Anti-Racism II

CU Boulder

Week 1 Discussion Prompt #2

[Unknown Histories Now that you have completed “After the Land Settles", reflect on what you learned. Did you discover histories that were previously unknown to you?​ Is there anything else that you'd like to share with your peers?]

Week 1 Discussion Prompt #2: Unknown Histories

I’d heard of The Birth of a Nation, but until I began this course had never seen it. I assumed it was the realization of straightforward documented material until I got into the second part (Reconstruction) and really began to question what I was watching. The positioning and behavior of the two principal families, the pro-Union Stonemans, and the pro-Confederate Camerons both caught me a little off guard—especially as we got into the segments regarding the time of the Carpetbaggers and the inception of what came to be the Ku Klux Klan. “What In the World Is This?” I asked myself. I came to realize that this film—though exceptionally well done and thoroughly engaging—was nothing less than divisive and hateful racist drivel, jingoism, and pro-Klan propaganda. Gah! I did some further research (OK, I goggled it.) and confirmed that this was generally considered so from moderates to progressives to liberals—including some noteworthy historians and even respected film critics I’ve followed for some time.

I neither feel nor accept much in the way of personal guilt, but I’ve been thinking about ancestral guilt—regarding a number of similar constructs—for several years now. And here too I must consider a spiritual component tempered by Jewish/Christian influences. By taking this my third course I show that I’m obviously interested and remain open to learned instruction, persuasive writings, and thoughtful and engaging discussions and debate. On Facebook several months back, I attempted to join a racial relations support group and voiced pretty much the same opinions. I was immediately scolded and told sternly something like, “There is no conversation. There is no debate. You must hold as basic truths all we tell you, or you’re of no use to us or yourself.” [Posted by one of the administrators I believe.] Yeah . . . No . . . That kind of angry and hateful BS goes nowhere with me fast. [See how quickly I bristle? Something to work on . . . ]

What did Sean O’Neal say in his introductory remarks? “We present this challenging material with empathy, peace, and love.” That’s what will get my attention. That’s what will convince me to be an ally and an anti-racist.