The Open Letter on Race

Description

The Open Letter on Race (aka the Love Letter on Race) Think about a family member, friend, colleague, or classmate who might hold strong (or even subtle) myths about race and/or ethnicity.  Choose one person to write and how they might learn to disrupt their racial myths as many of you have done throughout the semester in your writing assignments.  What tools can they use to actively create change?  How can you translate some of the material learned throughout this course to help them change their narratives about race/ethnicity?  First answer the following three questions: To whom are you writing and why?  To answer this, explain how you think the person you are writing to understands race, racism, or ethnicity. What myths do you think they might have? What are challenging issues for this person?   Choose three main issues and specific examples from the course that will help you frame your letter:  These issues must be concepts you learned in this class.   List them using the following format:   Concept #1:  (Example:  Colorism— Hordge-Freemans’s exploration of colorism was useful for me to understand how hierarchies of color are based on specific histories of white supremacy and eugenic thinking.  That reading helped me understand how values around “whiteness” get maintained over time through seemingly “smallish” comments made by people who we love and admire.  These get replicated and passed on and embedded in larger institutions.  Concept #2…. Bonilla-Silva, “Racialized Social System Approach to Racism” Concept #3Check out this Ted Talk by Dr. Evelyn Alsultany, Director of Arab and Muslim American Studies at the University of Michigan discuss the representation of Arabs and Muslims in the media and how racial stereotypes have impacted these communities:   3.  What are some powerful and specific actions points you could offer your addressee on how to change? Try to meet them where they are.  If they are a religious person, try to address your solution through religious scholarship.  If they are a very scientifically oriented person, explain your solution by discussing the evolution of the “science of race” and its flaws. Please refrain from cliche solutions like, “we just need education.”  Be more specific on possibilities for change by using material from the class, especially Week 6.     Section II: Did you answer the three questions above?  Good, now be sure to include them in the document you submit.  Start a new page break and write your letter.   Your letter should be approximately two pages single spaced or a little less.  I will look at your word count for the letter portion– it should be at least 800-1000 words.   It can be difficult to write a powerful letter that will not sound condescending but comes from a genuine place of love and concern. Use your true voice.  Be respectful.  Use the material from the class but translate it into everyday, jargon-free language.