The Sun Magazine | By The Color Of Their Skin
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There has been a lot in the media about race the past few weeks as a result of the arrest of Professor Gates in Massachussetts and the President’s comments about the situation. I was just reminded of this interesting article I read from one of my favorite publications–The Sun Magazine. This is an interview with a scholar by the name of Tim Wise. Wise is amazingly articulate at describing the ongoing effects of “white privilege” in today’s society. A curious thing about Mr. Wise is the fact that he himself is white, and just may be one of the most influential writers and speakers on civil rights today.
I know we’re not supposed to speak of “white privilege” anymore. . . that we supposedly live in a “post-racial” society now that we have an African American president and all. On the contrary, I think we have taken some steps backward on civil rights lately and the rhetoric from some on the right side of the political spectrum these days is quite frankly. . . scary.
After reading this interview with Tim Wise, if you’re interested, another good piece to read is the comment section in this week’s New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2009/08/10/090810taco_talk_sanneh. When white folk talk about “racism” against whites, they really don’t have a clue what institutional racism really is. I’m reminded of a quote from the cute and funny film, The Princess Bride “. . . I do not think that word means what you think it means.”
As a white man, I certainly would describe myself more in the mold of Mr. Wise versus those crying wolf against anti-white racism. We are without a doubt a product of what we read and whom we listen to. I’m currently reading to our kids, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, the winner of the 1977 Newberry Medal about a family living in the segregated South. While reading this, I have been reminded of a book that had an extremely profound effect on me as a young man in my early twenties. Something compelled me at the time to pickup Beloved, the Pulitzer Prize winning book by Toni Morrison. Have you ever played that game, what one book would you take with you to a deserted island for a year? This would be my book. I have felt transported to another place and time by several books in my life, but never before like through the words of Morrison. I don’t believe it is possible for someone like myself who grew-up with white privilege to be able to completely absorb what the word ”racism” means (at least no where near enough to be able to throw the word around whenever I feel a little slighted). But if anything, these books and articles have given me an appreciation for the black experience in this country–an experience we cannot ignore. . . even during the administration of the first black President.
