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Upcoming Events
Night at the Theater:
The Sunshine Boys
February 2, 2012-March 25, 2012
More details
Unraveling Racism Training
March 8-9, 2012
More details
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A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS: Race and Education on Long Island is now for sale!
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Education Equity
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Telephone: (516) 921-4863
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Throughout the history of the United States, public officials have used the rule of law to deny equal opportunities to African Americans. Only recently, in the 20th and 21st centuries, have laws been passed that grant equal rights to all persons regardless of race. Unfortunately, advances in racial equality, such as those brought about by the civil rights movement of the 1960s, have not been enough to erase decades of exploitation and discrimination. More public policies that help to create racial equity are needed to assure true equal access to opportunities, such as quality public schools and economically viable neighborhoods. But what happens if those with power and influence view the degradation of African Americans as a positive political move? It's scary to think about, but the Republican primaries have provided a frightening example of seemingly acceptable racist rhetoric.
A recent New York Times column by Charles M. Blow skillfully called attention to the anti-black rhetoric that has been embraced by most of the Republican presidential candidates. Their comments about "the African American community" or "black people" in general have been so negative (and absurd) that one has to wonder whether they believe that racist rhetoric makes for good politics. "I'm prepared, if the N.A.A.C.P. invites me, I'll go to their convention and talk about why the African-American community should demand paychecks and not be satisfied with food stamps," Newt Gingrich proclaimed. Employing the same negative stereotype, Rick Santorum assured his supporters that he doesn't want, "to make black people's lives better by giving them somebody else's money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money." Mr. Blow does a great job of refuting the fallacy that African Americans prefer to rely on government aid than to work. He points out that a majority of all food stamp recipients are actually white (even though the rate of participation is higher among blacks), a majority are under the age of 18 or are older than 60, and 41% live in low-income households with earnings.
We should all be conscious of the dangerous effects of negative stereotypes, especially when they have the potential to misinform millions. It is horrific to hear public officials spew racist rhetoric and degrade African Americans or others for their own political gain. Regardless of party affiliation, racist rhetoric is unacceptable.
(Click here to read the full-length article)
V. Elaine Gross
President
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Remembering Robert L. Carter
With the recent passing of one of the most important Civil Rights defenders of our time, Robert L. Carter, we are reminded of the detriments of racial segregation and the necessary work that lies ahead to provide every child with a quality education. Mr. Carter's historic legal challenges to racial discrimination span decades, but perhaps the most historic win was the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education that abolished legal segregation in public schools. As a member of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Mr. Carter employed his years of research in law and history to craft an argument that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." The Supreme Court concurred in its unanimous Brown decision that segregated schools were unconstitutional.
Mr. Carter argued that segregation itself was so damaging to black children that it should be abolished, not just because of the undeniable inequities in school resources, but because it had been proven that black children suffered in their learning and development by being segregated. In what was seen as a risky strategy, Mr. Carter referred to the research of psychologist Kenneth B. Clark and his wife Mamie Clark, which used black and white dolls in a test that showed the impact of discrimination on black children; the children invariably attributed all negative traits to the black dolls and all positive ones to the white dolls.
According to a recent New York Times article covering the passing of Mr. Carter, he admitted in a 2004 interview that "Black children aren't getting equal education in the cities...The schools that are 100 percent black are still as bad as they were before Brown."
Mr. Carter died on January 3, 2012 at the age of 94. While we grieve a great loss to the civil rights community, we know that Mr. Carter's demand to create integrated schools and provide equal resources to all children is as true now as ever before.
To read the New York Times article about Mr. Carter's life and work click here.
To find out about ERASE Racism's efforts to create education equity see our education page.
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Wishes for 2012
During ERASE Racism's Holiday Open House for volunteers and interns we asked about their wishes for 2012. Have a look at what they had to say!
 | | Wishes for 2012 |
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Dr. Martin Luther King Day
 There are many activities this weekend commemorating the amazing life and stellar accomplishments of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We congratulate two Members of our Board of Directors who are being recognized on Monday, January 16th at a Memorial Breakfast sponsored by the Frist Baptist Church of Riverhead. Christina Vargas Law is one of the honorees and Frederick K. Brewington, Esq. is the keynote speaker. |
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College of Advisors Has New Members
Last year ERASE Racism welcomed four new members to its College of Advisors. The 17 individuals that make up our College of Advisors each bring a unique set of skills and perspective to ERASE Racism. Their expertise has helped to strengthen our research and advocacy. ERASE Racism thanks all of the College of Advisors for their invaluable support and welcomes its newest members.
- Connie Lassandro
- Nancy Rauch Douzinas
- Joan R. Saltzman
- Justice Mary M. Werner
Click here to see a list of all members.
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Student Voices
 | | Alex Aragon, Grade 12 |
I am a high school senior from a public school on Long Island. I live in a predominately white neighborhood with 87% of the population being of white (Caucasian) descent. Growing up, I have seen many instances of racism and discrimination. Many, in fact all of my fellow peers that I call friends, have used racist jokes or have chosen to only associate themselves with one group of people usually of the same skin color or race. I remember attending the 2011 Student Leadership Forum by ERASE Racism and seeing that my town actually has a long history of discriminating against people of color, starting with racial covenants back in the 1950's. The Forum reassured me of my values of wanting to eliminate racism.
The main reason why I want to become active in the fight to eliminate discrimination and racism is for two reasons: 1) I was born in a diverse area of Queens and now that I live in a predominately white community I miss being able to make friends with people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds 2) I always have wanted to be comfortable in this world and I want future generations to feel comfortable knowing that they will not be judged based on the color of their skin. I believe that racism and discrimination is still creating a harmful situation for all of us and I want to see the end of it.
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