OMA Event Speaker Challenges Race
Sarah Perrin
Issue date: 11/11/04 Section: News
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Elliot Lewis is what he describes as a self-proclaimed MBA and PhD, (Madcap Biracial American and Promoter of Human Diversity). He was born in Cleveland, Ohio and was raised in Pullman, Washington. Both of his parents are a mixture of black and white. Throughout his lengthy career as television news reporter he has been mistaken for everything from Hispanic to Egyptian, and in one case, a television viewer began to adjust the color on his TV set to try to determine his racial identity. Today he travels the country challenging the ideas of race that we have grown accustomed to. He believes individuals of mixed race should be free to identify themselves, racially, in whatever manner makes sense to them given the totality of their life experience.
After checking in at the registration table participants munched on snacks and silently surveyed the room from their seats. Race is an awkward topic to discuss, especially in a setting with people different from yourself, and sure enough there were a variety of races represented at this event. Sensing the awkwardness, Lewis quite literally burst into the room tossing out Hershey's Hugs, the dark and white chocolate kisses, or as he called them, "our integration medication." That silliness certainly broke the ice some, and even more so when he distributed bags for our medication that bore the words, "When more talk just ain't enough...integration medication, helps treat diversity-related tension. Because nobody ever said changing the world was going to be easy. For the temporary relief of stress, anger, fatigue, and anxiety brought on by exposure to racial insensitivity, genuine misunderstandings, and cultural ignorance. Directions: Fill with comfort food, words of inspiration, and multicultural accessories. Sample when necessary. Bag may also be used in the event of hyperventilation." By then people were having giggle fits, and we got down to business.
The lecture began with a challenge to the definition of race. It is, after all, but something humans themselves have created. To date scientists have found no "white" gene, "black" gene, or any other type of race specific gene. Race is only something we use to classify ourselves, but that is exactly what makes it important. While it is true that most people are of mixed races and ethnicities, Lewis seemed to focus solely on people that, like him, are both black and white. Cultures and races, he said, are what we make them. If we decided that all redheads were going to make up a race and that all typical redheads behave in a certain way, soon redheads would begin to embody this stereotype out of frustration: an "I'll show you" way of thinking. Participants took a racial inkblot test. Staring at the funny patterns and shapes, people shared what they saw, only to find that what they saw had more to do with who they were than what was actually on the card. From this analogy one can gather that the only way to find who you are, regardless of what race people may say you are or the way you may look, is to act and express how you feel. Numerous examples from a television documentary illustrated this point. There were white/Asian families whose children found comfort in both cultures, but also a mixed woman who appeared to be "more white than black" and yet felt a strong connection to the black culture.
After a short break the program became more discussion oriented. Participants filled out a "come to your census" form where they, like many Americans in the 2000 census, had the chance to check not only the box of what they appeared to be, but the boxes of what they actually were or felt they were. It is true; in the past a census employee would look at an individual, assess what they were, and write it down without ever talking to them. Over time people have been allowed to answer for themselves, but biracial people (as most of us really are) were only allowed to choose one box. Which parent should they deny? But today, after many years and hard work, we are allowed to check all boxes that apply. This was followed by a brief study of Robert C. Maynard's fault lines, a list of common things that shape the life experiences of people. They include race, class, gender, generation, geography, and the just added category of religion. Groups were then formed to discuss race in everyday work situations and things that could be done to ease racial tension. Upon sharing, many of the ideas and concepts generated were quite interesting, prompting so much discussion that the session ended before the crowd was ready to go home. Excitement was in the air.
Student attendee Mital Modi says, "As a president of the International Cultural Organization, I believe having diversity workshops is very important, more of a necessity. Students need to learn to get to know other cultures and learn to accept different cultures. This workshop helped me open my eyes on multiracial culture and how multiracial people think. As an OMA office student assistant, I got to work with organizing this event, and it was a great experience. Many people from Social Services, UAH Staff, faculty and students attended this workshop. I'm glad to see as many people being interested in bringing diversity to school, to work, and to their lives."
For more information on the Office of Multicultural Affairs and their upcoming programs and events visit their website at http://info.uah.edu/OMA/oma.html. For more information on workshop facilitator Mr. Elliot Lewis, visit his website at http://www.hometown.aol.com/enuffsed1/.