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Understanding Our Roots – White Supremacy is More Than the KKK | hephzibah v. strmic-pawl | TEDxWCC


how are y’all today your wake up thanks

how are y’all today your wake up thanks for coming so I have a pretty hefty

for coming so I have a pretty hefty

for coming so I have a pretty hefty topic to talk to you about today racism

topic to talk to you about today racism

topic to talk to you about today racism right probably makes us maybe a little

right probably makes us maybe a little

right probably makes us maybe a little bit uncomfortable it’s a conversation

bit uncomfortable it’s a conversation

bit uncomfortable it’s a conversation that your parents say not the

that your parents say not the

that your parents say not the dinner-table rights to imply causes too

dinner-table rights to imply causes too

dinner-table rights to imply causes too many issues definitely don’t bring it up

many issues definitely don’t bring it up

many issues definitely don’t bring it up at your your hiring employment interview

at your your hiring employment interview

at your your hiring employment interview right don’t do that but as much as we

right don’t do that but as much as we

right don’t do that but as much as we don’t like to talk about racism that’s

don’t like to talk about racism that’s

don’t like to talk about racism that’s my suggestion that we actually probably

my suggestion that we actually probably

my suggestion that we actually probably need to be talking about it more right

need to be talking about it more right

need to be talking about it more right the less you don’t want to talk about

the less you don’t want to talk about

the less you don’t want to talk about something is an indication that our

something is an indication that our

something is an indication that our society needs to be having conversations

society needs to be having conversations

society needs to be having conversations about it specifically I’m here to talk

about it specifically I’m here to talk

about it specifically I’m here to talk to you about white supremacy

to you about white supremacy

to you about white supremacy now when y’all hear the word white

now when y’all hear the word white

now when y’all hear the word white supremacy you probably think of white

supremacy you probably think of white

supremacy you probably think of white superiority groups right like the KKK or

superiority groups right like the KKK or

superiority groups right like the KKK or something like that and I think

something like that and I think

something like that and I think hopefully we’re all on the same page

hopefully we’re all on the same page

hopefully we’re all on the same page that we don’t need the KKK anymore right

that we don’t need the KKK anymore right

that we don’t need the KKK anymore right they need to be left in our history

they need to be left in our history

they need to be left in our history books I don’t know what they’re still

books I don’t know what they’re still

books I don’t know what they’re still doing around

doing around

doing around we should gotten them rid of them a long

we should gotten them rid of them a long

we should gotten them rid of them a long time ago but when I refer to white

time ago but when I refer to white

time ago but when I refer to white supremacy I’m referring to much more

supremacy I’m referring to much more

supremacy I’m referring to much more than just white superiority groups I’m

than just white superiority groups I’m

than just white superiority groups I’m referring to the system and the

referring to the system and the

referring to the system and the foundation of the United States but

foundation of the United States but

foundation of the United States but before I get to my theory of white

before I get to my theory of white

before I get to my theory of white supremacy I want to talk to you a little

supremacy I want to talk to you a little

supremacy I want to talk to you a little bit about where I came from so I can’t

bit about where I came from so I can’t

bit about where I came from so I can’t tell you how many times students come up

tell you how many times students come up

tell you how many times students come up to me and say Professor SP that’s what

to me and say Professor SP that’s what

to me and say Professor SP that’s what they call me cuz my name is way too long

they call me cuz my name is way too long

they call me cuz my name is way too long right professor SP well in the world how

right professor SP well in the world how

right professor SP well in the world how did you as a white woman come to study

did you as a white woman come to study

did you as a white woman come to study racism and white supremacy where does

racism and white supremacy where does

racism and white supremacy where does that come from right that’s not

that come from right that’s not

that come from right that’s not something you see every day well the

something you see every day well the

something you see every day well the answer to that question has a little bit

answer to that question has a little bit

answer to that question has a little bit to do with where I come from these are

to do with where I come from these are

to do with where I come from these are pictures of my elementary school in

pictures of my elementary school in

pictures of my elementary school in Chicago Newberry Academy and these are

Chicago Newberry Academy and these are

Chicago Newberry Academy and these are recent pictures so the school looks a

recent pictures so the school looks a

recent pictures so the school looks a lot nicer than it did when I went to

lot nicer than it did when I went to

lot nicer than it did when I went to school gentrification has moved in we

school gentrification has moved in we

school gentrification has moved in we know how that works right but when I

know how that works right but when I

know how that works right but when I went to school there there was bars on

went to school there there was bars on

went to school there there was bars on the way

the way

the way there definitely were not plants but

there definitely were not plants but

there definitely were not plants but suffice it to say that I spent the first

suffice it to say that I spent the first

suffice it to say that I spent the first 10 years of my life in the city of

10 years of my life in the city of

10 years of my life in the city of Chicago and had a lot of the city

Chicago and had a lot of the city

Chicago and had a lot of the city experiences that go along with that when

experiences that go along with that when

experiences that go along with that when I was 10 my family moved me to rural

I was 10 my family moved me to rural

I was 10 my family moved me to rural Virginia and I mean rural Virginia okay

Virginia and I mean rural Virginia okay

Virginia and I mean rural Virginia okay so my commute to my elementary school

so my commute to my elementary school

so my commute to my elementary school went from one block to an over one hour

went from one block to an over one hour

went from one block to an over one hour bus ride yeah and so these are pictures

bus ride yeah and so these are pictures

bus ride yeah and so these are pictures of crows elementary where I went in

of crows elementary where I went in

of crows elementary where I went in Virginia and you can see right it’s

Virginia and you can see right it’s

Virginia and you can see right it’s that’s nice it’s got big windows lots of

that’s nice it’s got big windows lots of

that’s nice it’s got big windows lots of space green pastures rainbows mountains

space green pastures rainbows mountains

space green pastures rainbows mountains right if I don’t show you these two

right if I don’t show you these two

right if I don’t show you these two pictures to say that Chicago was some

pictures to say that Chicago was some

pictures to say that Chicago was some sort of horrible and Virginia was really

sort of horrible and Virginia was really

sort of horrible and Virginia was really great rather what I ended up having was

great rather what I ended up having was

great rather what I ended up having was two very distinct experiences of race

two very distinct experiences of race

two very distinct experiences of race and racism right the contrast between

and racism right the contrast between

and racism right the contrast between the inner city of Chicago and rural

the inner city of Chicago and rural

the inner city of Chicago and rural Virginia from my classrooms to

Virginia from my classrooms to

Virginia from my classrooms to interracial friendships and interracial

interracial friendships and interracial

interracial friendships and interracial relationships and then later on in life

relationships and then later on in life

relationships and then later on in life encounters with disciplinary authorities

encounters with disciplinary authorities

encounters with disciplinary authorities and police officers I saw how race

and police officers I saw how race

and police officers I saw how race affected one’s position in society and

affected one’s position in society and

affected one’s position in society and how people treated you now back in the

how people treated you now back in the

how people treated you now back in the day I wasn’t as aware as I am now pray

day I wasn’t as aware as I am now pray

day I wasn’t as aware as I am now pray not gonna per se I was always woke it

not gonna per se I was always woke it

not gonna per se I was always woke it definitely wasn’t okay I didn’t know

definitely wasn’t okay I didn’t know

definitely wasn’t okay I didn’t know that it was racism I didn’t know what to

that it was racism I didn’t know what to

that it was racism I didn’t know what to call it back then so I thought the best

call it back then so I thought the best

call it back then so I thought the best thing to do like so many folks was to

thing to do like so many folks was to

thing to do like so many folks was to get a good job make good money right and

get a good job make good money right and

get a good job make good money right and that’s how you get happy you just go

that’s how you get happy you just go

that’s how you get happy you just go forward I tried that path it didn’t feel

forward I tried that path it didn’t feel

forward I tried that path it didn’t feel very fulfilling so later on in life I

very fulfilling so later on in life I

very fulfilling so later on in life I came to the discipline of sociology and

came to the discipline of sociology and

came to the discipline of sociology and I came to study race and I understood

I came to study race and I understood

I came to study race and I understood that in fact race is a central

that in fact race is a central

that in fact race is a central organizing principle of society and that

organizing principle of society and that

organizing principle of society and that epiphany has never left me so like a lot

epiphany has never left me so like a lot

epiphany has never left me so like a lot of white folks these conversations led

of white folks these conversations led

of white folks these conversations led me to discussions of white privilege you

me to discussions of white privilege you

me to discussions of white privilege you may have heard this term around a lot

may have heard this term around a lot

may have heard this term around a lot right

right

right it’s kind of gotten some cachet now so

it’s kind of gotten some cachet now so

it’s kind of gotten some cachet now so what is white privilege right it’s so

what is white privilege right it’s so

what is white privilege right it’s so ways in which whiteness is the normal

ways in which whiteness is the normal

ways in which whiteness is the normal the standard the yardstick against which

the standard the yardstick against which

the standard the yardstick against which all else is measured somebody give you a

all else is measured somebody give you a

all else is measured somebody give you a few examples say you’re heading down

few examples say you’re heading down

few examples say you’re heading down your local pharmacy aisle looking for

your local pharmacy aisle looking for

your local pharmacy aisle looking for band-aids right and there are the

band-aids right and there are the

band-aids right and there are the skintone band-aids well whose skin tone

skintone band-aids well whose skin tone

skintone band-aids well whose skin tone is that right its nearest the complexion

is that right its nearest the complexion

is that right its nearest the complexion of white folks right same goes for nude

of white folks right same goes for nude

of white folks right same goes for nude clothing right who’s nude yeah usually

clothing right who’s nude yeah usually

clothing right who’s nude yeah usually nearest the complexion of white people

nearest the complexion of white people

nearest the complexion of white people another example is take the movies

another example is take the movies

another example is take the movies alright so new romantic comedy comes out

alright so new romantic comedy comes out

alright so new romantic comedy comes out has a majority white cast you turn to

has a majority white cast you turn to

has a majority white cast you turn to your friend you ready hey let’s go check

your friend you ready hey let’s go check

your friend you ready hey let’s go check out this no romantic comedy right looks

out this no romantic comedy right looks

out this no romantic comedy right looks really good alright but now say a new

really good alright but now say a new

really good alright but now say a new romantic comedy comes out but it has a

romantic comedy comes out but it has a

romantic comedy comes out but it has a majority black cast then you say oh

majority black cast then you say oh

majority black cast then you say oh let’s go check out this black romantic

let’s go check out this black romantic

let’s go check out this black romantic comedy right because this is another

comedy right because this is another

comedy right because this is another example in which whiteness is the normal

example in which whiteness is the normal

example in which whiteness is the normal and the standard and everything else

and the standard and everything else

and the standard and everything else becomes other din relationship to that

becomes other din relationship to that

becomes other din relationship to that right so whiteness is the the benefits

right so whiteness is the the benefits

right so whiteness is the the benefits right the benefit of the doubt that is

right the benefit of the doubt that is

right the benefit of the doubt that is given to white people and on a lot of

given to white people and on a lot of

given to white people and on a lot of levels this is a really useful concept

levels this is a really useful concept

levels this is a really useful concept it forces white people to reconcile that

it forces white people to reconcile that

it forces white people to reconcile that they do have a race they are raised it’s

they do have a race they are raised it’s

they do have a race they are raised it’s just that they’re not made to confront

just that they’re not made to confront

just that they’re not made to confront it very often so back in the day I used

it very often so back in the day I used

it very often so back in the day I used to give talks on white privilege and a

to give talks on white privilege and a

to give talks on white privilege and a lot of times when you get talking about

lot of times when you get talking about

lot of times when you get talking about white privilege to white people it ends

white privilege to white people it ends

white privilege to white people it ends up in conversations of white guilt now

up in conversations of white guilt now

up in conversations of white guilt now this makes sense on a lot of levels

this makes sense on a lot of levels

this makes sense on a lot of levels right if you’re a white person and for

right if you’re a white person and for

right if you’re a white person and for the very first time you’re having to

the very first time you’re having to

the very first time you’re having to confront the fact that everything you

confront the fact that everything you

confront the fact that everything you have earned maybe wasn’t always 100%

have earned maybe wasn’t always 100%

have earned maybe wasn’t always 100% earned right that might feel bad or if

earned right that might feel bad or if

earned right that might feel bad or if you’re coming to confront that people of

you’re coming to confront that people of

you’re coming to confront that people of color have an unfair reality because of

color have an unfair reality because of

color have an unfair reality because of our society that my cue that might

our society that my cue that might

our society that my cue that might make you feel bad and you probably

make you feel bad and you probably

make you feel bad and you probably should write if you don’t feel bad about

should write if you don’t feel bad about

should write if you don’t feel bad about society treating some people unfairly

society treating some people unfairly

society treating some people unfairly you probably need to check yourself but

you probably need to check yourself but

you probably need to check yourself but what does white guilt do for us at the

what does white guilt do for us at the

what does white guilt do for us at the end of the day if you have white

end of the day if you have white

end of the day if you have white privilege you can’t get rid of it you

privilege you can’t get rid of it you

privilege you can’t get rid of it you can’t just like oh now I know I have it

can’t just like oh now I know I have it

can’t just like oh now I know I have it let me throw it away over here no you

let me throw it away over here no you

let me throw it away over here no you have it whether you want it or not you

have it whether you want it or not you

have it whether you want it or not you can’t just get rid of it so admitting

can’t just get rid of it so admitting

can’t just get rid of it so admitting white privilege and reconciling with

white privilege and reconciling with

white privilege and reconciling with that is a good exercise but it doesn’t

that is a good exercise but it doesn’t

that is a good exercise but it doesn’t really affect the structure of racism

really affect the structure of racism

really affect the structure of racism it doesn’t really spur one to action

it doesn’t really spur one to action

it doesn’t really spur one to action likewise for people of color it might be

likewise for people of color it might be

likewise for people of color it might be useful or feel good to see white people

useful or feel good to see white people

useful or feel good to see white people finally recognizing that they do indeed

finally recognizing that they do indeed

finally recognizing that they do indeed have white privilege but that doesn’t

have white privilege but that doesn’t

have white privilege but that doesn’t necessarily affect the structure of

necessarily affect the structure of

necessarily affect the structure of racism

racism

racism it doesn’t really spur us to action so

it doesn’t really spur us to action so

it doesn’t really spur us to action so that’s why I like to focus instead I’m a

that’s why I like to focus instead I’m a

that’s why I like to focus instead I’m a concept of white supremacy so what is

concept of white supremacy so what is

concept of white supremacy so what is white supremacy it’s the systemic and

white supremacy it’s the systemic and

white supremacy it’s the systemic and systematic ways the society gives

systematic ways the society gives

systematic ways the society gives benefits and opportunities to white

benefits and opportunities to white

benefits and opportunities to white people and denies those same benefits

people and denies those same benefits

people and denies those same benefits and opportunities to people of color so

and opportunities to people of color so

and opportunities to people of color so there’s two key terms in that definition

there’s two key terms in that definition

there’s two key terms in that definition systemic and systematic systemic refers

systemic and systematic systemic refers

systemic and systematic systemic refers to the patterns of behavior that is over

to the patterns of behavior that is over

to the patterns of behavior that is over time we can see that people of color are

time we can see that people of color are

time we can see that people of color are continuously oppressed while white

continuously oppressed while white

continuously oppressed while white people are continuously giving resources

people are continuously giving resources

people are continuously giving resources and opportunities the other key term is

and opportunities the other key term is

and opportunities the other key term is systemic that can be a little bit harder

systemic that can be a little bit harder

systemic that can be a little bit harder to understand so I have an analogy for

to understand so I have an analogy for

to understand so I have an analogy for us the Box on the left is the way that

us the Box on the left is the way that

us the Box on the left is the way that people traditionally like to think of

people traditionally like to think of

people traditionally like to think of racism in society so imagine you have

racism in society so imagine you have

racism in society so imagine you have like a 3d box right and white supremacy

like a 3d box right and white supremacy

like a 3d box right and white supremacy is in the box so how do you solve the

is in the box so how do you solve the

is in the box so how do you solve the problem you might tip the box over and

problem you might tip the box over and

problem you might tip the box over and white supremacy falls out yeah or you

white supremacy falls out yeah or you

white supremacy falls out yeah or you might reach in the box and you

might reach in the box and you

might reach in the box and you pull out white supremacy but the box

pull out white supremacy but the box

pull out white supremacy but the box stays intact does that make sense so the

stays intact does that make sense so the

stays intact does that make sense so the box is Society so in the first case

box is Society so in the first case

box is Society so in the first case scenario all you have to do is pluck out

scenario all you have to do is pluck out

scenario all you have to do is pluck out the racism and you have an into X

the racism and you have an into X

the racism and you have an into X Society that’s what people think we can

Society that’s what people think we can

Society that’s what people think we can do that’s how we traditionally I’d like

do that’s how we traditionally I’d like

do that’s how we traditionally I’d like to think about it but the reality is

to think about it but the reality is

to think about it but the reality is much more complicated than that and

much more complicated than that and

much more complicated than that and that’s the box on the right hand side so

that’s the box on the right hand side so

that’s the box on the right hand side so that’s how it really works

that’s how it really works

that’s how it really works Society the box itself is made up of

Society the box itself is made up of

Society the box itself is made up of white supremacy they’re very folds of

white supremacy they’re very folds of

white supremacy they’re very folds of the box is white supremacy so white

the box is white supremacy so white

the box is white supremacy so white supremacy is of society it’s not in

supremacy is of society it’s not in

supremacy is of society it’s not in society it of society so if we

society it of society so if we

society it of society so if we understand that that’s a much harder

understand that that’s a much harder

understand that that’s a much harder problem to solve

so this conception of white supremacy

so this conception of white supremacy has led me to a model that I call the

has led me to a model that I call the

has led me to a model that I call the white supremacy flower now lots of folks

white supremacy flower now lots of folks

white supremacy flower now lots of folks have pointed out to me it’d probably be

have pointed out to me it’d probably be

have pointed out to me it’d probably be better to be called the white supremacy

better to be called the white supremacy

better to be called the white supremacy weed right instead of a flower which I

weed right instead of a flower which I

weed right instead of a flower which I agree with but for the purposes of the

agree with but for the purposes of the

agree with but for the purposes of the metaphor the white supremacy flower

metaphor the white supremacy flower

metaphor the white supremacy flower works out so there’s three main

works out so there’s three main

works out so there’s three main components to the white supremacy flower

components to the white supremacy flower

components to the white supremacy flower the roots the stem and the bloom and I’m

the roots the stem and the bloom and I’m

the roots the stem and the bloom and I’m gonna take you through it one by one

gonna take you through it one by one

gonna take you through it one by one so first the roots so what are the roots

so first the roots so what are the roots

so first the roots so what are the roots of the flower it goes deep into the

of the flower it goes deep into the

of the flower it goes deep into the ground yeah it grabs the nutrients in

ground yeah it grabs the nutrients in

ground yeah it grabs the nutrients in the water that we need for the rest of

the water that we need for the rest of

the water that we need for the rest of the flower to grow it provides the

the flower to grow it provides the

the flower to grow it provides the foundation what is the foundation of the

foundation what is the foundation of the

foundation what is the foundation of the United States not so good so we start

United States not so good so we start

United States not so good so we start off with Native American genocide and

off with Native American genocide and

off with Native American genocide and when I say genocide I really mean

when I say genocide I really mean

when I say genocide I really mean genocide which we often don’t like to

genocide which we often don’t like to

genocide which we often don’t like to admit in 1400 we estimate that there

admit in 1400 we estimate that there

admit in 1400 we estimate that there were about 10 million Native Americans

were about 10 million Native Americans

were about 10 million Native Americans here on this land that we’d like to now

here on this land that we’d like to now

here on this land that we’d like to now call the United States by 1900 that

call the United States by 1900 that

call the United States by 1900 that number because of encounters with

number because of encounters with

number because of encounters with White’s had come down to 300,000 that’s

White’s had come down to 300,000 that’s

White’s had come down to 300,000 that’s like taken in the city of New York at

like taken in the city of New York at

like taken in the city of New York at about ten million and bringing it down

about ten million and bringing it down

about ten million and bringing it down to the size of Cincinnati

to the size of Cincinnati

to the size of Cincinnati we also have Plantation slavery where we

we also have Plantation slavery where we

we also have Plantation slavery where we went to the shores of Africa and stole

went to the shores of Africa and stole

went to the shores of Africa and stole Africans and brought them over here for

Africans and brought them over here for

Africans and brought them over here for labor and Plantation slavery in the

labor and Plantation slavery in the

labor and Plantation slavery in the United States was very severe where we

United States was very severe where we

United States was very severe where we treated these human beings as though

treated these human beings as though

treated these human beings as though they were chattel by the time of the

they were chattel by the time of the

they were chattel by the time of the Civil War for every seven free people we

Civil War for every seven free people we

Civil War for every seven free people we had one enslaved person then we have our

had one enslaved person then we have our

had one enslaved person then we have our founding fathers who were taught to love

founding fathers who were taught to love

founding fathers who were taught to love George Washington James Madison Thomas

George Washington James Madison Thomas

George Washington James Madison Thomas Jefferson who all owned enslaved people

Jefferson who all owned enslaved people

Jefferson who all owned enslaved people Thomas Jefferson had 600 of them over

Thomas Jefferson had 600 of them over

Thomas Jefferson had 600 of them over the course of his lifetime and these are

the course of his lifetime and these are

the course of his lifetime and these are the same folks who are writing our

the same folks who are writing our

the same folks who are writing our Constitution and our Declaration of

Constitution and our Declaration of

Constitution and our Declaration of Independence the ones who are saying all

Independence the ones who are saying all

Independence the ones who are saying all men are created equal

men are created equal

men are created equal but in actuality the Constitution was

but in actuality the Constitution was

but in actuality the Constitution was written to protect the rights of white

written to protect the rights of white

written to protect the rights of white male property men so then we get to our

male property men so then we get to our

male property men so then we get to our stem so the stem like a flower right

stem so the stem like a flower right

stem so the stem like a flower right represents how it’s grown over time so

represents how it’s grown over time so

represents how it’s grown over time so what has happened to the United States

what has happened to the United States

what has happened to the United States since our foundation and where we are

since our foundation and where we are

since our foundation and where we are today

today

today again it’s not so good folks okay so we

again it’s not so good folks okay so we

again it’s not so good folks okay so we have Jim Crow laws the severe

have Jim Crow laws the severe

have Jim Crow laws the severe segregation of blacks and whites in all

segregation of blacks and whites in all

segregation of blacks and whites in all sectors of our society from schools to

sectors of our society from schools to

sectors of our society from schools to stores to transportation we also have

stores to transportation we also have

stores to transportation we also have the continuous perpetuation of the

the continuous perpetuation of the

the continuous perpetuation of the oppression of Native Americans in the

oppression of Native Americans in the

oppression of Native Americans in the late 1800s we had the Dawes Act which

late 1800s we had the Dawes Act which

late 1800s we had the Dawes Act which took 90 million acres of the west and

took 90 million acres of the west and

took 90 million acres of the west and parceled it out largely to white

parceled it out largely to white

parceled it out largely to white settlers of the 2.3 billion acres that

settlers of the 2.3 billion acres that

settlers of the 2.3 billion acres that is the United States today approximately

is the United States today approximately

is the United States today approximately only 56 million of those acres is Indian

only 56 million of those acres is Indian

only 56 million of those acres is Indian reservations that means they have about

reservations that means they have about

reservations that means they have about two-and-a-half percent of the original

two-and-a-half percent of the original

two-and-a-half percent of the original land they used to have but blacks and

land they used to have but blacks and

land they used to have but blacks and Native Americans weren’t the only

Native Americans weren’t the only

Native Americans weren’t the only communities of

communities of

communities of color the white people targeted lots of

color the white people targeted lots of

color the white people targeted lots of other folks also experience depression

other folks also experience depression

other folks also experience depression so just a few examples so lot of people

so just a few examples so lot of people

so just a few examples so lot of people don’t realize that the Chinese came over

don’t realize that the Chinese came over

don’t realize that the Chinese came over here in the 1800s we asked them to Yap

here in the 1800s we asked them to Yap

here in the 1800s we asked them to Yap for jobs and then we said oh wait a

for jobs and then we said oh wait a

for jobs and then we said oh wait a second we’re getting a little afraid of

second we’re getting a little afraid of

second we’re getting a little afraid of you because you’re doing a little bit

you because you’re doing a little bit

you because you’re doing a little bit better than we plan to doing and some

better than we plan to doing and some

better than we plan to doing and some employment sectors and we didn’t like

employment sectors and we didn’t like

employment sectors and we didn’t like that so we instituted the Chinese

that so we instituted the Chinese

that so we instituted the Chinese Exclusion Act which bans further

Exclusion Act which bans further

Exclusion Act which bans further immigration and prevented citizenship

immigration and prevented citizenship

immigration and prevented citizenship status for Chinese then during World War

status for Chinese then during World War

status for Chinese then during World War two we started to freak out and we

two we started to freak out and we

two we started to freak out and we worried about all Japanese being per

worried about all Japanese being per

worried about all Japanese being per potential traders so whether they were

potential traders so whether they were

potential traders so whether they were citizens or not we forcibly removed over

citizens or not we forcibly removed over

citizens or not we forcibly removed over 100,000 Japanese from their homes and we

100,000 Japanese from their homes and we

100,000 Japanese from their homes and we put them in internment camps for the

put them in internment camps for the

put them in internment camps for the rest of World War two so again right we

rest of World War two so again right we

rest of World War two so again right we see the patterns this is the systematic

see the patterns this is the systematic

see the patterns this is the systematic oppression that has happened over time

oppression that has happened over time

oppression that has happened over time that is connected to the roots of our

that is connected to the roots of our

that is connected to the roots of our foundation so where does that bring us

foundation so where does that bring us

foundation so where does that bring us today here we are we’re at the bloom the

today here we are we’re at the bloom the

today here we are we’re at the bloom the United States today so you’ll see that

United States today so you’ll see that

United States today so you’ll see that each one of the petals represents a

each one of the petals represents a

each one of the petals represents a different contemporary inequality

different contemporary inequality

different contemporary inequality whether that be the prison industrial

whether that be the prison industrial

whether that be the prison industrial complex wealth inequality residential

complex wealth inequality residential

complex wealth inequality residential segregation you also see white privilege

segregation you also see white privilege

segregation you also see white privilege up there which I’ll come back to in a

up there which I’ll come back to in a

up there which I’ll come back to in a moment but let’s take a look at some of

moment but let’s take a look at some of

moment but let’s take a look at some of these current inequalities residential

these current inequalities residential

these current inequalities residential segregation for instance so sociologists

segregation for instance so sociologists

segregation for instance so sociologists can measure residential segregation

can measure residential segregation

can measure residential segregation between races on an index and it goes

between races on an index and it goes

between races on an index and it goes from 0 to 100 and a zero represents

from 0 to 100 and a zero represents

from 0 to 100 and a zero represents perfect integration and a 100 represents

perfect integration and a 100 represents

perfect integration and a 100 represents perfect segregation so in eight metro

perfect segregation so in eight metro

perfect segregation so in eight metro areas including the area of New York we

areas including the area of New York we

areas including the area of New York we see a segregation index of about 70 to

see a segregation index of about 70 to

see a segregation index of about 70 to 80

80

80 yeah that’s between blacks and whites so

yeah that’s between blacks and whites so

yeah that’s between blacks and whites so that’s pretty severe it’s what we call

that’s pretty severe it’s what we call

that’s pretty severe it’s what we call hyper segregation

hyper segregation

hyper segregation or we can look at wealth inequality now

or we can look at wealth inequality now

or we can look at wealth inequality now wealth is an income income just

wealth is an income income just

wealth is an income income just represents what you bring in your your

represents what you bring in your your

represents what you bring in your your wages or your salary but wealth

wages or your salary but wealth

wages or your salary but wealth represents that and your assets so what

represents that and your assets so what

represents that and your assets so what reflects historical accumulations of

reflects historical accumulations of

reflects historical accumulations of funds of monies over time so the median

funds of monies over time so the median

funds of monies over time so the median household net worth of whites is that

household net worth of whites is that

household net worth of whites is that one hundred and forty one thousand

one hundred and forty one thousand

one hundred and forty one thousand dollars for blacks and Latinos it’s less

dollars for blacks and Latinos it’s less

dollars for blacks and Latinos it’s less than fifteen thousand dollars I see our

than fifteen thousand dollars I see our

than fifteen thousand dollars I see our faces yes it’s true sorry prison

faces yes it’s true sorry prison

faces yes it’s true sorry prison industrial complex another place where

industrial complex another place where

industrial complex another place where we see contemporary inequality so we

we see contemporary inequality so we

we see contemporary inequality so we know that there’s a racial bias in the

know that there’s a racial bias in the

know that there’s a racial bias in the criminal justice system we’re one in

criminal justice system we’re one in

criminal justice system we’re one in three black men and one in six Latino

three black men and one in six Latino

three black men and one in six Latino men are likely to face some level of

men are likely to face some level of

men are likely to face some level of imprisonment during the course of their

imprisonment during the course of their

imprisonment during the course of their life it’s one in seventeen for white men

life it’s one in seventeen for white men

life it’s one in seventeen for white men so you’ll also see the privilege the

so you’ll also see the privilege the

so you’ll also see the privilege the pedal called white privilege and that

pedal called white privilege and that

pedal called white privilege and that brings us back to where we started so

brings us back to where we started so

brings us back to where we started so remember I said white privilege is a

remember I said white privilege is a

remember I said white privilege is a very important concept it’s something

very important concept it’s something

very important concept it’s something that we need to talk about but in this

that we need to talk about but in this

that we need to talk about but in this model you can understand that it’s just

model you can understand that it’s just

model you can understand that it’s just one pedal it’s just one manifestation of

one pedal it’s just one manifestation of

one pedal it’s just one manifestation of the greater problem it’s not the whole

the greater problem it’s not the whole

the greater problem it’s not the whole problem what we really need to be

problem what we really need to be

problem what we really need to be looking at is the whole flower of white

looking at is the whole flower of white

looking at is the whole flower of white supremacy another thing to pay attention

supremacy another thing to pay attention

supremacy another thing to pay attention to at this point is that today when we

to at this point is that today when we

to at this point is that today when we try to address contemporary inequality

try to address contemporary inequality

try to address contemporary inequality we tend to address the symptoms without

we tend to address the symptoms without

we tend to address the symptoms without also addressing the causes what do I

also addressing the causes what do I

also addressing the causes what do I mean by that so for example if we look

mean by that so for example if we look

mean by that so for example if we look at wealth inequality we might try to

at wealth inequality we might try to

at wealth inequality we might try to solve that by giving out welfare or

solve that by giving out welfare or

solve that by giving out welfare or housing vouchers but that only addresses

housing vouchers but that only addresses

housing vouchers but that only addresses the money aspect of it without also

the money aspect of it without also

the money aspect of it without also addressing racism so we’re going to miss

addressing racism so we’re going to miss

addressing racism so we’re going to miss the mark we’re going to fall short of a

the mark we’re going to fall short of a

the mark we’re going to fall short of a good solution or the criminal justice

good solution or the criminal justice

good solution or the criminal justice system where you might adjust the bias

system where you might adjust the bias

system where you might adjust the bias and juries and courts and trials but if

and juries and courts and trials but if

and juries and courts and trials but if you don’t also connect that to white

you don’t also connect that to white

you don’t also connect that to white supremacy then we’re not going to have

supremacy then we’re not going to have

supremacy then we’re not going to have the

the

the Solutions some we back out again here’s

Solutions some we back out again here’s

Solutions some we back out again here’s the white supremacy flower as a whole

the white supremacy flower as a whole

the white supremacy flower as a whole the roots the stem the flower you can

the roots the stem the flower you can

the roots the stem the flower you can see that there is now a clear connection

see that there is now a clear connection

see that there is now a clear connection between what is going on today and our

between what is going on today and our

between what is going on today and our past our past hasn’t left us it is the

past our past hasn’t left us it is the

past our past hasn’t left us it is the foundation and on a side note this is a

foundation and on a side note this is a

foundation and on a side note this is a beautiful rendition of a flower that was

beautiful rendition of a flower that was

beautiful rendition of a flower that was driven drawn by a student of mine but I

driven drawn by a student of mine but I

driven drawn by a student of mine but I am a horrible artist and when I teach

am a horrible artist and when I teach

am a horrible artist and when I teach this I just have a really reckless

this I just have a really reckless

this I just have a really reckless looking Daisy bloom and the point is is

looking Daisy bloom and the point is is

looking Daisy bloom and the point is is that any of you guys can draw this

that any of you guys can draw this

that any of you guys can draw this yourself so next time you’re having that

yourself so next time you’re having that

yourself so next time you’re having that conversation someone says racism isn’t

conversation someone says racism isn’t

conversation someone says racism isn’t real it’s not around anymore all you got

real it’s not around anymore all you got

real it’s not around anymore all you got to do is break this out okay I give you

to do is break this out okay I give you

to do is break this out okay I give you permission so there’s three main things

permission so there’s three main things

permission so there’s three main things that I think the white supremacy flower

that I think the white supremacy flower

that I think the white supremacy flower model does for us takeaways one it shows

model does for us takeaways one it shows

model does for us takeaways one it shows a clear foundation of white supremacy

a clear foundation of white supremacy

a clear foundation of white supremacy and where we’ve come from – it shows

and where we’ve come from – it shows

and where we’ve come from – it shows that racism has evolved not dissolved

that racism has evolved not dissolved

that racism has evolved not dissolved just because racism looks different

just because racism looks different

just because racism looks different today than it did a few hundred years

today than it did a few hundred years

today than it did a few hundred years ago doesn’t mean that it has left us and

ago doesn’t mean that it has left us and

ago doesn’t mean that it has left us and three it highlights how we can all

three it highlights how we can all

three it highlights how we can all participate in the system of white

participate in the system of white

participate in the system of white supremacy so just because you’re white

supremacy so just because you’re white

supremacy so just because you’re white doesn’t mean you support white supremacy

doesn’t mean you support white supremacy

doesn’t mean you support white supremacy and just because you’re a person of

and just because you’re a person of

and just because you’re a person of color doesn’t mean that you don’t

color doesn’t mean that you don’t

color doesn’t mean that you don’t support white supremacy so much is that

support white supremacy so much is that

support white supremacy so much is that any of us participate and uphold this

any of us participate and uphold this

any of us participate and uphold this system we are helping white supremacy so

system we are helping white supremacy so

system we are helping white supremacy so in conclusion I suggest that we need to

in conclusion I suggest that we need to

in conclusion I suggest that we need to go to our roots as a nation to have a

go to our roots as a nation to have a

go to our roots as a nation to have a more honest analysis of where we’ve come

more honest analysis of where we’ve come

more honest analysis of where we’ve come from so that we can provide better

from so that we can provide better

from so that we can provide better efficient more effective multiracial

efficient more effective multiracial

efficient more effective multiracial solutions for today thank you

you

you [Applause]

”

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