The Charter

This is not a site to promote racism but instead to promote the uniqueness of each race. We have tried for way too long to blur the lines of racial separation but how can we when the separation exists on our skin. It’s biological – emphasis on the “logical” part. If we want to mature as a nation we must start by being honest with ourselves: We are all racists! In other words, because we no longer openly express racism doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. Our own acts of racism go undetected daily by those whom we direct it to and even ourselves. Our subconscious methods of keeping ourselves segregated are underlying messages that say “we are racist.” Does it make you a bad person? No. Is there something that should be done about it? Yes and the answer to that is to make segregation a law once again. Not just in the south but across the entire nation. This is more than a great idea. It is an opportunity for us to finally legalize our closeted actions and stop pretending to be open-minded, accepting individuals. We can finally be ourselves, freely. After all, isn’t that what this nation is truly about?

Racism has been deemed inhumane, uncivilized, and even barbaric. While on the contrary it is natural, instinctive and a manifestation of the observation that we are all different. It is normal that we navigate toward the people who look like us. For example if a white woman enters a cafeteria, not knowing anyone there and there was only one available seat per table, each table consisting purely of one particular race; nine times out of ten she’ll sit in the vacant seat located at the white table. Why? Because it’s human nature. This form of racism is merely selective assimilation and it happens every day. Segregation seems unfair, but only in the context of thinking about it as it used to be during the Jim Crow Era. New age-segregation isn’t about sabotaging another race, or stating claim that one race is superior to another. It is, if anything, an equal opportunity for everyone to live harmoniously among their own people.

The benefits of new-age segregation are outstanding. Think long and hard before you attempt to dismiss this proposal. Channel your inner racist and find that peace exists among people of your own kind.

So in actuality…

Of course as Spelman students we do not really believe that everyone is racist or that reinstating segregation would be beneficial. As you peruse through the post on this site read between the lines and see if you can find the real message. Our goal is to combat the notion that racism is over and the idea that we are “united” in this country. While a great deal has been done to erase racial divides in America there is still work to be done. Racism is not dead. A system of advantage still exists in this country that favors whites while putting minorities at a disadvantage. It is our hope that this site will bring about awareness in a “tongue in cheek” sort of way as a first step towards tackling this problem. In America, Divided is How We Stand; United is How We Hope to Be. Enjoy the site.

Stereotypes are Dead

Racist ideology used to be perpetuated throughout the media in all forms: television, magazines, newspapers, advertisements and radio. However, today we are no longer bound down in the over analyzing of what the media communicates to us. Advertisements are just advertisements and this cover of Vogue is just a simple magazine cover.

Why is there so much fuss over a little picture? So the Lebron James picture looks looks a little like a old poster for WWI so what? This is just a coincidence right?

Right or Wrong? Tell Us.

We are all targeted demographics

When racism was rearing its ugly head racial stereotypes could be seen almost everywhere in the media. Now however, this is not the case. Now there are shows and movies where blacks and whites are even depicted in the same family. Roles played by those of ethnic backgrounds are not stereotypical. The black don’t always have to be athletic, Asians don’t always have to be smart and Mexicans don’t always have to be partying. Sure McDonald’s plays different commercials on ABC than it does on BET but that’s just being business smart. Corporations have to market to targeted demographics and its not done to poke fun at anyone. If anything, it’s done for everyone to feel all-inclusive in America’s love for French fries and cheeseburgers.

I get pulled over too!

If racism is extinct then so is racial profiling. It purely coincidental that Blacks and Hispanics in Florida make up 80 percent of those who get pulled over when they constitute only 5 percent of divers. If anything that just means whites are better drivers. Plus, the missing 20 percent means that whites get pulled over also. Racial profiling is also a thing of the past when it comes to housing issues. If minorities are denied a house it’s not done on the basis of their race but for other more important factors. Perhaps the community is concerned about violence or overcrowding such as in the case of Milbridge, a small town in Maine. An article in the New York Times covers the issue of the town stopping the plan for building more housing for immigrant laborers. The police chief explains how the town has been “very open and receptive and accommodating”. However, the town in now concerned with lack of jobs available and is feeling less willing to accommodate the growing Hispanic community. Does this mean the town is full of Confederate flag waving racist? Of course not! What’s wrong with a town trying to maintain a sense of balance in their community? Nothing!

What do you think? Here is the link to the article
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/us/15milbridge.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1258877677-klsg4xbZBh+qJX+i6wVlcA

Brown vs. The Board of. . .HBCU's?

Just food for thought:

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954,was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws, establishing separate public schools for black and white students that denied black children equal educational opportunities. Couldn't the same be said about historically black colleges and universities? The schools that are considered "black Ivy Leagues": Spelman College, Morehouse College, Tuskegee University, Howard University, etc., are considerably less funded and popular among the entire collegiate scale of the United States when compared to schools such as Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia. If the aim for young black men and women is to gain a sense of cultural perspective by pursuing higer education at a predominantly black institution, then what exactly was the purpose of fighting for an integrated school system?

You mean racism still exist? You’re Kidding!

The United State has come a long way since slavery. While it was a tough battle we Americans have shed the blood sweat and tears necessary to create a place of peace and harmony. All of us have put aside our deep dark thoughts of bigotry and prejudice and have strived really hard to be politically correct. We have accomplished what no other nation could in just a short amount of time. Everyone of every racial background should be grateful to call themselves American and help themselves to big slice of the proverbial American dream instead of complaining that racial discrimination still exist. Really, how can it exist when there is so much proof that discrimination and all of its ugly friends have been dead for quite sometime? Right here are the top ten pieces of evidence that racism no longer exist in the home of the red white and blue.

1) We have a black; yes a black President ladies and gentlemen!
2) Oprah is totally rich enough to practically own her own small country. She is not only black but also a female! Go figure.
3) George Lopez now has a primetime talk show. Stepping out of the sitcom and standup world, Mr. Lopez is now in the same league as Jay Leno and David Letterman.
4) Everyone loves Beyonce.
5) Rap music makes the most money out of any genre and continues to influence on our culture in a vast amount of beneficial ways. How else would everyone know how to hustle or how speak to females of African descent?
6) Spanish is being taught mandatorily in schools. Enough said.
7) Did I mention we have a black President? Oh and his wife and kids are black too AND they all get to live in the White House. That’s amazing!!
8) We celebrate Black History month and Cinco de Mayo with the same intensity as Fourth of July.
9) Isn’t there a statue of Martin Luther King being built somewhere?
10) Last but certainly not least, the President is black. Us Americans put him in that position of power, which is a true testament of the fact that racism is extinct.

All in all, the United States deserves a hearty pat on the back because it has come a long way. America would be an even better place if minorities would wake up and realize they have nothing to complain about.

How far have we really come? You be the judge, comment and tell us what you think.

Patriotism in a Post 9/11 America

After 9/11 everyone was singing kumbaya and we were all united through such a tragic event. It didn’t matter what race you were (unless of course you happened to be associated with the people who caused the attacks) we were all brothers and sisters in the collective moment of grief. Since then we have maintained that mentality and patriotism now trumps over any other minute differences like race, gender, sexuality and class. Despite our differences we are all Americans!

Does patriotism really triumph over all evils?

Love is Blind or Perhaps Some of Us Are Just Blindfolded

In the land of equality love really does conquer all. Interracial relationships are the most overt form of proof that racism is dead. Many of these relationships go on to become happy marriages and produce children that add to the unique diversity of the America.

However, not everyone can get down with the Love is Blind mentality. These people aren’t expressing racist ideals by their inability to love someone else outside of their race. They merely recognizing the legacy of racism; more than they are implying racism still exist.



Is love really blind or are some of us willing to be blindfolded by love, meaning some of us are just more open to romantic involvement with others of a different race?

"Self-segregation may be chic, but critics call it self-defeating"

In an article published on the CBS Interactive site BNET Susannah Zak Figura writes about a famous Cornell University Lecturers interpretation on when segregation is deemed acceptable. She writes:
"David L. Moore, a lecturer at Cornell University's American Indian Program, believes 'self-selected separation is not segregation." Moore defends Cornell's American Indian dormitory, Akwekon (pronounced Uhg-way-gun), arguing that it provides an essential'"supportive community' for American Indian students whose cultural values are built around community"


When segregation is voluntary, no one is at fault. This certaintly doesn't mean America is still segregated!

You can view the article here:
Self-segregation may be chic, but critics call it self-defeating

Sure I have the right to sit anywhere but I choose to sit here…but for no particular reason.

Racism is over and we all know that but there are scholars out there who would like to believe that it isn’t for whatever reason. Really what is the point in trying to pick out ways that racism still shows it ugly head? Any effort put into doing that is pointless because racism can’t exist in place where everyone is privy to the same opportunities. People who feel disadvantaged just need to work harder and pull themselves up by their bootstraps in order to get ahead.

One thing that is analyzed consistently is the notion that Americans self segregate themselves. Why is the fact that people choose to associate themselves with people like them a racist notion? Is it really safe to say that white that only feel comfortable in the company of their counterparts are racist? No this is an unfair judgment and has no basis in racist ideals whatsoever. Come on; let’s get real for second here. There are black people that now dominate the sports and entertainment realm and there are even blacks out there politically astute enough to run the country. Can blacks still claim to be disenfranchised? Of course not!

Does it matter that whites don’t want to live next to blacks or that blacks choose to live amongst themselves? Its all just a matter of choice and certainly doesn’t allude to idea that racism is presently working in today’s society. In today’s world if American’s do “self segregate” its just because it provides comfort not because America is still so called ruled by a system by advantage.

Click on the link here to read about Chicago “America’s most segregated big city” to see how people simply choose to live where they want and how their choices aren’t at all based on discrimination.

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/dec/26/local/chi-segregation-26-dec26