Friday, July 9, 2010
Why Oscar Grant Matters to Us All
This is my fourth attempt at writing this. I can't seem to find the words. Like many of you I am outraged at the verdict in the Oscar Grant trial. However, I am not surprised. Some will say that a conviction of any sort is a victory. I can't buy that. I mean this execution was caught on tape, an acquittal would have been too blatant, but this is not far from it, too blatant that is. Can you imagine any of us shooting another human being, claiming we thought our gun was a taser and this being acceptable to the point we only have to serve a max of four years. I personally know people who have served more time for selling weed. Maybe it's me but I think the taking of a life is more severe than selling marijuana, a drug that is proven to be less dangerous than tobacco or alcohol, not to mention all the prescription drugs that are legal because white people own the production. I don't want to get into all the ways this outcome is unjust and racist. I think those are fairly clear. What I do want to focus on is why this matters. This entire tragedy is just one of the many that happens across this country every single day. How many Oscar Grants happen that don't get video tapped? How many have to deal with police harassing their community? If we do not confront these issues right here right now we will continue to see more and more Oscar Grants. The time has come to rethink how we police our communities. It is time to start sacrificing our own comforts and put ourselves on the line for a greater cause, because the truth is it will only be a matter of time before your city is Oakland, and your brother, friend, sister, father, cousin, maybe even you are Oscar Grant. No Justice No Peace
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Class Reflections
bell hooks wrote a book “Class Matters” in it she discusses the idea of class, and how she has struggled with her climbing of the “social ladder”. I have read my fair share of books, and I can truthfully say not many have spoke to me in such a personal way before. I grew up the eldest son of a waitress and a cook, neither with any real education to speak of other then real life. I grew up knowing what it meant to work and earn what you have, few things in our house were valued over work ethic. My parents worked their asses off to make sure my brothers and I got the best education, so we could go to college and didn’t have to “go through this shit”. I will never forget those days or lessons, and I am proud of my class background. Perhaps that it why it was/is so difficult, and I struggle now with admitting that I have it better. I am a college graduate of a private institution and a teacher, I am not rich by any means and still live paycheck to paycheck, but I have a TRA, I have enough left with every check to go on a date with my wife or to go visit her family in California and Arizona, if we save a couple pay periods. I am not waiting tables for minimum wage and being treated as if I am disposable, a feeling that far too many know far too well. However, with all of this being true I still identify with the working class, and I always will. I will never use my degree for social capital or to play savior to those that sacrificed for me to be here. I understand that people and relationships not money are what make this life worth living. I went to college with the idea that I would get my parents out of their circumstance, I would buy their house, send them on vacations (my mom is dying to see California), and they wouldn’t have to struggle anymore; while I still have those goals it is so much more. I want to use my degree in order to dismantle the system that caused this struggle. I want all my people, all those I grew up with who are now either drunk at the palace, killing other poor people in the Middle East, or have “made it” and never come back to NE to know that they are valuable and honored not because of their bank account, degrees, skin color, gender, or how many "terrorists" they kill in the name of the flag, but because they are human and have god in them. I want them to know that it is off of their backs that wealth is made, and maintained in this country. I want them to know that when they can’t fall asleep at night because they are stressed over money they are not alone, and it is not right. I want them to know the Power of You is more than a two year ride to MCTC, but something that can truly change our world. I want them to know the police will never protect my interests, and that the schools don’t talk about my heroes either. I want them to know when I say us I mean exactly that- us, and above all I want all those people who have taken advantage of us, and continue to do so to know that we are here and we will not take it anymore. I understand completely now, class is a mind state, experience, and value system as much as it is a paycheck, so this is my promise to my wife, my brothers, my parents, my grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, old friends and new ones, our daughters and sons that will inherit our legacies, all those that feel me deep in their stomaches- I will always keep my mind right. There is no war but the class war!
In solidarity
Ryan “BUGS” Williams-Virden
In solidarity
Ryan “BUGS” Williams-Virden
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Human Rights and Israel
In the aftermath of the Israeli attack on humanitarian aid ships destined for Gaza I thought I would share some thoughts regarding the entire Israel- Palestine conflict.
For quite some time now a point of contention between myself and those that either are, were, or could potentially be my friends is Israel; specifically Israel's occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. As expected they attempt to write off my critiques and analysis as being radical, and without any real merit. Some have even gone as far as suggesting anti-semitism is the basis for my analysis. They fail to differentiate between anti-semitism and anti-zionism. They believe what the media tells them that any and all critiques of Israel are based in a deep hatred of the Jewish people. This is of course not simply a paranoid stance, but rather one based in a history of oppression and racism against Jews. However, what needs to be made clear is that Israel is a political state, and a repressive one at that. When I speak of Israel I am speaking of that political state and its policies, not the Jewish people as a whole. There are facts that can not be disputed here and are worthy of being discussed widely, something that does not happen due to, in my opinion, the relationship between the US and Israel. All one needs to do is have a basic understanding of human rights to see that Israel is in violation. Have there been acts by Palestinians that have resulted in violence, yes, but for the great majority of those acts they are in response to an occupation and a history of dehumanization. What would you do if you were a victim of apartheid? For most a pro-active response (which can mean being an aggressor in certain isolated instances) is understandable- especially when it means going up against tanks with a pocket full of stones.
What I am getting at is this- if we truly want to see an end to the violence then the solution is clear- hold Israel responsible for its policies by cutting off aid, observe and respect the UN declarations that have been passed down regarding this issue, recognize Hamas as a legit political party that was voted to power democratically, and above all stop looking for solutions that serve America and our allies economic interests.
In solidarity
Ryan "BUGS" Williams-Virden
For quite some time now a point of contention between myself and those that either are, were, or could potentially be my friends is Israel; specifically Israel's occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. As expected they attempt to write off my critiques and analysis as being radical, and without any real merit. Some have even gone as far as suggesting anti-semitism is the basis for my analysis. They fail to differentiate between anti-semitism and anti-zionism. They believe what the media tells them that any and all critiques of Israel are based in a deep hatred of the Jewish people. This is of course not simply a paranoid stance, but rather one based in a history of oppression and racism against Jews. However, what needs to be made clear is that Israel is a political state, and a repressive one at that. When I speak of Israel I am speaking of that political state and its policies, not the Jewish people as a whole. There are facts that can not be disputed here and are worthy of being discussed widely, something that does not happen due to, in my opinion, the relationship between the US and Israel. All one needs to do is have a basic understanding of human rights to see that Israel is in violation. Have there been acts by Palestinians that have resulted in violence, yes, but for the great majority of those acts they are in response to an occupation and a history of dehumanization. What would you do if you were a victim of apartheid? For most a pro-active response (which can mean being an aggressor in certain isolated instances) is understandable- especially when it means going up against tanks with a pocket full of stones.
What I am getting at is this- if we truly want to see an end to the violence then the solution is clear- hold Israel responsible for its policies by cutting off aid, observe and respect the UN declarations that have been passed down regarding this issue, recognize Hamas as a legit political party that was voted to power democratically, and above all stop looking for solutions that serve America and our allies economic interests.
In solidarity
Ryan "BUGS" Williams-Virden
Thursday, May 13, 2010
White Supremacy and Education
I feel like I’m beating a dead horse, maybe preaching to the choir, or better yet talking to a wall. There is something fundamentally wrong, and we have ignored it, made excuses and apologies for it, some of us have even succumbed to it in order to better our own circumstances. It starts out with small concessions, that one time you gave him a pass, the time you told yourself it didn’t matter whether or not you showed up, whether or not you spoke out because hey it wouldn’t change anything anyway, right? Wrong. We are seeing now in the 21st century, the effects of our negligence, we now have, in the United States of America, a state that has made it legal to assume somebody is a criminal based solely on the color of their skin, and how well they fit a stereotype (the issue of somebody being illegal on stolen land will have to wait for a different time). Beyond that the very same state has now stated publically their commitment to white supremacy by way of the education system. To fully understand Arizona’s recent ban on ethnic studies we must put education in a larger context. Education has always been a major battleground in the struggle for equality, there is truth in all the clichés. Those in power have always recognized this, and have acted accordingly; think the Dukes, Vanderbilts, Rockefellars, etcetera. Throughout history we see the powerful attempting to dictate what is included in curriculum and how that curriculum is delivered. There has always been a fear of a well educated under class.
Lets jump back to current day Arizona where it is now illegal to teach "the overthrow of the United States government" or "resentment toward a race or class of people." Or curriculum "designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group" or that seeks to "advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals." It is hard to know exactly where to start when taking a critical look at this law so lets start with the first portion- I believe Thomas Jefferson and his pals mentioned something about this in the Declaration of Independence, correct me if I’m wrong but it went something like this “when a significant amount of abuses and usurpations would cause absolute despotism, it is mankind's right and duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security…” it is quite ironic that many that support this law often throw around the founding fathers, and their admiration for them, only to proceed to ignore their very words- or given the history of exclusion and privilege that our founding fathers enjoyed perhaps they are more like them then we would like to admit? Of course this is all given the very unlikely circumstance that a course is advocating the overthrow of the United States government. Moving on we find even more troublesome provisions. What does it mean to promote resentment, how can it be wrong to direct a class towards a group of people that for decades if not centuries had been systematically excluded from curriculum? These are just a couple of the endless questions that no doubt many are asking. It is not a far stretch of the imagination for a lesson on slavery to be in violation of this law, given that most people of color have a valid anger with whites after learning about the disgusting practice. Of course in typical privileged fashion there's a lack of understanding that the majority of our institutions in this country were designed by WASPS for WASPS, and have effectively resulted in the consolidation of power to that particular ethnic group, to use the bills language.
What I hope is clear is that at its very best this law is extremely problematic and regardless of its supporters intentions it will only serve to further entrench white supremacy within our education system, the first place we need to purge it from. Our education should be inclusive of all and their realities. This has to include a more honest narrative- we have to accept that Columbus was not a good man, and is guilty of igniting a genocide, we must admit that we instigated a war with Mexico for the land we now call the Southwest United States, we must be honest about the implications of the Monroe Doctrine and our intent when it comes to South America. Our histories need to include John Brown, Nat Turner, Sally Hemmings, Ella Baker, Assatta Shakur, Mumia Abu Jamal, and Eugene Debs. We need to teach about redlining and Jim Crow, and the Willie Lynch Theory, and COINTELPRO. Above all we need to have a population that can understand the effects of all of these figures, ideologies, and policies in order to better relate to the world and in the end make it a place we would all want to pass down to the next generations.
In solidarity,
Ryan "BUGS" Williams-Virden
Lets jump back to current day Arizona where it is now illegal to teach "the overthrow of the United States government" or "resentment toward a race or class of people." Or curriculum "designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group" or that seeks to "advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals." It is hard to know exactly where to start when taking a critical look at this law so lets start with the first portion- I believe Thomas Jefferson and his pals mentioned something about this in the Declaration of Independence, correct me if I’m wrong but it went something like this “when a significant amount of abuses and usurpations would cause absolute despotism, it is mankind's right and duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security…” it is quite ironic that many that support this law often throw around the founding fathers, and their admiration for them, only to proceed to ignore their very words- or given the history of exclusion and privilege that our founding fathers enjoyed perhaps they are more like them then we would like to admit? Of course this is all given the very unlikely circumstance that a course is advocating the overthrow of the United States government. Moving on we find even more troublesome provisions. What does it mean to promote resentment, how can it be wrong to direct a class towards a group of people that for decades if not centuries had been systematically excluded from curriculum? These are just a couple of the endless questions that no doubt many are asking. It is not a far stretch of the imagination for a lesson on slavery to be in violation of this law, given that most people of color have a valid anger with whites after learning about the disgusting practice. Of course in typical privileged fashion there's a lack of understanding that the majority of our institutions in this country were designed by WASPS for WASPS, and have effectively resulted in the consolidation of power to that particular ethnic group, to use the bills language.
What I hope is clear is that at its very best this law is extremely problematic and regardless of its supporters intentions it will only serve to further entrench white supremacy within our education system, the first place we need to purge it from. Our education should be inclusive of all and their realities. This has to include a more honest narrative- we have to accept that Columbus was not a good man, and is guilty of igniting a genocide, we must admit that we instigated a war with Mexico for the land we now call the Southwest United States, we must be honest about the implications of the Monroe Doctrine and our intent when it comes to South America. Our histories need to include John Brown, Nat Turner, Sally Hemmings, Ella Baker, Assatta Shakur, Mumia Abu Jamal, and Eugene Debs. We need to teach about redlining and Jim Crow, and the Willie Lynch Theory, and COINTELPRO. Above all we need to have a population that can understand the effects of all of these figures, ideologies, and policies in order to better relate to the world and in the end make it a place we would all want to pass down to the next generations.
In solidarity,
Ryan "BUGS" Williams-Virden
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Blackface at Bethel University
I can hear it now “ why do they always have to make a big deal about things. It was only a joke” or something akin. Well let me help to try and explain why a white student dressing up as rapper lil Wayne complete with Blackface is a big deal.
I won’t go into the entire history of Blackface, although for many this history would be useful. I will instead give a brief synopsis so we can all better put this incident in an appropriate context. From the 19th century until the civil rights movement Blackface was used as a tool to perpetuate stereotypes of Blacks as being stupid, slow, and lazy while portraying physically overemphasized features such as lips. From minstrel shows to Blackface branching out on its own it has always been a way to dehumanize, demoralize, and attack through racist stereotypes, African Americans.
While minstrelsy in its official capacity has disappeared, we see Blackface manifest itself continuously on college campuses. Whether it is at a “pimps and hoes party”, as a Halloween costume, at a “Compton cookout”, or most recently on the Bethel University campus as lil Wayne. Even if it is true that the offending parties were ignorant of the history and implications of their actions it is hard to believe that their actions were not motivated by latent racism; that subconsciously they didn’t hold a feeling of superiority. It is only racism that allows for one to believe it is ok to put on another human beings identity, culture, and skin color only to make light of it all. It matters little what the intent was- there is no escaping the impact- which is racist.
For an institution to have a stated anti-racism policy is a great thing, but it is only as great as its enforcement. This is the point Bethel University finds itself, a stated commitment to anti-racism and a blatantly racist event. It is up to them to demonstrate now how committed they are, not only to the policy, but to those on campus that the policy is in place to benefit, the staff and students of color along with their white allies. Please join those that feel strongly about this issue to outpressure on the administration to take the appropriate steps ensuring not only no similar events happen, but that the underlying ideologies that rationalize and make apologies for those who participate are appropriately combated.
In solidarity
Ryan “BUGS” Williams- Virden
I won’t go into the entire history of Blackface, although for many this history would be useful. I will instead give a brief synopsis so we can all better put this incident in an appropriate context. From the 19th century until the civil rights movement Blackface was used as a tool to perpetuate stereotypes of Blacks as being stupid, slow, and lazy while portraying physically overemphasized features such as lips. From minstrel shows to Blackface branching out on its own it has always been a way to dehumanize, demoralize, and attack through racist stereotypes, African Americans.
While minstrelsy in its official capacity has disappeared, we see Blackface manifest itself continuously on college campuses. Whether it is at a “pimps and hoes party”, as a Halloween costume, at a “Compton cookout”, or most recently on the Bethel University campus as lil Wayne. Even if it is true that the offending parties were ignorant of the history and implications of their actions it is hard to believe that their actions were not motivated by latent racism; that subconsciously they didn’t hold a feeling of superiority. It is only racism that allows for one to believe it is ok to put on another human beings identity, culture, and skin color only to make light of it all. It matters little what the intent was- there is no escaping the impact- which is racist.
For an institution to have a stated anti-racism policy is a great thing, but it is only as great as its enforcement. This is the point Bethel University finds itself, a stated commitment to anti-racism and a blatantly racist event. It is up to them to demonstrate now how committed they are, not only to the policy, but to those on campus that the policy is in place to benefit, the staff and students of color along with their white allies. Please join those that feel strongly about this issue to outpressure on the administration to take the appropriate steps ensuring not only no similar events happen, but that the underlying ideologies that rationalize and make apologies for those who participate are appropriately combated.
In solidarity
Ryan “BUGS” Williams- Virden
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Open Letter to 80's Babies in Minneapolis
“Every generation must out of relative obscurity discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it” Frantz Fanon
Comrades we are dropping the ball. There is no other way to put it. These are serious times, and we are lacking a serious approach. Yes we have random events that on the surface appear to be struggling for equality etcetera etcetera, but that is only a veneer, and a thin one at that. For some time now I have felt this way. I have participated in the protests, marched in the marches, and I am left only this- an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. Take this afternoon for example, there was a demonstration organized in solidarity with the national call to protect public education. In other states campuses were being occupied and there was real action being taken. Here, it was a far different story, middle class white folks stood around and listened to un-motivating speakers tell them what they already knew (ironically in front of Morrill Hall the site of actual student action 40 years ago) then marched across Washington Ave to Coffman to hear more stories and tidbits of information that for the most part served no greater purpose. Those that happen to be in the path simply walked by wondering what was going on. I ask is this what we have become? Where is the sacrifice? Why was that group not marching through the halls where classes were being conducted to hold professors and students alike accountable for not supporting this national movement? A even better question- why were we not bringing this message to the people who actually make the decisions? This is typical of demonstrations now a days, middle class whites organize the events, and end up hanging around telling each other about what is wrong, what they would like to see done about it, but when it comes time to sacrifice at any level they hide behind a veil of compromise and commitment to non-violence. The time has come to stop waiting for others from generations past to tell us what to do and how to do it. It is our time. It is time for us to come together, articulate our positions and be willing to back those up with sacrifice. It is time to stop asking permission to be pissed. Be pissed and do something about it. The torch is being passed- catch it! And always remember:
“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress." Frederick Douglass
In solidarity
Ryan "BUGS" Virden
Comrades we are dropping the ball. There is no other way to put it. These are serious times, and we are lacking a serious approach. Yes we have random events that on the surface appear to be struggling for equality etcetera etcetera, but that is only a veneer, and a thin one at that. For some time now I have felt this way. I have participated in the protests, marched in the marches, and I am left only this- an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. Take this afternoon for example, there was a demonstration organized in solidarity with the national call to protect public education. In other states campuses were being occupied and there was real action being taken. Here, it was a far different story, middle class white folks stood around and listened to un-motivating speakers tell them what they already knew (ironically in front of Morrill Hall the site of actual student action 40 years ago) then marched across Washington Ave to Coffman to hear more stories and tidbits of information that for the most part served no greater purpose. Those that happen to be in the path simply walked by wondering what was going on. I ask is this what we have become? Where is the sacrifice? Why was that group not marching through the halls where classes were being conducted to hold professors and students alike accountable for not supporting this national movement? A even better question- why were we not bringing this message to the people who actually make the decisions? This is typical of demonstrations now a days, middle class whites organize the events, and end up hanging around telling each other about what is wrong, what they would like to see done about it, but when it comes time to sacrifice at any level they hide behind a veil of compromise and commitment to non-violence. The time has come to stop waiting for others from generations past to tell us what to do and how to do it. It is our time. It is time for us to come together, articulate our positions and be willing to back those up with sacrifice. It is time to stop asking permission to be pissed. Be pissed and do something about it. The torch is being passed- catch it! And always remember:
“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress." Frederick Douglass
In solidarity
Ryan "BUGS" Virden
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Terrorism
I have purposefully waited a significant (in my estimation) period of time to write this. It was my equivalent of counting to ten- attempting to calm down. I thought maybe the media would do their job, and we would see some progress from this vital group. Sadly neither has happened (at least to any degree that would be notable). As a matter of fact most people I have spoken with don't even know who Joseph Stack is. For those people I will say this Joseph Stack is the man that crashed a plane into an IRS building in Austin, Texas. He had a sort of manifesto/ suicide note/ explanation all ready to go describing his reasons for this act. Put simply he was disgusted with the government and wanted to inspire others to similar acts in order to send a message (http://www.businessinsider.com/joseph-andrew-stacks-insane-manifesto-2010-2 for the whole statement). There have been many reactions to this event, all the ones you would anticipate are present ranging from extreme grief to admiration. There is something missing from the analysis- something so superficial about the discussion
One can not help but notice the parallel to 9/11 in regards to weapon of choice, a plane. We all remember the coverage (justifiably) that event received. Compare that to Joseph Stack there was coverage, but nothing even close to the 9/11 scale. Also the tone of the coverage is decidedly different- most of the coverage Stack has received has revolved around IF this was a terrorist attack. Many stations have even entertained comments praising the attack. Can you imagine stations giving space for people to rationalize 9/11. In fact years after 9/11 even the mention of "chickens coming home to roost" causes outrage (see Jeremiah Wright). This discrepancy illustrates fundamental issues the United States as a whole refuses to deal with appropriately. Mainly we have an issue with consistency, this is the true foundation of our country- the Declaration of Independence guaranteed equality to all... except non-whites and females. We see this inconsistency manifest in countless ways throughout history, and we see it now in the definition of terrorism- apparently only Arab Muslims can participate in terrorism. By no stretch of the imagination would a military occupation of sovereign nations qualify.
How long will we allow this inconsistency?
One can not help but notice the parallel to 9/11 in regards to weapon of choice, a plane. We all remember the coverage (justifiably) that event received. Compare that to Joseph Stack there was coverage, but nothing even close to the 9/11 scale. Also the tone of the coverage is decidedly different- most of the coverage Stack has received has revolved around IF this was a terrorist attack. Many stations have even entertained comments praising the attack. Can you imagine stations giving space for people to rationalize 9/11. In fact years after 9/11 even the mention of "chickens coming home to roost" causes outrage (see Jeremiah Wright). This discrepancy illustrates fundamental issues the United States as a whole refuses to deal with appropriately. Mainly we have an issue with consistency, this is the true foundation of our country- the Declaration of Independence guaranteed equality to all... except non-whites and females. We see this inconsistency manifest in countless ways throughout history, and we see it now in the definition of terrorism- apparently only Arab Muslims can participate in terrorism. By no stretch of the imagination would a military occupation of sovereign nations qualify.
How long will we allow this inconsistency?
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