and classism, the more people will listen; otherwise, the stories become hugely personalized and the characters demonized in the process for feeling the way they do.
Thanks for your contribution to these real-talks to date.
I think the younger generations will lead the pack in speaking out. Some won’t. There will always be those kinda apples.
I read your last post for Race 2012 and was deliberating to comment. But I’ll say here that in America, it’s challenging for folk to think that any place outside of the U.S. does not think in terms of race. It’s a seed that’s difficult to uproot.
I love Tim Wise but had not heard this one, thank you for posting. You have done such a great job with this subject throughout.
I have been saying this, that working class and poor White Folks have more in common with all of the others within the same economic class no matter the outward appearances that separate. The problem of course is no one wants to hear they are more like those ‘others’, they want to hear they are welcome to the country club.
Gad, ignorance is bliss till you can’t pay the light bill.