I think I need to take exception with the phrase below “It is not idealistic to think that racism is not a problem, it is racist.” The definition of racism contains a very necessary connotation of malicious motive. It is not racist to think racism is not a problem, because there is no motive implied in such a view. While it may be that in some instances a person may be racist AND view racism to not be a problem, the generalization that "those who view racism to not be a problem must be racists" is not true. One could argue that it is ignorance to think that racism is not a problem, but that’s it. Let’s not go labeling almost a quarter of the students polled as racists without at least finding out more information about why they hold their viewpoint. Jason Smolinski -------------------------- Assistant Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy State University of New York College at Oneonta Room B-21, Physical Science Building Oneonta, NY 13820 (607) 436-2620 - Phone (607) 436-2654 - Fax http://employees.oneonta.edu/smolinjp From: <McKay>, Zanna <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Reply-To: Teaching Breakfast List <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> To: "[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Subject: Re: Who is Entering Higher Ed? Yes, we were to answer what we thought they thought. However, if faculty think 'racism' is no longer a problem, it would be my guess that we might say students think that. As I said, just a thought. It can assist the development of a powerful learning community to consider those things we find most difficult to confront in ourselves and our students. It is not idealistic to think that racism is not a problem, it is racist. Zanna From: <McAvoy>, Michael <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Reply-To: Teaching Breakfast List <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Date: Thursday, December 5, 2013 1:19 PM To: "[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Subject: Re: Who is Entering Higher Ed? I believe you are correct. That’s how I responded (if I responded). We think they are more idealistic than they report. From: Teaching Breakfast List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nowak, Rhea Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2013 10:55 AM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Who is Entering Higher Ed? In the survey I thought we were responding to what we thought were their perceptions. Rhea Nowak Associate Professor of Art SUNY College at Oneonta Oneonta, NY (607) 436-2827 From: <McKay>, Zanna <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Reply-To: Teaching Breakfast List <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Date: Thursday, December 5, 2013 10:44 AM To: "[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Subject: Re: Who is Entering Higher Ed? Or looking at discrimination, they are more aware of racial discrimination then we are. Just a thought… Zanna From: <Nowak>, Rhea <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Reply-To: Teaching Breakfast List <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Date: Thursday, December 5, 2013 10:03 AM To: "[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Subject: Re: Who is Entering Higher Ed? So our students communicate to us they feel more overwhelmed than they actually do. We were pretty close on wanting to become accomplished in a performing arts and identify as white. They are more aware of racial discrimination than we think they are. They feel more empowered than we think they do. Am I reading this correctly? Thanks, Rhea Rhea Nowak Associate Professor of Art SUNY College at Oneonta Oneonta, NY (607) 436-2827 From: <Greenberg>, Jim <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Reply-To: Teaching Breakfast List <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Date: Thursday, December 5, 2013 9:56 AM To: "[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Subject: Who is Entering Higher Ed? TBers, A month ago I sent out a survey asking members of this listserv what percentages of the entering undergraduate class (nationally) you believe meets the indicated criterion. Here are the results vs. the actual numbers (based on CIRP data for Fall 2012) . 1. Believe they will graduate in 4 years: TB 84% Actual 84% (Nicely done group!) 2. Female students who felt overwhelmed by all they had to do: TB 66% Actual 41% 3. Male students who felt overwhelmed by all they had to do: TB 57% Actual 18% 4. Want to become accomplished in a performing art: TB 22% Actual 17% 5. Identify as white: TB 78% Actual 70% 6. Agree that "racial discrimination is no longer a major problem in America" TB 56% Actual 23% 7. Believe that individuals can do little to bring about change in society: TB 46% Actual 28% Mr. James B.Greenberg Director Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center Milne Library SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY 13820 Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Phone: 607-436-2701 Twitter: greenbjb Blog: http://ctlaltpause.blogspot.com/