One White Teacher

Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis and many others ( black & white) put themselves in dangerous situations, commonly marked by violence and time in jail, to increase awareness about the fact that voting rights, especially in the southern states, were very purposely designed to suppress Black and minority voters.

The 1965 signing of the Voting Rights Act by Lyndon Johnson, made nearly all voter suppression tactics illegal across this country. And when Congress enacted the Voting Rights Act, it did so with for following reason: ‘to address entrenched racial discrimination in voting, and “insidious and pervasive evil which has been perpetuated in certain parts of our country through unremitting and ingenious defiance of the Constitution.”  Those are not my words. Those are in the official record.

The intent and purpose of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act was to disallow any changes to voting procedures UNLESS & UNTIL the new procedures were determined, by the Justice Department or a federal court in Washington, D.C., to have no discriminatory purposes or effects. SOUNDS GOOD, RIGHT?

And it was. Black registration rates in the former Confederate states rebounded from 30 percentage points below white registration rates in 1960 to equal or greater than white registration rates in 2010. Black turnout in elections followed a similar positive pattern.

The results were incredible. In 1965, there were only five African Americans in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate combined. Today there are 48.  And across all state and local offices, the change is even more remarkable. Since 1965, African-Americans went from holding fewer than a 1,000 offices nationwide to over 10,000.

So what IS the problem?  Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act is the problem. On June 25, 2013, the United States Supreme Court decided that it is unconstitutional to continue forcing states to submit possible changes to their voting rules for approval by the Justice Department.  The result of the 5-4 decision?  Twenty-one  states now have new voting restrictions— including strict voter ID requirements, no online voter registration, no pre-registration for teens about to turn 18, and serious cutbacks to Sunday and early morning voting for low-income workers.

If you’re familiar with the names of U.S. Supreme Court Judges, you can probably guess who voted for this change: Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. To assert that this decision was not a political decision would be wandering too far from the truth of the matter.... 

… especially when we learn who was against this destructive change: Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

When Emancipation for Black people was won, after so many lives lost in our Civil War, that should have been the start of a new chapter in this country - one that would start the healing from all the ugliness promoted by the enslavement of Black people.  It did not.  What happened, instead, was a vicious and shameful recalibration of the 'white supremacy' mindsets.   "JIM CROW" came to be the code word for the whole package of ways in which some white people were willing to show themselves as aggressively attached to subjugating Black people so that they (whites) could be the 'superior' race.   

Before George Floyd's murder, I was not clear on how all the pieces of white supremacy, lynchings, voter repression, black face 'entertainment,' separate-but-equal, the perpetuation of poverty and lack of opportunity for Black people was all tied together.  This brief intro to understanding what is included in that one phrase, Jim Crow era, is the purpose of this episode.

As always, if you have questions or comments, please connect with me via  the One White Woman Facebook page.

Cheryl shared the following quote from William Edward Burkhardt (WEB) DuBois.  DuBois was the first African-American man to graduate from Harvard, and he wrote these still relevant words in 1903 in a book he published, “The Souls of Black Folk”:

"One ever feels his two-ness, an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder. The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife - this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither of the other selves to be lost. He does not wish to Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He wouldn’t bleach his Negro blood in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of opportunity closed roughly in his face” (2-3).

In 1996, 24 years ago, Prop. 209 was passed in the state of California. Prop 209, also referred to as the ‘California Civil Rights Initiative.’ Quoting from that Proposition:"... prohibits the state from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting."

We’ve focused on public education in this episode's conversation.

Here’s a useful definition Academic Language:

While the term is most commonly applied to language-specific skills, competency in academic language also bleeds into a wide variety of related non-linguistic skills that are difficult or impossible to separate out from language ability, including foundational academic skills (organizing, planning, researching), cognitive skills (critical thinking, problem solving, interpreting, analyzing, memorizing, recalling), learning modes (questioning, discussing, observing, theorizing, experimenting), and work habits (persistence, self-discipline, curiosity, conscientiousness, responsibility), in addition to other forms of literacy required to succeed in modern schools, such as technological literacy, online literacy, media literary, or multicultural literacy, among others (for a related discussion, see 21st century skills).

Here’s a link to a valuable article about how to help students develop their Academic Language skills: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/8-strategies-teaching-academic-language-todd-finley

(Before Prop. 16 became Prop. 16 it had to pass through the California Assembly to qualify to be on the ballot.  While in the process of passing through the California Assembly, it was referred to as ACA 5.)  This excellent article explains the value of Prop. 16 (while it was still referred to as ACA 5) http://speakupparents.org/blog/2020/6/1/its-time-to-dismantle-educational-injustice-against-black-students

I know something you don’t know… you don’t know what you don’t know. None of us do.  How could we?  Especially when our not knowing is strategically combined with the intentions of people in power, like political leaders, like designers of educational systems and writers of curriculum, who’ve exhibited no qualms about filling in our not knowing with what reflects and serves their values and their purposes … to promote and perpetuate the mindset of WHITE SUPERIORITY. I am so grateful to Jennifer Hawthorne, a well-respected author, for sharing with us about her own school experiences in Louisiana in the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Jennifer mentioned Jimmy Fallon's recent awakening to the fabric of inequality into which all of our white lives have been woven.  Here's a great clip from one of Jimmy's recent shows with anti-racism educator, Jane Elliott.  https://theglobalherald.com/entertainment/jane-elliott-on-her-blue-eyes-brown-eyes-exercise-and-fighting-racism/    Jane was on Oprah many years ago, and delivered this same lesson to Oprah's audience members who were NOT informed about the experiment.  Fascinating to see their responses:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebPoSMULI5U

Although it’s a fact of life that we cannot change how others think if they’re not open to another way of thinking … there are effective ways to start and engage in conversations with people who have even a small degree of openness to other perspectives.  Braver Angels, the organization I mentioned in this conversation with Jennifer, is doing highly effective work at uniting Americans in efforts to depolarize our country, by engaging those who disagree, and guiding them to discover common ground … and ways to work together. The Braver Angels’ online training is free or very low cost, yet highly effective… You can learn more with videos on their site (at BraverAngels.org) to see just how effective the organization is at educating people like you and me to better navigate challenging but important topics. Check it out, especially if you need a shot of real hope in these painful times. Alright, thank you for sharing this journey of awakening even if, like me, you’re a late bloomer. We’re here now, and there’s so much to learn, so much to notice, so much to no longer let slip by … and it’ll be so much easier together… so please share your questions, your comments and your insights. They will add to the value of this podcast for everyone…especially all us white women and white men, too.

Stay in touch with the Chandler’s life by joining their Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/thechandlercrew/

Below are most of the points from Pamela's original post:

So as a white woman married to a black man and raising a biracial child I’ve had to unlearn a lot of things.

I’ve also had to LEARN twice as much. I’ve had to become aware and start to notice things my mind never would have before. My husband, Walter, and I were recently discussing this list of all the things we’ve encountered:

I have to drive basically anytime we are leaving the Dayton area. We don’t talk about it each time, we just both know that if we are leaving our general “safe” area and heading to smaller town Ohio roads, I’m the one driving.

I have to handle store clerks, returns, getting documents signed, anything with any federal building or administrative work. I get further with any type of “paperwork” thing that needs handled. People listen to me and are much more agreeable than they are with him.

My husband goes out of his way to be nice and talk to EVERYONE. Not because he’s a people person, but because he has learned that a 6’5 Black man intimidates people and so he overcompensates by being overly friendly so people won’t be afraid of him.

If Walter is pushing the cart I always have our receipt ready when leaving the store.

None of our neighbors thought we owned our home, multiple neighbors stopped my father and asked him if he was the new landlord for us. Because of course, the old white man must have purchased the home. Not only do we own our home, it’s fully paid off, we have no mortgage and we paid for it BY OURSELVES.

It took us YEARS to find a church without racist undertones and low key racist members, YEARS!

When doll shopping our daughter gets 25 white options and 1-2 black or mixed race doll options.

The same people who stop us daily to say how adorable our daughter is, are the people who would cross the street if Walter was walking alone.

We avoid all places with confederate flags.

We avoid all Trump Train signs, they are usually held by people who don’t like us.

If we go to Bob Evans (or any restaurant that caters to “seniors”) too early we are met with a lot of stares, the old racists eat between 4-5pm.

When Walter goes to a playground with our daughter he constantly stays by her side, to avoid stares from people who wonder what the “big black man” is doing on the park bench.

Walter is concerned our Black Lives Matter sign by the door will make us a target when he’s not home, so he asked me to remove it.

Now this post isn’t to make people say “Oh poor you, I’m so sorry,” etc, etc. We have a wonderful life and are thankful for it. But changes need to happen. This is just a small glimpse into the intentional and unintentional racism that happens everywhere, all the time. I want a better world for our daughter so I’m happy that things are changing. I know a lot of you are tired of the protests and tired of the changes and tired of people complaining. Well I’m tired of having to find a different gas station when the one we drive by has two trucks with confederate flags and 6 white boys in sleeveless shirts standing around outside.

I’m tired of my husband having to be accommodating to everyone and never complain even when they mess up his order 10,000 times. I’m tired of driving damn near everywhere. I’m tired of the sick feeling I get when a cop pulls up behind us. I’m tired of having to worry anytime my husband has to work OT and leaves in the middle of the night. I’m tired and I’ve only been on this ride 7 years. Imagine a lifetime of this!

-I hope when you see those images on the news of riots and destruction you also remember that the majority of protester are just regular folks like us who want our hearts to be seen. Peaceful loving families who just want a better world.

This podcast exists as a warm invitation to join in my journey of discovery about how my whiteness in America has advantaged me, while I’ve been mostly oblivious to all the disadvantages which have been structured into life for Black people in America. If you are feeling some concern about the ugly facts of systemic racism in America, then this podcast is for you, for us… together.

In this episode’s conversation, we benefit from the bright intellect and generous heart of Dr.Tracy Timberlake. She helps us with a comprehensive definition of RACISM, and then consideration of facts that’ve been purposely obscured from whites’ direct experience and understanding. Tracy earned her Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University, a Master of Arts from John Brown University, and a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Miami… Tracy is a Multi-Award Winning Business Coach, a Tedx Speaker and Tracy is a highly respected Online Influencer.

I’d have loved to talk all day with Tracy, but I’m thinking that the best way to structure this podcast is to share relatively brief conversations… by focusing on one topic at a time, so that you and I can progressively gain an accurate sense of the massive scope of challenges Black people are currently facing in America … and gain this understanding without being overwhelmed - intellectually and emotionally.

The purpose of this podcast is to introduce you to the multi-layered and multi-dimensional elements that define life in America for Black people, then provide you with some of what my research has uncovered so your comprehension can deepen and widen at your own pace… so you can move ahead towards contributing to the solutions that call to you most personally, perhaps even urgently.

Here’s the Facebook link in which Tracy covers a whole range of challenges currently calling for our attention and for our constructive responses. Even though it's an hour long, I watched it twice: https://www.facebook.com/drtracyt/videos/10105163529158077/

Here’s a valuable article, written by John Rice, that appeared in The Atlantic - June 21, 2020 issue, titled "The Difference Between First-Degree Racism and Third-Degree Racism": https://www.theatlantic.com/category/america/

Understanding terminology: Where are you on the journey? Racist/not-a-racist/ally/anti-racist/co-conspirator? https://www.facebook.com/coreybennettwilliams/videos/10224091936867064/

A Call for Leaders in the Digital World | Dr. Tracy Timberlake | TEDxYoungCirclePark

Jordan's recommendations for resources:

 13th is on Netflix. It's the hurtful truth presented in a thought-provoking documentary directed by the brilliant Ava DuVernay.   If you'd like to start a little more gently, watch a conversation between Oprah and Ava DuVernay discussing the making of this history lesson of Black life in America. 

Showing Up 4 Racial Justice is the great organization Jordan was describing.  They have new local chapters popping up everywhere. They also have weekly zoom teleconferences that are intelligent and mutually respectful.

Please let me know any questions have or topics you'd like discussed.  Eventually, we'll get to them all, but if you've got a priority, I'd love to focus on it for your and everyone's benefit.

WHITE FRAGILITY, by Robin DiAngelo  (The New York Times best-selling book exploring the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.) In this “vital, necessary, and beautiful book” (Michael Eric Dyson), antiracist educator Robin DiAngelo deftly illuminates the phenomenon of white fragility and “allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to ‘bad people’ (Claudia Rankine). Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue. In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively.

Of course, I'm hoping you'll Subscribe, Rate & Review this podcast so more and more Whites can find it and choose it as one of their resources during this time of potential for making the real changes that will last long into the future.  Thank you!

Have you ever set off in a direction, not knowing exactly where you’d end up, but knowing you had to get there… wherever “there” was … ? If that doesn’t sound too crazy, if perhaps you can relate, then you’ll understand why I had to create this podcast.

I have never even come close to being a racist. Even as a little girl, I fought my father’s bigotry and careless racial slanders.

Regrettably, it took George Floyd’s murder to wake me up to the painful fact, one I’ve rejected for decades, that I am part of the racism problem in America. I, a kind, generous, thoughtful....  white woman have been an enabler of the injustices Black people have endured for centuries, and I hate it. I hate my part in it, and I so much want to do more than hate it. I want and need to see and understand the facts of how racism has intentionally, with extraordinary skills of manipulation, been designed to advantage whites and deeply disadvantage Blacks in America - without it being obvious!

I won’t be lecturing you, especially because I have so much to learn.  This podcast is going to be conversational. The majority of guests will be people of color, and our conversations will lean towards difficult topics, which might, or will probably cause discomfort, but I’m positive it’ll all be worth it … positive.

If you are a white person who wants to do even more than engage in protests, who wants to pull back the curtain on all the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which you and I have been manipulated into enabling structural racism in America, listen on, please, because we need to be learning together.