Tim Wise

According to a newly released survey from the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, blacks are more likely to view whites as a threat to their job opportunities and political power, than vice-versa. While some might attempt to spin this as evidence of white ecumenism on race, or black paranoia, what it…

To paraphrase a line from the movie “Forrest Gump”–which film I never liked much, actually–“E-mail is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” And here, I’m referring not so much to the bevy of ads for porn or weight loss remedies that seem to sneak through whatever spam filter I…

A few weeks ago, a young man approached me after a speech I had given at his college and handed me a small piece of paper with the name of a book he thought I should read. Given that the student and I had previously gotten into a bit of a row over the issue…

Dear Sheriff Strain, I always liked Slidell, even before Lucinda Williams sang about going there to “look for (her) joy.” And my fond feelings for the town were rekindled recently when I discovered that Grayson Capps – with whom I went to Tulane in the late ’80s, and who’s quite the singer-songwriter himself – had…

Two pieces in my local paper today served as a clear reminder of the old adage that there is more than one side to every story. So too, they confirmed the wisdom – however much maligned it may be it by some – that truth is often contingent upon one’s perspective, rather than being something…

If you’re looking to understand why discussions between blacks and whites about racism are often so difficult in this country, you need only know this: when the subject is race and racism, whites and blacks are often not talking about the same thing. To white folks, racism is seen mostly as individual and interpersonal –…

Mr. Wise is a noted white anti-racist activist. The following is a December 23, 2005 essay, followed by a December 29 review by Mr. Wise of comments generated by the original piece. Both can be found at www.timwise.org. As has been the case every year for as long as I can recall, an American college…

As of this coming year, high school students in Philadelphia, PA will be required to take a course in African American history in order to graduate. In a recent column, I lent my support to the new prerequisite, and responded to those who have attacked the plan, most of whom have criticized such a course…