
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]
”
Be First to Comment