Let's remember that Dr. Martin Luther King--a black man--advocated for judging people by the content of their character, not by their skin color. Practically speaking, that works. I'm a teacher. If a student came to me and complained another student had yelled a racial slur at her, I feel I'd be more effective at changing the racial-slur…
Let's remember that Dr. Martin Luther King--a black man--advocated for judging people by the content of their character, not by their skin color. Practically speaking, that works. I'm a teacher. If a student came to me and complained another student had yelled a racial slur at her, I feel I'd be more effective at changing the racial-slur-slinger by sitting down and having a serious conversation--not by threatening the kid. "Why do you feel that way? Why did you want to use those words?" Throwing the kid out, cancelling the kid, expelling the young racist, probably only hardens their racism. If there's any hope of change (will we ever completely get rid of racism? I'm not sure, but feel we've come a ways) then it comes through persuasion, not threats.
I agree. I think Daryl Davis is an exceptional example of what you are describing and has a successful history in transforming racial conflict by listening and humanizing those that are adversarial toward him. I think you should follow your same advice and listen to the grievances many blacks have about the trauma they experience because of racism instead of minimizing the injustices they have experienced as a result.
Let's remember that Dr. Martin Luther King--a black man--advocated for judging people by the content of their character, not by their skin color. Practically speaking, that works. I'm a teacher. If a student came to me and complained another student had yelled a racial slur at her, I feel I'd be more effective at changing the racial-slur-slinger by sitting down and having a serious conversation--not by threatening the kid. "Why do you feel that way? Why did you want to use those words?" Throwing the kid out, cancelling the kid, expelling the young racist, probably only hardens their racism. If there's any hope of change (will we ever completely get rid of racism? I'm not sure, but feel we've come a ways) then it comes through persuasion, not threats.
I agree. I think Daryl Davis is an exceptional example of what you are describing and has a successful history in transforming racial conflict by listening and humanizing those that are adversarial toward him. I think you should follow your same advice and listen to the grievances many blacks have about the trauma they experience because of racism instead of minimizing the injustices they have experienced as a result.