Lots of stories this news cycle. Enjoy.

Two letters since the last WACANupdate. CLICK HERE

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Seattle Public Schools has eliminated its Office of Equity, Race and Learning Support and left Dr. Caprice Hollins without a position. Dr. Hollins has been a supporter of the White Privilege Conference, and has received heavy criticism for that support. Please read this appeal from Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. on her behalf.

Last month WACANupdate linked to column by Kent State student Beth Rankin, titled "I am not a white bitch," along with three other stories about fallout from the column. In this issue, Elizabeth Gordon takes a closer look at Rankin's column, and the brouhaha it created. CLICK HERE

Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean, a Haitian-born descendant of French-owned African slaves, has caused a sensation in her visit to France, as reported on May 5, May 7, and May 12. The location of WCAR II will not be Durban, South Africa. A white supremacist has entered an Indiana Republican primary for congress, while in Los Angeles, a white separatist is running for a judgeship. A Sioux tribal court in South Dakota has ruled against a hog farm planned for development, while demonstrators are arrested by the South Dakota Highway Patrol. The term 'squaw' is being dropped from names for geographical places. A Canadian tribal leader cites racism as cause of deficient education. Racist whites, when asked to think about white privilege, self-justify their racism claims social scientists. Programs focusing on cultural expectations are most effective in closing racial gap in education. A Mississippi institute presses for racial justice. Multicultural toolkit for daycares developed in Canada. Canadian government official warns against attacks on free speech when defending multiculturalism.

The Sean Bell killing by New York Police Department officers has been a national story, but this recent news cycle revealed several other disturbing reports. NY police arrest an incredible number of people of color on marijuana charges, generating overtime to supplement their low salaries, while police professionals deride the practice as gross misuse of resources (Article 1, Article 2). The top African American in the NYPD is harassed and subjected to a potentially deadly encounter on the street by his fellow officers who failed to recognize him. NYPD is now being sued for laughing off a report of a missing woman of color even as she was being tortured to death over 4 days. A black New York Post reporter is also suing after having been harassed and detained in a "stop and frisk" operation endemic to New York.

Meanwhile, not to be outdone, the Los Angeles PD fails to substantiate a single complaint of racial profiling among the 320 made in 2007.

New evidence was filed in a long-standing civil rights case against the Secret Service. A cross burning takes place in Indiana. In Wisconsin, an African American businessman receives a racist letter. An Idaho teacher trashed the Mexican flag. Nevada teens write graffiti advocating white supremacy. A California man faces trial for making racist threats over CB radio. Alaskan radio DJs suspended for racist remarks.

Houston more likely to execute black defendants. Two recent reports document racial disparities in drug enforcement nationwide (Article 1, Article 2).

Little is know why more than 60 immigrants have died in detention in the past 3 years. In El Paso, and also Brownsville, Texas, citizens and elected officials resist Federal plans to build a border fence.

Bermudian Mark Nash, whose talk was reported in the last WACANupdate, is featured in a new article.

A teen in the US reports on racism in soccer, an international problem.

A British soccer club disputes disciplinary action taken against one player accused of racism. Also in Britain, a poll finds two-thirds of Britons feel race relations may turn violent. The British National Party remains racist, despite cleaning up its rhetoric. A Scarborough man is jailed for a racist rant. Vandals trash school and leave racist graffiti in Bolton. Also in Bolton, a teenage girl threatens Asian men with a chainsaw. She is later arrested. Two men are convicted in a racist verbal assault on a Filipino woman who is part of a mixed-race couple. A police officer in Manchester is demoted for racist comments. Sunderland politicians launch anti-racism campaign. British newspaper sponsors two week "Hope not Hate" tour (Article 1, Article 2). Love Music Hate Racism carnival draws 100,000 people.

German historians want to re-publish Hitler's Mein Kampf as anti-racist act. Rome's mayor promises purge of migrants. Arabs say racism on rise as Israel turns 60. Speaker describes racism in New Zealand.

White South Africans earn 450% more than South African blacks, new study finds, and black South Africans are tiring of disparities. A recent court ruling against same-race organizations makes black struggle for equality difficult. Racist white South Africans get it from their parents.

Anti-racist rallies and protests take place at high schools in Pennsylvania (Article 1, Article 2), Tennessee, Illinois, and California. Also in California, racist graffiti appears on a San Diego school.

A Cornell student apologizes for a misplaced humor piece insulting the Asian American community, and discusses racism as a serious issue. Staff of a Calvin College, Michigan, spoof magazine apologize for misguided and racist issue. Social life remains segregated at Duke. Award-winning student discusses anti-racism during talk at Bethel College, Kansas.

The National Council of Churches defends Trinity UCC's ministry and calls for a 'Sacred Conversation' on race on May 18, 2008.

Over 400 Christian pastors and thousands of lay Christians have signed the Reconciliation Referendum.

Methodists struggle to reflect diversity.

Various church groups sponsor dialogues on race in Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

Excavations uncover antebellum integrated town in Illinois founded by ex-slave.

South Carolina continues to struggle with its racist past.

The birth of redlining.

Mass deportation is not just a recent phenomenon.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be the First Lady's college roommate? Unless a little racism got in the way.

White kids in Hawaii not the norm.

Iowa news reporter finds "white" not always accepted.

Jay Leno blows it. Uses B-word at charity function.

Interesting. A reviewer discusses the white cultural underpinnings of a play not ostensibly about race.

Are we ready for Shakespeare and colorblind casting?

Asian eyes are in as beauty ideal shifts.

Democrats propose new whites-only primary.

There was a bumper crop of opinion pieces this news cycle. And Hillary Clinton's recent comment deserves a category all its own, below.

"Why are we out to destroy our diversity?" by Eileen Gale Kugler. washingtonpost.com, May 11, 2008.

"To the man who called me n-word," by Andre M. Davis. baltimoresun.com, May 9, 2008.

"Are whites too sensitive?" by the White Guy. DiversityInc.com, May 8, 2008.

"My favorite subject: Ta-Nehisi Coates, on Blacks and Jews." Too Sense: Race, Politics, and Hip-hop, May 7, 2008.

"An open letter to white progressives and radicals," by apoc. illvox: Anarchist People of Color, race, anarchy, revolution, May 6, 2008.

"The all-white elephant in the room," by Frank Rich. nytimes.com, May 4, 2008.

"Obama navigates the home stretch," by Howard Winant. The Huffington Post, May 2, 2008.

"The relative truth of this presidential election is 'WWWPD' (What would white people do?)," by Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad, PhD. BlackCommentator.com, May 1, 2008.

"Why blue collar whites vote against themselves," by Dr. Ronald Walters. The Seattle Medium, April 30, 2008.

"John McCain's white supremacist problem," by Cliff Schecter. The Huffington Post, April 28, 2008.

"A measure of racism: 15 percent?" by Roger Simon. POLITICO, April 22, 2008.

"Commentary: 10 ugly things about the immigration debate," by Ruben Navarrette, Jr. CNN.com, n.d.

"We see color and it fucking matters," by the People of Color Caucus. Earth First! Journal, n.d.

"Clinton touts support from 'white Americans'," by Alexander Mooney. CNN Political Ticker, May 8, 2008.

"Hillary and McCain: The white bloc that must be stopped," by Eric Mann. BlackCommentator.com, May 8, 2008.

"Pursuing the elusive white voter," by Clarence Page. Salt Lake Tribune, May 9, 2008.

"How to talk about white people," by John Hartigan. Statesman.com, May 12, 2008.

"Dividing West Virginians: Clinton's remarks on race, class are meant to exploit," by Joseph Evans. wvgazette.com, May 12, 2008.

"Yo, hard-working whites: Hillary wants you!" by Dick Polman. philly.com, May 12, 2008.

"Don't be fooled by the man behind the multiculturalism curtain," by Peter Wilson. The Right View, May 6, 2008.

"Whites not voting for blacks are racists?" by John L. Perry. Newsmax.com, April 28, 2008.