Knowledge equals Growth and Power

You might not know who Tim Wise is, but you need to. He's one of the leading scholars on anti-racism and I got the opportunity yesterday(Wednesday), at my school, to hear him speak; he is serious. He speaks only the truth, which many people cannot handle. He discussed "Whiteness" and privilege, and how it is so easy to not acknowledge privileges as well as the disadvantages of others because "if we don't have to know, we won't know." For example, did you know that white people make up 67% of the population, but account for 70% of all drug users. It didn't shock me because I know that most drug users are those that are least expected to do so--those with money and privilege. However, society will lead you to believe that most drug users are people of color because we are "at the bottom of the totem pole." FAIL.

It scares me that we still allow such stereotypes to prolong even when we know the truth. RACISM still exists. Yes, even with a black President, racism still exists. Unbelievable right? When you think about it, not really. Mr. Wise made a great point during his speech where he discussed how sexism still exists in countries where women have been leaders, Presidents, and/or Prime Ministers. Just like the women in those countries, it seems as if we, people of color, still have to prove our worth of social equality, which is a right not an earned privilege. I'm working hard to realise--not realize--my dream, but I am still confronted with looks of shock followed by a "good for you" or a "wow that's good" when I say what University I go to and what my major is. Why is that? Why does shock come before praise for me but not for my white counterpart? Not that I need/want someone's praise...I'm proud enough of myself. But I hate feeling as if I have to work ten times harder just to be equal to someone that is just as human as me. How does that even sound right? It doesn't.

We have to address our own ignorance as a nation before we can move forward. If we don't, we will always have an issue of disparity and social inequality.

There is so much more that I really want to say, but it's getting late and I have class at 8 in the morning lol. Google Tim Wise, he's amazing.

- Jerz