A Different Kind of March Madness

At this time of year, almost everyone seems to be caught up in the annual hardwood induced euphoria of March Madness. The month of March has come and gone but the madness continues.

Just a few weeks ago, Wal-Mart shoppers in Washington Township, New Jersey were surprised to hear a calm, male voice on the store system announce, “Attention, Wal-Mart customers: All black people, leave the store now.” The incident was thoroughly denounced by all concerned parties and is currently under investigation as a possible bias crime. A 16 year old was arrested and has been charged with harassment and bias intimidation.

A new study from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) reports that Hispanic students graduate at lower rates than their white peers at similarly ranked colleges. This report is another reminder of the troubling racial and equity divide that persists in secondary and post-secondary education.

And finally, a new television show premiered on cable network, FX. It seems that new shows premier every day, but this one is different. Justified focuses in large part on a fictional white supremacist group in Harlan, KY. Like Justified, Sons of Anarchy also centers on the exploits of a less than savory all-white motorcycle club in the fictional town of Charming, CA. The show features a number of characters who belong to white supremacist groups. At first glance the presence of these shows may seem like any other moment in popular culture; however, there may be a more troubling side to the presence of these shows. A recent Newsweek article, “Primetime Supremacy" points to a connection between the shows and the nation’s anxieties. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), membership in white-separatist groups has been on the rise. SPLC attributes the rise to ongoing anxiety about the current administration, the economy, and illegal immigration. Is this an example of art imitating life with which we should be concerned?

Since these events don’t take place in our area and don’t seem to have a direct impact on life in the Queen City, should we be interested in any of these events? Are these isolated incidents or do they signal that we are thoroughly mired in a culture of intolerance and incivility? How can we discuss these and other issues as they appear in our own community?

The mission of BRIDGES is to bring people together. The mission of this blog is to bring people together to talk about the issues that affect us throughout this region and our nation. So tell me, are the Wal-Mart shoppers sensitive or was this an incident of racial bias? Are colleges and universities failing in their efforts to create inclusive communities? Is Justified just a drama or a reflection of our cultural moment? Are we really living in a ‘post-racial’ world or are we still refusing to speak honestly about difference and diversity in our community?

Talk to me … I want to hear from you.