I do not agree with bobby61278 that "minorities are at an institutional advantage" and "oppression only exists in the mind."  For every one institutional advantage there are about 1000 institutional disadvantages for minorities.

Here is a study on how non-whites in the U.S. are systematically discriminated against for jobs... http://bit.ly/2hdPwb

Here is a chapter from a book on institutional racism about health care discrimination in the U.S.... http://bit.ly/a4WhwU

Here is an article on institutional racism in the U.S. legal system.  For example, "Black people are 14% of illegal drug users and 35% of those arrested for possession. (US Public Health Service study)"... http://bit.ly/caPwsI

Here is a short article on white privilege by a U Texas prof... http://bit.ly/285POG

And these articles indicate merely the tip of the iceberg.  Institutional racism runs very deep, and the slight institutional advantages any minority might have pale by comparison to the disadvantages.

@Paul-racist remarks on facebook is not oppression.  oppression is not being allowed to vote, segregation, apartheid, etc.  This just seems like a giant overreaction.

Just don't call us Northlanders.

White privilege is such that the bobbys of the world don't recognize it within themselves. Think about this for a minute:  what if all the tea party rallies were mostly black folk. All screaming about the government and taxes- oh yeah, a good number of them are openly wearing side arms and carrying signs about comparing the president to a dictator. Do you think they would become media darlings or rounded up and jailed?

I read the transcript and was disgusted. I'm a strong believer in free speech, but this crosses the line into oppression and harassment of a woman because of her race. Free speech doesn't give people the right to just spew crap about others in public forums.

Interesting, Wild Goose. Sad that those who think it's no big deal don't get it: the target of this abuse in a public forum is a real person.

Overblown.  Pure and simple.  It was disgusting what the girls said, but the reaction to this like it is an institutional problem is doing nothing to help the school or anyone for that matter.  You could find dozens of instances of racism by college students at UMD or CSS or LSC on Facebook every month.  The only reason this is a big deal is that it was public and the girls were not smart enough to set their privacy settings so everyone could not see it.  Racism is not as serious of a problem as the school is making it out to be. 

It's sad that the school can get all huffy puffy over the rights of this one "oppressed" student, but when multiple students come out and tell tales of sexual harassment against a UMD fitness instructor with a history of such accusations, the school does nothing of any substance.  Apparently two kids "talking" with racist overtones on Facebook is more of a problem than one of their staffers actively harassing multiple students over a number of years in a sexual manner.

Agreed Mac
Here are my two main points:
1) Don't be naive.  The post begins, "Racism in Minnesota?  Really?" Does the author honestly believe that we are so holier than thou in northern liberal utopia that no one harbors racist sentiments? Have you been to the Iron Range? Negative racial attitudes exist everywhere and are held by members of ALL RACES (exhibit A: Rev. Jesse Jackson refers to NYC as "Hymie-town"). I tutored Native American high school students while in college and was stunned to hear them speak openly about their dislike for white people (while I was helping them learn).  But I get it. There will always be an axe to grind, from the beginning to eternity. That will never disappear.

2) This is an overreaction.  This group, SCAR, is going to organize a walk-out, from five schools, leading to a march, because of a FACEBOOK CONVERSATION BETWEEN A FEW KIDS! David suggested they march past the CJM memorial, and I agree.  That way they can see what a real injustice constitutes, not this petty back and forth accidentally made public.  Thom Yorke said "I wish it was the sixties", and I think I know why.  Liberals, especially college-aged ones, are just dying to protest something.  The fact that this incident is causing this large of a reaction, is indicative of how far we've actually moved in this country.  There's nothing major to get worked up about. Only these minor, overblown, blips.

I'll admit that was a contradiction, but people can be racist unintentionally and that is what I meant.  There are many terms in use today that have racist roots.  People use racist words in jokes and jokingly.  The fact that we now supposedly have a serious racial relations problem because of a Facebook conversation is ridiculous.  

There are bigger problems like I mentioned before with a staffer accused time after time again throughout his time at UMD of sexual assault and apparently that is not worth a march or anything.  Where was the march last year when UMD students at the DECC started shouting gay slurs at the opponent during a hockey game?

I read them.  My point stands.  This is not as big of a deal as the school is making it out to be.  On the flip side, please explain to me the lack of a response to the gay slur chanting at the hockey game and the continued employment of an accused sexual harasser with accusations spanning years.

PS - And they should wake up and deal with the rampant homophobia on campus too.  The words "gay", "homo", and "fag" are regularly used on campus to mean "bad".  This is very unfortunate and disheartening.

Bottom line: the FB conversation was the catalyst--evidence in black and white that this sort of thing happens all the time, in not-so-secret, every day. It was akin to spraypainting the words on the wall of the study room where they all were. That sort of boldness only exists in an environment where this sort of talk is not just commonplace but generally goes unconfronted by the white people who witness it. 

Bravo to the students who have taken the opportunity to do something about it besides feel bad or complain to the administration. Contrition on the part of the "sinners" is not the point. Changing the dynamic is.

Sam-

Throw all the statistics you want at me about race and disadvantage.  Here's the one that matters most.

Nearly 70% of black children are born to single mothers. Almost 50% of Hispanic children are born to single mothers.  That number falls to 25% for white kids. 

This is the real problem facing minorities in this country, not some BS on FB.  SCAR should lead a march encouraging family unity if it really is interested in minority protection and advancement.

Huitz,

A student group at UMD called SPAT (Students Promoting Awareness and Tolerance Through Teaching) has been working on the climate regarding race at UMD for at least 4 years. They've been doing "in the trenches" work of visiting classes, talking about their experiences and about issues of institutional racism, and educating people at a very nondiverse university in a very nondiverse city in order to open up ideas and attitudes. There have been significant incidents related to race and other markers of difference regularly at the university (i.e. murals of famous Black, Asian, and Gay leaders stolen from their display spaces, etc.) 

At the UMD SPATout event last week, which was scheduled long before this FB incident took place, many people stood up and described issues that reflect a climate of unwillingness to accept difference on campus. This FB incident is NOT a singular incident. 

When do people get permission to act? When is the right time, and why do you (or I or anyone else?) get to decide when there have been enough of these kinds of things to merit a march or any other nonviolent action?

Just to clarify, the statement I made at the beginning of this post ("Racism in Minnesota?  Really?"), that was intended as sarcasm. Unfortunatly, my sarcasm was lost on a few readers who thought I was implying my shock and outrage that any of our "nice" folks in Minnesota might actually think or write anything racist.  It happens every day, right here in Duluth and elsewhere in Minnesota.  What I'm most outraged about is how few people know it's a problem.

With regard to how the sexual harassment issue was mis-handled at UMD:  Totally right there with everyone else who is angry about that institutional oppression played out.  But I'm also outraged over how racism is dished out and experienced every day in our "nice" community and institutions sweep it under-the-rug so us "nice" folks can pretend it doesn't exist.  

Racism is a real problem not just in Duluth, but in many predominantly white communities in our Nation.  As our community grows more diverse, racism is a spreading cancer that we need help with, and if that help comes in the form of our youth speaking out and walking out and saying "ENOUGH!" and we are unwilling to support them...then we are doomed. Forget walking by the CJM memorial, because there's no point -- if you argue that students rejecting racism is "overblown" then you clearly have no idea how pervasive racism is and are part of the problem, not the solution. 

Our inability as a community to admit that racism is a problem, the unwillingness of some to learn to dialogue about it, and the visceral knee-jerk reaction to lash out at those shining a light on racism and criticism of those young people bold enough to ask us all to reject racism in all forms -- that, my friend, is the REAL sickness plaguing this community.  I am prou of our youth and hope we see 2000 people tomorrow morning!!!

h8snowtires, you statistic about 80% of single-mothers in the United States being white is pointless since this would be expected because a vast majority of this country is white.

David -- your suggestion that the marchers go past CJM was poignant and right-on.  I wasn't arguing with that -- just pointing out that it's the responsibility of adults in this community to affirm that our youth are engaged in something valuable, meaningful and critical for our future together. The few out there intent on telling our kids they are wasting their time are the few whom the CJM would have little meaning for.  See you at the march tomorrow!

The route?  The 4 mile march begins at Washington Center at 10:00.  Will go east on 4th Street, then uphill on Woodland Avenue, then left on College, then right on University to Kirby Plaza.  St. Scholastica marchers will rally at 10:00, then begin walking at 11:00 along College to meet UMD marchers on College.

Peace!

What the heck is so wrong with Northlander? Sheesh.

Paul, I'm not offended. I just think this energy is misplaced. Priorities are important. As I stated earlier, there are bigger fish to fry.

h8snowtires, this IS what dialogue sounds like. I appreciate the disagreement, and respect the civility shown me (who is clearly outnumbered). Also, please provide accurate information if mine is not. 
And, what then, am I "really mad about?" Do tell, please.

To the people who are arguing, "why don't you march against [this] instead?" and "why don't you march against [that]? -- these students are organizing today's march about an issue they are concerned about. If there is another issue you think is more important, no one is stopping you from organizing your own march. This is what democracy is all about.

I marched today with maybe 600-700 other marchers, including Chancellor Martin and May Ness, as well as students and community members. It was inspiring, that these young students had organized such a great event that obviously empowered everybody there. I wasn't able to stay for the rally, but if it was as well-organized as the march, I am sure it was an amazing experience.

Kudoes to all those who helped organize this march. I hope it has an impact, and people think before uttering racist comments or even laughing at others when they utter racist comments.