This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, April 29, 2011 - Rodgers and Hammerstein had clarity on how hatred is taught. Read these lyrics to the song "You've Got to be Carefully Taught":
You've got to be taught
To hate and fear
You've got to be taught
From year to year
It's got to be drummed
in your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught
The lyrics could be directions from a recipe book on how racism is baked into the minds of children. It models how parents, adults, teachers and institutions establish racial hierarchy and oppression. Racism is taught. Here's the antidote: It can be unlearned with concerted efforts.
Some local organizations are working to dismantle the deliberately constructed system that works to oppress people on the basis of the color of their skin. YWCA Metro St. Louis is one of them. Racial justice and women's economic advancements are YWCA hallmark programs that carry out its two-prong mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Let's face it, inclusion and equal opportunities for all are elusive without racial justice.
The barriers to eliminating racism are formidable. There are no simple solutions or magic formulas. Someone has to ask the hard and difficult questions of why our communities are polarized. Yet, we not only want to face our challenges, YWCA wants to play a key role in finding solutions.
Inequities in wages, housing patterns, education and healthcare demonstrate that there are systemic failures that must be acknowledged if we're to improve life chances for all people in our communities. We must engage in the painstaking work of examining our individual and systemic landscape and face the stereotypes, prejudices and biases that all of us have been socialized to consciously and unconsciously accept.
How long are we willing to wait to before we take a stand against racism? It operates historically, institutionally and culturally to produce preferential treatment, privilege and power for white people at the expense of people of color.
On April 29, the YWCA will host "Stand Against Racism" rallies throughout the United States. The local YWCA will host its rally from noon to 1:30 p.m. on the campus of Saint Louis University at the clock tower in the center of campus. It's a collaborative between YWCA and the Saint Louis University Cross Cultural Center.
Are you are ready to take a stand for the elimination of racism? Are you willing to join in this united effort to make St. Louis a better and more inclusive community? Then we ask you to join in the rally and pledge to take a stand against racism.
Stand Against Racism is designed to bring people and organizations together that share in the YWCA vision of eliminating racism and celebrating the richness of diversity. Additionally, the SLU Cross Cultural Center is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect for people of all backgrounds and cultures on campus.
Racism is a problem that affects everyone regardless of how they look because it undermines our ability to live and work in a cohesive, progressive and equitable society.
Show your resolve by joining the YWCA Stand Against Racism Rally at noon on April 29 at the SLU clock tower.
Critical Conversations
YWCA will host a six-week series of critical conversations to help with the dismantling of the culture of racism for whites and people of color.
The Mosaic, a dialogue group for those who identify as people of color, will be held on Wednesdays, beginning May 11, to discuss internalized oppression and internalized racism.
Witnessing Whiteness is another six-week dialogue group for those who identify as a white person to discuss racism, white supremacy and white privilege. These sessions will be held on Thursdays, beginning May 12.
Both series begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center, at 27ll Locust St. in midtown St. Louis. Though free, both groups require registrations to ahunter@ywcastlouis.org. Or call 314-5311115.
Amy Hunter is director of Racial Justice for YWCA Metro St. Louis.