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February 24, 2006
Red Alert
by Soren Wuerth

White People Don’t Fart

     This past week, many Americans probably wondered, “What’s wrong with Shani Davis?”

     The Olympic speed skater from Chicago’s Southside easily dispatched a field of Whities in the 1,000 meter race, becoming the first Black gold medallist in an individual sport ever at the Winter Games. Davis did not smile. He looked as grim and angry as Malcolm X. It was an attitude that left the blonde sportscaster, a cheerleader with a microphone instead of pompoms, confused.

     Knowing the lengths television will go to entertain—faked “reality” shows and so on—I thought, at first, this was just another staged event to increase network ratings. How much are these athletes paid to be controversial? (Growing up in America, I’ve learned that nothing television presents is trustworthy.)

     After some reflection, however, I remembered a question an Alaska Native student asked in class: “Why are White people such bullies?”

     “White people? Do you mean ...?”

     “I don’t mean teachers ... well, yeah, I guess I mean teachers, too.”

     In our school, Caucasians occupy the top of the educational hierarchy. The instructional method used to “keep the Natives in check” is punitive discipline and rewards.

     Outside this institution, there are the myriad other forms of structural exploitation and oppression of Alaska Natives:  ANCSA, fish and wildlife regulations, and economic policies (originating from the likes of racists like Sen. Con Bunde).

     Gold, silver, bronze medals, it makes no difference. Black people, Native people, Hispanics, Asian Americans have nothing to smile about. As a group and as individuals, they are systematically segregated, denied a voice in public policy, and forced to the bottom of income brackets.

     An education guide I used, called the “Soul” manual, asks students to share their ideas on how we live in a “White Supremist” system. When they balked, I told students that the authors of the book are African American. “They may have a different view of the situation.”

      During the lesson, one student, whose father is white, began to cry. “You’re saying my grandfather is racist?” he asked. The question led to a discussion on the differences between structural or institutional racism compared with personal or individual racism.

     In another lesson, I asked students to brainstorm the prevalent views of Whites toward Alaska Natives. “Lazy, dumb, dirty.”

     “We’re not lazy,” a young woman protested. Later, I asked for reasons explaining the structural situation in which a disproportionate number of Alaska Natives occupy the ranks of the State’s CEO’s. The same young woman: “It’s because we don’t like to work hard.”

     The “isms” are deep and ingrained: When speaking about the possible delay of a local project, a teacher complained, “There’s just lazy people that live here.”

     I told a teacher that one of the students said she used to think white people didn’t pass gas. The teacher replied, “No, we’re just more polite.” Read: “civilized.”

     As it turns out, NBC and the rest of the media did exploit Davis’ unrest. After earning a silver medal a few days later, he was put on the spot again, forced to account for his behavior, just like the young people in my school. “He’s not a team player,” they complained.

     Regardless of circumstances surrounding Davis’ feud with a teammate, his status as an African American is irrevocably tied to his encounters with oppressive institutions. For instance, Davis is part of a lawsuit charging the city of Chicago with racial profiling. Twice, he was the victim of police searches.

     At a recent news conference, Davis said his piece, got up, and walked away. Confronted by irrational bullies in a racist system, what else can one do?

__________________
Connections on screen: The Turino Olympics, Crash (two Oscar nominations, March 5), and Freedomland (just opened in theatres).







 Soren Wuerth is perhaps Alaska's best known community activist. He resides in an undisclosed location in rural Alaska and can be reached at soren@insurgent49.com.
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Red Alert
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in-sur-gent (in sur'jent), n. 1. a member of a group which revolts against the policies of its leadership.