The document shown below has been accessed from the archive of the WACANupdate. The WACANupdate was an e-newsletter published by the White Anti-racist Community Action Network (www.wacan.org) from 2004 through 2009.

 

WACANupdate

News and opinion of interest to
the white anti-racist community


December 12, 2007


Contributing to this issue: Lou Schoen

Send your links and comments to news stories, feature stories, event announcements, media reviews, announcements of publication; feedback; and other items of interest to news@wacan.org

Send me my WACAN.org login information

 

 

Hello reader

Rising times


by Jeff Hitchcock

Some people can't take a joke. That's the irony about a diversity training film in Denver that features a working class white man as a potty-mouthed bigot. The injustice of this quickly made the rounds and reaction mobilized. The threat has been handled. All that's left is to read the news stories. See Story 1, Story 2, Story 3.

True, a video putting all the blame on a white guy is problematic, but the speed at which the problem was recognized and then action taken to stop the video was nothing short of miraculous. It didn't even last as along as a WACANupdate 2-week news cycle. Could it be maybe a little privilege was available, socially, to grease the skids?

On other fronts, people of color continue to challenge white supremacy. Mass protests by Latinos in the streets a couple years ago were recently followed by a massive black outcry in Jena, LA. In Denver, the Columbus Day confrontations with 80 arrests have led to trials. See Story.

Challenges to white supremacy are developing. Historically, they have always been there. Recently they are becoming more visible to the mainstream.

Send comments

Letters to the Editor

Three letters this week, and an apology from the editor. CLICK HERE



WACAN editor arrested. What you can do.

Jeff Hitchcock, editor of WACANupdate was arrested for unlawful assembly along with three other men on Saturday, November 17, 2007 in Plainfield, NJ. The four men are members of the Plainfield chapter of the Peoples Organization for Progress. They were demonstrating against police brutality and violence in the streets. See the news story. For action, see Flyer 1 and Flyer 2.



Fundraiser begins

The annual appeal of the White Anti-racist Community Action Network begins tomorrow with our annual appeal letter.



 

CALL FOR ACTION

New Orleans in distress,... as of Saturday, December 8

Hey folks,

I really want to encourage you all to do what you can to support the struggle to stop the demolitions of Public Housing in New Orleans, below are some ways you can. This is a incredibly intense and important moment right now to support thousands of working class and Black residents of New Orleans from being permanently displaced from their home. National solidarity is Needed!!! M O R E



 

IN NEED OF SUPPORT


AVAILABLE NOW AT AMAZON.COM

Excerpts:
    Chapter 1
    Chapter 20

Book web site: www.WalkWithUs.info

Walk with Us: Triplet Boys, their Teen Parents and Two White Women who Tagged Along
$19.95; ISBN: 10 digit - 1-934-390-30-5; 13 digit - 978-1-934390-30-6

320 page non-fiction narrative set in Philadelphia at the turn of the millenium. Family, race, race relations. Two middle-aged white women share their home with Black Muslim teenagers and their triplet newborns.

p.s. Walk with Us will be offered as a premium item during our annual fundraiser in December.



 

NEWS ITEMS

Criminal & civil justice matters

U.S. jails more blacks than whites for drugs. Drug war still racist, even in 'liberal' Austin. Flawed death penalty system values whites over blacks. White man harassed at work by black female boss sues. San Francisco drug arrests target blacks. Urban League chapter in Michigan accused of colorism. Chicago resident points out questionable stance by the mayor

 

Black & white comparative studies

Kansas City looks at "equality index" results. Browning of Canada proceeds. The shopping experience for blacks, Latinos and whites. Differing opinions on Bobby Bonds.

 

International

Weighing white and "black" supremacy in Bermuda. Dutch show mixed reactions to anti-Muslim party. German police 'routinely ignore racist attacks.' White Brits have 'less faith' in police than Brits of color. Brits of color 'more attached' to nation that white Brits. Israeli Knesset rattled by racism report. Israeli government to aid Ethiopian settlement. Racism in Israel on the rise. America eyes Africa. South African army short of whites.

 

Campus watch

Rochester, MN, program speaks frankly to high school students about race and privilege. Ossining high school students attend similar program. Toronto, too, has program for racial discussion among high school youth. The Seattle school systems fails gifted students of color. University of Minnesota-Morris lists display on whiteness at annual jamboree. "Watch your words: the power of language," a student editorial at the University of Massachusetts. Smith and UMass scramble to make up for diversity education gap.

 

White supremacists

White supremacist charged with white gay man's murder in Oklahoma. White supremacist featured in cable documentary.

 

Odds & ends

The new face of racism: microaggression.

 

White kickback

Now what is it about the title? Film by Shakti Butler critiqued. White mayor booted out of office for immigrationist sympathies.

 

 

 

ARTS, FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT


Black artist Allen Watty sings " Sometimes I Wish I Was White."

Since when are big lips and butts "exotic"?



 

RESOURCES


The Purpose Prize, awarded to 15 people over 60 who are taking on society's biggest challenges.



 

VIDEO


How not to be insane when accused of racism.

Dr. James Cone on the cross and the lynching tree.



 

PEOPLE


Mia Farrow in Sudan.

Don't make me talk about your momma. Fighter Hopkins trashes white boxers.



 

HISTORY, HERITAGE & TRANSFORMATION


John Stennis and white supremacy.

A new look at Eisenhower.



 

BOOK REVIEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tim Wise, revised

Tim's book, White Like Me, is now out in a revised and updated edition.



 

OPINION & ANALYSIS



OPINIONS

" Don't blame blacks for the crisis of capital." By Glen Ford. Black Agenda Radio.

" There is no such thing as a black KKK." By Mel Reeves. BlackAgendaReport.com.

" White backlash and the right." By David Neiwert. TomPaine.com.

" Rich white people deserve neighborhood dumps too." By Oread Daily. www.infoshop.org.

" Mall shooter fit angry white male profile." By Eugene Kane. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

" Muslims, assimilation, and racism." By James Joyner. www.outsidethebeltway.com.

" Serving his masters well." By Desi Cortez. www.blackathlete.net.



 

EVENTS

How to submit an event
CLICK December 10-12, 2007 Adelaide, South Australia "Transforming Bodies, Nations & Knowledges" Annual conference Australian Critical Race and Whiteness Studies Association
CLICK January 18, 2008 Seattle, Washington "Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible" with Dr. Shakti Butler Presentation The Bush School
CLICK January 31, 2008 Princeton, NJ "The Princeton Prize in Race Relations" Application deadline Alumni Council - Princeton University
CLICK March 1, 2008 San Francisco, CA "The Purpose Prize" Application deadline Civic Ventures
CLICK April 2-5, 2008 Springfield, MA "WPC9: Ninth White Privilege Conference" Annual conference The White Privilege Conference
CLICK April 4-5, 2008 Meadville, Pennsylvania Examining Whiteness: An academic conference on white privilege and racism in America Conference Allegheny College