August 17
I couldn't sleep last night. Curt and I have been talking about an anti-racist workshop, camp, summer institute. . . Last night, I lay in bed wondering what the objectives would be. It reminded me of six or seven years ago when Macalester (where I was working at the time) opened its Institute for Global Citizenship. At the time, I wondered why they didn't name it the Institute for Local and Global Citizenship. Why is being a global citizen considered so much more sophisticated and glamorous? Are there colleges out there that focus on engaging in the communities around them? Are there colleges that encourage students to become citizens of their city in the same way they encourage students to embrace the international experience, not as white heroes serving the underprivileged, but engaging and learning? The language, the culture, the DIFFERENCES.
I realize that a summer camp for white teens, whether it be a week or six weeks, is far-fetched. We started watching Gandhi last night with the girls, finishing tonight. At one point, someone asks if Gandhi feels that it is hard to get support, and Gandhi responds with something to the effect of, "the surprising thing is that when you are fighting for something that is just, then people pop up out of everywhere to support you." I don't think that is true in America. I don't see the support, or at least not in a way that has cured the unjust. And I want to pop-up and support, but I still don't know how. So I am letting my mind wander at night in search of objectives for my anti-racist teen summer workshop.
Enjoying your blog, Jordan (even though I do it in binges). I think the comment re: not being true in the U.S. is accurate, but I'm not sure why. Too preoccupied? Too many alternative narratives (they aren't disadvantaged, they're making bad choices) available, making it easier to dismiss injustice? Too fragmented a society? All of the above? The fact that a good chunk of America sees the Black Lives Matter movement as just a bunch of misconception is disturbing, given how clear the evidence is that there is inequality in how blacks/whites are engaged by the justice system. Look forward to more.
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