Joe Feagin sorted stacks of journals from a study that asked 626 white students to record racial incidents they had witnessed.
The study, in which the students nationwide documented about 7,500 "blatantly racist" scenes over a period of about eight weeks, provided a glimpse into how prevalent racism is even these days, the Texas A&M sociology professor said.
"A lot of it's what people do over two beers with friends and relatives," Feagin said before he delivered a lecture titled "White Students and Backstage Racism" to about 90 students and community members in the Memorial Student Center on Wednesday night.
"What's happened with white Americans is we've learned to do the blatantly racist stuff only with friends and relatives," he said.
The bulk of the lecture was about the 2003 study's findings. He and a former graduate student of his, Leslie H. Picca, co-authored a book about the study, Two-Faced Racism: Whites in the Backstage and Frontstage.
They plan to write a book based on the same study after examining the journals of black students, Feagin said.
Feagin spoke as part of Social Justice Week, which began Monday and continues Thursday and Friday. It is conducted by the Leadership & Service Center in the Department of Student Activities to "raise awareness about issues that are especially pertinent to the college community," said Mike Starr, a graduate student who helped organize the event.
Kevin McCullough, a senior sports management major who attended, said the U.S. was founded on racism, and it's still around today, but it's more of a universal problem than just a white one.
"Every single race has racists," he said.
Alexa Rodin, a freshman biomedical sciences major, said she was most struck by Feagin's assertion that whites "strongly dissented" in only about 1 percent of the reported incidents.
"I know I'm guilty of it," she said. "I only object when I'm really close to someone. ... His lecture was empowering."
Not everyone was impressed with the author.
Preston Wiginton, a self-described skinhead who lives in the area and once attended Texas A&M University, held up his hand, waiting fruitlessly to be called on by the professor for most of the hour-long interactive lecture. So he spoke anyway.
"[I'm here] to defend white people so they don't have to have white guilt," he said, as he held a sign that read "White pride, not white guilt."
Feagin, a 1966 Harvard graduate, has also authored or co-authored several other books, including Racist America: Roots, Current Realities and Future Reparations and Ghetto Revolts: The Politics of Violence in American Cities. The latter book was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
"The election of a black president did not kill racist activity in this country. Racism is much deeper than what one election can affect," he said. "I hope to see all children grow up in a truly multiracial society, where they are treated equally their whole lives. In my 70 years, I haven't seen it."
Feagin said people with consciences have to fight racism in all forms, whether blatant or subtle.
"Even if it's uncomfortable," he said. "Even if you'll lose friends. You have a moral obligation."
41 comment(s) found!
Posted by:
On:
Saturday, February 07, 2009 12:24 PM
Comment Title: Racism or human nature?
Yes, people continue to be racist. There is no known cure. Groups, cultures, whatever you want to label them continue to find other groups, cultures, subcultures, etc. to belittle in order to feel superior in some way. It seems that has been the way of people forever. It seems that all groups must find some way to feel some sense of superiority or strength or power, and that generally comes at the expense of another culture or subculture. All of us are "victims" of some discrimination, even the majority, defined as those in power in this country, the white male. Within that culture, there are many subcultures, the highly educated, the wealthy, the successful, the criminals, etc. These subcultures make unkind discriminatory remarks about the others. Conservatives rag on liberals. It appears to be an innate need for any group to feel superior in some way to some other group. Is it "right?" Of course not. Should it interfere with any person or subcultures ablitily to succeed in life. Of course not. Will it change because any professor gives a speech about how it is wrong? Of course not. I am not a highly educated sociologist and have no statistical study upon which to base my thoughts. But, common sense has to come into play somewhere in all of this. Gays and straights sometimes have great animosity. Christians and atheists. Blacks and Whites. Blacks and Hispanics. Idiots and intelligent people. It is not going to change. It appears to be human nature. It appears that people have an innate need to feel superior to someone else, anyone else. Pathetic, but apparently the case.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Saturday, February 07, 2009 8:26 AM
Comment Title: reparations for loss of penile tissue
Also, American male sexual amputees who underwent circamputation without their consent should be compensated for losing their foreskins, as well as pain and suffering. Reparations for circamputation!
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Saturday, February 07, 2009 8:23 AM
Comment Title: reparations for slavery
I believe that white descendants of former slave owners should be paid reparations by white descendants of soldiers who won the Civil War. The descendants of slave owners should be compensated for loss of property. The slave owners were never paid compensation as they were in other nations which ended slavery by buying the slaves' freedom from the former masters. You can't just take a person's property without just compensation, it's un-Constitutional and un-American, simple thievery. Compensate the descendants of former slave owners!
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Anna On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 11:32 PM
Comment Title:
Racism is cowardice. Period. It is people scared of other people, not superior to.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Ash On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 11:23 PM
Comment Title: To were so low
You are correct, there are people of all colors at the welfare office and on justiceweb etc. My question is how does 13 percent of the population cause 50 percent of the violent crime? Watch old tv from the 50's and 60's and black people spoke proper English why invent Ebonics and other excuses to be lazy ? As for the bedroom comments, STD's BO and HIV are not something that most decent people consider that little extra of which you refer.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 8:34 PM
Comment Title: I'm civilized and still see racism
No matter how civilize you act there will still be people who are just dumb. Why because what one person think is being civilized the next person thinks that when your being called the N word you should take it with a smile. When you notice that you are being treated differently at a burrito restaurant then the other white clientele you should just pay your money and please don't forget to smile. See I use to think following the law and working hard and supporting your family was civilized, but moving to this town I have come to learn that civilize means to basically accept being treated different just because mommie and daddie have money and they taught me that everybody else is nobodies. I deal with racism and my elementary child deals with racism and it just really makes white people look real ignorant. I am glad I am moving because this is not how it is or how it has to be. I hang with some students from A&M and they tell me I am a good parent and they tell me how the university kids are real racist. However if white people really knew how to hate then why would they even want to go to school that have black people there. Why would they cheer for a basketball team or a football team that has blacks on it. I try myself not to be racist and when I go out in public I try to stay in a positive mood but it is not long before some racist person treats me like I am the guy who just molested a girl when she was in the 4th grade. My daughter have a white friend and every time I turn around I am the one that is responsible for her because her mom is in the club. If I am good to raise a white child then shouldn't I be good to get a little respect.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Preston Wiginton.. not scared to post my name On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 6:43 PM
Comment Title:
Concerning previous poster... Who founded this nation? The Unites States of America. What did the Declaration of Independence state.. for our propensity (our kind). All of the signers were Anglo Saxon. Also in Immigration Law 1790 it states for "free white persons only." Except for the 3.5% of hispanics that assimilated very well to the Anglo/Germanic way of life, may all of the others should leave. How about 1 way repartaions. Think about how the USA would become a 3rd world nation if we did leave. Think about how it is becoming a 3rd world nation as we fade to black.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
tired of the BS On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 6:18 PM
Comment Title: Same old stuff
The only way there will be any sort of peace is for all the white people to get on airplanes and ships, and just leave. For good. Period. Leave this place to the entire black race. They will kill off the other minorities, then kill off themselves in about 5 years, then the white folks can come back.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Loser Police On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 12:33 PM
Comment Title:
If blacks would act civilized, they would get treated with respect.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 11:18 AM
Comment Title: copy & paste this link & you'll understand America's problems fully
http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=8212662920114237112
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 11:07 AM
Comment Title: follow up
Folks, american men are nearly ALL victims of sexual assault. And mutilation. Early childhood trauma, especially of a sexual nature, has grave consequences. American men are subject to hellish sexual agony. Since about 1940. You see the results today. Violence and cruelty beget violence and cruelty. Some "snivel rights" Americans have! Disgusting nation, disgusting people. Although American men should be viewed as victims, not perpetrators. The "doctors", though, are another story...
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 11:02 AM
Comment Title: why American men are so messed up - sexual assault
http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=8212662920114237112
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Preston Wiginton On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 10:56 AM
Comment Title:
Most of us did pick out own cotton. Less than 4% of whites owned slaves in America. Less than 1 in 5 whites in the South owned slaves in fact less than 1% in Georgia in 1860 according to the 1860 cencus. On the other hand 30,000 blacks/mulattos owned slaves. 38% of jews and many many Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma owned black slaves. Of course they never mention that at the university. They just teach about the evil white man. Slavery for the white working class in the the 1800's was what illegal immigration is today. It just displaces work and lowers wages.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 10:04 AM
Comment Title:
WE SHOULD HAVE PICKED OUR OWN DAMN COTTON
Report Abuse
Posted by:
preston wiginton On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 9:49 AM
Comment Title: correction
Concerning birth rates. Whites have 1.7 babies per 1000 adults blacks 5.5 per., and hispanics 8.5 per. Of course I am concerned about becoming a minority. In Texas I already am.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Preston Wiginton On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 9:41 AM
Comment Title: So low in the percent
Thank you for your comment on black comedians. I doubt Joe Feagin had ever seen or heard of Dave Chappel. I think Dave Chappel is very funny. But what would happen if whites told jokes as such? Ok for the numbers. Yes what you see is correct, but not historically representative. What do numbers tell us and why should we be concerned. For example if whites have an illigitamacy rate of 22% and blacks have one of 68%, why the differnce? Well lets look at history. Whites in 1960 had a illigit rate of only 4.4%, blacks 66%. Only until integration did whites begin to take on black ways. This can be seen in misegenation/mixed race couples as well. In 1970 mixed race couples of white and black were .5 % and now they are 9% or higher. Most black men do not marry. Concerning illigitamacy, this is not a white characteristic. Historically marriage of man and woman as a team is only white trait. When Tacitus went from Rome to the North to observe the "babaric" pagans he saw man and woman as teams/marriage raising children. This phenomena was only a white phenomena as marriage was not practiced at the common level in any other societies. You will not see harly anything mentioned in the old testament about marriage, you will see much about concubines and harems. Historically as well in Asia and Africa marriage is not a historical institution. Now I know many blacks that have looked to the historical institution of marriage as a good thing and have good strong families. I admire them. Concerning birth rates. Whites have 1.7 babies per 100 thousand adults blacks 5.5 per., and hispanics 8.5 per. Of course I am concerned about becoming a minority. In Texas I already am. And youshould be too. Look at Africa under black rule. (I like the world leadership better.) So what if whitey is in charge? It could be much much worse. Concerning serial killers. Most are jewish. Jakc the Ripper, John Wayne Gracy and Jeffry Dalmer are the most notorious. Women prefer non circumsiced men. Whites can than the judaic tradtions for this. In white lands where white men are not circumcised you will not find white women with black men. MTV propoganda has not helped and of course it white men step up for their women we are jailed. I will add that I have much contept for white men not stepping up, whether to entertain, protect or provide for white women. White men in America have become pathetic.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Preston Wiginton On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 9:12 AM
Comment Title: Thank you Jeff
Yes Jeff slavery is alive and well in the world and has always been. As well it is NOT EXCLUSIVE TO BLACKS. The first slaves sold into the Americas were white. They were Irish. Blacks sold as slaves did not arrive until 9 years later. Why do blacks not realize it was THEIR OWN PEOPLE who sold them into slavery. Whites were also slavea and are slaves today as well. OVer 1.6 million whites were taken as slaves ay North African Muslims. Where do we get from the shores of Tripoli? Jefferson forming the Marines to save white ships from being taken from Muslim pirates. Not only were ships taken, but people were also. Having been to Russia many times and being very poitical over there, Americans can never imagine th eamount of white Slavic women that have been SOLD into sexual slavery. Over 3 million in the last 17 years. Where is the outcry over white slavery? Where are the reperations?
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 8:16 AM
Comment Title: The President is Nearer
I'M NOT A RACIST.....I'M A REALIST
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 4:19 AM
Comment Title: Remember this...
I just would like everyone to remember one thing. Joe Feagin needs a job which pays money, just like everyone else. Is he going to make this money by saying racism is dead in America? Of course not. Also, of course there is racism. There is racism everywhere. Surveys are often skewed and can be misinterpretted to show a greater margin. If we were to hook people up to lie-detector tests, we'd find racists everywhere, straight accross the board. It's human nature to be biased against something different. It's Love and reason which bring us together.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Friday, February 06, 2009 12:45 AM
Comment Title: We're so low in the percent
If we are only 13% of the population then why is it that racist white people say all we do is lay down and have babies. That kind of contradicts things. As far as black men raping white woman lets call it how we see it white women love the black man because they need more in the sack then what white men is providing. I read a lot about white men raping little kids. Most serial killers are white. If you are going to state everyone else's facts please get some of yours on here. I don't feel any race is perfect just like there is rich, educated white people there is also rich, educated black people. Just like there are some white people that have never been in trouble with the law, there is some people including myself who has never be in trouble with the law also. I see white people in government lines just like I see blacks. I see white single mothers, just like I see black single mothers. I know some deadbeat white people as well as black. When I look on Brazos Records I see all colors on there with criminal records. For everyone who call themselves racist have you ever tried to befriend someone of the opposite race. It is easier to be ignorant then it is to find a solution. I just hope that white people do not ever become the minority and get the same treatment they dish out. One thing I do agree with is black comedians do need to ease up. If you dish it out, you should be able to accept it back.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Mai On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:48 PM
Comment Title: What about Front stage racism?
As an Asian American, I have endured plenty of racist remarks. All from Black people. Not only locally but from comedians to athletes (shaq) to tv hosts (rosie odonnel) ok some whites too by locally only blacks
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Jeff On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:09 PM
Comment Title:
Why all the hoopla over a non-issue. Yes, racism in America is mostly a non-issue. You want to talk injustice, talk about slavery. Slavery is alive and well in our world. See www.freetheslaves.net.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Jack Ellis On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 9:06 PM
Comment Title: More Politically Correct Propaganda
Joe Feagin is just repeating the same old, same old - putting out the lie that only White Americans can ever be "Racists". If Joe Feagin was serious about confronting Racism he might address the: Black Congressional Caucus Black Entertainment Television The National Council of LaRaza (The RACE) Or if he wasn't the complete lying coward that he is, address the violent racially exclusive urban gangs that murder more people in won year that supposedly RACIST Whites have killed in our nations history. Hey Joe Feagin - perhaps you would like to hold a seminar with Chicago's Black Gangster Disciples and try to get them to be introspective about their thoughts and actions. Pathetic
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Preston Wiginton On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 8:49 PM
Comment Title:
Yes blacks usually are ignorant of their history often built up on false statements, such as great civilizations in Africa or Black Inventions. For example just go the Black Invention Myths to see the lies about "black inventors". www33.brinkster.com/iiiii/inventions Blacks have an average IQ of 85 and over 50% do not graduate high school. 1 in 4 black men are in prison. Blacks 56% of ALL of the violent crime in America, but are only 13% of the US population. Black males, according to the US department of justice rape over 100 white girls a day. With all of that crime and raping where is there time for education? Bigot? Just the facts sir. History not propoganda!
Report Abuse
Posted by:
J. Whitten On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 8:37 PM
Comment Title:
T.O. is dead on. The man's point was proven here. We all make comments we dont mean sometimes, and some of it is hurtful and racist. But you have to feel sorry for a lot of these poor under educated , scared and bigoted people.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
T. Owens On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 4:41 PM
Comment Title: see
I think most of these comments have proven the man's point on racism.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 3:57 PM
Comment Title:
Everytime I see a black comedian on tv they are always making fun of white people in a very ugly way. I rarely see white comedians make fun of black people or, they will be called racist and have to pay for that. I hate to say this but I see more black people as racist than I see white people. I'm neither.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
david On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 2:22 PM
Comment Title: equality in action
I want to be politically correct, so I just hate everyone equally.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:43 AM
Comment Title: racism is good for romance, and fun, too
folks, i'm antisemitic, but most of my friends are jewish. they're antisemitic, too. jewish women go crazy over antisemitic men. and they have great relationships. same for race. mexican ladies like anglos who are bigots. racist attitudes can be fun. livens things up. a pc world sounds soooohhhh boring. self-haters are the most interesting and thoughtful and creative people.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:29 AM
Comment Title: silly humans
people today don't go to church, don't have religion. so they use political correctness as a religion. and substitute "racism" for evil and so on. these pc people would be preachers 100 years ago. they're silly.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 9:44 AM
Comment Title: Not all white people are racist
I know some white people that are not racist so I do not judge the whole white race. I agree that not only white people are racist. Since I moved to College Station I must admit I have become racist, I feel that is the only way to survive in this town. However I feel like I am a equal racist I do not like some of the black people that reside in this town. A lot of them do give us a bad name . I also feel that white people should realize just how they also act so ignorant in this town. I have a white friend who is a lawyer that comes and visits me and he says this town is full with a lot of rednecks. I am moving hopefully next year because I have been to many places and there is a lot of places were you do not see racist white people playing rap music so loud in their cars. There is places were you do not see black people who think that all they can be is criminals and low-life people. There is no hope for this town because being a law abiding citizen does not get you nowhere it is all about the color of your skin thats it thats all.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 6:10 AM
Comment Title: what happens to a victim of antismitism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6Akwz0XlUw
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 6:05 AM
Comment Title: antisemitism
Al Goldstein is Jewish. So if anybody says anything about Al, that's "blatant antisemitism". There is "hidden antisemitism". I will start counting incidents of "blatant antisemitism". So be warned you Jew-haters!!! Goldstein in 2012!!!
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 6:05 AM
Comment Title: oops
White Pride, Not White Guilt .. sorry for the typo.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 6:00 AM
Comment Title: Goldstein on Obama #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktPd-pUAueY
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 5:59 AM
Comment Title: Goldstein on Obama #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vNEJyl8S0w
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Preston Wiginton On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 5:57 AM
Comment Title: multicultural societies
Just had a thought... The Soviet Union tried to have a multicultural society. Equality of incomes and races were the communist dream or egalitarianism. Between the starvation of 20 million Ukranians, who stood for their racial and ethnic independence against the communist and over 40 million Russians who were sent to the gulag to die, a multiculturalist society was never achieved in the Soviet Union and was never ever practiced. Note Ukranians and Russians are white. Note I have been to Russia 13 times. How many whites does Dr. Feagin want to dispose of because they do not fit has agenda? My sign read... White Pride, Not White Quilt History not Propoganda Preserve White Homelands Stop the Double Standards Stop Affirmitive Action. Whites are being slowley genocided out of the nation we founded and built. Is not one who promotes hatred against whites and white guilt not an accesory to white genocide? I don't know. Ask Dr. Joe Faegin.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 5:53 AM
Comment Title: How many "blatantly racist" comments here?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfgEeSIaEfk The last line is a classic!!!
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 5:48 AM
Comment Title: I voted for a pro-racism candidate
Al Goldstein spells it out for all you saps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgdanri7B90 "Humans should be allowed to hate, anyone they want". Sadly, Mr. Goldstein lost, despite my vote, Goldstein in 2012? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fKU3in0mz8 Goldstein for President!!!
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 5:42 AM
Comment Title: yes I have a moral obligation to fight racism against whites
Hello.. Preston Wiginton here.. I agree with Dr. Feagin. I was there out of my moral obligation to fight racism against whites. I simply asked in the beginning why his speech was just on whites telling racist jokes. I stated as well that all races tell racist jokes. If a skinhead now is a white patriot that stands up for whites, then that be me :) Otherwise I am an old bald man.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Thursday, February 05, 2009 5:39 AM
Comment Title: racism = witchcraft
Greetings, in times past, the common populace feared and believed in the existence of witches. Today, it's "racists". Silly humans. Faeries on the head of a pin. "Blatant racist incidents". Times change. Humans don't. Silly humans. I'm writing a letter of resignation from the human race, but my list of grievances keeps growing ever longer.
Report Abuse
RSS
Mobile
Daily Emails
Twitter
Facebook
