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Let's Talk About Race: "It's OK To Be White"

Talk About Race - It's OK - Introduction

Flyers stating "It's Okay To Be White" were placed in at least one location on the Saint Rose campus during the Fall 2018 semester. It's unknown who was responsible for posting these flyers. Why does this matter? While the message on these flyers may seem innocuous to some, they are a point of alarm and concern for many in our community. There are two primary issues at play: First, the likely culprit behind these flyers, and second, the implicit message contained within them.

Inside Higher Education reports that "Pro-white propaganda of various types has been appearing on campuses in increasing frequency in the last two years," with a recent surge in Fall 2018. It is believed that off-campus groups, possibly with the cooperation of students in some instances, are responsible for these postings. These groups are typically white nationalist/supremacist in nature and their propaganda is intended to inflame racial tensions. The underlying message is that white existence and power is somehow under threat, and that further, People of Color are directly responsible for that threat. These flyers are intended to make white supremacist ideology more palpable to a general audience while also serving as a racist dog whistle - a message that uses coded language to appeal to a specific group; in this case like-minded racists.

Flyers and speech such as this are also intended to instill fear, anger, and sadness in People of Color and those who stand in solidarity for racial equality and equity. Saint Rose is a community that affirms diversity and inclusion and we resist white supremacy.

Learn More About the Threat of White Nationalism

"White Nationalism Explainer"
A handout from Facing History and Ourselves that describes key characteristics of the white nationalist ideology and clarifies some of the terms surrounding it, such as "alt-right" and "white power." It is important to note that many of the beliefs described here are based on false and dangerous assumptions.

Explainer: White Nationalism

"The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy the SPLC works towards the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality." Learn what the SPLC has to say about the white nationalist movement.

U.S. Law Enforcement Failed to See the Threat of White Nationalism. Now They Don’t Know How to Stop It: For two decades, domestic counterterrorism strategy has ignored the rising danger of far-right extremism. In the atmosphere of willful indifference, a virulent movement has grown and metastasized. 11/3/2018

White Nationalism's Deep American Roots. A long-overdue excavation of the book that Hitler called his “bible,” and the man who wrote it. Story by Adam Server, April 2019.

Inside Higher Education provides news, opinion, resources, events and jobs focused on college and university topics.
Confronting "It's Okay To Be White" Posters 11/5/2018

Charlottesville: Race and Terror
VICE News. 8/11/2017
Hundreds of white nationalists, alt-righters, and neo-Nazis traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia to participate in the “Unite the Right” rally. By the next evening three people were dead – one protester, and two police officers – and many more injured. “VICE News Tonight” correspondent Elle Reeve went behind the scenes with white nationalist leaders, including Christopher Cantwell, Robert Ray, David Duke, and Matthew Heimbach — as well as counter-protesters. VICE News Tonight also spoke with residents of Charlottesville, members of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Charlottesville Police.

NPR: Fresh Air
Terry Gross 9/24/2018
An interview with Derek Black, whose father founded Stormfront, a white nationalist, white supremacist, antisemitic, Holocaust denial, neo-Nazi Internet forum.