June 3, 2006

Update: Marxist Racism

Nicholas Provenzo at Rule of Reason Blog has some excellent commentary on SPS's racist definition of racism:

In response to the mountain of criticism it received for its definition of racism which included having “a future time orientation” and “emphasizing individualism as opposed to a more collective ideology” [blogged about at ROR here], the Seattle Public Schools has issued the following statement [on their Website]:
In response to the numerous concerns voiced regarding definitions posted on the Equity & Race website, we have decided to revise our website in a way that will hopefully provide more context to readers around the work that Seattle Public Schools is doing to address institutional racism. The intended purpose of our work in the area of race and social justice is to bring communities together through open dialogue and honest reflection around what is meant by racism and the impact is has on our society and more specifically, our students. Our intention is not to put up additional barriers or develop an “us against them” mindset, nor is it to continue to hold onto unsuccessful concepts such as a melting pot or colorblind mentality. It is our hope that we can explore the work of leading scholars in the areas of race and social justice issues to help us understand the dynamics and realities of how racism permeate throughout our society and use their knowledge to help us create meaningful change. This difficult work is vital to the success of our students and families. Thank you for sharing your concerns.

Warm regards,

Caprice D. Hollins, Psy.D.
Director of Equity & Race Relations
Seattle Public Schools

I love how the Hollins’ apology still manages to make a muck of it, this time attacking the “unsuccessful concept” of the “colorblind mentality.” Yeah, you know, that old chestnut that leads one to actually believe that race is immaterial to what one thinks or does. And I also love the ode to “open dialogue” and the desire to avoid an “us against them” mindset. Sure, your mentality may be failed, but we still can talk about it.

I take the above as proof that one can be an utterly flaming idiot who attracts national attention through their buffoonery and still not get fired from the government’s public school system.

Notice also how they are not backing down from their position: "we have decided to revise our website in a way that will hopefully provide more context to readers around the work that Seattle Public Schools is doing to address institutional racism." In other words, we just don't get it. They are going to try to explain better -- or hide better -- the fact that they are racists, and that they are seeking to punish and flagelate "Whites" for their "inherent evil."

They also say "It is our hope that we can explore the work of leading scholars in the areas of race and social justice issues to help us understand the dynamics and realities of how racism permeate throughout our society and use their knowledge to help us create meaningful change." Well, it's those very "leading scholars" who informed SPS's defintions of racism, in the first place!!

If SPS had said they were getting new, rational scholars, there'd be some hope. However, SPS shows their continued irrationality and support of the overthrow of the "White establishment" (ain't no such thing!!) -- which will be violent, as Marxism -- in any form you choose it -- always is.

Education Posted by Cyrano at June 3, 2006 10:37 AM

"you know, that old chestnut that leads one to actually believe that race is immaterial to what one thinks or does"

It IS an old chestnut and it IS an unsuccessful concept. Race is NOT immaterial to what one thinks or does. That's the point exactley (among others) that the Seatle board is making. The dynamics of race do indeed "permeate throughout our society". The best way to understand how this works (and therfore change it's effects) is through dialogue, which again is exactley what the Seattle board are trying to foster.

And incedently, there was nothing in that statement that led me to believe it was an "apology". I personally don't think the Seattle board have anything to apologise for. It's unfortunate that most people misread the section on cultural racism in their original definition, hence the revision, but their's certainly no reason for the board to have to apologise.

Posted by: jake at June 4, 2006 1:56 PM

I would concede that race affects our outlook, actions, and impacts American life significantly.

The original post referred to an assertion by the Director of Equity & Race Relations that individualism (the glue that binds the factious, fractious voices of ThreeSources together) was intrinsically racist, and that collectivism was some sort of antidote.

The idea that a child would be taught by the government that individual achievement is racist is appalling.

Posted by: jk at June 4, 2006 8:40 PM

The fact that dynamics of race, “permeate our society,” does not excuse the severe inaccuracies in the SPS definitions of racism.

Additionally, conversations on race should not overshadow the appropriate purpose of any school which is to teach children, among other things, to reason, write, and spell. Invariably, when you encounter someone who doesn’t do two of these things properly, he also neglects the third.

Posted by: dagny at June 5, 2006 1:41 AM | What do you think? [3]