Seattle Schools Say Only Whites Can Be Racist

May 19th, 2006 7:17 PM

I am sure that, looking at the title of this piece, many might assume that I am just being another wild eyed, racist, Conservative going off the deep end, making unjust accusations in my black helicopter laden, conspiracy filled mind. But, no clear thinking individual could dispute my conclusion after reading the definition of racism on the Seattle Public School System's own web-site.

The Seattle Schools have re-defined the very word to suppose a special and exclusive meaning quite different of that found in any dictionary. In fact, they have completely ignored the dictionary definition of the word, most likely because it does not fit their political agenda.

Let's start with the Merriam-Webster's Online dictionary definition of the word Racism:
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination

That is pretty straightforward, I’d say. This definition, the true definition, clearly stimulates the conclusion that any race can be a victim and a perpetrator of racism. And we all know this to be true. From the worst, knuckle-dragging member of the KKK to the most violent, criminal of the Black Panthers, to the arrogance of a Japanese Imperialist, racism can come from any group of people, anywhere.

But, not according to the Seattle Public School System! No, according to them, only whites can be racists.

With their opening paragraph, the SPS mangles the word "racism" to be defined in terms of economic and/or "social power" as opposed to assumptions of inherent superiority. Of course, racism might result in oppression on an economic or political basis, but that is not the base action of the word. The base action is a feeling that the racist's genealogy is somehow better than others'. All actions that stem from racism are results of that belief of superiority, but not really a definition of racism itself. After all, Kings oppress, political systems oppress, and religions oppress and racism does not necessarily have to be at the core of that oppression.

Worse they appear to define racism strictly as an American affliction forced by "Whites" on "targeted racial groups". Their web-site starts with this paragraph:

The systematic subordination of members of targeted racial groups who have relatively little social power in the United States (Blacks, Latino/as, Native Americans, and Asians), by the members of the agent racial group who have relatively more social power (Whites).

Now, you can see that I am not just raving, here. This definition simply defies the dictionary not to mention truth. A reader of this definition cannot but conclude that it is only white Americans who are racist. If one did not know better, or did not realize that a dictionary could be better trusted to define words, one would learn from the "schools" in Seattle that "Whites" are racists.

Another segment follows that almost gets it right, but still blames only whites at its conclusion.

Individual Racism: The beliefs, attitudes, and actions of individuals that support or perpetuate racism. Individual racism can occur at both an unconscious and conscious level, and can be both active and passive. Examples include telling a racist joke, using a racial epithet, or believing in the inherent superiority of whites.

Close, but no cigar, Seattle. Though it is the most nearly correct definition on their web-page, the last 8 words also makes the lie to mere definition and reveals their attempts to politically spin the word. Racism, according to the SPS, is once again something perpetrated only by whites.

This is a blatant and quite disgusting attempt to brainwash students and faculty in the Seattle Public Schools. These people claim to be teachers, yet subvert the very definitions of words to suit their needs. It’s just more proof that our public schools in the US have become practically worthless places of political indoctrination for leftism as opposed to places for learning.

If Bill Gates wanted to help his home state out a bit, he might want to spend a little of his vast fortune to buy the Seattle Public School System a couple thousand dictionaries so that they might be able to find out what words really mean. Unfortunately, it is doubtful he could find a single member of that school system who would know what the heck to do with the darn thing. Besides, they might think he is trying to “oppress” their students with his evil "White" generosity.

(See the Seattle Public School System's web-site byClicking here)

-by Warner Todd Huston