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Tim Wise, one of the nations most prominent anti-racism activists and educators, presented at Emporia State University on Thursday. His presentation focused on social justice and equity.

Wise is the author of seven books, including his highly-acclaimed memoir, White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, which was adapted into a 2013 documentary. His latest book, Under the Affluence: Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich and Sacrificing the Future of America, was published in 2015.

The importance of looking at history when considering race relations and equity in the United States was a focus of his talk. Wise said white Americans typically wants black Americans to move on when it comes to the history of slavery, mainly because that history doesnt present a positive image of white Americans yet they dont want to move on from other bits of history that do present a positive image.

White Americans in particular are very quick to tell people of color that talk about the past to quickly say to them, Why do you have to bring that up? That was a long time ago, why cant we move on? Why cant we get over it, Wise said. Now this, I beg to remind you, is precious coming from white people because there is nobody on this earth that loves the past more than the white man.

We absolutely adore the past worship it. Thats why the Tea Party said they wanted it back and it does not point to the future. They believe the past is this splendid place. White folks love the past but they just love the pretty part for us the part that makes us special, that makes us feel better. We just dont want to be burdened with the less-pretty parts. The parts that people of color occasionally bring up.

Wise said if one does not understand the history and what came before there is no way to understand social inequality. He said this can be seen in regards to the Black Lives Matter movement.

If we dont understand the historical significance of police interactions with the black community, then the uprising on behalf of the Black Lives Matter movement will not make sense to you, Wise said. It will seem outrageous to you. Because people rising and expressing anger with police, if police have all been people that come to your neighborhood to get the cat out of the tree or take little Billy on a ride in their car to show him what a great job policing could be, it doesnt make sense. That is not the black experience with law enforcement.

When people get defensive of the Black Lives Matter movement and respond with all lives matter, Wise said that isnt acceptable because, in our country, all lives have not historically mattered. Our country has said all lives matter, but actions have told people of color that all does not include them.

When people say black lives matter we get defensive and say, Well what about us? Dont our lives matter? Dont all lives matter, Wise said. We have a long history in white America of saying all but not meaning it. Thomas Jefferson said, All men are created equal and endowed by their creator to certain inalienable rights among these including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but when he said it he owned over 200 human beings, so we know he did not mean it. In the 1880s when the first version of the Pledge of Allegiance was written and updated again in 1920 and 1954 every version ended with liberty and justice for all. That was written at a time when we didnt mean it. So when we say all lives matter and we have a history of not really believing our own hype and our own rhetoric saying all while marginalizing millions we are going to have to forgive black folks for reminding us all meant something else for a couple hundred years.

Wise ended his presentation by taking questions from the audience. During that time he encouraged those in attendance to continue having the discussions and to continue to advocate for change.

Earlier in the day, ESU released the recently approved Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan for the university. Work on the plan began in the fall of 2015 when the University Diversity and Inclusion Alliance was formed. The alliance consists of more than 50 students, faculty, staff and community members.

The alliance was guided by co-chairs Gary Wyatt, associate provost and director of the Honors College and Jason Brooks, assistant dean of students for diversity, equity and inclusion. The alliance was charged with reviewing university practices and organization structures as well as analyzing data and researching best practices.

By April 2016, the draft plan was completed and shared throughout the university and community. Input was requested and incorporated into the final plan published on Thursday.

The process for gathering input on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan was comprehensive and provided many opportunities for discussion and feedback, ESU President Allison D. Garrett said in her letter to campus.

ESU administrators have already implemented the following elements of the plan.

Appointed a Title IX investigator;

Created and filled the Assistant Dean of Students for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion position;

Increased diversity initiatives within the curricular and co-curricular experiences;

Created thematic learning communities in residence halls;

Enhanced marketing materials; and

Signed the NCAA diversity pledge.

A next step, Garrett said, is to incorporate the new University Diversity and Inclusion Alliance into the universitys governance structure. A work team also will develop core cultural competencies to ensure our students graduate with the skills necessary to live and work effectively as members of a diverse, global community.

ESUs Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan is available online at http://www.emporia.edu/president/diversity-and-inclusion.

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'Wise' words | ESU | emporiagazette.com - Emporia Gazette