@Blackredwhite has some interesting thoughts regarding my recent post about a Critical Race Studies course:
While not a question, I do have some pointers to your recent post regarding white students sitting at the back of university classrooms. It's noble of you to assume a reverse-privileged system, which is a given, but in this case it's not comparable to 'sitting at the back of a bus'. Actually, it's much more practical to sit at the back. For one, both the dispersion of acoustics and field of view are better. Less reverb due to the proximity of back-walls, as the most flutter-waves occur in the middle. Regardless of design; be it rectangular, shelled, either modern or amphitheater-like. Secondly, most classrooms are designed with exits at the back left- and rightmost sides. Wouldn't it be more convenient for Black students to traverse less; while those at the front would have to wait their turn and hurry to class faster? I assume it would be expected of whites to rigidly follow schedules, while the curriculum is more lenient towards Blacks. As an addition, I think the front-seated white setup nicely symbolizes being 'lower' (quite literally), putting us in a position oblivious to judgmental or reprimand-planning and proud gazes. Feeling your masters' breath onto your back, their will and your subjugation are better instilled into your subconscious.
I agree with every word of this.
As white students, we should feel the gaze of our Black co-students on our backs all the time. Making sure that our full attention is on the lecture and on taking copious notes, while Black students are free to relax a little, maybe go on social media or join the all-Black group chat to discuss the participation of the white students.
You're right to assume that the curriculum is more lenient towards Black students. They don't need to learn about white guilt, after all. While the course is mandatory for white students, it is an optional, "easy A" class for Black students.
Given all of this, I think an exception should be made for the "hot seat" sessions, in which white students are made to confess their latent racism in front of the class.
During this grueling session, I feel it is important for the white student to make eye contact with the Black students. As we confess the time we crossed to the other sidewalk as two tall Black men approached late at night, we should be made to see the reactions of those Black people who've suffered the consequences of such white stereotyping.
