Loewen Thesis

At the very closing of the twelfth chapter of his book, Loewen seems to drive home the very thesis upon which his entire case rests. He writes, "Does a people mean only European Americans? Perhaps openly facing topics that seem divisive might actually unify Americans across racial, ethnic, and other lines" (339). The cultural climate survey which we have been administering clearly shows the same sort of hesitancy or ignorance surrounding issues of racial diversity. Many responses of "No strong feelings" indicates a person's inexperience with or unease about addressing the topic of race at Whitworth. Where is the distinction to be made, however, regarding the bold conversation which needs to be had about race and a respectful inclusion of inidividuals from all ethnicities? How much of the problem is our own inaction and how much is institutionalized? Loewen seems to think a large portion of the blame rests on the shoulders of public instructors. Students, however, also have their role in the prolongment of racial tension and prejudice on campus.