CW Political and Social Thought

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Ongoing Debate About Clark Hall Murals

Third Letter
Dear Mr Hogg,
I would be interested to know how your FEEL about my e-mail. I have read everything that I could find on the murals, so I do not think that a tour or informational session of some sort would prove to be particularly useful. Part of my frustration with President Casteen is that he never addressed the core argument about cultural and emotional inclusion in any of his e-mails. I would only like to meet with you, if you are, in fact, eager to hear my concerns and willing to work towards a solution. This is a serious problem. I am certain that you will find that most students are somewhat confused about the tone of the hall. It stands in stark contrast to the mural found in Old Cabell Hall. It also stands in stark contrast to the paintings featured in Clemons Library. The room appears antithetical to the diversity aims of the University. It is insensitive. It is sexist. It is racist due to the fact that is so obviously exclusive. To not understand how one might reach these conclusions simply involves an inability to deeply understand the meaning of diversity. I find it very interesting that the author of the informational sheet provided on Clark Hall’s website is quick to defend the claim that the murals should continue to be preserve by arguing that “we (can) reap the personal rewards of educating our university about its past.” This is also the same argument that President Casteen used. But I ask, “Where is the effort to educate the University?” There are no plaques in Clark Hall. There are no pamphlets or brochures. And do we really believe that the two pdfs online do justice to the murals? Simply, if there is no effort to educate the University, any benefits from having the murals continue as they are, has to involve some other reason than an appreciation of the University’s history. I think that those who feel represented by the murals in some capacity have difficulties understanding what minorities or women feel about the murals. All I am asking is for someone to say, “Chris, I think your concerns are important.” As of yet, I have not heard that.

~Chris

Second Letter

Dear Mr. Williams:

I did, indeed, expect to hear from you and am happy to discuss the murals further. I wonder if we should meet to do so - next Thursday afternoon would work, or perhaps sometime the 13th. Let me know what time would be convenient; I suggest meeting at Clark Hall.

Brian Hogg

First Letter

Dear Mr Hogg,

As you may know, I have recently sought to inform several community members, including President Casteen, about the impressions that I have of the Clark Hall murals. I am not sure what you can do insofar as remodeling that hall, but I do know that the University should consider taking steps to work those murals into the University’s overall diversity initiatives. Of course, if that cannot be done, then the University should take all necessary steps to construct a room that is more representative of the University’s interests. As it currently stands, the room is a travel back in time, if for no other reason than because it has been untouched since the 1930s. The sexism is one of the most offensive messages, but that is not what I really want to focus on. As an African American, I often question any representation, whether it is a painting, statue, or otherwise, that does not seek to represent African Americans’ interests and history. For example, the Lewis and Clark statue in downtown Charlottesville fails to represent an African American element to that famous journey, which included a man by the name of York, who happened to be enslaved by Clark. The failure to include him in the physical representation is a move to exclude African Americans as unimportant to American historical development, at least in terms of westward expansion. So I pose to you the question, “Though you had nothing to do with the construction of the mural, can you understand why some minority students might feel excluded?” Can you understand why African Americans might be suspicious or uncomfortable with an all-White mural at a University that has not exactly guaranteed emotional and physical safety to minority students or because this University takes a laissez-faire approach when it comes to the inclusion policies of student organizations? The question seems simple enough to me, but I strongly believe that University officials should seriously put themselves in the shoes of minorities. Given the historical and even current treatment of African Americans (as an inactive member of Jefferson Society, I would know), I believe you will understand that the ideals represented by the murals no longer satisfy the University’s most important diversity goals.

Another Day, Another Lose

Again today, I am consumed by the desire to understand race is America. I continue to believe that race is both a necessary and unnecessary social force that undermines minorities' place in history and society. While the majority basks in the sunshine of racial glory, we minorities are burned by modern racism and elitism and by its institutional, cultural, and structural manifestations. We minorities are subjected to the status of second class citizen. Our interests, history, and livelihood are overlooked. Instead of David Walker, we get John Brown. Instead of Cry, we get the Nutcracker. Instead of Romare Bearden, we get Norman Rockwell. I wonder how many people can answer the following.

Name one African American artist from the first half of the 20th century.
Name the first African American in space.
Name one way that African Americans have influence groups outside the US.
Name one African American painter of the 20th century.
Name the first African American senator in the 20th century.
Name the second.
Name the African American who drew the largest crowd to the Lincoln Memorial before MLK.
Name one way that African culture influenced Western society.
Name the first African American to arrive to the US.
Name what the couple who are referred to as the "first Black family".
Name the first piece of literature published by an African American.
Name a piece of literature published by an African American within the last year.
Name the first African American cabinet member.
Name the man whose 1829 Appeal warranted at least four Southern States to convene special sessions
Name the woman who bears the title, "Empress of the Blues".
Name the country that serve as an escape for Black nationalists in the 60s and 70s
Name the African American who published the work, The Miseducation of the Negro.

I guess I could go on, but I won't. The fact of the matter is that we don't know enough about our own history. We are so inundated with the majority's history that we have lost sight of our race's historical maturity and importance. We are so brainwashed to believe that the status quo is so damn fine and dandy that we don't even understand how intelligent, genius, fabulous , and superior  we are. 

Reflections of the Prodigal Son

I titled this entry the reflections of a prodigal son because I have returned to the arms of my people, whom I had abandoned for many years. While I did not go as far as denouncing my racial identity, which realistically could not have been done given my skin pigmentation; nevertheless, I attempted to dilute my Blackness as much as possible so as not to give any reason that I was actually African American. All of what I thought Black was, I tried my best not to become save for skin. (I did not find the skin fading creams of the nineteenth century suitable for my transformation.) I had thought Black was uneducated, so I surrounded myself with educated people, though I lagged behind a good many of them. I perfected my speech as well. My south Georgia accent had become more “proper”, as they say. I did not dare mingle with the Blacks in lower classes. I was almost certain that if I had done this, my IQ would have dropped a full twenty points, or so I thought. I believed that by the mere fact that I socialized with Blacks students who were “below” me that I would somehow lose my intelligence, drive, and privileged position. I did all that I could to distance myself not only from “lower” Black students, but “lower” students period. I viewed students who were not taking the same course load as I as unintelligent, lazy, and worthless. It was a sad truth indeed.

Part of my struggle was that I did not know what Black was. I had given too much importance to the limited understanding I had of African Americans and their history. Fundamentally, I felt that African Americans were inferior. Now, it is strange to say this. How could have I thought so condescending and with such arrogance, especially against a group of people who were responsible for my being in such a privileged position? Had African Americans not stood, marched, and died to get equality and integration, I would not even have been taking advanced courses. I would have not even attended Heritage or even U.Va. Had African Americans not stood on my behalf I would not be half the person I am today.

I know better now. I get the reality. The reality is that African Americans are the victims of several social forces; RACISM, CLASSISM, INNNER RACIAL RACISM, and CAPITALISM.

RACISM. I know that people are always throwing this word around, but have you ever thought how racism might still affect us today? I do. Racism today does not take on the same face as it did some years ago when the police knowingly and proudly broke the law by denying African American entry into polling stations or registration offices, etc. Racism today is less hostile. I’ll tell you what it takes the form of. It takes the form of books, television shows, celebrities, movies, businesses, politics, etc. Modern racism is the development of rules and preferences within a social order that deprive any group, in this case African Americans of a stake in some part or the whole of national identity, whether it be in nationality, history, education, politics, etc. Simply put, racism means shutting out or severely limiting some groups’ access to certain opportunities, among which is the opportunity to live confidently. Think about this. Harvard and the University of Virginia just got rid of their early admission process because, as they claim, minority students were not taking advantage of the early admissions process. That is to say that they felt White students were getting an opportunity that minorities were not. Again this situation is not hostile. It was not the case that minorities were not allowed to apply early, but the early admissions process basically involved a disproportionate number of White students. The social order that exists penalizes minorities, especially Blacks. Not only are Blacks more likely than any other group likely to be born and stay in poverty, but they are more likely to go to a poorer school. They are less likely to be encouraged to take classes that will prepare them for college. They are less likely to be able to pay for college. They are less likely to stay in college. I mean there are some serious problems with our social order.

To be continued

Dreamgirls, A Gay Man's Musical!

I have to say that I just can’t wait for Christmas to come this year! It’s not because my boyfriend will probably give me some fabulous gifts or because I will be out of school. Dreamgirls is coming! It is not just starring one diva extraordinaire, but TWO! No doubt Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson will light up the screen on December 25^th! It seems that Jennifer’s performance as Effie might get an Oscar nod for best supporting actress. If so, this will not just be a dream come true for Jennifer, but for all of her countless fans who have watched her since her days at AI. Even though it has been some years since she was in American Idol, I still find myself listening to her performances. The bigness and soulfulness of her voice is so unique in an industry that has been quite bland on the vocal talent end. I have no doubt that Beyoncé will carry her own, though at times I do question whether her acting is up to par given the roles she’s been given. I think she’ll do just fine. Surely, her performance on Oprah brought down the house. You can see for yourself. The other girl who stars in the film is not as familiar to me. Apparently, she won a Tony for best featured actress in a musical in 2004 for Caroline, or Change. Don’t much about her than that. Maybe this line from wikipedia might explain some things. “Her highest profile credit to date is starring alongside American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson in the movie musical bomb From Justin to Kelly.” Nevertheless, the film will do great. Though I think that this film is awfully like “Why Do Fools Fall in Love”, Dreamgirls is debuting at a better time. Beyoncé is hot. Jennifer has an amazing fan base among AI fans. Not to mention that Jennifer was on Broadway Jamie Foxx has quite a lot of celebrity capital, so the film is likely to do great

                                                    

 

The Root of Being Black

If anyone has consistently read my blog, they might be stuck at the intensity with which I attack white privilege and power. It is not just that I am another angry Black man who does not have much going for him except for a minimum wage job and a house full of kids. That could not be further from the truth. I am a young gay Black college student who, for many years before college, could not even proudly say that he was African American. So I am not carrying these feelings because life is not going the way that I want it to. In fact, I go to a top public university and my tuition is pretty much covered. I am angry with White Americans. I am angry with Black Americans. I am angry because a social order exists that glorifies the majority in this country in so many ways at the expense of alienating Black pride and Blacks put up with it. I am not ranting about the same tired bullshit about how every white person is a racist. To be frank, I am so fucking tired of that word because no one knows what a damn racist is anyhow. Does a racist carry a noose? Does he have to use the word nigger in the presence of a Black person? Does a racist have to drive a pick-up and wear flannel? Can a racist be a minority? I am not going to even engage in this discussion because it’s so damn useless. What I will say is that racist wears many faces and that’s only what we see on the outside! (i.e. in what they do) Racism is really a matter of the heart.

 

So let me return to my original point. I am angry because I am subjected to a social order that gives my people an unbalanced view of themselves. Instead of mass and not-quite-so mass media sending us messages that reinforce our personhood in terms of historical value and participatory engagement, we are taught how to revere the white man for all his accomplishments. We are told to praise men like Paul Revere as if he was our own, but we stew in ignorance when it comes to the role of African Americans as leaders in the Stamp Act Riots of the pre-Revolutionary period. We are told that Lewis and Clark were great men, but we are not told of the African American who went along with them and who also survived the cross-country trip. His name was York. We are told of Black men in slave rebellion like Turner and Gabriel, but not of David Walker whose fiery 1829 anti-slavery Appeal stirred five state legislatures to convene special sessions to consider the influence of his appeal. I get so angry because when I raise these issues with my friends, they shrug these matters off as if their little brains just couldn’t take the shock of knowing that they're not all that inferior after all.

I want to develop an African American worldview that accounts for the severe underrepresentation of African Americans in all forms: education, mass media, politics, socio-economic classes, etc. I want to come up with a way of defining the problem for myself that I may be able to give others an accurate account of what is going on here. I will try not to have an anti-white tone because I know that ultimately that is not productive. I also will not try to have an anti-white tone because it would be misleading as I hate some Black folks just as deeply. I really can’t stand Black people who are uneducated, lazy and hate me because I dress differently, or talk differently, or act differently than they do. The kind of Black people that I am talking about hates books, hates the idea of knowing something that isn’t directly related to rolling a joint, screwing over the people in the welfare office, and taking advantage of anyone they come across. The fact of the matter is that I want to get to the root of being Black because we all need it; Black, Whites, Asians, Hispanics. We all need to know that this land is made for all Americans, not just the White Americans who seem to have called first dibs. Hopefully, I can get at the heart of these racial disparities.

To be continued….

Would You Believe It, Kramer is a Racist!

"You can talk, you can talk, you're brave now motherfucker. Throw his ass out. He's a nigger! He's a nigger! He's a nigger! A nigger, look, there's a nigger!" ~Kramer

See for yourself.

Debate over Clark Hall Murals

Letter One: From Chris Williams
Are there any plans to repaint the mural room in Clark Hall? I am sure that everyone gets the impression that the room’s eurocentricity seems anachronistic. I mean the murals were painted in the thirties for heaven’s sake! I believe we can all safely say the University's ideals and character are not longer represented by those paintings. While everything around it has literally and figuratively moved into the twenty-first century (the building itself, the students who walk its halls, and the law school), that room is just as it was in 1934! Do we not care how uncomfortable that room might make minorities feel? Or even women? What messages are those paintings sending? I definitely think we should consider giving that sad, pitiful relic of the past a face-lift, don't you?

Letter Two: From President Casteen
CW—Thanks for your note about the Clark Hall murals.  I have not had time to conduct very much research concerning the murals, but I know no plan to remove the murals, which have been preserved for several reasons.  Their basic history is explained at http://www.lib.virginia.edu/brown/Clark-Hall-Murals.pdf. Art critics and historians who have commented on them have not, so far as I know, shared your opinions about them.  The murals have been described as having historic value as well as aesthetic value.  They are works of public art in a university that has very little public art to document its history or the evolving history of its buildings. 

I realize that your comment about eurocentricity may or may not be serious, but in any event the term perhaps misconstrues some elements  of the murals.  Moses appears prominently. If my memory is correct, one lecturer several years ago identified N. African elements in various panels.

The preservation conditions that apply to the murals appear at http://keats.admin.virginia.edu/eir/documents/examples/EIR%20Clark%20Hall%20Addition.pdf. Search on the word mural to locate the specific sections of text that contain the preservation conditions


Letter Three: From Chris Williams

Dear President Casteen,
Thank you for taking the time to answer my e-mail and with such speed. I realize that you are quite busy so I appreciate that you took some time from your schedule to answer my e-mail. I would like to say in response that the crux of the matter really involves how out of place the murals are in respect to the tone established around Grounds. There is something extremely unsettling about any rejection of claims that the room seems to exclude certain groups and glorify others. Even given the additional information that you gave me about the murals, the point remains that some groups are receiving a different and thoroughly offensive message. Furthermore, are these messages that the University is willing to live with? If not, how might the University try to ease those concerns? If inclusion is truly a value, I believe the University should try to highlight how the murals capture those community ideals by establishing tours, producing brochures, or adding plaques. After all, we are talking about a library that is likely the most popular on Grounds! I can even imagine that some women might be terribly offended by the obvious sexism portrayed in the murals, particularly the bare chested female figures above the threshold of the entry door. As an African American, it is hard enough to encourage professors to discuss the importance of minorities on this subject or that, so you can only imagine how perturbed I am when I see these murals day after day that were painted at a time when African Americans were not even allowed in the building unless they came to sweep the floor. The major part of my complaint here, and I hope I can successfully get this point across, is the complete disregard for persons who might be sensitive to the overall message of the paintings, especially when they know that that experience is not usually found around Grounds. I cannot and indeed do not undervalue the murals’ historic and aesthetic value. I am simply saying that if we decide to accept the room as is, this should not go without some acknowledgment that certain students question the University’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, even if those students are only basing their claim on the lack of emotional inclusion.

Letter Four: From President Casteen

CW--I have sent you what I know about the murals. I can't agree with
your reasoning, and I am bothered by the notion that destroying works of
art (or for that matter, burning books--a similar act) somehow protects
learning. But certainly it is your right to have whatever opinion you
may have. Best wishes, JC

Letter Five: From Chris Williams
Dear President Casteen,

With all due respect, you have completely ignored my fundamental criticism twice now. The fact that you have chosen to ignore the inclusion and diversity arguments found here makes me believe that perhaps you really don't care. I am saying that this is a problem, but all you want to do is buttress your argument by saying that I want to destroy works of art. As you can see, I conceded in my last e-mail to the continued preservation of the Clark Hall murals. I also suggested some ways that the Clark Hall murals could work to promote the University’s diversity goals. The argument about destroying books is unfairly used against me. A book can simply be put on a shelf, out of public view. A mural is quite the opposite. This issue is, in fact, debated about public spaces around the United States. In my own hometown, there was an issue with a mural in our courthouse that seemed racially and culturally insensitive. The city had to sacrifice the historic and aesthetic value for more important community values, so my initial suggestion was not all that farfetched and foreign. I guess I have said all that I can to give you my perspective…

Letter Five: From President Casteen

CMW--On receiving your last note, for which I thank you, I consulted the
chair of the Committee on Public Art, who researched the issues and
concluded, as I had when researching your initial note, that the murals
are subject to the preservation agreement to which I provided a link in
my initial response to you. He recommended that you be referred to
Brian Hogg, the University's chief preservation planner. Mr. Hogg's
email address appears on the copy line, above. I have let him know that
you may contact him about the murals.

You have misconstrued my advice to you about the issues you have raised.
I provide accurate historical information for you as well as the
relevant planning/legal document. I am not charged with defending or
attacking the murals or any other work of art within the University.
Mr. Hogg is responsible for recommending any action that may be taken at
any time in the future by the Board of Visitors with regard to the
murals.

Best wishes, JC

Being Open and Honest

I have been ashamed for far too long! I thought I was worthless, but alas I reclaim my integrity! I reclaim my confidence!

My SAT Score was 1100!
(The average score for 2002 was 1020. There is nothing wrong in being average.)


My College G.P.A. is a 2.9!
(That's only a B/B- average. Not so bad for the first person in my family to go to college.)


I Am Taking Five Years to Complete Undergrad!
(In 2002, 41% of students in a four-year college graduated in five years. I am definitely a part of that trend.)



There you have it! I said it!

Credits:
http://www.erinoconnor.org/archives/2002/08/minority_freshm.html

http://www.act.org/news/releases/2002/11-15-02.html

Musings on Educational Theory

Who am I kidding?! I am not some intellectual wannabe who goes to one of the best universities because I got college-educated parents who raised me in some four bedroom house somewhere in Suburbia where I had all the comforts of nice living! I am Chris Williams! I have to remind myself of this because, as I have ventured into this discussion of my African American identity, I have lost some of the connection with my past. I do not like to say that I traded in my plain-speak dictionary for an Oxford one because I unfairly make myself out to be, well, somewhat unintelligent. It’s just that in my world of university student, it’s not enough to be a plain man with ambition. You got to say it the right way so that people will understand you. Of course, they understand you clearly. It’s that if you don’t do it the right way, then you’re wrong. Well, I am tired of doing it the right way. In doing it the right way, you are likely to lose yourself. I still don’t get this college thing. How realistic is it to expect students to do the inverse function of the derivative of sin of 60 as well as explain the nature of antebellum politics in the South! I don’t get it myself. I can’t find my intellectual and analytical footing for all the distractions. Science is yelling in one ear, while politics in the other. I have never been a person to commit myself to so many things.

Frankly, I have neither the patience nor intelligence to be all things to all subject matters.

And I don’t think I should have to be. I feel like the present system strips me of an opportunity to really know my field and myself. Who am I as a writer? What sorts of analytical skills do I have available? I don’t know any of these things because I am being pulled in a million directions. The present system hardly makes sense. I take a class and learn about some obscure term, only to forget it weeks down the road. Then, when I take a national test, I have to exercise, not KNOWLEDGE of a particular subject, rather some SKILL which I hardly got when taking the class. Our educational system would make sense if the curriculum outlined and taught strategic approaches to learning. Say, a course on logic. Or another on argumentation. After all, these will be the skills that will prove more useful. I tell you. It does not make sense to me. Another thing while I am on the subject, what about representational learning? I think that one reason why I did so poorly on the AP physics exam was because I did not understand spatially what I was doing. It was all so confusing. I don’t know why other kids have it so lucky. Like they look and solve problems with such ease. Me? Hell no! The same goes with college. College is a necessary evil.

 

To be continued

Teach for America; No Go!

Yeah I was not accepted to Teach for America. I am disappointed, but what can I do?! I think they made the wrong decision... This is the letter.

  Dear Christopher Williams,
 
Thank you very much for your interest in Teach For America and for the time and effort you invested in applying to the 2007 corps. I am very sorry to inform you that, after careful consideration of your application, we did not select you to advance to the next stage of our admissions process.

             

Your initiative in applying to Teach For America demonstrates your commitment to expanding opportunities for children and effecting social change. While we would like to offer all candidates a path to realizing these aims, we know that Teach For America is not a fit for everyone. Over time we have developed a set of selection criteria that helps us select those most likely to be successful in our particular program.

             

We know, however, that you have the potential to make a significant contribution to meeting our country's pressing social needs, and we encourage you to pursue other ways to make a difference. To assist you in your pursuit, we have posted on our website a list of recommended resources. If you also are interested in being contacted by educational and service-oriented organizations that may wish to recruit Teach For America applicants for similar opportunities, you can complete a short form here.
                  
Although this news may bring disappointment, I hope that your experience with Teach For America thus far has been positive. If you would like to share any anonymous feedback on our admissions process, we welcome your reflections and suggestions here.
 
Lastly, I am sorry that we will not be able to provide individual feedback on admissions decisions, given that we do not have the resources to handle the volume of potential requests. We attempt to minimize the frustration we know this can cause by being upfront about this policy in our application.
 
  I wish you the best in your future endeavors.
 
  Sincerely,
 
  Monique Ayotte-Hoeltzel
  Vice President, Admissions

The Democratic Revolution!

I had given up on the American people! But alas, they see the light! Iraq is a failure! The Administration War on Terrorism is a failure! Bush's tax plan is a failure! Bush on social security is a failure! The time has come for the democratic ideas of government to be put back into government. Bush cannot and will not go on believing that he is in Texas anymore! Bush you are not in Texas so put down the lasso and pick up a pen. Sign legislation on education! Some some legislation on health care! We the American people have humbled you and you will listen. The Democratic Party will not exploit the differences of our nation by forcing us into red or blue. We are purple, Mr President! We want socially liberal policies and we want moral values! There is nothing wrong with that. There is no contradiction with that Mr President!

An Interview With the New Senator's Wife

For those of you who have not noticed, Jim Webb, the new senator from Virginia, is married to an Asian American. I have taken an interest in this because this point has been missed by all the political storm clouds. I am glad. I think it's awesome that interracial couples can be successful without their personal dealings being dragged into the political debate. I wanted to know more about Mrs Webb. I came upon this interview by Lowell Feld with the first lady of Virginia.

"A Conversation with Hong Le Webb"
by Lowell Feld

1) You were born in Vietnam. Can you tell us when and how you came to America, what brought you here, and whether you still have family in Vietnam? I left Vietnam immediately after the fall of Saigon in April 1975, along with my paternal grandmother, my parents, my only brother and three of my five sisters. We left my home town of Vung Tau in the middle of the night on a fishing boat. My other two sisters, who were married before I was born, left on different boats with their families around the same time. All of my immediate family are in the U.S. (surviving my parents are seven children, 31 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren). I still have distant relatives in Vietnam today, with whom my older siblings keep in touch. The 1975 departure was the second one for my parents. My parents and both sets of my grandparents were farmers in the north of Vietnam before 1954. My maternal grandparents were assassinated by the communists during the French War, and when the country split, my parents went to Vung Tau with my paternal grandparents and my three oldest siblings. As practicing, devout Catholics, my parents didn't believe that they and their family would have survived in the the north after 1954 nor in the south after 1975.

2) What is your educational background, and what do you do now? Can you talk about what it's like to be a working mom in America, compared to what it would be like in Vietnam? My family parallels Jim's family educationally. My father had a 5th grade education, and my mother never learned how to write and barely knew how to read. Despite not having the same opportunities in education, my parents always stressed the importance of education to all their children. My siblings and I are first-generation immigrants to the U.S., and given our age ranges, have varying degrees of education. I grew up in New Orleans, got my undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and my law degree from Cornell University. I am a corporate securities lawyer in the Washington office of a Michigan-based law firm. I don't think it would be possible to compare what it would be like as a working mom in the U.S. versus in Vietnam because the opportunities that existed for me in the U.S. would not have existed in Vietnam. I am not unique in the issues I face as a mom with a career. I've had to balance competing interests relating to childcare, long hours as a lawyer, staying actively involved in my daughter's education and extra-curricular activities, and my own maternal desire to be involved in my daughter's life in every respect. I believe these competing interests are being dealt with by many working mothers today, especially at a time when two working parents are the norm rather than the exception. However, my five sisters and I have had a great example in our mother and have been blessed with being part of a close-knit, extended family. I come from a family of very strong women. My  mother worked side-by-side with my father in north Vietnam and was the primary breadwinner in south Vietnam. Most of my sisters have been entrepreneurs at one time or another; a couple still run their own businesses. My parents participated in the rearing of many of my nieces and nephews while my sisters were building careers and working outside the home. I have been similarly blessed with my own daughter, Emily. My former in-laws have been primarily responsible for Emily's childcare since she was born. Despite our divorce, I still am close to my ex-husband and his family: I talk to my ex almost daily; I still call my in-laws "mom and dad"; and we've celebrated holidays together, including with extended members of our respective families. And yes, Jim and to some extent his children (as they are older and have outside interests) have been brought into the fold. 3) How did you meet Jim Webb and what attracted you to each other? Jim and I met long before we were ever attracted to each other. We met in the mid-1990's as a result of our mutual interest in doing business in Vietnam, and stayed in touch sporadically over the years. It's hard to say what attracted us to each other since we were basically distant, business-oriented friends over a number of years. We started dating while we were separated from our former spouses, and perhaps going through similarly difficult experiences in our lives allowed our friendship to blossom. What is important is that we have a great marriage. I can tell you what I love, respect and admire about Jim - among them are his deep sense of patriotism and duty to country; his love of family and family history; his uncanny ability to appreciate differences in cultures that have allowed him to travel all over the world and fit in; his belief in the over-arching theme of fairness when it comes to addressing our public policy issues; and his honesty, integrity and forthrightness in fighting for the things he cares about. 4) What was it like, as a Vietnamese woman, to be introduced into Jim's Scots-Irish, southwest Virginia family and culture? As Jim writes in "Born Fighting," the Scots-Irish are a very inclusive culture. Growing up in the South and having visited Southwest Virginia on a number of occasions, I have found this to be true. I also found that Scots-Irish women are very strong, not dissimilar to the women in my family (and I think a general characteristic of Vietnamese women). I greatly admire the strength and perseverance of Jim's grandmother, who lived with the family when Jim was little, his mother and her sisters, and more recently, his cousin Jewell, who lives in Gate City. 5) How do you feel about Jim running for public office? In particular, what's it like having your husband and family under intense public scrutiny? I am proud of Jim for his willingness to step forward to serve the country at a watershed time in our country's history. That aside, I don't think either of us were prepared for the intensity of the process, including the public scrutiny. We both value our privacy and family time. For the most part, we've kept our family out of the public scrutiny and prefer it that way. As for Jim being under public scrutiny, I am hopeful that people who are deciding on their choice for Senator will see behind the negative, personal, smear campaign against Jim as a common political tactic of the other side in the past decade. I invite people to read Jim's writings and do their own research. Jim no doubt has lived through some of the most divisive periods in this country's history, and his positions must be taken in the context of the histories of those times. However people may feel about Jim's stance on specific issues, I am confident that they will find that Jim is an honest and principled man and leader, and he will never compromise his honesty and principles for political or personal gains. 6) Can you tell us a little about what it's like for the family with Jimmy Webb "in harm's way" over in Iraq?  It's important, and rightly so, that Jimmy's service not be used for political reasons. Some politicians do this, but Jim has been very insistent that he will not do so with Jimmy. As Jim says, Americans rarely enlist in the military because of one political issue or another. They do so because they love their country, and because of family tradition. Jimmy comes from a long, family tradition of service to country. Despite the fact that Jim believes the war in Iraq was a mistake, we admire and support all the men and women who are serving the country in Iraq and elsewhere. Like all families with loved ones in harm's way, we pray for his safety and his safe return, and for an end to the war in Iraq. 7) Are there any stories you'd like to share about family life with Jim? What are some favorite family activities?  Despite Jim's often serious demeanor in public, people may not be aware that Jim is a great husband and father, and has an often wicked sense of humor. In the tradition of the Scots-Irish, he loves to pass on family stories to his children and grandchildren. My daughter Emily has been the recipient of many of these stories and never tires of hearing them repeated. And he has no problem getting down to a nine-year old's level of fun, doing the "The Banks of the Hanky-Panky", "Hokey-Pokey", and "Cha Cha Slide" on request! We have always enjoyed long walks in Arlington Cemetery, and when time permits, having family over for cook-outs. 8) How's Jim's Vietnamese?  Jim's Vietnamese is excellent for someone who has had no formal education in the language. Being able to speak to each other in Vietnamese has been fun when we've travelled to Vietnam and provides some level of privacy especially when our lives have become so public with the campaign. Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign.  The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters. http://www.raisingkaine.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4986

Why We Need A Program to De-Program

If Jews had endured Hitler’s Germany for as long as a hundred years, would it be necessary to have to deprogram their minds? Or how about this case, what if five children had been molested, tormented, threatened, and abused by their father throughout their entire childhood, would it be necessary in this case to provide therapy (“deprogramming”) so that they might have the opportunity to live normal lives? What if Native Americans had not been mercilessly murdered by the millions, but instead had been assimilated into society as dregs of the social order, suffering violence and racism at the hands of whites? Would we think that those Native Americans would need some psychological healing?  The answer to these questions is obviously employed for rhetorical effect because we all know that some type of therapy or help would be necessary for these individuals to regain some normalcy in their lives. If it is so easy for us to acknowledge the importance of addressing the grief in these examples, why haven't African Americans been given this consideration. Here, you have a people who not only were systematically denied access to any other class besides the lowest class, but a people who have been told that Whites are supreme in almost all aspects of human development.

 

Let’s take BEAUTY. The famous experiment used in the Brown case revealed that children of the 1950’s preferred the white doll over the Black doll because it was prettier. There were other reasons that made the Black children choose the white doll, but most prominent among these explanations is an affirmation that the White doll is aesthetically more appealing than the Black doll. Sure this was the 1950s. Sure we have come a long way, but what explains particular trends in Black America. Why do wealthy Black men prefer White women? Why do educated Black women prefer educated White men? Why do Black gay men prefer white men? With respect to the last one, I have had to wrestle with prejudices of my own. In fact, just today I realized that I had assumed that White people were generally more attractive than Black people, at least men. My awakening or self-deprogramming has revealed to me that “No one race has supremacy over beauty!” Isn’t it amazing that I am just now coming to these realizations!

 

Another thing that I wrestle with is intellectual inferiority. INTELLIGENCE. I used to think that White people were smarter than Black people. After all, the Whites students always dominated the advanced classes, even in mostly Black high schools. After all, they are always the smartest in the school. After all, Whites are the ones we have given us modern technology. After all, Whites are the ones who are innovating. Even when Black people are given the opportunity to innovate technology, they do not produce the same results, Right? Wrong. Technology is not the product of one race’s genius or intellectual superiority. Here, “race” is important to define. Biologically, there is no level of genes that make us “White”, “Black”, “Asian”, etc. Humans are far too complex for this sort of senseless generalization. Certainly, it may be the case that certain groups are predisposed to developing complex orders because of the nature of the society that they have created, but what evidence is there to suggest that “Brits”, “Germans”, “Italians”, “Hungarians”, “Greeks”, “Bulgarians”, “Romanians”, “Estonians”, etc all share a common supreme intelligence? Nothing. There is no evidence. There will never be any evidence.

 The struggle that we face is really about the judgments that we make about SKIN COLOR. Where are the most “advanced” societies located? Where are the least “advanced” societies located? How are the rest arranged? The Inca Empire is frequently praised! What about the Mali Empire in Africa? Ancient Greece and Ancient China are often celebrated but what about Ancient African! Even think about how we view color in our present time. Would the War on Terrorism have taken a different turn had only half of the terrorists on September 11^th been White? Could there have been an “Afghanistan” or “Iraq” had the people in these countries looked “White”?  Why did Truman bomb the Japanese and not the Germans? Basic assumptions about race permeate our minds everyday! Many of the people on television, especially folks in powerful elected positions, could not wield the same influence if they were colored. Yes Obama was elected in Illinois, but he was half white. Yes Jesse Jackson almost won the Democratic nomination, but the key word is almost. When we think about the most influential people of color, more often than not they are appointed, not elected. In the case of celebrities, they are employed by studio execs, so in so many ways we can not control them. When we can control them, we choose to relegate them to the bottom. Douglas Wilder is an interesting case. He does not come across as “Black.” See White people have made Blacks out as people with dark skin, nappy hair, no intelligence, and no drive. So when a man like Wilder arises, they are profoundly confused. For a moment in time, Wilder is raceless because he is as much Black as he is White.

 Part of the reason why I am so into “Before the Mayflower” is that the assumptions that I had about race are confronted. The feelings that I had about Africa, its backwardsness and inferiority are negated. The feelings that I had about innate talent among people are dismissed. Because there has been a systematic attempt to teach the African American his place, there should be a systematic attempt to teach the African American his potential.

My "Teach for America" Essays

My "Teach for America" Essays

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A Submitted Essay

I submitted this essay on my experience here at UVa for a publication that they are coming out with this year.

"I do not offer these words as a means of retribution against the figures and forces who have attempted to cast me aside. I do not act out against the fair lady who told me that my admission was based on my color and not the content of my character or, god forbid, my academic integrity. I do not condemn the lecturer who celebrated the names of white generals, governors, and cavalries but disregarded Black captains and soldiers. I do not rant and rave against the European history professor who refuted the existence of Crispus Attucks, a Revolutionary hero whom I had longingly admired. I do not rage against the machine that is white violence and racism, which at its peak, made me fear the shadowy darkness of night, if for no other reason than because my person was a potential object of insult and injury. I offer these words because I am stronger for them. The strong men keep a-comin’ on/The strong men git stronger. They hurled their seeds so that another Black man may be born of ignorance, miseducation, and lowliness and, in the process, mistakenly took me for a lil’ happy man who will gladly dance to their song. I often get misidentified for I am invisible to them. I am not that man who will say that there is pride in keeping my cool. Death to Passivity, Accommodation, and Acquiescence! I am not that man who will avoid them books because reading them make me sleepy. I am not that man who will keep my attention on the sky above instead of on the road ahead. I am not the man who will buy into this ideology that the Founding Fathers were men who knew equality and freedom and that the American story is about living up to that ideal. The US has never known and will never know what sacrifices are needed for full equality and freedom to come about.

The US will never attempt to offer me the full privileges of citizenship that my White counterparts enjoy. I will never see in my lifetime integrated and equal education or equally distributed political power, or equal representation of minorities in mass media, or equal access to the American dream. Sure, the likes of Oprah can mislead the little boys and girls of Kosciusko, but I know better. I know that I am not entitled to the same seat of comfort and confidence. I know that my history and my people are not given their proper due and, more generally, perceived as having limited influence in the vast development of American history. Hail to David Walker! Hail to Granville Woods! I know that I will probably lag behind the others because I can’t put down Before the Mayflower and Miseducation of the Negro. (After all, that is the way it’s meant to be.) I know that I am expected to follow suit. But I am a New Negro who will rise above the pain, the fate, and the inferiority. I do not offer these words as a means of retribution against the figures and forces who have attempted to cast me aside, but because I am stronger for them.