Tim Wise

After watching several videos on YouTube.com regarding the anti-racism writer/speaker Tim Wise, I can't help but feel inspired.


Wise makes several great points in those speeches. The biggest and most eye-opening point was that, before American colonialism, there was no concept of "whiteness." Europeans had spent the past 1,000, or even 2,000 years fighting each other, regardless of race.



I think that's a really significant concept. The human race isn't inherently racist -- we're inherently confrontational. We want power. We want control. Racism against blacks began in America (slavery) began as an excuse to receive free labor -- not neccessarily because of a difference in color.



Even though racism still exists today, I think that's a sign we can change our views -- eventually. Racism didn't begin because there is some inherent difference between whites and blacks that can't be overcome. It began, like it seems everything begins nowadays, because whites wanted to make more money.



That being said, I don't see racism as an inherent problem in our society right now. If you're qualified and a minority, you'll get a job. You'll get a job even easier than most white folks, actually -- I know several very unqualified minorities that received jobs and internships over white candidates with better resumes and better grades.



Even so, it doesn't bother me that much. Because of the "suburbian" migration that essentially segregated whites and minorities during the Civil Rights era, there's a lot of underfunded schools in urbanized areas. Because of this, it's easier for a capable white child to get an education. We need this to balance out before we can truly eliminate racism. Kids need to see a minority CEO -- or president -- to know that anything is possible. We can achieve that through education.



I say great job to Tim Wise, and I would support a lecture at our school any day of the week.