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Racist Can Change His Spots, Get Old As Well

Racist Can Change His Spots, Get Old As Well. By: Dawn Turner Trice Chicago Tribune February 9, 2009 “…if racial reconciliation on a grand scale is possible, it’ll depend in part on old die-hard racists—of every hue—dying off.”. Overview. Elwin Wilson (72) is a former member of the KKK

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Racist Can Change His Spots, Get Old As Well

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  1. Racist Can Change His Spots, Get Old As Well By: Dawn Turner Trice Chicago Tribune February 9, 2009 “…if racial reconciliation on a grand scale is possible, it’ll depend in part on old die-hard racists—of every hue—dying off.”

  2. Overview • Elwin Wilson (72) is a former member of the KKK • Participated in numerous attacks on blacks in the 1960s in Rock Hill, South Carolina • One such attack was on John Lewis, now a US Representative from Georgia • Was inspired to make amends after reading a story in the town newspaper last month • Thinks he is different because he never killed anyone, just “harmed them” • Usually hear stories from this era of old, white men being involved in murder cases • Hopes to inspire others to step forward

  3. What About Now? • Apologies and apologists: The disavowal of racism and the abjuration of anti-racism in the contemporary United States (C. Richard King, professor in the Department of Comparative Ethnic Studies at Washington State University) • Examines OutKast’s performance at the 2004 Grammy Awards and the death of Marge Schott, in the context of racism-colorblindness • Claims that there is a tendency to excuse and/or forget racist remarks • Thinks that a disengagement from racism is occurring • OutKast’s performance • Native Americans were outraged by the misuse and misrepresentation of indigenous traditions and peoples • Sampled a sacred Navajo song, used a teepee, dressed in attire made to “look Indian,” danced in suggestive fashions, and wore headdresses • This received very little coverage • Marge Schott • Former owner of the Cincinnati Reds • Made numerous anti-Semitic comments and described two of her players as “million-dollar n----rs” • Was fined for her comments, but little public commentary or media attention was devoted to her actions

  4. What’s Your Opinion? OutKast Performance

  5. Recent Famous (or Infamous) Cases of Racism • Mel Gibson • “the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world” • Michael Richards • "You can talk, you can talk, you're brave now motherf------. Throw his a-- out. He's a n-----! He's a n-----! He's a n-----! A n-----, look, there's a n-----!" • Prince Harry • Swastika armband • “…our little Paki friend” • “…raghead” • Miley Cyrus

  6. Some Things to Think About… • Should these celebrities apologize for their actions? If so, are their apologizes sufficient? • None of them physically harmed anyone • Should they be subjected to some type of punishment? (ie, fines, community service, suspension) • Do you think our society has become more lax on our acknowledgement of racism? • What about rap lyrics that include derogatory terms? • What about the use of the word n----r as a term of endearment?

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