April 06, 2006
White Men Wilding?
Rachel at Alas, A Blog has a great post about the Duke Lacrosse team rape case. She makes a great point that when a group of Black men commit a rape like this, it is viewed much differently than when a group of White men (especially young men at a private college) commit a similar crime:
Unfortunately, most people(especially White folks) in American culture don’t see these behaviors as similar. They think that one Black person's bad behavior is somehow representative of all Black people, not the individual Black person or people involved. They think subconsciously or consciously that Black men are dangerous and White men are the innocent boys next door.
It reminds of a point I bring up in some classes I teach - that when Timothy McVeigh was captured for blowing up the FBI building in Oklahoma City, White males weren't the target of police and government scrutiny, nor targets of public hatred. But after September 11th, anyone who appeared to be Middle-Eastern - men and women - became targets.
via Alas, A Blog - White Guys Gone Wilding
Posted by Russell at 10:05 AM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2006
Plight Deepens For Black Men
The problems for black men are worse than previously thought a series of studies show. While the economy shifted upward in the 90's and welfare was overhauled, black men have only seen an increase in incarceration and unemployment.
"There's something very different happening with young black men, and it's something we can no longer ignore," said Ronald B. Mincy, professor of social work at Columbia University and editor of "Black Males Left Behind"
via New York Times - Plight Deepens For Black Men, Studies Warn
Posted by Russell at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2006
White Privilege Shapes The US
...the ultimate white privilege: the privilege to acknowledge you have unearned privilege but ignore what it means.This is why it is often difficult to talk about white privilege with some white people. Robert Jensen is a journalism professor at the Univeristy of Texas - Austin. His article below demonstrates how he changed his teaching style - he decided to stop focusing on how white privilege affects white people in general, and focus on how it affected - helped - him, specifically. White Privilege Shapes The US
Posted by Russell at 11:47 AM | Comments (0)
December 28, 2005
Sundown Towns
A new book has been released called Sundown Towns - A Hidden Dimension of American Racism, by James W. Loewen. It looks at the controversial claim that after Reconstruction some towns in the U.S. set themselves up as "white-only" communities. The title comes from signs that were often posted on the roads entering these towns as one did in Hawthorne, Calif., in the 1930s: "N*****, Don't Let The Sun Set On YOU In Hawthorne."
Apparently the book focuses on those communities that made a conscious effort to be "white-only". It does make me think about those communities that have on overt, but not clearly enforced "white-only" policy. I grew up in such a community: suburb of Boston, 1980's, all-white. I recall a black family moving into town when I was in junior-high school and moving out six-months later. No one said anything to me, but it was clear to me even then that they were made to feel uncomfortable. No signs at the city-limits, but same effect.
via Washington Post - Darkness on the Edge of Town
Posted by Russell at 09:50 AM | Comments (0)
December 23, 2005
The Color of Love
An essay on ethnicity and the men's movement to end violence against women:
The Color of Love
César Alvarado
You are in the Deep South; the year is 1913. While walking into an old public building in search of water you see two water fountains. Above one, the cleaner one, a bold sign states, “Whites Only.” Above the other, a sign stating, “Colored Only”. Which one can you use? Which one do you use?
The Jim Crow Era fountain picture came to mind when I first heard the term “people of color” at a Family Violence conference. Moreover, it pops up again and again every time I hear the term.
I have worked in the progressive Movement to End Men’s Violence Against Women and Children in several parts of the country. For instance, I have been and continue to be a piece of grassroots organizations and institutions in the forefront of the Movement. My work has blessed me with deep conversations in the midst of all kinds of people. Various aspects of accomplishing the work like the dynamics and foundations of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Intersectionality of Oppressions have been discussed. These profound conversations have been with women, men, teens, Christians, atheists, Muslims, gays, transgenders, heterosexuals – people from various ethnicities, and an assortment of others.
I believe the last named identifier, ethnicity, is the key when speaking about the term people of color. Personally, I identify as a young Chicano on a spiritual path. I also identify as a poet, partner, son, brother, Tejano, friend, and the list could go on. If you challenge yourself to think about your identity you can more than likely come up with at least 14 adjectives. Sadly, the term people of color only focuses on one part of me, the color of my skin.
During the deep conversations mentioned earlier, I have spoken with others in the Movement about the term. Many of them are as uncomfortable with it as I am. They told me they hesitate when they hear it and stutter so slightly when they use it.
The term is easy and lazy. An Anglo American who chooses to use the term can lump all “others” into this category. How convenient for them. Not only are we being oppressed time after time by an Anglo American controlled world but we are also placed in the ‘non-Anglo American’ category so effortlessly. This term and others are vital tools of oppression. Furthermore, using the term people of color is stepping backwards into the Jim Crow Era of “colored people”. Does anybody know the difference between colored people and people of color? If you sincerely want to get in touch with me and other Latinos, Africans, Asians, Natives, Jews, and so forth, you have to know who we are, not only who we have been. More importantly, please do not categorize us as who we are not. For instance, not Anglo American or, in other words, not white.
All of us have color. White is a color just like brown, black, and the other colors. Surprise, my Anglo American colleague! You are a person of color. Besides, what about my sisters and brothers in the movement who are light-skinned? Where do they belong? I have heard them talking about struggling with being a light-skinned person of color in a people of color group. Should they be ostracized because they are not dark enough? More importantly, are they accepted into better positions because of their light skin?
Some of you may be saying, “What about the People of Color Institute, the Women of Color Network, and similar groups”? Others may be thinking, “What are we supposed to be called then or what do we call you”? Great! Let us ask and converse. However, please think about whom you really are and who you want to be. Do you want to be a color (some-thing) or do you want to be celebrated as some-one?
I truly believe that we in the Movement to end Men’s Violence Against Women and Children want and need to do better. We can gently demand that we be portrayed as the wonderful, complex beings that we are and resist being defined only by our color, whatever that color may be.
Ultimately, I am hoping this article will spark discussion about the use of the term people of color in and around the Movement. Will the women who lead us please chime in? The grassroots are growing and sending you a message. Do you want to have this discussion with us? I am confident the Movement will reach out welcoming arms to those of us who know they are more than a “colored person” drinking from one water fountain or the other. Let us drink from one … the color of love.
César Javier Alvarado was raised in San Juan, Tejas, within el Valle del Rio Grande, and weaned in Central Tejas. Inspirational guides have helped and continue to assist César in learning about the intersections of Family Violence and Sexual Assault. His experience has gifted him with working at grassroots organizations and institutions in the forefront of the Movement to End Men’s Violence Against Women, Children, and others. Currently, César is providing Consulting for organizations in and around the Movement and readying himself for his next occupational journey. He loves to write poetry, enjoy time with his partner, and play/listen to music which will help him remain grounded and committed to the Movement for the remainder of his life.
Posted by Russell at 11:19 AM | Comments (0)
December 19, 2005
Boston Anti-Racism Media Watch
The website linked to below is not focused on gender or masculinity. But, I post it because it is an example of how I can see this website being used (with an international focus, though). This website is a developing project - adaptable to fit unmet needs. If you have any comments or suggestions, please e-mail me at: rbcarlin[at]hotmail.com.
Greater Boston Anti-Racism Media Watch
Posted by Russell at 09:32 AM | Comments (0)
December 01, 2005
Blog Against Racism
I have just learned that today is Blog Against Racism Day. I had another entry written, but decided that I needed to honor this day. And, since this blog is more about linking to what others are saying (whether that be bloggers, scientists, journalists, etc), I will link to some interesting posts: Hugo Schwyzer and Pandagon
Posted by Russell at 12:25 PM | Comments (0)
