The Brand New Respectful Presidential Campaign Thread

Here is a response from a professional woman (white) who has written 2 books and teaches others how to teach their students/children about race. Perhaps this will be less threatening than my views on race. At least, there are educated people out there willing to begin the dialogue that was stopped after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. We need this desparately in this country if we are to become united and maintain our living standards as they are today--or even improve them! Unfortunately, since no one has commented on the other articles I have posted, I assume that this one will be ignored also. LOL



EDUCATING FOR CHANGE





The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of Bonnie M. Davis.

"Race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore" -- Barack Obama





March 2008 - Barack Obama's courageous conversation about race came just days after several teachers and administrators from the Chapel Hill/Carroboro City School District in North Carolina held their own courageous conversations. In a workshop dedicated to learning how to "coach" our colleagues and self-coach ourselves, educators opened themselves to the diverse opinions and perceptions of others in the room. No one person spoke for an entire group or culture, yet we learned from each other how cultures reinforce perceptions and how the perceptions of diverse cultures may and sometimes do differ from each other. Educators in this district have practiced courageous conversations for the past several years.



These courageous conversations about race are a necessity. They are not easy or fun. They are scary, demand we speak our truths, and offer no closure. Glenn Singleton and Curtis Linton give us frameworks for these conversations in their powerful and award-winning book, Courageous Conversations about Race, and there are two chapters devoted to racial conversations in my book, How to Teach Students Who Don't Look Like You. However, more than a framework for conversation, we need the courage to go there.



This Tuesday, we heard a biracial man, the son of a White mother and a Black father, go there for all of us who would like to think that race doesn't matter. If we reside in a place of "what I don't know I don't know" about race, we may find ourselves believing race doesn't matter. But race does matter: this artificial construction under girds our society like an unyielding corset that can smother the life of the organism it surrounds unless we enter the uncomfortable territory where courageous conversations about race can happen. 



Thank you, Barack Obama, for having the courage to take us there. No matter what you think, Barack Obama has tackled this issue head-on rather than "water down" the issue of race, and therefore color, in our society. Rather than evoking a "colorless" society, Obama spelled out the historical context for racism and the resulting Black anger that has arisen from it. While doing that, he also acknowledged the struggles and challenges other groups have faced, such as Whites who have watched their jobs go overseas and all those without health care in this country.



Whether Barack Obama receives the Democratic nomination or not, he has opened a conversation that needs to take place. And if the introduction of this conversation does him in politically, then it screams volumes about our society. If talking openly about race causes one's political career to implode, it just shows how taboo the topic is, proving even more that race matters.  



Educators can lead the way in the endeavor to hold courageous conversations. Last week an African-American male teacher said that his wife, a physician, would never be able to have the courageous conversations in her work place that we were having in a room of  teachers, administrators, and superintendent.



Teachers, we can lead the way. As a White woman, I can admit openly to my prejudices, peel away the pretense, and invite your feedback. When I truly listen to your story, I create the opportunity for us to connect.  



In my book, How to Teach Students Who Don't Look Like You, there is a section on writing one's racial history and sharing it with others. In the book, Dorothy, an African-American educator, shares her racial history, and in it are the very issues that Barack Obama addressed in his speech. This African-American woman's narrative reads very differently from the narrative of this White woman.  Why is that? This is a place to begin the conversation.



When I truly listen to the stories of those who do not look like me, I open myself up to learn and grow, both as an educator and as a human being. I create bridges to understanding.



Barack Obama said we cannot write off children who do not look like us if we desire a strong, united country. As educators, we know this, and one way to gain greater understanding about our students' cultures is to -- rather than ignoring race -- have honest and courageous conversations about race with our colleagues. Consider courageous conversations with your colleagues.



"Race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore," says Barack Obama.



Thank you, Barack Obama.



Bonnie Davis, Ph.D.



How to Coach Teachers Who Don't Think Like You



Bonnie Davis has produced another exceptional book for educators. How to Coach Teachers Who Don't Think Like You is available through Corwin Press.



This practical resource covers the process and content of coaching through a uniquely encouraging approach that honors teachers' distinctive learning styles. With a format that gives readers the flexibility to choose sections best suited to particular coaching situations, this book includes: field-tested practices to support personal learning differences, strategies for modifying classroom practice and improving student achievement, coaching models for individual teachers and teams of teachers, options for coordinating coaching activities with teachers' schedules.



Concrete guidelines for novice and experienced coaches!



"Weaving together actual coaching experiences, the theory behind the practice, guidelines, methodology, and guided reflection for the coach, Davis has produced a remarkable tool that no coach should go without." -- Curtis Linton, Coauthor, Courageous Conversations about Race



About the Author



Bonnie M. Davis, Ph.D. is a teacher, consultant, presenter, mentor and writer. Most of all, she is passionate about education and educating.



About A4Achievement and Educating for Change

Over the past four years, Bonnie has both focused and broadened her vision. Her consulting firm, A4Achievement, has created many new opportunities and experiences. In that spirit of innovation, Bonnie has created Educating for Change, a forum for her work and those who wish to follow her lead in changing the face of education.



For more information, follow the link below to Bonnie's website.





a4achievement@earthlink.net or call 314.496.3596.Educating for Change

Somethings can be learned from the Native Americans here in California.  The Pechanga, Pala, Morongo and Agua Caliente have have huge, huge casinos. The per capita for the largest is over $20,000 per month with the least being around $12,000 now. That's for doing nothing, just being a tribal member.  HOWEVER, the tribes do not want what THEY CALL ... Mailbox Indians.   So, if the individual wants their full per capita share, they must a)finish high school or get a GED and b)take fiscal/financial responsibility classes.  If they do this, they can start collecting at age 18.  They also have scholarships, loans, native language classes and other native american education things going on at their centers ... including day care. 

Hmmm.... it would seem to me that people on assistance could do some work or take some classes instead of staying home.  Now, I know that if they take a job at McDonald's they make too much to collect and that amount is usually less than the assistance check.  There obviously needs to be reform so there is incentive to go to work instead of a penalty.  But our tax dollars need to spent better.  

Grace posts:

Shirley,
Regarding the picture of the home being built by the church for Wright; remember Jim Baker?
He built up that huge church via tv, and his was found to be illegally using the monies for himself and his family. Did some time in prison. So, whites do it too!

Grace, I've always thought Baker and some other television Evangelicals were wrong.   I don't know enough about them.  However, I would tell my mother NOT to send money to them.  I NEVER said only blacks to it.  I was channel surfing several years ago and saw Swaggart bawling his eyes out asking for forgiveness for his "sinful" ways...the prostitution thing.  I thought, what a joke.  And I believe he was caught again.  People are foolish to keep going to his church.  I guess he still has one.  So, yes, whites do it to.  Some ministers have affairs.  And on and on.

I'd rather listen to Wright sermons, than go to a white church and listen to someone tell me how to be saved, as they take my money and pocket it, instead of helping others with it!

Why do you think ALL ministers pocket the money given through tithes?  I think the million plus dollar house Wright is getting could be put to use by others [blacks] needing help.  If I'm not wrong that's the only community they help.  If I'm wrong, please enlighten me.  But what I read about what his church stands for it's the Black Value System.  That's segregation, isn't it?

Grace, the reason Obama opened the discussion on race (as far as I can remember) is because of his pastor.  He tried to keep race out of his campaign.

I'm wondering if you who support Obama are angry because of this pastor and his "snippets" and that he (Obama) got caught in the teachings of this church.  Racism will definitely not stop if blacks continue to blame the whites for EVERYTHING.  There are things in the past that need to stay in the past.  Yes, history is important, but to preach inflammatory messages to a congregation about the past will not help them to move on. 

Grace, as I've asked Amy, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME DO?

I will repeat, I try to treat all ethnic groups with respect.  I say, thank you, yes ma'am or sir, excuse me, how ARE you today.....etc.

We may be out eating and I can see the cutest kid (black or white) and talk to that parent about their child.  Let's see...what am I supposed to frigging do?  I am courteous.  I have no idea what I AM SUPPOSED TO DO.  Talk about racism in this country?  WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?

Again, there will be racism no matter what.  And, like I've said before, converstions about these things must start in the home.  Discipline must start in the home.  Not all parents are going to have these "nice" conversations.

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME DO!!??

Shirley

Hi Shirley,

Just start reading. It costs you nothing. go to the library and look up books about people from other cultures. There are many books written by women from other cultures who talk very candidly about their experiences living in this country and how they have been living with racism all their lives. Here are some authors, men and women, to get you started on understanding what it means to be a person of color in this country:

bell hooks

June Jordan

Barbara Smith

Sandra Cisneros

Cornell West

James Banks

And some whites also to give you their perspective on race in this country:

Tim Wise (has his own website with articles related to news and current events)

Bettina Apteker (not sure about spelling)

Angela Davis (she might be too radical but her knowledge of the prison industrial system in this country is very eye-opening)



As you read some of these books, you will notice that the bibliographies will give you even more authors to read. It's a wonderful way to raise the consciousness of race relations in this country, and should be a time to look at your own life and how you are privileged by the color of your skin.

Maybe we should just start a discussion on race relations and take this out of the political thread, that way people would not be inundated with this and people who want to discuss and share can and the ones who don't won't have to have the political thread interrupted.

OK, Sen. Obama, Let's Have the Race ‘Talk'

by Larry Elder (a black man)

http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/elder032708.php3

Grace that is so sad that you sad that..........when I was teaching in first grade in an all black school trying to teach kids how to read.....they would come to school crying saying that their brothers or sisters even their own moms would call them oreos for "trying to be white" and learning to read.........Grace I don't care if you agree with Larry Elder or what but if you think that you are some kind of friend or have some kind of understanding about black people then you are way off the mark.........it's this type of statements that is hurting the black race or calling someone a coconut (brown on the outside white on the inside or any other kind of racial slur that is so demeaning..............jmo..........Shokk

Sorry Shokk, Totally disagree with you. I am telling you what my black friends said about Larry Elder. It certainly doesn't mean that all conservative successful African Americans are oreos, nor does it mean that they think the opposite person, who I can't even guess you are talking about is okay! Just because someone who is black has an opinion about another black person, doesn't mean that a person on the opposite of the continuum is okay. comparing the rapper to the conservative is just too much generalizing without any basis for fact. You are making assumptions about my friends and myself that you have no right to do. You do not know me or them.



Never did understand or care to listen to rapper music. It's horrid, and it comes from white guys also--they just look silly. So let's not stereotype here.



And my black friends are successful African American women working in professional fields with PhDs, in case you were thinking they were the other stereotype you mentioned.



The African Americans, Latinas, Asians, Native Americans that I know are rather liberal in their thinking and in their actions. They look out for each other and support each other. Something I see less and less of in white communities. It's that whole meritocracy that permeates this country, and certainly leaves democracy in the dust at times.



It was not a racial slur for my friends to call people in their same culture an oreo cookie. And I have never called or heard of anyone being called a cocoanut.



I also never considered anyone on this board a stupid conservative white woman. I think you demean yourself when you say that.



You may disagree about what kind of friend I am or my understanding of other people, but I assure you, that you are way off the mark. You do not know me, other than what I write on this board. I have never insulted you by suggesting anything about your character, and I would appreciate it if you would refrain from suggesting anything about my character. Let's discuss the issues and leave personalities out of this.



I can't address what the mothers meant about their children learning to read, as I do not know where you taught or when. History has taught many African American communities to beware of whites. History taught them this by the actions of our ancestors. They taught their children to be careful and to protect themselves. They taught their children to be proud of their heritage and to honor it, even if we Americans haven't.



I find that when someone doesn't really have a good argument or rebuttal to someone else's comments or opinions, they revert to personal attacks. That is so mean and small.

Grace,

I have read and enjoyed your posts very much. However, your response to the Elder article is very disturbing. I am a liberal, left leaning black female Democrat. Forty years ago as I was about to go off to a predominately white college, I was acussed by my former classmates/friends (black) of being an "oreo" for going to a "white" college. In conversation with my mother about this, she said how 30 before that she had been accused of the same thing. Ten years ago I was working at a local University in Chicago and a very gifted black student turned down a scholarship because of no support from  family and friends, and yes, that same old taunt of "acting white," which I still don't understand.

I am distressed when blacks  turn on each other because we disagree. We are not monolithic beings,we are automonous people who all have our own ideas. I probably will never agree with anything Condolezza Rice says. I think she is a sell out because of what this administration has done to this country, but I will never call her an "oreo." I will call her a kiss ass to George Bush, but that does not indicate a racial origin.

I am sorry you and your black friends cannot accept Larry Elder and his opinions and agree to disagree.

I have  agreed with most of what you have said about beginning to have honest discussions about race. I just can't see how that will happen when some blacks won't accept the opinions of other blacks. Opinions, by definition,l are not right or wrong.

Cherryl

PS I don't agree with the entirity of his article, but I do believe his opinions should be respected. One should feel free to disagree, but not to denigrate.

Cheryl,

Thank you for your honest opinion. And I agree with you. Sometimes I shorten my answers because I always seem to go on too long. Yes, i disagree with Larry Elder, and a few of the others mentioned, and I apologize if i was considered making a racial slur. Next time, I'll be more careful.



I don't put Colin Powell into this group and maybe others would. I was angry when he went along with Bush's War promo at the UN, but I saw that he was very uncomfortable with his report, and respect him very much for saying in his own way, enough is enough, and leaving the cabinet. Unfortunately, I wish he had stayed and others had left.



And I totally agree that blacks, or African Americans are completely autonomous people with individual opinions. That is part of the difficulty of the discussion here. In my own experience with the "white folk" at the college where I worked, and with other family and friends, most (not all) white people easily fall into the stereotyping by group. Just like shokk did with the rapper business earlier. If you don't fall into this group you are bad, or if you are in this group you are good.



On the other hand, we whites always see ourselves as individuals. We don't consider Bush part of our group (at least more and more don't as this war goes on). We don't consider white supremists to be part of our group, or the conservative white preacher who thinks being gay is evil. We want to stand on our own. We have yet to recognize that we don't do that with groups of people. So, even I make mistakes of grouping under a stereotype as in the case of Larry Elder. I learned something more about myself.



What I dislike here, are some of the generalities. Perhaps I am doing that myself. I do try to stay away from that. If we talk about race, everyone has one story, one example that disproves what is more than universally true.



I believe I was fortunate to work with this tight group of women who carefully invited white women into their group. I spend 12 years in alliance with these women. We worked hard to get ourselves on campus committees, to train so we could facilitate equal opportunity employment workshops on the campus and bring in well-qualified, dynamic professors of color to teach in all discipline areas of our campus. Our hiring rates of people of color have increased to 28% a year on our campus. But there is still more to do. In the past few years, the minority group (students of color) has not surpassed the white group--so we are a minority majority campus. It is wonderful to walk across the campus and see people from many countries and all walks of life. Young and old, dark and light, these wonderful students bring their stories to tell about their experiences in this country. I believe in listening and validating every one.



As far as the acting like white, or trying to be white, I have no clue why that is so, and why some people of color feel that way or believe it. I know it has to do with power. Many do believe that access to what whites have is gotten by getting close to whites, or kind of "adopting" the white line of power. I've seen several administrators do that at our college. They won't even talk about race. They say they treat everyone the same. I could go on and on. They don't participate in any multicultural activities or bring that perspective to the table when making decisions. They seem fearful of taking sides and want to maintain the status quo. That's as close as I can come to explaining acting white. I think it's a shame.



I can tell you that at our college, 8-12% of our student body is black. Of those students, perhaps 2% is male. Most come for football or basketball scholarships. The PE dept often puts them in classes that they are not prepared for, because to do otherwise would mean missing practice. Many of these quiet young men have real difficulty reading and writing, some learning disabilities, that if identified, would provide tutoring services to them for free on the campus. At the beginning of the semester, I see these students gathering together in one area of the quad. As the weeks go by, I see the numbers of these students become less and less. Sure, they drop out for a variety of reasons, but we don't seem to do a very good job of keeping them. However, the women in this group succeed phenominally.



It saddens me, because we need all students to succeed in some kind of formal education. We need all students to come into their own and find their place in the world. I just see that schools often shut the doors on certain people, or certain groups. Our schools are in dire need of reform. We need to redirect money from prisons to programs that will teach all of our children to be useful, productive citizens. In the world, US schools rank very low.





And, I respect what you have said, and hope you will continue to join us here. I want you to know that it is not my intention to speak for any group of people, that I speak from my own personal experience. I am often asked, when I am at the college, to speak up in committees about an issue related to people of color by people of color. Seems we whites don't get hit with the missiles nearly as much as my colleagues. Amazing that a person of color can make a suggestion, committee chair passes them by with a thanks, and a few minutes later the white woman or man (allies of course) say the same exact thing, and it's hailed as a really great suggestion and we should do that. Life sucks sometimes!!

And disappoints many times!!



Again, I'm on that soapbox. So, I have been guilty of putting up one example to prove a point, or disprove anothers' point. I will attempt to avoid doing that.

I agree with you both, Paulette and Amy,

The assistance housing program needs great fixing. And here in Calif even more. I don't know if the same policy regarding senior housing exists in other states but here is what we have. There is Measure J housing for seniors, some low income, some not. The not low income needed to qualify housing for seniors means that seniors can have any income (even more than $1mil invested to pay dividends) that is not considered a disqualifier for this housing. There are lovely apartments downtown where someone earning $50K+ off their investments can get a 1-2 bedroom apartment for $800-1000. per month. This in a state where the poverty level cut off for a senior has to be under $12,000 per year.



So my SIL's friend just moved into the building. She's receiving way more than $50K a year in earnings.

My SIL is not even 60 and already retired and living on her dividends. My dh thinks his sister makes about $100K a year. She and her partner are planning to do the same thing. AND they can keep their home (worth about $900K-1.2M) and rent it out.



Just an example of how wealth can come from relatives and grow even more. Well, actually two examples!! So I kept my promise LOL.



While the list Amy made about how much harder someone has to work depending on circumstances, and we are better off than in the Middle East or Africa (I think we can find poverty that's pretty close to third world circumstances in this country also)--it doesn't make it right, and people shouldn't have to settle for that. As for supposing the president/past presidents/candidates were from another era or other circumstances, is great for thinking about, but it doesn't change what is going on in this country right now. And I know that's not what you meant Amy at all.



Let's face it. There are many people coming today from overseas and from other countries who have light-dark skin color. They often come with their money (if they can get it out of the country). When Hong Kong reverted to China, we saw a large influx of Chinese come into Silicon Valley. They brought their wealth with them and invested it in businesses and housing in a community. They moved to that community because it had the best school system in the local south bay area. Their children moved on from high school to distinguished universities. Now, we see the same happening with people from India and other nations in that region. Again, many not all, come with their wealth and well-paying jobs provided by local Silicon Valley corporations. They too follow the desire to move into good community with excellent schools, and their children will move on to distinguished universities. These are two examples that show, I believe, that circumstances are very different from a South American who comes here because of political refuge, or boat people who come from refuge camps in Indonesia where they have basically "camped out" waiting for a chance at the American Dream. They come with the clothes on their back. They too want their children to go to good schools, they want a house to own and a business to own. They don't come with wealth or a high-paying job when they walk onto our land.



Is that fair? Of course not. Can we change that? I dont know. Do we want to change that? Are we giving some unfair advantage? Money is power. And power gets you what you want. JMO