comments regarding rutstein
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>I've read Rutstein's _Healing Racism_ and consider it one of the most naive
>views of "race relations" ever written.  It was reviewed about a year ago
>in Theodore Cross' excellent little "Race Relations Reporter", and he also
>said that it wasn't worth the time.  Rutstein's assumption is based on his
>background as a Baha'i, and while the religion is admirable in terms of
>it's integrationist approach to "eliminating racism", it just doesn't
>translate into the real world of S. Central, Harlem, or Bensonhurst.<P>


-- R. Winbush<hr>

McNiel/Lehrer just broadcast a piece about Rutstien's Institute for the Healing of Racism, a series of workshops which involve people in self-examination. I think his approach, based on the report, is a very good starting point for the personal aspect of racist beliefs. But hearing his anecdotes about the nature of his epiphany, I agree that his orientation will probably not go far in the battle against the structural effects of institutional racism. He is more interested in healing the psychological effects of everyday racism and raising the consciousness of Americans.<P>
 

His approach to racism as a 'disease' strikes me a naive, however what I saw of the honest participation of white and black folk in the conferences was encouraging. He airs the film 'Ethnic Notions' as a part of his retinue and speaks the role of Hollywood in perpetuating racist stereotypes.<P>
 

I find his approaches (what i term 'finding your inner klansman' and 'teaching fish about the ocean') useful in disabling white citizenship by placing a critical filter in particpants minds, but i find that his doing it for the sake of the 'health' of the individual irresponsible. It could perpetuate a new kind of liberalism which says "I'm healthy, what about you?" which although given his pedagogy would probably more accurate than the liberalism of past decades. But healthy individuals do not necessarily create a healthy nation and the Institute is not likely to be any more influentual than, say Richard Simmons.<P>


I give him much credit for attacking the idea of racism, of his emphasis on introspection which allows individuals to evaluate their racist *thoughts* rather than focusing on conduct as 'political correctness' would do. I wish him all success and hope what he has started becomes a movement. Most importantly however, I hope that movement becomes one of activist citizens, rather than one simply of individuals seeking psychic healing.<P>


--<br>
It makes sense then, to look towards the work of Theodore Cross, whom I thought had dropped off the face of the earth. When I read his 'Black Power Imperative' I was shocked at his perception. All my talk about citizenship and civic duty procedes in large measure from his influence. Where is he now? How can his 'Reporter' be gotten?
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-- mbowen<hr>