What divides us can also bring us together
by Attica Scott
"There are no winners and losers in the battle against racism. Its defeat is not a victory for one particular group, but for society as a whole, and for us all as human beings."
—Project Hip-Hop, 1997
I've been thinking about the various ways in which we talk about race, or could talk about issues of race, since we mostly avoid the subject right now.
As most of you know, the 12th annual Kuumba festival kicks off at the end of June. White people sometimes characterize the festival, created by African American Appalachian Arts, as only for black people.
That is unfortunate. We don't think of the Dogwood Arts Festival as for whites only. This narrow view of the Kuumba festival got me to thinking about some of the views that I have expressed during the past year of writing this column.
I am not a journalist by trade. I am a person with thoughts and opinions that are not shared by all and I don't expect them to be shared by all, but I do have a right to my voice.
A number of observations have been made this past year that make me go, "hmm."
Many African Americans have shared with me that they appreciate my voice and the opportunities for meaningful dialogue that this column has presented. On the other hand, there are some European-Americans who seem to be very angry that I would dare write about some of the experiences of people of color in our community. Hmm.
At the same time, folks from both groups have shared with me that they have had conversations that they have never had before with family, friends, colleagues and co-workers around some of the issues that were raised in the column. I think that's a good thing.
Before I digress too far from the notion of using culturally artistic expression for dialogue, let me revisit the Kuumba festival as an opportunity for us all to open up the lines of communication.
AAAA describes the activities around Kuumba as "a cultural celebration to continue enriching our community." That says to me that we all need to take part in these festivities. For years I have attended the festival and can say that it is one of the few vehicles that brings an outstanding mixture of cultural groups together to "create an atmosphere of support and understanding of cultural diversity" (AAAA description).
The Kuumba festival is an opportunity for folks from urban and rural Appalachia, from varying backgrounds and ethnicities, to learn more about traditional African art forms and cultural art forms by African-American, Caribbean and South American cultures.
Unfortunately, these various art forms are sometimes not seen as being for everyone. Just as racism, whether individual acts of racism or institutional racism, is not a concern to those who do not suffer from its consequences.
I would be remiss if I neglected to end this column without noting some institutional and individual acts of racism during the past year that made me go, "hmm."
Did the employee who printed and distributed those racist flyers from the security firm in West Knoxville ever get fired?
What happened to the handful of African Americans who used to work at the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership?
When will we begin to realize that apologies for racist actions or comments (as was given by a local political pundit last fall after some unsavory comments on a local television talk show) do not change racist attitudes or behaviors?
But then there have been some positive developments for people of color that give me hope.
The City of Knoxville's administration continues to be a leader in hiring African Americans in decision-making positions. For example, an African American was hired as assistant director of the Department of Development.
African Americans are leading community and economic development initiatives as president and CEO of Knoxville's Community Development Corporation and as executive director of the Partnership for Neighborhood Improvement.
And Latinos are getting involved in the political process. Just recently a Latino picked up an application to run for City Council in the First District.
While I could go on, I need to get to work on next month's column. But first, I encourage you to take some time this week to have a conversation with someone about race relations in Knoxville and East Tennessee. Imagine what you could teach them—let alone what you could learn.
May 31, 2001 * Vol. 11, No. 22
© 2001 Metro Pulse
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