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by Jeff Hitchcock Where is the white anti-racist response? Jesse, bogging at RacismReview.com raised this question 4 days ago. She points to an anti-racist rally of a few thousand people that took place on November 28 in Glasgow, Scotland, and wrote, “…it is noteworthy that the only time there’s an anti-racism rally here [in the USA], it’s in response to a KKK (or other white racist group) rally, and there’s not a sustained anti-racist movement in the U.S.” Later she puts the focus squarely on white people, suggesting “maybe like whites in Glasgow, whites here in the U.S. could organize an old-fashioned anti-racism rally.” There are a couple of nits that can be picked from Jesse’s posting. At times she seems to conflate anti-racism with white anti-racism. There is a robust anti-racist movement, or movements, in the USA led by people of color. It’s not anti-racism that is deficient, but white anti-racism. And the march was definitely in response to a KKK rally, or the British equivalent. Anyone following the international news report in the WACANupdate knows the BNP (British National Party) has made serious inroads into British politics. The Glasgow rally was in response to a rally held earlier in the month by the Scottish Defense League, an organization with BNP ties (see WACANupdate No. 111, International News). That’s the nit-picking. In the bigger picture, Jesse is right. Where is the white anti-racist presence? Where are the rallies filled with white people? Anti-racism in Europe is able to bring thousands into the streets, and not just in Scotland, but England and Italy, too. There must be a white anti-racist community in the USA because two separate bloggers in the past month have pointed to it, and taken it to task. And there is. It’s here and it’s growing. Rumor has it there are some collective actions being organized even now. But for now, white anti-racists have not done much to make their arguments in a way that captures the public’s attention. Thank goodness at least some people are paying attention, even just as critics. But it’s time for the white anti-racist community to raise its visibility and make its presence known.
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No letters since the last WACANupdate.
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Hall of Remembrance and Commemoration | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Hall is now open to the public. No login required. Click here. Nominations for 2010 can be made by WACAN.org members (login required). To make a nomination, click here.
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WACAN Annual Appeal begins next week | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Our annual appeal will run from December 9 to January 6. This year WACAN will feature a visit from Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., founder of the White Privilege conference, who will appear as a guest in the WACAN.org Forums.
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NEWS ITEMS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
General news | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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President Obama’s approval among whites slips. White House party crashers demonstrate impact of white privilege. Michelle Obama described as wearing “flesh-colored” gown. White and black residents in a Georgia county find the recession is an economic equalizer. White workers now showing up for work at day labor recruitment sites. A mayoral candidate of Asian heritage finds the black-white frame for race difficult to overcome in North Carolina. When cultural appropriation becomes lethal: the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council condemns exploiters of sweat lodges. White Utah teen fights rap rap. Heather Ellis takes a plea deal, avoiding trial for cutting the line at Missouri Wal-Mart. A Texas town struggles over accusations of institutionalized racism. In Louisville, Kentucky, a television station runs a multipart special on black and white relations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Problematic policing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rights group accuses Florida Highway Patrol of profiling. Police in Martinsville, Virginia, hesitant to enter dialogue in wake of taser death of 17-year-old. Trooper accidentally leaves racial slur on Maryland woman’s phone. Wisconsin to hold listening sessions regarding new law requiring collection of racial data during traffic stops. In Ohio an Urban League chapter opposes promotion of police officer who used racial slurs. Lake County, California, deputies allege bias, racial profiling. Two Toronto police officers busted for racial profiling. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Racism | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Columbia, Tennessee, mosque arsonist sentenced to 14 years. ‘God loves white people’ scrawled on black church in Toronto. North Naples, Florida, school children start ‘Kick a Jew Day.’ Ohio man arrested for yelling racial slurs. Black man in Pennsylvania skewers drunken white man shouting slurs. White conservatives paint Obama as ‘rapist.’ Black kids told to pick cotton in front of their white classmates in North Carolina. Black lawn jockeys still being manufactured. Stores celebrating the ‘wrong’ holidays draw disparaging comments. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discrimination | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Camden, New Jersey, prepares to pay $2-million discrimination settlement to black firefighters. Michigan Supreme Court to decide on suit by cop who blew whistle on racial slurs by boss. North Carolina police officer cleared in racial discrimination case. Employee in Washington State receives $800,000 settlement. Quebec court hears discrimination case involving Filipino-Canadian school boy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Resistance and change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hundreds gather at anti-racism rally in Calgary. Canadian Race Relations Foundation accepting nominations of people combating racism. Doctors being taught to recognize racism. Michigan Department of Civil Rights holds statewide discussions on race and diversity. Newark, New Jersey, mayor challenges Jews, blacks to stand together. New Jersey man condemns expressions of hate. Illinois Senate to study school discipline racial gap. Protest at immigration office in Minnesota exposes racism and hypocrisy of deporting Latino immigrants. Students shout down KKK prior to Ole Miss game. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
White supremacists | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Two Calgary white supremacists staged a bomb attack on rivals. One, a teen, was caught. The other, age 24, is on the run and presumed to be dangerous. The Aryan Guard in Calgary disbanded as a result of the attack. But Calgary anti-racists remain skeptical. A California white supremacist receives a death sentence. Federal prosecutors consider using an anonymous jury to try white supremacist in Virginia. Pittsburgh white supremacist in court on probation violation. New Jersey white supremacist and radio talk show host found to be FBI informant. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Studies show... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Real-world behavior and biases show up in virtual world. Awareness of racism affects how children do socially and academically. White Americans most “pure race” in the Americas, genetically speaking. Hidden cameras look at shopping while black and vandalizing while white. Racial patterns found in hiring practices. Two studies in this report: one regarding employment discrimination and the other, cross-racial eyewitness identifications. Study finds discrimination in granting mortgages. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Campus watch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A University of Minnesota plan to revise teacher training to address awareness of privilege has lead to an outcry among conservatives (Article 1, Article 2, Article 3, Article 4) and support from others. The Multicultural Student coalition of the University of Wisconsin-Madison calls for a campus dialogue on race. A Cornell student discusses racial concerns on campus and elsewhere. Grandmother complains granddaughter victimized by racism at Oklahoma middle school. Officials of a Minnesota high school meet with parents over racial tensions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Australia tries a new welfare plan that treats indigenous and no-indigenous Australians the same. New Zealand continues a spat involving a white politician trying to revive his career, and a Maori politician who dissed the white people. Malaysia to revamp patriotism course following racism charge. First time new law in Korea used to convict man of racism. Tel Aviv café chain sued for racist treatment of workers of Yemenite descent. Peruvian government apologizes to Afro-Peruvians. The distribution of wealth in South Africa is now more unequal than a decade ago. Oddly, a soap powder contest mimics this finding. White South Africans are still at the top of the income pile. But white Afrikaners (of Dutch, not English descent) are the most jobless of all people in South Africa by percentage. A group of Afrikaners is protesting the country’s telcom provider, Vodafone, opening a special opportunity to black South Africans to purchase stock. A South African of Indian heritage contemplates changing demands on her identity. A black leader of youth calls for unity and working together against racism. Swiss voters approve anti-Islam law, to Europe’s surprise. Anti-racists and far-right youth battle in Moscow. Anti-racism initiatives by universities in the United Kingdom are failing to have an effect off campus. The zero-tolerance policy for racism in British lower schools continues to stir controversy. Scotland launches an anti-racist poster campaign, while thousands attend anti-racism rally in Glasgow. The Love Music, Hate Racism program makes a local appearance. Can you believe they were showing commercials like this in Britain in the 1980s?
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ARTS, FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Racial themes emerge under criticism in 2012, The Blind Side, The Princess and the Frog, and Precious. Thank goodness Sesame Street got it right. Maybe the producers should read ‘Five mistakes filmmakers make in depicting race.’ Asians still slighted for white actors.
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PEOPLE & LIFESTYLE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Being biracial in a mixed-up world. Stupid things white people do – use rappers as a frame of reference and then get all folksy. CBS Jena story sparks nasty backlash. My white friend.
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BOOKS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Talking About Race: A workbook about white people fostering racial equality in their lives, by Kaolin. How to Deal with White People, by David Goldberg. Whitopia continues to garner attention.
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OPINION & ANALYSIS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“When allies fail – Part one,” by Tami. What Tami Said, November 18, 2009. “Portland, America’s ultimate white city,” by Aaron Renn. dallasnews.com, November 20, 2009. “Why the new breast cancer guidelines are racist,” by Devona Walker. AlterNet, November 23, 2009. “When allies fail – Part two,” by Tami. What Tami Said, November 25, 2009.
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