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| Let's take a stand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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by Jeff Hitchcock Where is the voice of the white anti-racist community in the face of seething and virulent racism displayed by white people in the United States this year? You know it’s not enough to ignore it. Where are the white people who are willing to stand up and say in a firm and loving way, we have had enough of racism and its time to stop it? Well…they’re here. Late this summer a grassroots effort began in the South to take a stand and create a means by which the white anti-racist community can make itself heard. The first step was to create a statement. It wasn’t easy. Working at a distance, concerned white anti-racist activists from across the country aired their views, worked out their differences, and crafted a statement. WACAN unequivocally endorses and supports this effort. The result is Let's Build a U.S. for All of Us: No Room for Racism, a statement with a theme. And it’s only the beginning. We envision a growing process that allows white anti-racists around the country to begin finding one another, forming groups, building community, and taking local and regional actions to bring the point home. White people are tired of racism. Now we need to build that base. We want and need signatures from white people. We want and need signatures from people of color who support white people in making this effort. We want and need endorsements from organizations. We want and need to get the word out. Most of all, we want and need you. It’s just beginning. As of this writing, about 400 people and 50 organizations have signed the statement. We need 10 times that number to begin moving. Now is the time, and this is the test. Let’s make it happen.
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| Letters to the Editor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
No letters since the last WACANupdate.
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| WACAN's 2009 Annual Appeal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Our Annual Appeal is underway and we are halfway to our goal of $2000. Please consider making a donation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hall of Remembrance and Commemoration | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nominations remain open. We have received three nominations: William Lloyd Garrison, Fannie Lou Townsend Hamer, and Benjamin Lundy. Make your nomination here (login required). View the Hall, now open to the public.
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WACAN.org DIALOGUE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eddie Moore, Jr. appearing in the WACAN Forums. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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What’s the story behind the White Privilege Conference? Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., the conference founder, is meeting with Kathy Muhm now through December 31 in the WACAN.org Forums. Join them for an enlightening discussion (login required).
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NEWS ITEMS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
General news | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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New report shows George W. Bush’s Justice Department abandoned advocacy for minority groups. GOP leaders complain about Harry Reid’s “slavery” comment, and Sarah Palin found Hawaii had too many Asians for her taste. Black leaders in the US called out Cuba for racism. Cuba issued a defense. The Olympic torch moves across Canada amidst protest. Repressive tactics have been used to silence opposition, but in some cases compromises are made for the sake of harmony. A human rights activist in Arizona faces 25 days in prison for littering. The Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council takes legal action to see sweat lodge ceremonies are not misused. White firefighters in Connecticut receive promotions after US Supreme Court decides controversial case. The Obama administration settles a decade-long multi-billion dollar suit by Native Americans. The recent Atlanta mayoral election exposes a racial divide. In a close race the black candidate won. Blacks and whites see things differently in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Saginaw, Michigan has been losing white people. So, too, has San Bernardino County, California. Jobless rate for white workers continues to be less than for black workers. Media reporting on Latinos is superficial and stereotypical. Can’t find people of color in your organization? Just Photoshop them in. A Michigan man steps into controversy with a vanity plate some see as a racial slur. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Courts, cops and culprits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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US Department of Justice will investigate East Haven, Connecticut police practices. Orlando, Florida residents think local police discriminate. Barbers in Moreno Valley, California settle lawsuit alleging racial profiling. The lawyer for a police-shooting victim in Montreal raised the question of profiling. Canton, Illinois, residents allege police chief uses racial slurs. A Boston cop faces a hearing for similar behavior. The Greater Ithaca (New York) Activities Center receives racist voicemail messages. Racist graffiti, arson strike Jacksonville Beach, Florida. In Breckenridge, Colorado, a white man drags a black woman out of a bar by her hair. A Baltimore teen faces trial in juvenile court for white supremacist attack. Philadelphia judge wants identity of undercover offices who arrested antiracist activists at protest rally. Black man posing as white supremacist sends threats to black students. Several black gang members accused of repeated and targeted attacks on white people in downtown Denver. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discrimination | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Seaside Park, New Jersey, bar owner sues town for racial bias. Rutgers University in New Jersey settles law suit alleging racial bias. Fishmonger in Brooklyn, New York accused of racial, sexual harassment of black employees. Principal of elementary school in Easton, Pennsylvania, claims racial discrimination, as does Allentown, Pennsylvania, streets worker. Baltimore teacher won bias suit, and now is placed on unpaid leave. Charles Town, West Virginia, entertainment business sued for racial discrimination. Restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio, accused of mistreating black employees. Cardinal Francis George of the Chicago archdiocese accused of bias against African-American victims of sex abuse. Kansas City trucking firm faces racial discrimination charges. Pipeline worker brings racism lawsuit for mistreatment while working in North Dakota. Fort Pierce, Florida reaches settlement in racial discrimination lawsuit. Marine Corps base in Albany Georgia nears settlement of racial bias suit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Good things | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Saginaw community participated in the recent “root beer” summit sponsored by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Charlottesville, Virginia, is preparing to hold a dialogue on race. Mississippi is making strides to overcome a racist past, but some wonder how ready people really are. The Lake Ministerial Association of Lake County, California wants youth to write essays on topics, including antiracism. Halifax, Nova Scotia, looks at setting up a revitalized race relations committee. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Campus watch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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University of Minnesota under fire for task force’s discrimination-based teacher education plan. The University of Wisconsin at Platteville set up an anti-racist graffiti wall. University of Wisconsin at Madison students defend a summer program for prospective students of color, and call for white people to understand their privilege. A student at the Claremont Colleges discusses an incident in which a black student was disturbed when white and Asian students attended a Kwanzaa celebration. Tim Wise gets good review from visit to Fullerton College, California. Racial tensions break out in Philadelphia high school between black and Asian students. Maryland high school suffers break-in, racist graffiti. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
International | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Australia’s treatment of refugees influenced by a racist past, and present. Australian indigenous “icon” blames whites for Aboriginal drinking. South Africans pessimistic about race relations. Workers picket a South African company, Pick n Pay, claiming racist practices. Police clash with ultra-right protestors in United Kingdom. British teachers made to overreact on incidents of suspected racism said anti-racism campaigner. But counter-terrorism police want to monitor children as young as four for influence by radical extremists. Death of anti-racist protestor 30 years ago reexamined by Scotland Yard.
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ARTS, FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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How well do the networks support a Latino presence in front of and behind the camera? There’s not much truth, but plenty of reconciliation in Clint Eastwood’s Invictus. Is Glee a little bit racist? White man’s burden redux: The Movie! Casting & race, part 3: The race lift.
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PEOPLE & LIFESTYLE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tiger likes white girls…so what? Tiger’s troubles widen his distance from blacks. ‘Whitening’ the resume. Would they still have written if they knew I had to go home and tell my wife?
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BOOKS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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December is National Buy a Book by a Black Author and Give It to Somebody Not Black Month. New gay-friendly children’s book on (transracial) adoption by two daddies. Structural racism 101 for the white folks who need it most (Review of Between Barack and a Hard Place, by Tim Wise). Author receives award for Rethinking Racism: Emotion, Persuasion and Literacy Education in an All White High School. The Lombardi Legacy explores Green Bay Packers coach’s role as racial pioneer.
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FAITH & RELIGION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ACLU to argue for right to religious expression by American Indian kindergarten student. Quaker Indian committee disavows Doctrine of Discovery, affirms declaration. White supremacy group doesn’t qualify as religion. Former KKK leader ordained in black Pentecostal denomination. Augusta, Georgia, church draws multiracial congregation.
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HISTORY, HERITAGE & TRANSFORMATION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Overtly racist regimes in the 20th century. White supremacy and US relations with East Africa. John Brown: The man who lit the fuse. “Songs got us through”: Fannie Lou Hamer in Winona.
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OPINION & ANALYSIS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“It’s not a valuable discussion on race until the POC show up,” by Tami. What Tami Said, December 1, 2009. “Now that we’ve put that strawman to rest…,” by Tami. What Tami Said, December 7, 2009. “Unemployment, race and crimes by white-ists,” by Leonard Zeskind. Huffington Post, December 7, 2009. “Why is it so important to have productive conversations on race?,” by Latoya Peterson. Racialicious, December 10, 2009.
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Your donation counts! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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HOW TO DONATE CREDIT CARD
PAYPAL
CHECK OR MONEY ORDER Send a check payable to "Center for Study" PREMIUM OFFER If you donate $75 or more, you may select one of the following: BOOKS •Walk with Us •The Anti-Racist Cookbook •Lifting the White Veil
DISCUSSION GUIDE •The Racial Awareness Quiz Or, if you donate $100 or more, select our newest release: BOOK •Talking About Race | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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