Julie....and you are so closed minded you missed my point. And the point of everyone's discussion is diversity. My comments have been about diversity and what it has become today. If you don't like them, don't read them. I'm not going to repeat my points because you wouldn't understand them anyway.

donna if you would have done a simple google search you would have found out that there is a "Irish Month", "Norwegian Month", "Swedish Month" , and what ever other Month you can think of. The fact that the Irish, Norwegian's, Germans or other culture does not celebrate it is because they choose not too. I feel you are some what closed minded and extremely uninformed about what you are talking about and I say that because you keep changing the subject or bringing something else up. The class that is being discussed here is not about a race or culture but about how different cultural groups in America's history had a effect on the country. FYI Thanksgiving is not a uniquely American Holiday it has it origins in England during the Protestant Reformation.

julie......do they teach classes on Norweigan or Irish history? And once in awhile in Stoughton you will see an article on Swedish days (not month) of celebration and St Pats day (again not month but a day) has become an American tradition. And yes, our heritage is what makes us but what we do as Americans unites us as a country...same language, same American history and American traditions such as Thanksgiving, etc. We are first Americans. We have lost some of that American exceptionalism most of us grew up with.

hey donna my comments were in response to someone who claimed heritage remarks were unfair because traditional European groups were not given the same courtesy. As far as your remarks about the AP or other news services ignoring Polish, Irish, or Norwegian heritage events is untrue. Many papers will have picture of Saint Patrick's Day parade on the front page. The Gazette has done stores about Norwegian culture groups, including one recently i believe. As far of your comments about focusing only on what we have in common ignores the fact that where we came from defines who we are as people.

@Joym- This article is about " white privelege". I'm fairly certain that your ancestors did not LOOK any different from the other European immigrants, hence, once they learned the language, they fit in nicely. I can't say that holds true for other immigrants.

donnaw - you got that right. When my grandparents came here from Germany in the 1920s, they were not welcomed by the population at large. They settled first in the German enclave in LaCrosse so they could learn the ways of this country and learn more functional English. They knew they must do this to survive in their adopted country because "real Americans" (bah) would not learn German to assist them. They spoke the best English they could at home because they knew that their kids had to learn it before school or would be at a significant disadvantage. (No one had ever contemplated spending tax dollars on ESL programs. Nor were tax dollars spent on interpetors for emergency responders, nor medical costs had increased for all by the need for providers to hire interpretors.) While we can embrace the cultures and history of all as individuals, we still need to function as an entire society, and it should be as equitable and consistent as possible for all. As donnaw said, "The more we emphasize the differences the less we become united."

juliew...I don't think you'll see the AP with articles and pictures about Norwegian Heritage month or Polish Heritage month. I don't think you'll see the schools teach Norwegian or Irish history courses. The newest influx of Euroeans were discriminated against when they first arrived in this country, but they worked hard, learned the language and while proud of their heritage, wanted to be just "American." The more we emphasize the differences the less we become united.

Hey Maynard you can stop waiting for Irish, German and most other European history months. Irish Heritage Month in March and has been in place since 1991, Norwegian American Heritage Month takes place in May, Italian and Polish Heritage month is October, and Scottish Heritage Month takes place in April. The dates vary as to when they were started but all are more then 20 years old. There are also special months for Asian, Pacific, and South American cultures and of course Black History Month is February. So now you know and you can start celebrating!

Yes. Everything is a fair course topic. Not everything is pleasant or comfortable, but that doesn't mean it has no educational merit.

It's a part of history. What is wrong with teaching it? So much of racism is derived from misinformation and ignorance. Ignoring the past won't change what actually happened, it will only increase the chances that mistakes will be repeated. This class is bound to make some white people uncomfortable, because so many white people refuse to believe that they afforded privileges on a daily basis based solely on the color of their skin. It's a reality.
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I'm white. I grew up in a town with even less diversity than that of the city of Janesville (believe it or not). Whenever I get the chance to interact with someone with a different cultural background that myself I take the time to find out as much about their culture as I can.
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In my opinion, differences between people should be celebrated and not ignored.

Must be a slow news day... Therefore the need to come out with a "Hate White People" and "If you don't feel guilty for being whitie you must be a racist" articles. Journalism at it's most pathetic worst.

Difficult situation.
God created all of us EQUAL. Period.
However, I have taken several of these Diversity Training Courses for work purposes, and don't really think they hit the real problem on the head...yes JMHO....
They are no more than a "Hey we have a diversity program" banner than anything else.
Actual Examples from my training:
* Me speaking to a woman at work..."Morning..you look very nice in that dress today"..WRONG WRONG WRONG....
I am supposed to say.."Morning, that is a very nice dress you are wearing today"...This is nothing more than crap...
* "Hey Big Guy.....how did you do at pool last night?"...WRONG WRONG WRONG...
I am supposed to say....:Hey George, how did you do at pool last night?"....more crap.
* The race/creed/culture/sex issue dances around the same way...more crap.
I DO NOT approve of prejudice in any way, but the courses I took were a farce, and it was at a very large Government Contractor that I worked for...
Last comment:
Many many work places, (Including the one where I worked) made signs in plain sight stating "Sexual Harassment Will Not be Tolerated.....BUT IT WILL BE GRADED" :-)
Nuff Said...

This course should NOT be taught in a public school. If you want to go to a lecture about it, fine. Any topic with a race right in the title shows racism one way or another. It is pushing a further divide between the races and is also pushing an agenda that promotes hatred. Anyone who remotely thinks this is OK should rethink their position.

I rarely agree with Sigma, but on this topic I do - racism (discrimination) works both ways. I also agree with momof353545 and Nicksmom - when a minority group plays up its status to get something the rest of the population doesn't (especially playing on the majority fear of being perceived as racist), that is reverse discrimination, too. I really don't think I as a white person born in the US in the middle of the last century (in diapers during the civil rights movement) should be individually blamed OR held accountable for the shortcomings of the slaveowners or those who mistreated Native Americans when ALL of my ancestors came from Europe AFTER the Civil War and were not exactly treated well by their adopted country, either. And it seems to me that, despite all the blame foisted on white people, we are the ones who experience reverse discrimination because our kids with better grades and personal history can't even get accepted into a state-run university so that minorities with poorer grades and personal history are welcomed in and handed scholarships based solely on the color of their skin; or when white men under 40 can't get government jobs for which they tested higher than non-whites because they aren't the right color to fill the affirmative action quota; or for that matter when whites can't get a private sector job for which they are more qualified because the employer has been accused of not hiring enough minorities even if there aren't any or enough qualified minority applicants. We tell people in this country you can be anything you want as long as you work hard for it, but really that isn't true for whites OR people of color, depending on the particular circumstance. You've got these types who want to lambaste business owners for making a good living, but it's a wonder anyone even wants to start a business anymore because as soon as the doors are open, somebody will want to sue them for something, including discriminatory hiring practices for not hiring somebody of color even if they don't have the right skill set. No wonder people don't want to put their personal finances on the line to start new businesses and grow the economy.

@fear- I think some of the posts on this thread highlight the need for topics like this to be out there. It's that old prayer " Father forgive them for they know not what they do (or write) in this case.

I also wonder who is apologizing for being white? Not I! I am a white man, I am proud to be Irish. Could care less about the color of my skin, maybe thats because I have never been judged because of it. To act as if racism does not exist in this country even today is ignorant at best. Moreover I believe that these people that are so concerned about their "white" heritage are feeling guilty for one reason or another. How would you know anything about the struggles that a person faces that is a different race? If you truly believe that society is equal for all no matter the race or gender, you are truly clueless.

""racism==blaming another race or sex for one's own shortcomings."" No no my dear, if you think that is what racism is then you are truly the most clueless on this board(and that is a lofty prize) the United States has endured generations of hate and prjudice that has cost hundreds of thousands of minorities their lives in this so-called great nation. Who do you blame for your own intellectual shortcomings?

badgerlvr.....It amazes me that a substantial number of right wing ding dongs pray to Jesus and worship his name daily without ever realizing that there was never a more liberal being on the face of the planet.

Poor nicksmom! Her life must be so difficult!

Diversity is what is taught to school kids when you aren't allowed to pray in schools or put up a picture of the ten commandments. Trouble with that is, diversity is based on the idea of some fallible man.

Not fair Thompson...I thought of it first.

'Who knows Gary, maybe God is a Liberal! After all, didn't he have long hair and wear a beard? LOL'

My next Halloween costume;)

There have been a number of studies confirming the effect of inherent racism in the hiring process - here's a sample (they took identical qualifications and assigned different stereotypical names to the resumes):
http://www.nber.org/digest/sep03/w9873.h...

"Job applicants with white names needed to send about 10 resumes to get one callback; those with African-American names needed to send around 15 resumes to get one callback."

Welcome to white privilege (and before some idiot says "they should just change their names", it doesn't make a difference - the same racism that reduces the callbacks will come through in a phone screening or in-person interview)

"African-Americans are twice as likely as whites to be unemployed and they earn nearly 25 percent less when they are employed."

I am really tired of apologizing for being white. Take law school for instance. There were no scholarships for whites and I'm talking in the 1990's. We got the "privilege" of paying full price, while minorities got substantial "scholarships". Or how about my recent trip to Boston Store. 2 different cashiers. I paid sale price less my coupon & the minorities throwing fits in front of me got special discounts. Or how about the state agency my spouse works for - he is the only white male in a sea of double minorities because they are so concerned about affirmative action. I guess I would be curious to see exactly what the class at issues teaches because based on what it implies, I think the reverse is true from my professional & personal experience.

The more people try to put racism behind them the more it is brought up. Civil rights was to eliminate racism. Education was to eliminate racism. Laws were made to eliminate racism. Everybody is equal. And yet today, if you happen to disagree with someone, it isn't because you disagree it is because you are a racist. How do you eliminate it when no one seems to want to eliminate it?

During his testimony Wednesday, Thandiwe suggested that his reason for even purchasing the gun he used in the shootings was to enforce beliefs he’d developed about white people during his later years as an anthropology major at the University of West Georgia.

“I was trying to prove a point that Europeans had colonized the world, and as a result of that, we see a lot of evil today,” he said. “In terms of slavery, it was something that needed to be answered for. I was trying to spread the message of making white people mend.”

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http://www.ajc.com/news/news/crime-law/t...
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Does teaching about "white privilege" accomplish anything?

fearandrhetoric4dummies WELL SAID Still today we have RIGHTIES trying to surpress everything that has changed for the good. Womens rights, minority voting road blocks, and the list goes on.

Sandman...thank you and you are correct. Unfortunately people will view that radical or not open-minded until it is obvious, but then it is too late and lots of good Americans pay the price.
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Besides if we want equality which really already exists much more than not....we should stop pointing out differences and propelling the separations. Really the subject of talking about inequality keeps it perpetual! In short, I think the class material referred to above is unnecessary. PC is a waste of American time. (all races and creed) All Americans need something to believe in again, and not these types of insistent subjects.

Only if equal time is devoted to discussing Black Angus!

I expect that in China the schools are not spending a whole lot of time with "Yellow Privilege" - likely realize that students need to learn useful skills like language, math and science in order to compete and get good jobs. Here in the good ole "Buy USA" (or "Bought USA" - as China might more properly think of it), however, we waste much of young people's class time on feel-good PC nonsense that is methodically crafted to lead precisely...nowhere - which, incidentally and ironically, is EXACTLY where the USA is heading in the New World Order, "free trade agreement" economy! NOWHERE!

racism==blaming another race or sex for one's own shortcomings.

It's important to teach the history of our country, and all the ugly details that includes. The next generations coming up need to know and understand what has happened and how we got to where we're at. I do believe that ignorance of history makes you doomed to repeat it, one way or another.

That being said, I think perhaps it's time to start framing some of these ideas in the context of class. We live in a country where a black man has twice been elected President. To teach kids that racism and white privilege exist on some mass scale in this country today is flawed, in my opinion. Certainly they exist. Certainly they do need to be taught about, but it's time we start recognizing that mentality is no longer the majority and hasn't been for a long time. In my opinion, the divisions we see now run much more firmly among class lines than among racial lines. There are racial aspects to it, but I think there is something much different going on in the world today than what we have seen in the past. Before, Barack Obama could not have become president no matter where he came from. That'st just not the case these days. In my opinion class is a much bigger factor in whether a person is successful than race. Had Barack Obama come from the projects, he'd have about the same chance of being elected president as Honey Boo Boo. That contrast is something we need to start looking at more closely.

factsplease - You misunderstood the point. Point is if you see a difference in peoples races...other than just red shirt, blue shirt wearing people...if a race gets any special attention for anything based on their race.... it is racists.

For Sigma:
Definition of RACISM
1
: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
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I have to ask myself if I am a racist and according to this definition, no. I do sadly admit that I have racial stereotypes in my head that do impact my first impressions when I see someone, but I don't let those stereotypes influence my behavior (I hope) and I don't think that my race is superior.

Who knows Gary, maybe God is a Liberal! After all, didn't he have long hair and wear a beard? LOL!

garyprimer, good call I like that as a bumper sticker!

I am not so sure that it was liberals that came up with diversity.
That God guy might have had something to do with it.

So, the liberals come up with this “Diversity” concept, whereby we are enjoined to not merely accept the unique backgrounds and beliefs of others, but to celebrate them. Except, of course, for those evil white males. They cannot be proud of their heritage; no, they should uniquely be condemned and made to feel guilty for their forefathers accomplishments.

Diversity, of course, stops where inclusiveness begins. The Boy Scouts should not be allowed to cherish their long-established moral principles: nope, no diversity for them. They must throw out their belief system and embrace the latest deviancy de jour.

If you really want to do this “Diversity” thing, then make it an even playing field. We’re all equally good, or all equally bad. Equally good is probably the best way to go, but equally bad would bring a certain refreshing candor to the table. If you want to push the idea that one race is good, where another is bad, then let’s be honest about it, that’s not diversity. It’s racism, pure and simple. Which I thought we all pretty much agreed was a bad idea.

fearandrhetoric4dummies, it is one thing to frame those things you listed as a shameful history of our country it is quite another to use it in modern society to push political agenda's, in fact it is outright dangerous.

I had to explain this to my 12 year old yesterday (why isn't there a white history month?). I assumed most adults understood. I guess not.
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Who wrote the history books? Who do you think those white, male historians wrote about? Who had the power? Who could just take the ideas or work of a minority or woman and claim it as his own with no recourse for the wronged? I could go on, but this is a start.
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Of course there is white privilege and of course our history is biased toward white men. I don't even understand why this is an issue, but the fact that it is an issue, shows how much this course and other diversity activities are needed.

To acknowledge any difference or diversity in race is the definition of racism.

No. It is not. It is merely a tool used by the left to try to make white people feel guilty.

Instead of focusing on our differences why not focus on our commonalities. By focusing on differences we drive wedges between us. Yes, we should celebrate our heritages and share them in a "heritage day" but everyone should participate, not just one heritage but ALL of them. I love the idea of "Unity through Diversity" idea. Not White Privilege or Black Power but Unity.

-@inyeloop- you are really " loopy".What do you think the last 200 years has been. So sorry that you're feeling disenfranchised. How does it feel?

You want White Television? Turn on Fox Noise or any of the other 200 channels. You want white history month? When have white people (not women) ever been oppressed in this nation? White privilege exists, is a relevant, and is ABSOLUTELY a legitimate topic for those that wish to know the truth about this "freedom loving" nation in which we live. I guess you only love freedom if its YOUR kind of freedom. Remember this course is an ELECTIVE. Last time I checked that means you would have a choice. I would hope that my kids would be so lucky to take a course like this in HS. Giving an opportunity for discussion in life about things in life that actually exist and HAVE happened. Not pissing and moaning about white TV and white history months.

I wonder were white people ever denied the right to vote? This whole hatred against BET and Black history month just shows deep down you are a racist individual. Why would it annoy anyone that African Americans celebrate their heritage with a month? Are you forced to observe it? Why would it offend you?
We live in a supposed free nation where minorities were enslaved by WHITE MEN for well over a hundred years. WHITE men drove Native Americans from their land and murdered untold thousands of their men, raped their women and killed their children because they thought that they were entitled to it. Our nation promoted subservient females in society for well over 150 years, wouldn't allow them to vote until the year 1920. We had Jim Crow laws in the south after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Racism is still very evident in todays society all over the place. I have several African American Friends that live in Georgia where the KKK , Skinheads and many other white supremacy groups are very relevant.

This fake outrage over months, television channels and the like look kind of stupid when you put into context that the "greatest nation on Earth" has endured such hatred and prejudice against women and minorities for the great majority of its existence. So spare me your fake outrage, anyone who expresses such outrage is a closet racist and has NO CLUE of the horrible history of this nation.

3/5ths clause anyone?

How about having white history month or white entertainment television, but no that would be racist. These days if anyone is discriminated against it is white males. Anymore "EOE" under a want ad might as well say whites need not apply.

I am appalled at having one single race as getting a history month,black colleges,black dating site,black miss America,let the white,red,brown,yellow try and get away with that,plus i refuse to say African,or any American title after ones place of origin,we are all "JUST" Americans

To answer your question Greg, white privilege is a fair course topic to discuss in a diversity class. To deny that white privilege doesn't exist, here and elsewhere, is to deny history.

To say humans aren't "inherently racist" is very narrow thinking. We are all inherently racist, but most of us don't act on it. If we don't teach each generation about racism we run the risk of having it repeat itself all over again.

...it seems to me that Ms. Olson is more upset that Carfora received "more ink" than she did. Maybe if she were to attend one of his diversity sessions, she'd understand what he was trying to accomplish instead of trying to push her own agenda.

I am waiting for an Irish history month, a English history month, a German history month. My wife spoke up for a Norwegian history month. How about we just pull them all together and have an American history month. Our children and grandchildren could probably benefit from that. Oh ... and use some of the other months for European, Asian, African history and current events, etc. since there is very little coverage of events overseas from any point other than our vested interest. Although some stations do "around the world in 80 seconds".