Joe Guzzardi
February 10, 2003

The November 22 edition of the Tokay High School newspaper, Tokay Press, came across my desk late last week,

The issue had two items about racism. Guest writer Kody Oppendike, a Tokay freshman, wrote an Op-ed titled “Student rallies against racism.”

And journalism student Jesse Aranda wrote, “Racism becomes more prominent on campus” with references to Oppendike’s piece.

As one who is routinely labeled a racist because of my immigration reform views, I’m inexorably drawn toward any and all articles about the subject. I’m fascinated by the various interpretations of the word. Maybe I’m looking for new ways to get off the hook onto which others have unfairly stuck me.

Tokay is the best and worst place for an examination of this complex and emotional subject. Because Tokay is one of the most diverse high schools in the San Joaquin Valley, the potential for racism is always alive and well.

But because Tokay is populated by young minds that are constantly (we hope) evolving, it is the worst place. What may seem like racism to a casual observer may in fact be a machismo charged moment that has little or nothing to do with race.

Ethnic slurs are boorish and immature. But on a high school campus, they may not reflect anything more than more than that.

And Tokay conflict manager Sheila Abdallah agrees. She told reporter Aranda, “These situations are blown way out of proportion.”

After considerable study—both formal and informal—and after years of contemplation, I have concluded that while racist attitudes and actions indeed occur, the word “racist” has come to mean---well, nothing.

So commonly is the word thrown around that few who hear it pay much heed.

“Racist” is used so loosely that the charge has lost all impact.

“He is a racist” is a very convenient substitute for intelligent dialogue on what may have nothing to do with skin color, religious persuasion or sexual orientation. “Racist” is guaranteed to be the last word in any conversation and for the wrong reason.

Once the charge of racism has been made, rational discussion ends.

Are white people who think O.J. Simpson should be in jail racist? But if you want to get to the bottom of what O.J. Simpson critics think, hold off on the racist claim. Conversations have no place to go once racism is introduced.

I called Oppendike to talk with him about his essay. Oppendike is bright, engaging and sincere. And I support him in all his efforts to stamp out racism wherever it might exist.

As a starting point, I asked Oppendike which of these two statements he would agree with more:

A) America is a racist nation, or
B) America is a large nation wherein isolated incidents of racism occur randomly.

Oppendike opted for “A.” You will not be surprised to learn that my preference is “B.”

I reminded Oppendike that if America is a racist nation, then Tokay High School would not have the ethnic make up it does. The school is approximately 45% white, 25% Asian and 25% Hispanic.

America has nearly 290 million people. The percentage involved in racial incidents of any kind is infinitesimally low. Despite countless reports in newspapers about racism and its cousin, “hate crimes” it just isn’t happening. Unfounded reports of “racism” and “hate crimes” make for dramatic stories but the facts don’t substantiate the claims.

I’m glad that high school students are alert and ready to combat racism when they see it.

But I would encourage them not to view every dispute through the prism of race. The most important lesson high school and college students can learn is to think for themselves.

Racism should be the last option considered when trying to evaluate the nature of a conflict. Explore everything else before concluding that racism is to blame.