What is most striking to me in the myriad ways our country has found to oppress a variety of people, over a course of years. And so many of those ways of oppression, especially in words, are continuing now.
After viewing the videos: brief history, native american boarding schools/adoption, racist practices in medicine, and gas baths at the boarder, I find myself asking again WHEN will the history books be rewritten? It is only when the young learn will history change. I lived most of my life in the Harrisburg area of Pennsylvania about 40 minutes from Carlisle, PA. I had a vague knowledge of the Carlisle Indian school, but nothing of any substance. How as a woman did I not know of Dr. Sims and the atrocities he committed on enslaved women? How did I not know about the connection of the 1917 all the way through 1960 Gas Baths on the Boarder. I'm so frustrated with myself. I'm an educated woman in her 50s. I'm a teacher, a theatre practitioner. I regularly work w/those who identify as members of marginalized communities to create space for them to tell their stories. I have been drawn to work for and with those who have suffered oppression and discrimination since I was in college. And for the knowledge I do have, I'm acutely aware of all that I do not know.
So, yes, I think these historical events, rules, and laws still impact our society. I'm a prime example, for all the good I want to do and all that I have read and researched--I must continue to learn. Until we all learn, history will not change.
My very close friend and business partner is currently suffering as a black woman whose medical conditions are constantly being dismissed by medical professionals. My black students who are 18 are on the front lines of today's BLM revolution and share with me how very tired they are. Tired of having to educate and drive for change.
I am horrified by the web white supremacy has created through out history. This web snares and entangles so many people of color. And its the subversive actions that stretch and tighten over time growing to include so many oppressed people. I'm thinking of the El Paso Mayor was a clean freak and had learned of typhus and lice. He then instituted the gas baths which "inspired" the Nazis to experiment w/gas to exterminate the Jews. This is only one. There were so many examples in the videos. And do this day anyone considered an other cannot severe themselves from the web.
My goal is to continue to learn the facts. Speak the truth with grace. Stand up and create the change while being guided by those who are suffering and oppressed.
I’ve been a white anti-racist for 20 years now. I’m a cultural anthropologist who has worked in Latino, Black and Native communities. I’ve studied deeply in history and social change theory. And yet, I am still Deeply affected by some of what I saw in just this first section. I can’t imagine how hard it must hit people who don’t have my breadth of experience to view this material for the first time. So I appreciate how well curated the content is. I also appreciate the comments from some of the folks that are newer to this kind of work. It seems the training is, for the most part, having the desired affect. Kudos. I look forward to the remainder of the training.
Discussion Decorum: Participants will treat each other with respect. When disagreeing or debating, focus comments on the facts and training content, not personalities. No personal attacks. Purposefully rude or derogatory language will not be tolerated.
After viewing the videos: brief history, native american boarding schools/adoption, racist practices in medicine, and gas baths at the boarder, I find myself asking again WHEN will the history books be rewritten? It is only when the young learn will history change. I lived most of my life in the Harrisburg area of Pennsylvania about 40 minutes from Carlisle, PA. I had a vague knowledge of the Carlisle Indian school, but nothing of any substance. How as a woman did I not know of Dr. Sims and the atrocities he committed on enslaved women? How did I not know about the connection of the 1917 all the way through 1960 Gas Baths on the Boarder. I'm so frustrated with myself. I'm an educated woman in her 50s. I'm a teacher, a theatre practitioner. I regularly work w/those who identify as members of marginalized communities to create space for them to tell their stories. I have been drawn to work for and with those who have suffered oppression and discrimination since I was in college. And for the knowledge I do have, I'm acutely aware of all that I do not know.
So, yes, I think these historical events, rules, and laws still impact our society. I'm a prime example, for all the good I want to do and all that I have read and researched--I must continue to learn. Until we all learn, history will not change.
My very close friend and business partner is currently suffering as a black woman whose medical conditions are constantly being dismissed by medical professionals. My black students who are 18 are on the front lines of today's BLM revolution and share with me how very tired they are. Tired of having to educate and drive for change.
I am horrified by the web white supremacy has created through out history. This web snares and entangles so many people of color. And its the subversive actions that stretch and tighten over time growing to include so many oppressed people. I'm thinking of the El Paso Mayor was a clean freak and had learned of typhus and lice. He then instituted the gas baths which "inspired" the Nazis to experiment w/gas to exterminate the Jews. This is only one. There were so many examples in the videos. And do this day anyone considered an other cannot severe themselves from the web.
My goal is to continue to learn the facts. Speak the truth with grace. Stand up and create the change while being guided by those who are suffering and oppressed.
Reflection 1.1
I’ve been a white anti-racist for 20 years now. I’m a cultural anthropologist who has worked in Latino, Black and Native communities. I’ve studied deeply in history and social change theory. And yet, I am still Deeply affected by some of what I saw in just this first section. I can’t imagine how hard it must hit people who don’t have my breadth of experience to view this material for the first time. So I appreciate how well curated the content is. I also appreciate the comments from some of the folks that are newer to this kind of work. It seems the training is, for the most part, having the desired affect. Kudos. I look forward to the remainder of the training.