The Tranquilizing Drug of Gradualism

Thank you, Sean Williams.




Thank you, Kendra Brown. You've got a great set of pipes and I love it when black people are named "Brown."


Jasmine Walker read two poems. One about racism in the workplace and one about black girls' low self-esteem.

The first one about racism in the workplace made me really uncomfortable because, like most white people who (not by choice) don't have that many interactions with black people, I'm always afraid I'm offending someone of color. The poem Jasmine read was a list of things white people will often say to a black person in the workplace that come off as being passive aggressive put downs. I don't think I ever say any of the things specifically mentioned, but generally when conversing with black people, I consciously do everything I can to not say anything that could be interpreted as offensive. I think that's how most white people interact with black people. Yes, there are racist people out there, but I bet for every 1 racist white person, there are 8 non-racist white people that go out of their way to not appear racist. Maybe that also makes them racist. So I guess, 9/10 white people are racist. Sorry, black people. We're doing our best.

The other poem about low self esteem was really good and very well read. Like most Vermonters, the only time I encounter black people is when they appear on my television screen. Television's portrayal of black people is confusing because on one hand, they're often seen living in really shitty housing projects, eating really shitty food, and generally being despondently broke. But then on the other hand, I see black people in hip hop videos literally throwing away money because they have so much of it. There's not really any in between. It's either impovershed and plagued with squalor, or irresponsibly managing capital. The ones on TV with pockets exploding with money seem to in an emotional state of ecstasy. However, the ones living in poverty also seem to be feeling pretty good about themselves. It makes me as white person wonder, "do black people ever get depressed?" Turns out the answer is yes. Thank you, Jasmine Walker.


Thank you, Prof. Gardina.


Let's not kid ourselves, everybody. Eventhough there were several other people that talked and presented, this was Dean J's night. Dean J might be certifiably insane, and probably the most unqualified dean at any educational institution, but she's really good at making people feel comfortable. I think it's because she's so nutty, it gives people the impression that no amount of misbehavior could outdo Dean J's hemorrhaging cacophony of emotional buckshot. It's like going to a nudist colony. You'd probably be more comfortable going to a nudist colony populated entirely by obese senior citizens, than a nudist colony populated entirely by super models. Even if we're ashamed of our flaccid dicks, lopsided testicles, and pudgy guts, we all immediately feel better about ourselves when we encounter a 55-year old black woman built like an antique ebony chiffonier. Thank you, Dean J and thank you, BLSA.