Anti-racist Author Tim Wise Discussion and Booksigning in Columbus, IN - 11/08
Author/Activist Tim Wise Will Discuss “The Oprah Effect: Black Success, White Denial and the Reality of Racism”
Columbus, IN – The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, in partnership with The Cummins Foundation and the Human Rights Commission, is pleased to offer a community presentation by Tim Wise, free to the public, on Wednesday, November 8th, 2006, at 6:30 pm, at Columbus North Auditorium, 1400 25th St., in Columbus.
Tim Wise is considered one of the most prominent anti-racist writers and activists in the U.S., and he will address "The Oprah Effect: Black Success, White Denial, and the Reality of Racism." Wise will sign copies of his books immediately following.
Wise published two books in 2005, "White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son," and "Affirmative Action: Racial Preference in Black and White." He is currently working on two books, including a book on race and Hurricane Katrina.
On November 8th, in his presentation, Wise will explore the degree to which America is plagued by racism (does racism still exist, or do success stories like Oprah’s life mean that racism is a thing of the past?) and whether such a thing as "white privilege" exists.
"Tim Wise is one of the most brilliant, articulate and courageous critics of white privilege in the nation. His considerable rhetorical skills, his fluid literary gifts and his relentless search for the truth make him a critical ally in the fight against racism and a true soldier in the war for social justice," said Michael Eric Dyson, Professor of African-American and Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Among his wide-ranging activities, Wise has spoken in 47 states and on over 300 college campuses, including Harvard, Stanford, the law schools at Yale, Columbia, Michigan, and Vanderbilt and in this region, the University of Indianapolis. He has also trained numerous physicians, medical industry professionals, and teachers, as well as corporate, government, and law enforcement officials, on methods for dismantling racism in their institutions.
A graduate of Tulane University in political science, Wise received the 2001 British Diversity Award for best feature essay on race issues, and he is a featured columnist with the ZNet Commentary program. He serves as the Race and Ethnicity Editor for LIP magazine, and his work has been covered in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle.
