This project requires you to think about racially divisive issues current in America today from two sides and articulate both points of view.

The purpose of this project is for students to encounter different opinions present in the national conversation today regarding race and racism. I warn you in advance that if you read articles on this topic you will probably be offended by the views of those on one side or the other depending upon your own point of view. The reason for reading both sides is that we tend to be locked into our own point of view and to read or watch only those articles, videos, news programs that affirm out belief. If we are to find reconciliation on the issue of race then it is imperative that we understand one another. It is very difficult to find articles that truly reflect deeply considered opinions on this topic because it is so controversial and incendiary.

Read the article: “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” by Peggy McIntosh at, http://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/mcintosh.pdf. 
Then read the article by Ian Olasov at http://www.slate.com/blogs/lexicon_valley/2016/07/18/all_lives_matter_versus_black_lives_matter_how_does_the_philosophy_of_language.html. 
Watch Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Face the Nation at https://youtu.be/s8cUAb3df0M
Finally, read something like: the National Review article found at, https://www.nationalreview.com/2016/02/white-privilege-myth-reality/.
Then consider again the video assigned for this week by Dr. John Perkins at https://youtu.be/Pluo7SUXDaM.

Based upon this reading and/or other similar articles you may find for yourself taking both sides of current issues related to race in America, write a paper in which you do the following: 1 page expressing the point of view of those who believe racism remains a serious issue in America that needs to be dealt with but has not been thus far; then write 1 page expressing the argument of those who feel the issue of racism is overblown in America today and racially based rhetoric is dangerous because it increases rather than decreases division; finally write 2 pages explaining the argument that seems most persuasive to you answering the objections of those who would disagree. Resources: You may want to review Pew Research Group’s findings comparing viewpoints on race at http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2016/06/27/on-views-of-race-and-inequality-blacks-and-whites-are-worlds-apart/