White Wristbands: Wisconsin declares war on Caucasian privilege.

Stefan Kanfer:

Graham Greene's observation has lost none of its salience in 50 years: innocence remains "like a dumb leper who has lost his bell, wandering the world, meaning no harm."

The latest illustration comes from Wisconsin, where the state's Department of Public Instruction website devotes a page to "Power and Privilege." Caucasians who volunteer in the state's AmeriCorps VISTA antipoverty programs are instructed to "set aside sections of the day to critically examine how privilege works"; "put a note on your mirror or computer screen as a reminder to think about privilege"; and, in order to underline white guilt, "find a person of color who is willing to hold you accountable for addressing privilege." The site generously provides a link to a "diversity document," recommending that Caucasians "wear a white wristband as a reminder about your privilege, as well as a personal commitment to explain why you wear the wristband."

Posted by Will Fitzhugh at March 21, 2013 1:10 AM
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