This is a past event.

A History of Whiteness presented by Rachel Jones and CDI

Race is a social construct, and whiteness is no exception. How it was created in America can be understood through the lens of immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. Their fight to earn the same rights as native-born citizens was an uphill battle against de facto and de jure prejudice.

By World War II, most were able to assert full citizenship and participation in society. As the Civil Rights Movement laid bare the harsh reality of white privilege, Americans were horrified by the violence attributed to white America and saw the darker side of whiteness. Many Americans instead chose to reassert their immigrant identities, leading to the Hyphen Nation of the 1970s.

The actions of White Americans during the mid-1900s contain lessons for the present. Come learn more about how we have constructed race and let’s discuss how we can use the experiences of the past to create a better future.

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion invites you to kick off the Diverse Dialogues series for 2019 and recognize Black History Month with a critical look at A History of Whiteness with Rachel Jones and CDI. It will take place at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 12) in MUB Ballroom A1

The Diverse Dialogues series aims to provide opportunities for students, faculty and staff to have conversations about relevant issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, social justice and much more. Join us and be part of crucial campus conversations, help to highlight underrepresented voices, elevate the social justice work being done by our Michigan Tech community, and engage and learn from difficult diversity and inclusion issues that affect us all. If you’re part of the dialogue, you’re part of the solution.