Marginalized Groups

I'm extremely happy to learn that women's studies, contrary to what some may think, does not always pertain to the study of women in one way or another. After attending a discussion on "Racism without Racists" and wondering why the event was posted on our class calendar, I questioned in class how the topic would pertain to Women's Studies. I learned through a quick two minute class discussion that women's studies is more or less about marginalized groups and how they are treated by society.

I cannot think of a better time for White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack to have fit into our syllabus. I feel that the article reaches out toward acknowledging that racism exists and that we all (including those privileged) must work together to end it. As another blogger discussed the current issue of the Jena 6, I won't get into the background details about the incident. However, please understand that racism exists everywhere, even where authority figures will have us believe that it doesn't. As an Alexandria, Louisiana, native, I feel the necessity to speak out. Alexandria was where the truck with nooses hanging out of it was seen. After the incident, "Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy said those involved were 'from around Jena' and not from the same parish as his city." He continued saying that "the matter is 'not indicative' of Alexandria and that local authorities will look into it."

There's something inherently wrong about what he said...."'not indicative' of Alexandria? Ask a local and you'll get a different story. Ask the mayor about what he's doing about the Alexandria N****r Haters (ANH) Association that is so prominent among the local high schools. Alexandria, this small town with a population just under 50K (according to a 2000 census), has its own version of the KKK. How can the mayor dismiss the existence of racism in our town? Even without knowledge of the ANH, the truck with the nooses was traveling through Alexandria. If this scene had the potential to start a riot (which according to the general media, it did have the capacity), racism exists within the town. No town is sheltered from racism. I am extremely disappointed that my mayor does not have the mental capacity to see and admit to the racism that occurs in our town.

When I go home again, I fully intend to distribute copies of the article (if copyright permits ;)) posted on our BlackBoard conference about how to end racism to my students in my high school. If we can't work our way from top administrators down to the general public that racism exists everywhere and there is still much to be done to eradicate it, we will work our way from normal citizens to top administrators. One way or another, we still need a change. MLK Jr. and others have accomplished plenty in the area of civil rights. However, there is still much to be done, and we don't need a leader to tell us what is still wrong with society and how to fix it. It is such a blatant problem that we ourselves can see it and move to fix it.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/21/car.nooses/index.html