Seattle Public Schools - lets offer a seminar on the abnormality of being white

Wow, the Seattle Public schools are offering a seminar on whiteness. Apparently it is designed to show just how abnormal it is to be white in America and how much that makes us racist pigs in the public arena.

Whiteness
Racism is among the most charged issues facing us today and all members of society are affected by it. Yet most forums that address race focus on the racially "different”, leaving White perspectives, experiences and identity normalized and unexplored. In this section of the workshop we will shift the focus and provide an opportunity for White participants to reflect on what it means to be White within a society that is racially stratified. We will then discuss common ways that Whiteness manifests in the workplace.

Through lecture, discussion and experiential exercises, we will explore: 1) How White racial identity is socially constructed; 2) The dynamics of racism; 3) What makes racism often difficult for Whites to see; and 4) Being effective allies.

The description of this course is racially charged in and of itself. By stating that white experience are "normalized" the presenter is stating that they are abnormal and should not be accepted. By describing our society as "racially stratified" she implies that there is a racial caste system. I'm not sure who the untouchables are in her view of the world.

Other seminars being offered:

Introduction to Social Stratification: Power and Privilege in Everyday Life
This workshop provides a shared definition of concepts such as: systematic oppression; target and agent groups; social identity and; social power and privilege. We will discuss each of our roles within systems of stratification and the impact of these roles, regardless of intentions. We will end with an exploration of strategies for change at the personal level."

Classism
We live in a society that is deeply stratified along class (and race) lines, and this inequality is increasing. Class is more than how much money one makes, it is also a cultural orientation that shapes how we think, speak, and set our life goals. Most people remain in the social class group they were born into. Yet many believe that the U.S. is an open society that has achieved equality, and that upward-mobility is possible for anyone who tries hard enough.This presentation will define classism and through lecture, discussion, film, and exercise provide an opportunity to explore one key aspect: the role that schools play in reproducing class inequality.

The implication there is if you are poor you will always be poor so don't bother trying.

Heterosexism
What is heterosexism? How is it different from homophobia? How are gender roles important to maintaining heterosexism? What is the difference between gender, gender identity, sexual identity, and the meaning of the acronym GLBTQI? Through lecture, discussion, film, and exercise this workshop will provide a basic overview of heterosexism and the role that schools might play in addressing it.

There are about twenty more pages of these seminars at the Equity and Race Relations websiste. With all these seminars it's no wonder kids are never in school anymore no one is around to teach them. They are all off being sensitized.

I don't deny that there is racism in America but I strongly disagree that this is the way to deal with it, especially throwing up artifical barriers through like stratification. Bleh

racism, education, seattle