Archive for December, 2013

…But How Dare You Complain to Me: Ani DiFranco, White Obliviousness and Historical Memory

Imagine for a moment that an artist of some sort — perhaps for lack of a better example, a folk singer — decided to host a writer’s retreat, at which interested and aspiring artists might gather so as to pool their collective energy. And let’s imagine that said folk singer, not being an expert at […]

No, I Haven’t “Changed My Mind” About Whiteness and Racism: Responding to Nazi Web Trolls

First, they tried e-mail threats. When that didn’t work, one of their number called me at home. Still no luck, and so a few years later they decided to visit the neighborhood where my family and I lived and pass out thinly veiled death threats and fliers. When that too failed to put a dent […]

Tim Wise on “Racism in Legal Services” (Speech to Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, 9/27/13)

My speech to the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, 9/27/13

Tim Wise at Google (September 17, 2013): Race, the Workplace and Silicon Valley

My speech at Google, September 17, 2013

Tim Wise on CNN 12/16 Discussing White Jesus/Santa Imagery and Racist Iconography

Here is the full clip from my appearance on CNN’s OutFront with Erin Burnett (hosted by Jake Tapper) on December 16th. Sorry for the quality of the video. CNN didn’t see fit to post the full clip, but I feel the entirety is needed to grasp the most important aspects of the discussion. Thanks to […]

Dreaming of a White Jesus (and a Real Santa): Reflections on Conservative Derangement

To be perfectly honest, I find it quite shocking that anyone would be, well, shocked, by Megyn Kelly’s recent insistence on her FOX show that Santa Claus and Jesus are both white men, or even — and perhaps this is the bigger point — that Santa Claus is real. After all, when one works for […]

For Their Own Good? Contempt, Compassion, and the Conceits of Class Status

I’ve always been wary of those who insisted they were doing something — especially something harsh and perhaps hurtful — for the good of the person who has to bear the potential injury. When a parent swears to their child that the spanking they intend to shortly administer is “going to hurt me more than […]