Retry: Do you support training programs in the workplace that teach about White Privilege?

Question

I’m not sure why the other post was deleted, but maybe it was the way it was worded. So, I’ll reword the debate.

Is teaching about White Privilege a step in the right direction to resolve systemic racial problems? Or is it as it is described in the government memo above (divisive, propaganda, evil, anti-American, etc.)?

Accepted Answer

The only people I can imagine have a problem with diversity training surrounding white privilege would be white supremacists... who it seems like the current American administration is very friendly towards, to put it mildly.

Answer

Yes, of course. This memo is asinine.

Answer

Also, I was wondering why that was deleted too. 👀
I for one am getting pretty tired of the topics we’re left with.

Answer

I read this letter as yet another permission slip to the alt-right militias. 😞

Answer

“Anti-American propaganda” 
No what u mean to say, is anti-racist FACTS

Answer

It sounds like a great idea in theory, but in practice I imagine it will be a waste of time and money. My dad and my husband have both had to go through "diversity" training for their jobs at a university and they basically pay consultants to come in and tell them not to be racist and that's about it. My dad actually got questioned as to why he put through a white candidate to the next phase of hiring for a position. He has a very multicultural department, so it was just very bizarre to him that they were basically telling him the candidate wasn't qualified because he (or she, can't remember) is white but my dad was just looking at experience and stuff.
Yes, people have implicit biases, but the training my family has gone through hasn't helped them with that in any way (identifying them, how to look beyond that) it's basically just told them not to hire white people. My husband was saying that professors in his department now have to put an "anti-racist disclaimer" in their syllabi, which again, doesn't actually address the problem or give them solutions on how to fix it, it's just lip service (or eye service, I guess, if it's in writing).

Answer

Diversity training, when done well, is greatly beneficial to anyone. I do think this letter is strange in the second paragraph when it’s suggested that everyone attending needs to admit that white people all benefit or contribute to racism.. if those are the literal statements then that seems pretty divisive. Diversity training shouldn’t serve to encourage prejudice in any way.

Answer

I'm all for people learning about white privilege and subtle racism. However, I couldn't comment on the specific training he's talking about without witnessing it. Forcing someone to say they benefit from racism and telling people they contribute to racism just for being white are definitely not ways to help any causes. Now, this memo could be overexaggerating what is happening in these trainings (as the rest of the memo leads you to believe that's probably the case). I just know that many diversity trainings and similar things are really a joke and only cause more awkwardness. I think the training should focus more on things people can do to recognize and stop racism (including white privilege and more subtle types of racism) in the workplace and society as well as where they can safely report any concerns they may have.

Answer

Absolutely!!!!!

Answer

So what should they do about racism and implicit bias?  Just leave it as it is. 
Because so far he has done a damn good job at ignoring it or saying that it doesn't exist. Calling racists "fine people" and protesters "thugs" . He needs some training.
I am a vet, I worked for the state of FL, now a paramedic and going to school to be a PA. My mom worked for the city. I have seem all forms of racism from the federal level all the way down to picking people up off the streets and seeing people getting in and out of the ER faster than others because of racism. I have even experienced it myself!!! 
So, if they are going to do training or classes, what are they going to do??

Retry: Do you support training programs in the workplace that teach about White Privilege?

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