A conference at the UNT Coliseum last Tuesday introduced me to an artist and activist from Portland, OR: Simon Tam. Leader of a music band "The Slants" (a denigrating name for Asian Americans they have appropriated to give it a whole new meaning) he is also an activist on human rights and specifically the issue of racism and discrimination.

Simon started by showing some slides, among them one that featured a Gallup statistic: 94% of White Americans thought that racism was no longer a problem in the United States. Interestingly, as he pointed out, racism is not an issue for White Americans, but what if we would ask the same questions to a member of any minority? All members of minority group have experienced racism in one form or another.

One of his friends mentioned that there is no more racism since we now have a black President. Tam’s answer to that is “then we don’t need to enact the American Disability Act since we had F.D.R. as President in 1932”.

Discussion about racism often lead to proving the other person is wrong and neither of the parties will change their preconceptions. It is essential according to Tam to provide some context to the discussion. It is also important to let the other person know that we value their opinion and avoid confrontation.

Tam offered some tips that I find very helpful for bringing the issue of racism into a discussion.

      1) Listen softly. To what the other person says and why they say it.

      2) Don’t use labels, but rather learn to say “I disagree”.

      3) Redefine racism. Not as a belief, but as an oppressive system, a social structure 
      that needs to be changed.

      4) Get informed. Not memorizing statistics, which you will probably forget when the 
      discussion arises. But events that are recent and that you and the other person can   
      relate to.

      5)  Share your story. A story is much easier to remember and is more personal than 
      any numbers.

      6) Ask questions. What is the other person definition of racism? What sources do they 
      use?

      7) Body Language is an important way of conveying information and disposition to 
      listen.

      8) Focus on Shared Values: as much as you can differ with the other person on many 
      issues, there is  always a common ground.

      9) Analogies always come handy. Such as the example of Obama being black and 
      FDR being physically challenged.

      10) Doing what is right, taking action. Is not enough to talk about racism, but to 
       change the system that perpetuates it. Participating in local organizations, in politics,  
       or even being a candidate!

I really thought of many occasions where I have judged somebody for their appearance. If someone looked Hispanic, I would immediately talk to him in Spanish. Not realizing that many Hispanics only speak English, and some are third or fourth generation Americans. On the other hand I have noticed how many Spanish speaking Hispanics talk to me in English even though I let them know I speak Spanish, as I do not fit the stereotypical image of a Hispanic and look “Anglo”.

Simon Tam proved to be not only an effective communicator but was able to establish connections with the audience, making us aware of our own prejudices. His 10 point approach to the discussion of racism is very valuable and I intend to follow it and treat others the way I want to be treated.