Under Discussion--An article and a video today.
I'm bringing to the comm an article I found. Please read it first and then comment with your thoughts. The article is more scholarly in tone that what we usually discuss, it's a little longer, and it is very American in focus. The main focus is affirmative action, which is not practiced in all parts of the world or in the same way in all places, but a lot of his arguments still apply to other racism discussions.
First let's meet the author:
Stanley Fish, has been an English Professor, a Law Professor, a Dean of a liberal arts college, writes for the New York Times, and is most well know for his literary criticism. He mentions some of his own personal experiences in this piece, and I'm not going to hesitate to put his labels front and centre. He is an American, straight, white, male, academic.
The article is titled: Reverse racism, or how the pot got to call the kettle black
He starts off quoting President George Bush (Sr. not W.) when he addressed the UN in 1991 on the issue of equating Zionism with racism.
He then goes on to debunk the criticism of affirmative action as reverse racism. He discusses how in order to argue that position it is necessary to ignore history, believe in the illusion of a level playing field and ignore the realities of life in America today. He bluntly discusses how affirmative action will adversely affect white people. He concludes with a dissection of the kind of "sleight-of-hand logic" that is required to make these arguments of reverse racism.
***Anyone who had trouble with the post on individualism (like me), make sure you read the concluding section.***
In the article, mention is made of a 1991 ABC Primetime Live broadcast. I found a reasonably good copy of the segment , there is some audio skips, but it is still watchable. If you want a visual and visceral presentation of white privilege, this is it.
I thought the suggested discussion topics was a good idea, so I've made some, but comment on whatever struck you.
For readers who are white:
How often do you hear these arguments made about affirmative action and reverse racism? Do you have any success in taking the opposing view?
How do you feel when he talks about how white people will lose opportunities due to affirmative action?
The article is from 2000, and the television spot from 1991. Do you think much has changed in America or in your part of the world in that time?
For readers who are People of Colour:
How often do you hear these arguments made about affirmative action and reverse racism? Do you have any success in taking the opposing view?
The article is from 2000, and the television spot from 1991. Do you think much has changed in America or in your part of the world in that time?
Given the author's very privileged place in American society, did you see anything that you think he got wrong in his piece?
First let's meet the author:
Stanley Fish, has been an English Professor, a Law Professor, a Dean of a liberal arts college, writes for the New York Times, and is most well know for his literary criticism. He mentions some of his own personal experiences in this piece, and I'm not going to hesitate to put his labels front and centre. He is an American, straight, white, male, academic.
The article is titled: Reverse racism, or how the pot got to call the kettle black
He starts off quoting President George Bush (Sr. not W.) when he addressed the UN in 1991 on the issue of equating Zionism with racism.
He then goes on to debunk the criticism of affirmative action as reverse racism. He discusses how in order to argue that position it is necessary to ignore history, believe in the illusion of a level playing field and ignore the realities of life in America today. He bluntly discusses how affirmative action will adversely affect white people. He concludes with a dissection of the kind of "sleight-of-hand logic" that is required to make these arguments of reverse racism.
***Anyone who had trouble with the post on individualism (like me), make sure you read the concluding section.***
In the article, mention is made of a 1991 ABC Primetime Live broadcast. I found a reasonably good copy of the segment , there is some audio skips, but it is still watchable. If you want a visual and visceral presentation of white privilege, this is it.
I thought the suggested discussion topics was a good idea, so I've made some, but comment on whatever struck you.
For readers who are white:
How often do you hear these arguments made about affirmative action and reverse racism? Do you have any success in taking the opposing view?
How do you feel when he talks about how white people will lose opportunities due to affirmative action?
The article is from 2000, and the television spot from 1991. Do you think much has changed in America or in your part of the world in that time?
For readers who are People of Colour:
How often do you hear these arguments made about affirmative action and reverse racism? Do you have any success in taking the opposing view?
The article is from 2000, and the television spot from 1991. Do you think much has changed in America or in your part of the world in that time?
Given the author's very privileged place in American society, did you see anything that you think he got wrong in his piece?