The title and the probing ideas come from Amy Elizabeth Ansell’s New Right, New Racism: Race and Reaction in the United States and Britain. My explorations follow her lead only as it opens vistas onto what is happening in the United States, since that is where I live and observe. In a detailed and precise way, Ansell outlines the emergence of “new racism” with the advent of “new right” politics during our most recent decades. Read on…
Tag Archives: racism
Controlling the Death of Others: A Memorial Day Reflection
May, 1998
The e-mail message conveyed a sense that Jonathan was fearful that his final paper of the semester would not be acceptable because it was not an academic study of the death penalty. Read on…
Preachin’ to the Choir
February, 1995
Recently I was talking about racism with some people in a corporate setting, and was pleased by a spirited discussion and many comments which affirmed that my contribution had been helpful. In the midst of the verbal evaluation and many accolades, Read on…
Managing (Controlling) “Diversity”
August, 1993
Proliferation is an appropriate word to describe what is happening in many sectors of society under the heading of “managing diversity.” Most weeks bring to my desk a new announcement about another group that is offering to do “diversity training.” Read on…
From Awareness To Action
April, 1993
A frustrated student, a question suffused with anguish: “What are you trying to do to me, anyway?” - My head and heart were engaged one more time with a young white male struggling with his growing awareness of racism. Read on…
Self-Interest for White Anti-Racists
April, 1993
Recently in a class I teach at Boston College, I observed a young African American woman speak firmly and eloquently about her anger in the face of racism; in that context she challenged white students to be angry also. One of the women asked, “What should I do, as a white?” The answer was quick: Read on…