At the request of a former instructor I’ve edited my blog and removed his name from one of my postings. I will respect his desire to remain anonymous.
`Khalil Rahsheed
Professional Development
14 December 2010
Stereotyping
During a previous Professional Development class we discussed stereotyping, and I thought it hilarious at first. Our instructor mentioned the Ku Klux Klan and the class nearly erupted into an outraged mob at the mere mention of the Klan. In the background you could hear some of the students hurling epithets, such as stupid and ignorant and jerk. I wasn’t sure if they were referring to the Klan or our instructor. The usual stereotype for the typical Klansman is an ignorant hick. While prominent persons in all fields have been Klansmen; some have even been politicians, probably the most notable among them David Duke. In fact at various times in American history the Klan has not only been pervasive in areas all across the nation, during the nineteen-twenties the Klan marched across the Viaduct bridge and down Main Street in a parade right here in Akron, Ohio. Having antithetical religious, political, ethical or moral views doesn’t automatically make the opposing person or their viewpoint ignorant or stupid.
I had mentioned earlier in the class that some time ago I had examined the Ku Klux Klan’s and various other supremacists’ websites to learn what each had to say about themselves and their beliefs. I wasn’t afforded an opportunity in class to share what I found. I’ll take that opportunity now in this assignment. I was intrigued by what I found. Among other things, I discovered a chapter of the Klan that actually endorsed Barack Obama’s candidacy, when he ran against Hillary Clinton. I knew that no one would believe me: so I e-mailed the article with its accompanying photograph of Klansmen in full regalia campaigning for Obama
.
What was most intriguing for me was that some of the core beliefs held by the Klan are shared by almost every religion that I am familiar with.
1. They genuinely believe that they are Gods chosen people.
2. They for the most part only interact within the confines of their own group: almost all religions encourage their members to choose from and marry mates from their own groups.
3. They believe that eventually they will rule over or inherit the world as they believe God intended: most religions indoctrinate there adherents in the belief that they are among those who will rule over or inherit the world with Gods grace.
Viewing the Klan from their own perspective, I believe it to be a dangerous mistake to underestimate its members by stereotyping them as ignorant or stupid ‘hicks’ when they have a clearly stated and intended agenda, which is white supremacy. And while I’m sure most people would say that such a thing could never occur. Nazi Germany stands as an example as recent as six decades ago, that the majority of the worlds population need not believe that white supremacists were capable of seizing control of the planet, for a group such as the Klan or any supremacist group to make an attempt. I believe the Nazis came closer than most people realize.
In the early days of the Nazi Party, party members, Adolf Hitler in particular, were not taken seriously. The stereotype of a party member was an ignorant thug. I believe that the point I’m trying to make is pretty obvious. The Nazis should have been taken more seriously: just as the Klan or any supremacist group has to be taken serious if the world is going to prevent another genocide or holocaust. And for those who think that the holocaust was an anomaly in the distant past which we needn’t concern ourselves with now; I would direct your attention to Darfur. Darfur is a region in Sudan, where since 2003 over four-hundred thousand people have been killed and two point five million driven into refugee camps.
This class and discussions on diversity confirm for me that I have grown a great deal in patience and tolerance. I began my classes at Brown Mackie already attempting to implement many of the techniques that are recommended in Professional Development. Such as starting a study group, networking, becoming familiar with the faculty, becoming familiar with someone who works in my field of study. These few techniques alone will introduce us all to a bit of diversity. By embracing adversity we embrace people; and in doing so we are less likely to see them as other or less than ourselves and more likely to see them more or less the same as ourselves.
Sources:
"Ku Klux Klan Endorses Obama." Daily Squib. Web. 14 Dec. 2010. <http://www.dailysquib.co.uk/?a=1227&c=117>.
Home Page. Web. 14 Dec. 2010. <http://www.kkk.com/>.
Website
"Holocaust Timeline: The Rise of the Nazi Party." Florida Center for Instructional Technology. Web. 14 Dec. 2010. <http://fcit.usf.edu/HOLOCAUST/timeline/nazirise.htm>.
