Correction: Oh, That Jack Johnson
In last week's Spotlight about the Ben Harper show, Metro Pulse described the social significance of all the various Jack Johnsons, except the one who actually opened for Ben Harper. The Johnson who opened the show was not the first African-American heavyweight champion of the world or the supergroup headed by rapper Mos Def. This Jack Johnson is a surfing legend turned filmmaker and singer-songwriter. We regret the error, but still hope Jack Johnson (the band) will play here soon. We also wish someone would tell us these things...
—The Editors
Dialogue, Not Divide
I am saddened to once again read a letter criticizing Ms. Attica Scott's perspective on race and racism. Mr. Kevin Pettiford called Ms. Scott's words divisive. I read her words as an opportunity to understand a bit more what a particular black woman experiences in this community and to be more conscientious as a white woman how I participate in that imbalance of power. It is an opportunity to dialogue, not divide.
The perspective that the predominantly white women's political structure in Knoxville is racist is that: a perspective. It does not have to be divisive at all. The defensiveness of white people causes the divisiveness—not the experience of a black person. I challenge white people to listen to our own language and watch our own behavior and listen to the experience of racial minorities. Really listen. Until we refuse to participate in inherently racist structures and benefit from them, racism will continue. Until we recognize that individuals experience racism even in the most politically correct arenas, racism will continue its destructive path.
About Mr. Pettiford's comment that "The Dream appears to have died in Memphis a little over 30 years ago," I meet many white people who have participated in the Civil Rights Movement. Those same people, although compassionate and horrified at racism, don't have the experience of being a racial minority in a society that is racist.
Although not intending to be ignorant, we are ignorant of the experience of being anything but white. That is what white privilege is all about. Maybe the Civil Rights Movement has not died, but instead matured into one in which we can openly address the subtleties of racism. Maybe we need to not only challenge overt racial discrimination, but address our own personal fears and ignorance which contribute to racism.
Mr. Pettiford wrote that "a racist is not defined by his or her power to oppress another race. A racist need only be intolerant of, or have hatred for, another race." If that is true then I would expect to see all "nonracist" white people (all white people have the power to oppress) actively seeking out stories and experiences of racial minorities and willingly dismantling political, social, religious, educational and economic structures that are inherently racist. I don't see that in Knoxville.
We need to recognize the white privilege that we have. We need to listen to those who, because of skin color, do not experience this world in the same way that a white person does. If we don't, experiences like those voiced by Ms. Scott will continue. If we do, then we, those who are in the position to be racists, can participate in dismantling racism.
We need voices like Ms. Scott to keep us from our complacent perspective that racism is only practiced by the KKK. If our intent is to be nonracist, then we can welcome an opportunity for someone to point out racist behavior and act constructively to dialogue and make change.
Betsy Deeter
Corryton
Fiddling While West Knoxville Burns?
Regarding your violin article [Gamut, Feb. 15]: The pity of the violin is that it isn't being played. The long article about its authenticity was a waste of good paper as well.
I'd rather see coverage about the oil and gas depots on Middlebrook [Pike]. Who owns them, how are the petroleum products distributed, what safety measures are in place to prevent explosions and leaks?
Ellie Gardner
Knoxville
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