Discussion (3)¬

1. seoulgirl says:

   April 15, 2008 at 5:35 am

   I loved this speech. I was truly moved when I heard it. IMO Obama is the only modern public figure I have ever heard/read that has been able to capture a truly balanced perspective of the racial issues at hand in America. His speech was so eloquent and precise that I compare it to nasty tasting cough syrup: you resist it because the taste is so bad, but you take it because you know it will fix what ails you. He’s Mr. Robitussin.

   I have voted Republican for several years, but am not affiliated with any party, he makes me look at things with a different perspective.

2. PeaceZGood says:

   March 31, 2008 at 10:07 pm

   Hi, Ken. There was a successful study done where the teacher had the students wear color tags on their clothing and they had to “be” that color for a whole week and treat each other as they really would a person of that color. That really sparked interest. Another way is for you to break the larger group into small discussion groups by having them count off “1,2,1,2,1,2” and then you tell them all the 1’s are, for example, Black. All the 2’s are, say, white. They must be given a scenario, which you, of course, make up. Then, they have to have a reporter for each group who will report back after a given time. Just saying, “let’s talk about it” doesn’t cut it.

3. Ken says:

   March 29, 2008 at 7:46 am

   Darrin,
   Just a follow-up. I tried using Obama’s speech as a catalyst for some discussion of race in my class (freshman/sophomores at a state university). I put highlighted text of his speech on my web site, a link to the full text, and even clips of the Daily Show. I emailed the info to them and gave them a couple of days to mull it over. Two out of about forty students said something. The discussion fizzled after their comments and I was left trying to fill the silence.
   Granted, I’m not the best professor at generating class discussion. I bear part of the blame for not doing a better job facilitating discussion. However, it seems clear to me that East Texas is not going to put the past behind us.
   I understand some of the reluctance. I had a relatives that were clearly racist. My parents were not and I have friends of a variety of races (including have a best man who was African American when I married my Hispanic wife-my interest in cross the racial divides increased when there was a woman on the other side). That being said, I’m what Obama correctly identified as a “typical” white person. If I see someone I don’t know I’m less wary of someone of my own race. I’m far from color blind (although I believe that very few people are). I’m far from fully evolved on this issue so I understand the reluctance to address personal failings.
   It worries me because much of what I really learned about race was during college (granted, staying long enough to get a PhD gave me plenty of time). I’m convinced that most of my students will retreat back into their communities and old social networks after college. I can hope that if I can’t get them to talk about race in my class that they’ll talk with someone sometime outside class. However, I’m left with the feeling that a teachable moment passed and the job didnt’ get done.
   I have different class on Tuesday/Thursday. I’m hoping for better luck with them. However, if I fail the task of enlightenment on race will be back in the hands of the cartoonists of America.