Privilege 1: The Company You Keep

I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.

The history of residential segregation in the United States is extensive.  Never, in US history, has  there been a time in which people of color were not forceably denied access to white residential areas.  The film Race, the Power of An Illusion (video three) explains the practices of redlining int he 1950s and how that led to the current gap in wealth between whites and blacks.  The book The Color of Wealth, by Rose Brewer, also highlights this gap, as well as the wealth gap between other races.  


I don't want to get to into that, or I'd write the entire post about the 1950's practices.  I urge you to check out those sources.


Another way in which segregation was - and is - maintained is through violence.  The phenomena of Sundown Towns has been thoroughly documented in the book Sundown Towns by James Loewen. Sundown Towns are cities in which segregation was maintained through physical violence against people of color in addition to economic and political boycotts of any people of color who entered the city limits.  


A couple of towns that still posted signs warning people of color to keep out include: 

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§  Arab, Alabama

§  Marlow, Oklahoma

§  Sullivan, Missouri

Now we know that white people have historically organized society such that they can live separate from people of color.  We also know that this segregation continues.  However, we have not discussed the ways in which residential segregation also leads to geographical division in employment.  Thus, people of color have been physically forced into segregated communities against their will.  And, even when living in separate communities people of color have had to travel into white neighborhoods for employment.

I used to live in Washington DC.  As some of you know, DC is one of the most segregated cities in the United States with most of the people of color living in Southeast DC and most of the white people living in NW DC. 

As you can guess, most of the places of employment are also in NW DC. Thus, despite residential segregation, people of color remain forced to travel into white spaces to work.  Often times they are forced into the jobs that are more physically demanding and with longer hours.  


This is just one example of how white people are able to choose who they are surrounded by at all times - and people of color are not.  

26 Days of Privilege

Last week I had the opportunity to teach about white privilege in the course I TA.  We took the Peggy McIntosh article, written in the 1980s, and updated it as a class.  I had them work in small groups to pick out the examples highlighted by McIntosh that may be outdated and in need of modification - as well as come up with new ones.  

For the next 26 days I'm going to post McIntosh's 26 examples of white privilege, show how my students updated them, and subsequently provide evidence of its continued relevance.  Its kind of like advent for anti-racist activists.  

Things You Can Do Now, to Curb the Negative Effects of Capitalism

I support what Moore is trying to do with his new film Capitalism: A Love Story . I think everyone needs to see it. He also has a new list of things that all Americans can do to help make a little change now. I just wanted to reiterate a few: FIVE THINGS WE SHOULD DO TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND OUR LOVED ONES UNTIL WE GET THROUGH THIS MESS: 1. Take your money out of your bank if it took bailout money and place it in a locally-owned bank or, preferably, a credit union. I LOVE my credit union and I would NEVER use a bank. Credit Unions are the non-profit equivalent. You get all the same services and offers - but without the fees! They are locally owned and wonderful. 2. Get rid of all your credit cards but one -- the kind where you have to pay up at the end of the month or you lose your card. So many people have problems with credit. One card, with a low balance, can make such a difference. 3. Do not invest in the stock market. If you have any extra cash, put it away in a savings account or, if you can, pay down on your mortgage so you can own your home as soon as possible. You can also buy very safe government savings bonds or T-bills. Or just buy your mother some flowers. I had thought that my fear of the stock market was naive... but after the crash and ensuing disaster I feel vindicated. Why invest in people who don't have your interests (or the interests of anyone other than themselves) in mind? Keep your money in safe places and invest in yourself and your family. Read more of Michael's ideas here.

Today's Efforts to Save the Earth

So, I've been very inspired of late to try harder to reduce my carbon footprint. Even though, my carbon usage is far less than most Americans, if everyone was like me we would need almost two earths! (Visit http://www.myfootprint.org/ to find out your impact). My biggest successes are being vegan (meat consumption and production are major producers of carbon and waste), shopping at the co-op (buying local food makes an immense difference), composting and collecting rain water to use on plans, etc. Two of my major inspirations are Sumner (her blog is great for people trying to eat more locally) and Jacky - both of whom work hard to consume minimally and locally. Anyway, today I was trying to store my rain barrel for winter. However, because it has rained so much lately it was very full. Not wanting to waste all of the water in it, I filled up some rubbermaid containers to store the water so I can continue to water the plans in it. After filling up and moving three such bins, I decided that it was enough. (Stagnant water in our basement is probably not a good idea). So, I tried to carry the half-full rainbarrel over to our compost bin and dump the water there (I'm not good at keeping it moist). So, soaking wet pants and shoes later our compost is saturated, the rain barrel is stored, and we have three rubbermaid containers with water for our indoor plants. What a mess. We also tried to eat a squash I found on the sidewalk last week... but it was very sour so that didn't really happen. Adventure!!

An Open Letter to Luther College ... Drop Sodexo

President Torgerson

Luther College

700 College Drive

Decorah, IA, 52101

Dear President Torgerson,

cc: Board of Regents

For the last six years I have consistently celebrated my experience at Luther College. I have touted it as a place that always did the right thing, treated workers well, tried to have a strong stance on being 'Green', and, of course, provided a quality education.

However, this recent news of switching Caf services to Sodexo is horrifying. As you know, Sodexo has been challenged for numerous labor and environmental violations.

For example, Sodexo has been charged with providing poor food for those they serve, as well as practicing bad hygiene standards. (See Supersize Me and Channel 4 Documentary by UK TV).

Secondly, the corporation has several recorded workers rights violations. They are anti-union and, as such, the antithesis to Luther's stated mission. (There is a lot of information available on this due to boycott information by the Restaurant Employees International Union, among others).

This point has already hit home at Luther College. There are cases in which 60 year old women are working 10-hour days and unable to take breaks. This did not happen with the old Luther Caf The Caf was a home away from home. No more.

Finally, Luther has made great progress over the past years in moving towards greater energy efficiency. One meaningful stride should have been to support local farmers - rather than outsourcing food production to an unhealthy alternative. Again, this sort of spiteful act towards the Luther community is defiantly against the college's mission.

As an alumnus of the college, I can promise you that my future donations to the college will be cut off until Sodexo is out of food production and Luther stands behind their mission: 

In the reforming spirit of Martin Luther, Luther College affirms the liberating power of faith and learning. As people of all backgrounds, we embrace diversity and challenge one another to learn in community, to discern our callings, and to serve with distinction for the common good.

As a college of the church, Luther is rooted in an understanding of grace and freedom that emboldens us in worship, study, and service to seek truth, examine our faith, and care for all God’s people.

As a liberal arts college, Luther is committed to a way of learning that moves us beyond immediate interests and present knowledge into a larger world—an education that disciplines minds and develops whole persons equipped to understand and confront a changing society.

As a residential college, Luther is a place of intersection. Founded where river, woodland, and prairie meet, we practice joyful stewardship of the resources that surround us, and we strive to be a community where students, faculty, and staff are enlivened and transformed by encounters with one another, by the exchange of ideas, and by the life of faith and learning.

I know that these are tough economic times, but financial hardship is no excuse to abuse workers and students.

Thank you for your time, 

Help My Friend Hoa!

On August 14th my friend Hoa was arrested by immigration officials because she had missed a court appearance.  Rather, she had believed that her court date was August 23rd but it turned out to be the 13th.  Now, because of a simple mistake, she risks deportation.

You can learn more here.

Hoa and her husband Dan do a lot to make the world better and, as such, they don't have a ton of money.  If you are able to help them cover their legal fees please donate here.

Our immigration system is sick and this is just one more example of how bad and unjust things have become.

Farewell Teddy Kennedy

While no politician is perfect, Teddy Kennedy was always my favorite to watch the semester I interned with Senator Feingold. Even if the Senate chambers were sparsely filled, Kennedy always spoke with passion - red in the face, shaking his fist - as compared to the monotony and heartlessness of many other senators.

I wanted to say goodbye to Kennedy by remembering some of my favorite things he did:

- In 1996 he voted against DOMA (even Wellstone didn't!) and worked for marriage equality in Massachusetts
- He worked to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell
- Kennedy opposed and fought to end abstinence-only education.
- He supported universal, single-payer health care (though had relaxed on that requirement to get something - though so that everyone was covered - passed).

Here is what a few other groups have to say:

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
The Nation
The Guardian
The American Prospect

Once again Tim Wise says it all

If you want to help continue the movement against Glenn Beck, go here. (Color of Change is working to get advertisers to stop their support of the show).

Continued Oppression of Native Americans

An article from CNN was online today discussing the immense poverty the Lakota continue to face. You can read it here.

What isn't mentioned is that the Pine Ridge Reservation also persists in being the poorest place in the nation. Here, unemployment tops 80%, the weather is often oppressive, and people have few resources. You can help out by contributing to the Friends of the Pine Ridge Reservation. They also have a number of 'drives' to gather supplies for schools, etc.

Horray for Gay and the ELCA!

Today the ELCA passed a resolution to support gay clergy, and not force them into a life of celibacy. In doing so the ELCA becomes the third sizable denomination to support GLBT pastors - along with the United Church of Christ and the Episcopal Church.

This also affirms the belief that sex is not only for procreation - something many denominations continue to preach, despite the obvious absurdity of the command.

The Methodist Church allows gay pastors as long as they remain celibate.

In a time of rapid conservative Christianity, seeing hopeful progress from logical and clear-headed progress among denominations is encouraging. It makes me proud to have gone to Luther College, an affiliate of the ELCA.

College: for every - er, ah, - rich people only

This article was in the NYTimes today. This is a really blatant example of the reproduction of a class system through education - openly saying that they aren't letting poor people into college but will accept rich folks who can pay. Doesn't that go against the "American belief" that if you work hard you can achieve anything? I think it establishes a counter argument that - if you have enough money you can buy into anything.

Now, this is not new - wealthy people have had an advantage in going to college all along. Not only are they more able to pay for schooling, but they also had advantages in admissions (legacy awards, etc).

But this story goes further - it blatantly says that poor people are not wanted. The 'bad' economy is no excuse for such action. The president of the University of Minnesota is making over 700,000 a year. Our tax dollars are going to 'bail out' rich people on the backs of hard working tax-payers. I think I know where some cuts can be made and some redistribution can occur.

My favorite part of this story is that they go on to blame poor people for bad education. This quote may tell all:

“You can’t say someone should be need-blind unless they have the resources to fund it,” said Dr. Schapiro, at Williams. “It sounds immoral to replace really talented low-income kids with less talented richer kids, but unless you’re a Williams or an Amherst, the alternative is the quality of the education declines for everyone.”

So, not it is the fault of poor people that education in this nation sucks.

Hm... I think not.

Anyway, I thought the article may be useful for mobilizing people, opening the eyes of others to the erroneous economic system we find ourselves in, and teaching about the replication of class structure and inequality in higher education.

Treatment of People with Disabilities

I was reading the paper today, and came across these articles...

1) "Cameras Installed after School 'Fight Club' Scandal". At first, I figured it was a high school that some kids had organized a fight club in. Oh, no, it is far worse. Rather, the Texas Agency of Aging and Disabilities Services - at Corpus Christi - a school for people with disabilities - was found to have a fight club, organized by staff. This club involved staff members forcing their clients - people with mental and physical disabilities - to fight, a process on which they bet. (http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/03/11/texas.school.fight.club/index.html) I can't even tell you how mad that makes me. People who are trusted to care for and assist others are knowingly putting them in harms way and betting on it! What kind of a sick, twisted world do we live in?

Not surprisingly, there was also an article about how we get a "D" as a nation, in caring for people with mental disabilities. (http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/mentalhealth/03/11/mental.illness/index.html)