America stopped slavery over 100 years ago, but our social system still oppresses minorities today.
Case in point: statistically speaking, black families have an average net worth that is 1/8 the value of white families in America. Those unaware of the circumstances surrounding this discrepancy often argue, "If those black people would just get jobs, their net worth would increase."
Not necessarily.
Financial worth issues actually stem from the "white flight" situation in the 1960s. As black families started moving into white neighborhoods, real estate agents fueled stereotypical fears of white people. "Sell now before everyone else," the agents urged, "or your house value will plummet and you'll lose money." Often more fiscally afraid than overtly racist, the white families moved out in droves. Real estate agents took advantage of the situation and hiked up prices for black families moving in. This practice sowed the seeds, and today we witness the blooming undercurrent of inequality.
How can we remove this oppressive situation? First we have to acknowledge that it exists.
UM-St. Louis recently co-hosted the White Privilege Conference.
As one of the program coordinators stated in a press release, "This is not a 'beat up on white people' conference. It's about challenging society to recognize and dismantle systems of white privilege, white supremacy and oppression."
For three days, over 600 people from around the country gathered to discuss methods of social change, youth empowerment and activism opportunities.
We need programs like this at UM-St. Louis, and kudos to the University representatives aware of the value of such an event on our campus. While people of minority status often experience the crushing weight of oppression in subtle ways, the majority population may not experience it at all. Prior to college, some of us lived in wealthy areas and only interacted with peers in similar financial situations.
More than anyone, those people need exposure to issues regarding inequality. Unless we're equipped with a thorough understanding of the social system, we can't fight it. UM-St. Louis offers a science based human variation course that delves into the social history of "race." On the first day, students learn that race does not biologically exist among humans. More schools should offer classes like this, and educators have a responsibility to encourage logical conversation regarding race and inequality.
More points to UM-St. Louis for doing so. But we need more classes like this, especially at an urban university. We need more intelligent conversation and scientific clarification of the social constructs that impact society.
The American flag may have been originally sewn on white cloth, but the design includes more than one color. College is the optimal time to discover and destroy the racial barriers that exist in our country.
In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Unless we make dismantling socially oppressive systems a constant concern, this dream won't be realized any time soon. Conversation about such a controversial topic is the strongest weapon. Let's use it.
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