Seeking a Post-Racial America
Educate, organize and mobilize — Last week I wrote and published an article entitled; The University of Oklahoma: Anywhere USA, (http://thethirdreconstruction.com/the-university-of-oklahoma-anywhere-usa/). I posted the racist chant video to my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/greaterdiversitynews ) and asked a rhetorical question. “Where did they learn this?” I received several comments that addressed my question, but decided that I should answer my own question, which I did. To no one’s surprise, the University of Maryland (UM), for a moment, is “Anywhere USA.” However, UM is a blessing in disguise.
On Friday, March 13th a racist and sexist email allegedly sent by a student fraternity member at the University of Maryland, College Park, surfaced, sparking outrage and fierce debates. The student, who was identified in the email as a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, wrote that he wanted to have sex with women during rush week and used racial and ethnic slurs to refer to the groups of women he didn’t want invited. The student also used an expletive to disparage sexual consent.
Now for the blessing, UM, Student Government Association, President Patrick Ronk said students were shaken by the email, especially in light of the recent events at the University of Oklahoma. Ronk said the SGA likely will play a role in organizing forums or town hall meetings to discuss racism and issues in Greek organizations. He said he hopes to initiate conversations about the issues, possibly by replicating meetings that were held for students to discuss issues about police brought up by the events in Ferguson, Mo., last year. Customize and replicate Ronk’s ideas on campuses around the country, and you have your blessing.
I suggest that campus chapters of the NAACP and Black Student Unions approach their SGAs and ask them to host such forums. I think that to add meaningful context to the forums, as many students as possible should have a working knowledge of the Doctrine of Exclusion. That way they will understand the real origin of America’s race problem and how to fix it. Education is the key for fixing the problem.
With the election of Barack H. Obama, America’s first Black president, many people rushed to declare that America was now “post-racial.” Many that rushed to that declaration did so because it was a convenient way for them to distance themselves from the consequence and responsibilities of nearly 400 years of Black subjugation and exploitation. However, those of us that live the Black experience weren’t persuaded for one moment about the nonsensical suggestion of a “post-racial” America.
Be that as it may, our quest for a non-racial, equal opportunity America is the subject and mission of the Third Reconstruction. In my opinion, the suggestion of Patrick Ronk should become one of the most important initiatives of the Third Reconstruction, joining the likes of the Moral Monday Movement and Black Lives Matter. Pursuing these kinds of initiatives will address America’s need for political, economic, and social justice.
In America, we have numerous empowerment activities that are being led by many different individuals and organizations. Because many of the empowerment activities have a commonality of purpose, they need and benefit from support by like-minded activist. I think it is advantageous to pursue these activities under the banner of the Third Reconstruction.
As we’ve reported, www.thethirdreconstruction.com is a blog whose mission is to help build a network of organizations and individuals committed to political, economic, and social justice. We’ve referenced certain movements and entities that we will monitor and report on. However, as the Third Reconstruction activities grow, we will provide expanded coverage of different projects and new ideas.
GDN covers news that is vital to unrepresented and underserved communities. We need your financial support to help us remain viable.
Peter Grear, Esq. writes for Greater Diversity News and www.TheThirdReconstruction.com with a primary focus on political, social and economic justice. To support our efforts, to unite our politics and economics, please “Like” and follow us at www.Facebook.com/ThirdReconstruction and www.Facebook.com/GreaterDiversity Please “Share” our articles and post your ideas and comments on Facebook or at our websites www.GreaterDiversity.com and www.TheThirdReconstruction.com. Finally, please ask all of your Facebook “Friends” to like and follow our pages. •
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Seeking a Post-Racial America
Educate, organize and mobilize — Last week I wrote and published an article entitled; The University of Oklahoma: Anywhere USA, (http://thethirdreconstruction.com/the-university-of-oklahoma-anywhere-usa/). I posted the racist chant video to my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/greaterdiversitynews ) and asked a rhetorical question. “Where did they learn this?” I received several comments that addressed my question, but decided that I should answer my own question, which I did. To no one’s surprise, the University of Maryland (UM), for a moment, is “Anywhere USA.” However, UM is a blessing in disguise.
On Friday, March 13th a racist and sexist email allegedly sent by a student fraternity member at the University of Maryland, College Park, surfaced, sparking outrage and fierce debates. The student, who was identified in the email as a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, wrote that he wanted to have sex with women during rush week and used racial and ethnic slurs to refer to the groups of women he didn’t want invited. The student also used an expletive to disparage sexual consent.
Now for the blessing, UM, Student Government Association, President Patrick Ronk said students were shaken by the email, especially in light of the recent events at the University of Oklahoma. Ronk said the SGA likely will play a role in organizing forums or town hall meetings to discuss racism and issues in Greek organizations. He said he hopes to initiate conversations about the issues, possibly by replicating meetings that were held for students to discuss issues about police brought up by the events in Ferguson, Mo., last year. Customize and replicate Ronk’s ideas on campuses around the country, and you have your blessing.
I suggest that campus chapters of the NAACP and Black Student Unions approach their SGAs and ask them to host such forums. I think that to add meaningful context to the forums, as many students as possible should have a working knowledge of the Doctrine of Exclusion. That way they will understand the real origin of America’s race problem and how to fix it. Education is the key for fixing the problem.
With the election of Barack H. Obama, America’s first Black president, many people rushed to declare that America was now “post-racial.” Many that rushed to that declaration did so because it was a convenient way for them to distance themselves from the consequence and responsibilities of nearly 400 years of Black subjugation and exploitation. However, those of us that live the Black experience weren’t persuaded for one moment about the nonsensical suggestion of a “post-racial” America.
Be that as it may, our quest for a non-racial, equal opportunity America is the subject and mission of the Third Reconstruction. In my opinion, the suggestion of Patrick Ronk should become one of the most important initiatives of the Third Reconstruction, joining the likes of the Moral Monday Movement and Black Lives Matter. Pursuing these kinds of initiatives will address America’s need for political, economic, and social justice.
In America, we have numerous empowerment activities that are being led by many different individuals and organizations. Because many of the empowerment activities have a commonality of purpose, they need and benefit from support by like-minded activist. I think it is advantageous to pursue these activities under the banner of the Third Reconstruction.
As we’ve reported, www.thethirdreconstruction.com is a blog whose mission is to help build a network of organizations and individuals committed to political, economic, and social justice. We’ve referenced certain movements and entities that we will monitor and report on. However, as the Third Reconstruction activities grow, we will provide expanded coverage of different projects and new ideas.
GDN covers news that is vital to unrepresented and underserved communities. We need your financial support to help us remain viable.
Peter Grear, Esq. writes for Greater Diversity News and www.TheThirdReconstruction.com with a primary focus on political, social and economic justice. To support our efforts, to unite our politics and economics, please “Like” and follow us at www.Facebook.com/ThirdReconstruction and www.Facebook.com/GreaterDiversity Please “Share” our articles and post your ideas and comments on Facebook or at our websites www.GreaterDiversity.com and www.TheThirdReconstruction.com. Finally, please ask all of your Facebook “Friends” to like and follow our pages. •