Ten participants
Karen Buys leading
No chapters were specifically reviewed today, at least at first; there was just general discussion around some leading statements or questions [Not all of these came from Karen.] Here is a sampling of those.
How does one respond to the statement, “White people gain nothing by diversity.” Or, “What is lost in Whiteness?” White society teaches, “Nothing is lost the whiter your community/company/social scene.”
Responses:
Diversity expands a person’s humanity.
Diversity helps to break down stereotypes.
Exposure to diversity can raise contradictions to upbringing.
Exposure to diversity can address fears and misconceptions.
Diversity enables an escape from a “flat world” – it can change a world view.
How do you present the concept of flavor to someone who can’t taste?
However, it was noted that Diversity can be used as a “cover” from Integration: it is not enough to tolerate those who are “other,” they must be appreciated.
White people like feeling superior. It is taught by the culture, even if it is not ever explicitly stated.
Chapter 3: “White people don’t know the racial history of the US”
If White people don’t know it, we are complicit. White people can continue in their thoughts of “supremacy.”
It’s not just white history that is taught in our schools, it is a positive (slanted) white history. Are white people ignorant of the negative aspects of their history in this country? Or are they in denial of their negative role? Or is there actually malicious intent in suppressing education about that role? Again the difference in textbooks between Texas and California was brought up.
In this day and age, with all the resources available, ignorance of the racial history of the US is impossible – it is willful.
The idea of America is great; the reality is it is not.
Some additional resources were noted:
“Wilmington’s Lie:: A review
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/08/wilmingtons-lie-review-david-zucchino
“Lies My Teacher Told Me”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies_My_Teacher_Told_Me
Homework for next week (February 12): What one (or more) things/thoughts/concepts in the first six chapters really resonated with you?
— Duncan Taylor