#ScholarStrike
Start writing a post
Student Life

#ScholarStrike

Tuesday and Wednesday (September 8-9), many professors from all over the U.S. banned together, participating in a strike against police violence and racial injustice.

19
#ScholarStrike
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
The Scholar Strike was created to raise awareness about racial injustice and police violence against it. This strike is not the same as standard strikes in that instead of professors and teachers discontinuing their classes, most continued teaching. However, the instructors introduced a different subject then what was previously on their schedule. By using panels, presentations, discussions, films, and other forms, teachers informed their students of racial injustice and police violence's historical roots. The goal is to encourage a social change by those who are determined to eradicate systemic racism and radically alter criminal justice.

An exercise, including stereotypes of black people and stereotypes of white people, will visually demonstrate common racial ideologies of black people and how they differ from those of white people. Complete this exercise without thought; simply record what comes to mind. It will show you what racial stereotypes you hold, which helps you reflect and work towards changing those impulses of thinking. Take a moment now to try to define race. It may not be as easy as you first thought, for the definition is continually disputed by scholars.


Injustice for Black Americans


Systemic racism is a prevalent issue in today's society. Researchers continuously search for answers to epistemological questions about race; often, researchers find answers to these questions that they cannot concur with other researchers-- the facts are not always readily displayed. Examples of some leading questions include, Where does the idea of the races even originate? And what is the cause of racism? Despite the inability to concretely and accurately answer these questions, people, including U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens, recognize the hate crime of racial injustice and are aware of police brutality specifically towards black individuals.

The epistemology of race is found in the 1600s. Razza, a word in the first Spanish dictionary in 1611, was used to define the human race. It does not describe characteristics or biology, but rather the culture and language(s) shared in a particular group. Linnaeus invented racism, he who developed the taxonomical system, classifying animals and people in categories. Between 1739-1759 Linnaeus published a classification of the races.

The U.S. is and always will be, the first place to delegate people's entire future and their limitations and possibilities based solely on their characteristics and race. There was a time before Jim Crow in the South when the one-drop rule did not exist. (The one-drop rule was invented to test one drop of blood, and if it was black blood, you were black. This was created to subjugate those who could pass as white that was actually black). Laws were changed to be able to hate based on race. In fact, the United States had to give diplomat's a unique map so that if met on the road by law enforcers, they would not be put in prison for being black-- this includes kings and queens.

What makes us "us" and them "them"? Is it race, ethnicity, beliefs, experiences, or biological composition? The list could stretch on, but WE should fight against this gap-- it further divides a nation that should be unified.

Some further readings to inform yourself of racial injustice include:

  1. The Racial Contract by Charles Mills
  2. The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
  3. Race in North America by Audrey Smedley
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

53800
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34633
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957055
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181736
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments