π (pi): Public Intellectual

In September 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed the American Psychological Association to describe the role that social scientists should play in the Civil Rights Movement.  He described that role as clarifier--that the social scientist can provide direction and understanding.  He said that whites folks are in urgent need, because "White America needs to understand that it is poisoned to its soul by racism."

We live in a world structured by racism.  It should be no surprise that racism is pervasive throughout society.  Here's to π and searching for clarity in understanding racism.

This cartoon is a deceptive (and dangerous) way that liberals call out reverse racism. This is not really an accurate depiction of how racism operates in the United States.  I propose a progressive critique.

This cartoon (while it has good intentions) rests on dangerous assumptions. First, that minorities are unshackled and no longer have a ball and chain. Second, that black and brown oppression is largely linked to past discrimination, and that the egregious form of present discrimination takes place when whites refuse to give a boost to minorities.