Eracism Minute Nov 8, 2020
I am Claire Lending and I am going to talk today about a small part of my journey towards antiracism.
In the book “How to be an Antiracist”, Ibrahm Kendi says a racist is someone who is supporting racist policy by their actions OR by their inaction—there is no neutral. He says that being an antiracist requires “persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism and regular self-examination”.
I have been growing uncomfortable with my 30 year career teaching Finance in a College of Business. Finance is based on the capitalist system and like Elizabeth Warren I was capitalist to the bone! However, I am realizing capitalism developed and thrived when Europeans came to the Americas and took the land, and when enslaved people were brought to America to create a great economy. Capitalism is founded on exploitation. And Kendi (a historian) says that racist ideas did not lead to this exploitation; racism followed the exploitation. It is much easier to justify exploiting others when you tell yourself and others that the people you are exploiting are inferior.
What am I doing with this clash between my values and my life’s work? I am educating myself through reading, task forces and workshops. I am reflecting on and starting to modify what I teach. Finance is pretty much an applied math course based on financial instruments. I struggled: what does racism have to do with these problems? And how can talk about race with my students after a lifetime of learning it was racist to talk about race?
I took a small step this Fall. I added something beyond the problems to my class. I ask the students to read articles, watchvideos or listen to podcasts that discuss inequities, racism, or irresponsible business practices. My students reflect on how these articles challenge their ideas or relate to their personal experience. Their reflections are remarkable in their honesty --some tell stories of the racism they or their families faced while others tell about their own racism. Classmates read the others’ reflections and see someone else’s point of view. It is amazing!
I know I am very early in my anti-racist journey. To acknowledge my career has been supporting a racist system is very, very difficult. But I am so glad I am on this journey even though I have a long way to go. The journey is personal and spiritual as well as professional. I am allowing my personal values to find a place in my professional life.
