We have an entire day dedicated to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his accomplishments in regards to racial issues, civil rights and segregation. It is true that we have taken measures to move away from segregation. But, have we really come that far? Jay Rogers came prepared to discuss these issues with a few Phillips students in his workshop, “Race Discussions: 2006-2007.” Mr. Rogers taught at Phillips Academy in the history department for a number of years. One year during Parents’ Weekend, a parent asked him, “Do you think your students will do as well as the other students on the history final?” He replied, “Why wouldn’t they?” The parent only asked Mr. Rogers this because he was the only African-American history teacher at the time. This is just one of his many anecdotal stories that show that race and identity are still problems in the United States. According to Rogers, we claim that all racial issues have been solved, but we are very wrong. Mr. Rogers asked each participant in the workshop to anonymously fill out a “report card” for race relations in the United States. We rated each aspect based on a 1-6 scale ranging from “always a factor” to “never a factor.” The topics assessed race factors in areas such as neighborhoods, religion, dating, crimes, politics and career opportunities. We gathered back as a group and came to the frightening reality that race issues are still a problem. We discussed each of the 20 topics in full detail and people said how they truly feel about race and identity in the United States. We discussed race relations in our small Phillips Academy community and then broadened the discussion to the entire United States. We realized that a few of the dorms on campus are dubbed as the “black” dorms although they are not always predominantly black. We also compared our Phillips Academy campus to other public schools in the world. Rogers told us that Michigan, California and New York are currently the three most segregated states in the United States. The discussion was enthralling and entertaining and we all left wondering, “How can this be true? After so many years, how is race still an issue?” We should all take steps to rid ourselves of segregation and racial inequality.
