White Like Me response

         Today in class we watched the documentary titled, "White Like Me", which is based off the book written by civil rights activist and writer Tim Wise.  I came into class thinking that today was going to be an easy class, in which we would wind down and take a break, but it turned into one of the most self-exploring and active classes I've participated in this semester.  Tim Wise is a person that I can closely relate to and connect with.  He is a middle class white make, born to two white parents that did nothing but try and give their children the best in their lives.

Activist and Author Tim Wise

He was never 'rich', but he never struggled for most of the things in his life, similar to me.  After closely aligning and feeling connected to Wise, I think that's why his message had such a personal impact on me.

The Documentary and Novel "White Like Me 

         
           I don't agree with all of his political views and I'm not going to say that his documentary changed my political view completely on very controversial issues in America, but it sure did make me question my views, and try to figure out why I think these ways, and why other people either oppose of follow my views.  I come from a family that has very strong convictions, and holds tight to those convictions, but also pride themselves on respecting other's opinions, seeing the good in them and trying to understand people that are different from us.  After watching the video, and being exposed to even more of the tragedies and issues that still face America concerning the topic of Civil Rights, I really do wonder how we can solve this issue.  I don't believe that it is as severe as it was back in the 17 and 1800's, however I do see it as an evolved and forever changing issue that adapts and is still current based on the modern times.  Civil Rights for minorities are not being sought after in the way they were during the 1960's and 1970's, they have attained almost all equal rights as their white counterparts, however I believe that the issues facing minority civil rights in modern America is the social stigmas and stereotypes that are related to each group, and the effort to overcome those stereotypes.
       

Whites Protests With Blacks In Detroit 

            One of my favorite parts of the documentary is the end.  The end is a little overwhelming because it bring together all these horrific events and a tension builds that maybe their is no solution to the issue.  There are two extremely different sides that almost will never see eye to eye.  However rights after this tension is peaking with all the television show excerpts of people debating the issue of black rights, there is a moment at the end that shows hope.  The answer by Tim Wise is to look into history and instead of focussing on the people that opposed the civil rights laws and movement, to look at the white people that DID help the black Americans achieve their rights to what they are today.

For more background on Tim Wise's Novel and Documentary "White Like Me", follow this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Like_Me