This article appeared in the Urban Journal the week of April 4, 2003.
The State of Racism in the US
Dona A. Vassall-Fall, Ed.D.
Fisk University’s Race Relations Institute hosted a conference on racism on March 27 – 29. The conference, called Lift
Every Voice, included a Town Hall meeting, workshops and speakers. I had the opportunity to attend the Town Hall
meeting on Thursday evening, sit in on a panel discussion on diversity in the workplace on Friday morning and conduct
a workshop on Saturday afternoon.
Issues raised throughout the conference were very similar to issues raised on a regular basis in workshops I conduct
on diversity and cultural awareness. One recurring theme of particular importance is the face of racism and
discrimination in America today, especially in the workplace.
As we all know, in the United States, equality is protected by the Constitution and supported by civil rights laws. Yet
many of us who are on the receiving end of racial discrimination realize that those laws mean nothing to those who do
not intend to change their ways. As participants pointed out at the conference, laws really do not matter if there is no
change of heart on the part of those who would practice racism. They will always find a way around the law.
While people of color do get hired in places that they did not before, they oftentimes have to contend with people who
do not want to work with them and who try to find ways to make them leave. Examples that I have heard are of
individuals being harassed by co-workers who create a hostile and uncomfortable environment. Supervisors are also
known to have problems with employees’ “job performance” when they are really just trying to get rid of them.
The point was also made throughout the conference that not only do we have to confront racism at the individual level,
but at the institutional level as well. Institutional racism occurs when institutions adopt policies and procedures that
result (intentionally or not) in the exclusion of people of color from services or from work. One example of this would be
the policies and procedures that prevent qualified people of color from gaining management positions in some
institutions. Another example would be the policies and procedures that make it difficult for minority contractors to win
contracts.
During the Town Hall meeting at Fisk, some of the panelists made the point that those who feel that they are being
discriminated against should take the initiative to do something about it. They pointed out that there are government
agencies set up to enforce the laws against discrimination. The audience was encouraged to find out where these
agencies are and to file a complaint if they believe they are being wronged.
I believe this is a very important step to take. These agencies exist and should be used. Despite the difficulty we may
encounter in proving a case of racism or discrimination, we must not allow others to continue a practice that is unfair
and unjust. People who practice racism in the workplace or elsewhere should be held accountable for their actions.
When we do file a claim, we must also be sure to follow through and follow up. Those who have the job of enforcing
the laws against discrimination or investigating complaints should also be held accountable. We should insist that
they follow through and thoroughly investigate the claims that are filed. If these entities are short-staffed (as they often
are) we should also support them in their efforts to become more adequately staffed.
Let us therefore support each other on all fronts as we struggle to overcome the legacy of racism in this country. Let us
support each other in confronting and eliminating racist behavior. Let us also continue to support the efforts of
individuals such as Hazel Joyner-Smith of Fisk’s Race Relations Institute, and the many others, who worked tirelessly
to make the conference a thought-provoking, insightful and educational event.
In the words of Frederick Douglass:
The whole history of progress of human liberty
Shows that all concessions
Yet made to her august claims
Have been born of earnest struggle.
If there is no struggle
There is no progress.
Dr. Vassall-Fall is president of Learning Link, a consulting firm that promotes education, diversity and cultural understanding. Contact her
at info@learninglinkco.net. www.learninglinkco.net.
Click here to go back to News page.
The State of Racism in the US
Dona A. Vassall-Fall, Ed.D.
Fisk University’s Race Relations Institute hosted a conference on racism on March 27 – 29. The conference, called Lift
Every Voice, included a Town Hall meeting, workshops and speakers. I had the opportunity to attend the Town Hall
meeting on Thursday evening, sit in on a panel discussion on diversity in the workplace on Friday morning and conduct
a workshop on Saturday afternoon.
Issues raised throughout the conference were very similar to issues raised on a regular basis in workshops I conduct
on diversity and cultural awareness. One recurring theme of particular importance is the face of racism and
discrimination in America today, especially in the workplace.
As we all know, in the United States, equality is protected by the Constitution and supported by civil rights laws. Yet
many of us who are on the receiving end of racial discrimination realize that those laws mean nothing to those who do
not intend to change their ways. As participants pointed out at the conference, laws really do not matter if there is no
change of heart on the part of those who would practice racism. They will always find a way around the law.
While people of color do get hired in places that they did not before, they oftentimes have to contend with people who
do not want to work with them and who try to find ways to make them leave. Examples that I have heard are of
individuals being harassed by co-workers who create a hostile and uncomfortable environment. Supervisors are also
known to have problems with employees’ “job performance” when they are really just trying to get rid of them.
The point was also made throughout the conference that not only do we have to confront racism at the individual level,
but at the institutional level as well. Institutional racism occurs when institutions adopt policies and procedures that
result (intentionally or not) in the exclusion of people of color from services or from work. One example of this would be
the policies and procedures that prevent qualified people of color from gaining management positions in some
institutions. Another example would be the policies and procedures that make it difficult for minority contractors to win
contracts.
During the Town Hall meeting at Fisk, some of the panelists made the point that those who feel that they are being
discriminated against should take the initiative to do something about it. They pointed out that there are government
agencies set up to enforce the laws against discrimination. The audience was encouraged to find out where these
agencies are and to file a complaint if they believe they are being wronged.
I believe this is a very important step to take. These agencies exist and should be used. Despite the difficulty we may
encounter in proving a case of racism or discrimination, we must not allow others to continue a practice that is unfair
and unjust. People who practice racism in the workplace or elsewhere should be held accountable for their actions.
When we do file a claim, we must also be sure to follow through and follow up. Those who have the job of enforcing
the laws against discrimination or investigating complaints should also be held accountable. We should insist that
they follow through and thoroughly investigate the claims that are filed. If these entities are short-staffed (as they often
are) we should also support them in their efforts to become more adequately staffed.
Let us therefore support each other on all fronts as we struggle to overcome the legacy of racism in this country. Let us
support each other in confronting and eliminating racist behavior. Let us also continue to support the efforts of
individuals such as Hazel Joyner-Smith of Fisk’s Race Relations Institute, and the many others, who worked tirelessly
to make the conference a thought-provoking, insightful and educational event.
In the words of Frederick Douglass:
The whole history of progress of human liberty
Shows that all concessions
Yet made to her august claims
Have been born of earnest struggle.
If there is no struggle
There is no progress.
Dr. Vassall-Fall is president of Learning Link, a consulting firm that promotes education, diversity and cultural understanding. Contact her
at info@learninglinkco.net. www.learninglinkco.net.
Click here to go back to News page.
Learning Link Article