Elon U. Hosts Whites-Only Caucus to ‘Process Their Awareness of and Complicity’ in Racism
“A white caucus is a space for white-identifying individuals to engage in conversations that unpack race and systemic oppression”
Why are colleges and universities being allowed to divide people by race? Don’t we have laws against this?
From the YAF blog:
Elon University Hosts ‘Urgent’ Whites-Only Caucus to ‘Process Complicity’ in Racism
Elon University’s School of Education is hosting a weekly “White Caucus” open only to “white-identifying” students, according to an email obtained exclusively through Young America’s Foundation’s Campus Bias Tip Line.
“A white caucus is a space for white-identifying individuals to engage in conversations that unpack race and systemic oppression,” the email read. “White caucuses allow white-identfying [sic] allies to have these conversations in a way that does not burden or re-traumatize people of color. White caucuses give white people a space to learn about and process their awareness of and complicity in unjust systems without harming their friends of color.”
The email, signed by several undergraduate students in the School of Education, informed students that it is “urgent” they are involved in the caucus, noting “We know that racism and systemic oppression are woven deeply into the roots of our society and our education system… White caucusing is one part of a lifelong and multifaceted commitment to antiracism for white-identifying people who are passionate about racial justice.”
Students who are interested in joining the caucus must fill out a Google form, which requires signing a confidentiality agreement saying that nothing can be shared “outside of the group for any reason,” including recording or taking photos, social media posts or “talking negatively about others outside of the caucus.” The motto for the group, according to a screenshot obtained by YAF, is “What is said stays, and what is learned leaves.”
Jennifer Strange, Elon’s Coordinator of Graduate Programs in the School of Education, sent the email to all education students.
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Comments
I’m white and am quite aware of the complexities of racism. My experience covers everything from being denied a promotion in the Navy or being 12 lbs overwieight, but, the Captain’s Yeoman, 40+ lbs over standard, was promoted. Did I mention he was a whatever we are permitted to call sub-Saharan Africans these days?
The same in the private sector where my “gender” and race out-front factors in hiring decisions.
I don’t need a carcass to make me aware of the complexities of racism.
I’m sure they’ll encourage people to be honest during these discussions, and then use those statements against them. This just sounds like a recipe for disaster for anyone participating.
ANOTHER THING: who outside of academia uses phrases like “process their awareness”, and “unpack” anything?