With words aimed at breaking down the walls of institutional racism in America, prominent social critic Tim Wise delivered an impassioned speech, “Beyond Diversity: Challenging Racism in an Age of Backlash,” to a group of about 250 students and community members Tuesday night in the EMU Ballroom.
Through the speech Wise asserted that racism was not only the problem of people of color, but white people as well. He maintained that institutional racism is bound up in American society, and it is time for everyone to look at the fundamental systems and overturn them.
Wise is a social activist who has been speaking out on issues dealing with racial, class and other forms of discrimination. He has lectured since 1994, and recently founded a group called the Association for White Anti-Racist Education, which educates white Americans about their stake in the ongoing institutional racism in the country. It was this theme that Wise focused on the most.
Beginning by stating what he was not going to talk about — diversity — Wise made it clear that his focus instead was on equity.
“It’s not about holding hands,” Wise said. “It is about first and foremost understanding the institutional and structural barriers that prevent diversity.”
According to Wise, in order to make sure diversity is followed by racial, social and gender equality, people must first recognize that racism and other forms of discrimination are systems that have been established within American society and are perpetrated by those in power.
Audience member Crystal Middlestadt, a sophomore majoring in sociology and women’s studies, said she saw this message as one of the main themes in Wise’s speech.
“I thought he made a really good point about the members of dominant groups in society not realizing their role in the oppression of others,” she said.
Diversity may exist in American society, Wise said, but all the constituent parts may not be on the same level. “Institutions are more diverse than ever before, but yet we certainly do not have a system of equity,” he said.
Equity is the idea that diversity not only should exist, but all diverse parts of the society should be on equal footing.
“If the word diversity is separated from the word equity, it becomes meaningless,” he said.
Just as working environments are diverse yet can be without equity, the school system is in much the same boat. Children of different colors may be learning together, but they are placed on different paths based on preconceived notions, he said.
“It’s about taking responsibility now, about undoing what has been done,” he said.
Taking responsibility means looking at the system and breaking it down. Mary Hudzikiewicz worked with the ASUO to bring Wise to Eugene and is an advisor to the senior honor society, the Friars. She said she felt that Wise made a good point about the need to take a look at what is going on and doing something about it.
“It’s something that you have to internalize; it’s not just something you can say,” she said.
Wise tied in issues about economic and gender inequalities along with his speech on institutional racism. “It is in our best interest to stand up against racism,” Wise said. “You need to start standing up now.”
Wise will be holding a town hall panel discussion tonight at 7 p.m. in the Ben Linder Room of the EMU.