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Arts & Communication Relational response to racism

of the majority/dominant/oppressor/whiteness group are in the United States during the 1960s. One excerpt from
considered a form of supremacy and are misrepresented, King’s well-known “I Have a Dream” speech states, “...one
dismantled, or ignored. 13,30,39 day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls
Although we live within numerous systems that will be able to join hands with little white boys and white
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profoundly affect racism, I contend that a systemic change girls as sisters and brothers.” One other recent example
alone cannot remove racism because it is fundamentally a of an individual who advocated for change is Supreme
relational/spiritual problem. 7,10,41,42 I have many reasons for Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who ruled in 2023 that the
this belief; however, I would like to offer five relevant to this practice of Affirmative Action for college admissions was
paper. First, the fact that there is still a global discussion discriminatory and unconstitutional. In his concurring
on the problems of racism demonstrates that the myriads statement for the case “Students for Fair Admissions
of systems developed by humankind have not solved this v. President and Fellows of Harvard College,” Thomas
problem, even in systems that developed primarily from describes the history of discriminatory laws in the United
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Marxist ideology. 10,18,20,22,43 States. However, he argues that all individuals are created
equal and that the constitution supports this relationship
Second, there are numerous individuals who, regardless of equality for all.
of the systems they live under, rise above racism to
develop meaningful relationships and learn to treat others My primary argument that systems alone cannot change
equally. 10,9,42-44 Some are even able to extend relational racism, however, is that our greatest human need is for
grace – an act of mercy and forgiveness given to another reconciliation, union, and oneness – for a relationship with
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individual who is pathetically undeserving. 10,45 This act of God or higher power. This oneness is the fundamental
relational grace was acutely demonstrated in 2015 at the goal of almost every religion, spiritual organization, or
Emanuel African Methodist Episcopalian Church in South premise. 52,53 The presupposition is that universally, our
Carolina, where a deplorable White gunman, Dylann relationships are broken with God or a higher power; if they
Roof, shot and killed nine members simply because they are broken with God or a higher power, our relationships
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were Black. The relational grace message communicated will be broken with others and perhaps ourselves. Racism
to the gunman from the congregants who lost family is one result of our brokenness in relationships. 7,10,41
members was forgiveness and repentance. 45,46 In contrast Consequently, I contend that racism is fundamentally a
to relational grace, however, some individuals, such as relational/spiritual problem. Therefore, to begin healing
Dylann Roof, who live under the freest systems, find from racism, we should focus on encouraging, developing,
reasons to diminish groups of people based on color or and improving relationships, even while teaching music,
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ethnicity, resulting in racism or even reverse racism. 8,9,22 the arts, or other subjects. Rather than creating a
Third, systems, whether political, social, or even religious, music education environment or any other educational
are essential but can provide only ethical structures for environment through activism rooted in a critical theory
behavior. They are woefully insufficient in changing or that divides people into oppressed and oppressors, we
addressing our affective or spiritual nature where racism must create an environment where we teach music for
originates. 4,10,41,42,47 excellence while thinking relationally and equally. As a
relational response to racism, I would like you to consider
Fourth, the greatest advocates and activists who gave developing and using a relational mindset.
their lives to change systems did so not only to fix systems,
even though they were able to accomplish that. They fought 4. Relational mindset defined
for systemic changes with an awareness of the importance
of relationships and hope to create environments that My definition of a relational mindset is: The beliefs that orient
us to understand the world through profound connectedness for
nurture profound, mutual, lasting relationships among growth beyond knowledge and action beyond technique.
all. Among these advocates include William Wilberforce, Within this definition are three important words. The
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a member of the British Parliament in the late 1700s to first important word is “connectedness.” Connectedness is
early 1800s who worked tirelessly to abolish the atrocity the foundation of a relational ontology in that we view reality
of the British global slave trade. In his 1807 draft titled “A and truth through relationships. Furthermore, because of our
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Letter on the Abolition of the Slave Trade,” it was evident connectedness, our responses and reactions toward others will
that his relationship with God compelled him to fight for reflect on us. In practice, we must find common ground with
[5,6
the abolishment of slavery. Wilberforce hoped to rid the others, knowing that it will lead to understanding and growth.
world of slavery and to unite people despite the economic Because of connectedness, we should be mindful of the
structure of the day. Another activist is Martin Luther results of our decisions and behaviors because they will
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King, Jr., a Baptist minister who fought for civil rights profoundly affect us. Regarding racism, if we diminish

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2024) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/ac.1234