David O. Stovall, a professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago, presented a lecture titled "Real Talk about Race: Dispelling our Common Assumptions with Diversity" on Tuesday, Feb. 12.
Stovall began the conversation with a statement written on the blackboard: "Race is biologically false but socially real." He explained that there are no scientific distinctions between people in terms of their grouping, and that races are social categories that include groups of "in" ethnicities, and "out" ethnicities. He went on to define racism as a collective, agreed-upon social system that affects different groups, rather than individual acts of bigotry.
Included in his discussion of race, Stovall debated the use of terms such as "diversity" and "tolerance" and how they are part of a coded language system that is meant to veil issues that exist but are not openly discussed. Stovall claims that these terms are used loosely and often used to represent an institution, person, or group that is not indicative of the word's true meaning. One specific example he mentioned regarding this coded language is the "Achievement Academies" that exist in Chicago, that are schools for teens who did not graduate the 8th grade but are too old to be in grammar school. He went on to note that while the title of these institutions sounds proactive, what actually exists behind the title fosters racial "grouping." By drawing attention to the difference between what is defacto and dejure, or as he stated, "what is on paper and what is practiced," illustrates how societies, particularly in the United States, have historically not paid attention to this coded language.
Stovall concluded the lecture with a brief summation of how race came to "exist" historically, and how that process shaped modern views of ethnicity, including how race is characterized in the American education system. Through anecdotes and personal experience, he suggested ways for our own community to not only think differently about racial issues, but ways to inspire others to think openly by having "real talks about race."
Stovall received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is currently an assistant professor of policy studies in the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). His scholarship explores the intersection of race, class and gender in education. Stovall is also involved with youth-centered community organizations in Chicago, New York and the Bay Area. He is the recipient of a number of awards, including the 2004 Faculty Scholar, Great Cities Institute, the 2004 Research Fellow, and the UIC's Annual Teaching Prize.
-- by Danielle Raulli '10
Stovall began the conversation with a statement written on the blackboard: "Race is biologically false but socially real." He explained that there are no scientific distinctions between people in terms of their grouping, and that races are social categories that include groups of "in" ethnicities, and "out" ethnicities. He went on to define racism as a collective, agreed-upon social system that affects different groups, rather than individual acts of bigotry.
Included in his discussion of race, Stovall debated the use of terms such as "diversity" and "tolerance" and how they are part of a coded language system that is meant to veil issues that exist but are not openly discussed. Stovall claims that these terms are used loosely and often used to represent an institution, person, or group that is not indicative of the word's true meaning. One specific example he mentioned regarding this coded language is the "Achievement Academies" that exist in Chicago, that are schools for teens who did not graduate the 8th grade but are too old to be in grammar school. He went on to note that while the title of these institutions sounds proactive, what actually exists behind the title fosters racial "grouping." By drawing attention to the difference between what is defacto and dejure, or as he stated, "what is on paper and what is practiced," illustrates how societies, particularly in the United States, have historically not paid attention to this coded language.
Stovall concluded the lecture with a brief summation of how race came to "exist" historically, and how that process shaped modern views of ethnicity, including how race is characterized in the American education system. Through anecdotes and personal experience, he suggested ways for our own community to not only think differently about racial issues, but ways to inspire others to think openly by having "real talks about race."
Stovall received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is currently an assistant professor of policy studies in the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). His scholarship explores the intersection of race, class and gender in education. Stovall is also involved with youth-centered community organizations in Chicago, New York and the Bay Area. He is the recipient of a number of awards, including the 2004 Faculty Scholar, Great Cities Institute, the 2004 Research Fellow, and the UIC's Annual Teaching Prize.
-- by Danielle Raulli '10
