2008 Woodie Awards
Presentation focuses on civil rights struggles in present-day Ohio
By: Steve Kunkler
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Campus
Though the Civil Rights Movement is decades past, racism hasn't disappeared.
That was one of several messages shared yesterday during a presentation by G. Michael Payton, executive director of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
In his presentation, titled "Continuing Civil Rights Challenges in Ohio," Payton used stories from his work as the state's top investigative agency of mistreatment in employment, housing and credit, and even a noose, to explain his points.
Payton began by describing how his youth in the 1960s provided him with a fierce sense of urgency to promote equality.
He's still working - his agency investigates an average of at least 5,000 discrimination charges each year.
That said, Payton told those in attendance that affirmative action is still necessary.
"There is a negative connotation that affirmative action is giving people something they don't deserve," he said.
Payton also described what he called the three dimensions of life - where we live, where we work and where we play.
Where a person lives correlates most with his net worth, he said.
According to Payton, an estimated $90 billion a year is lost by those who don't have the financial ability to supervise their child's academics, move to another school district or send them to college.
Then, Payton pulled out a rope tied in the shape of a noose and described how a noose was hung in a Columbus-area business.
Other, sometimes celebrated, symbols demeaning to minorities - such as the Confederate flag and the swastika - are also unnecessary, he said.
"If you're German you don't have to fly a swastika flag to celebrate your culture," Payton said.
These symbols prove that racism is still alive, he said.
Racial profiling is also widespread, Payton said, and affects society more than some people may think.
"I'm not talking about thugs and drug dealers, I'm talking about innocent people who are pulled over because of their race," Payton said.
That was one of several messages shared yesterday during a presentation by G. Michael Payton, executive director of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
In his presentation, titled "Continuing Civil Rights Challenges in Ohio," Payton used stories from his work as the state's top investigative agency of mistreatment in employment, housing and credit, and even a noose, to explain his points.
Payton began by describing how his youth in the 1960s provided him with a fierce sense of urgency to promote equality.
He's still working - his agency investigates an average of at least 5,000 discrimination charges each year.
That said, Payton told those in attendance that affirmative action is still necessary.
"There is a negative connotation that affirmative action is giving people something they don't deserve," he said.
Payton also described what he called the three dimensions of life - where we live, where we work and where we play.
Where a person lives correlates most with his net worth, he said.
According to Payton, an estimated $90 billion a year is lost by those who don't have the financial ability to supervise their child's academics, move to another school district or send them to college.
Then, Payton pulled out a rope tied in the shape of a noose and described how a noose was hung in a Columbus-area business.
Other, sometimes celebrated, symbols demeaning to minorities - such as the Confederate flag and the swastika - are also unnecessary, he said.
"If you're German you don't have to fly a swastika flag to celebrate your culture," Payton said.
These symbols prove that racism is still alive, he said.
Racial profiling is also widespread, Payton said, and affects society more than some people may think.
"I'm not talking about thugs and drug dealers, I'm talking about innocent people who are pulled over because of their race," Payton said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 5
militaryvet05
posted 4/15/08 @ 11:35 AM EST
There is nothing worse than someone who maligns the heritage of others than one who equates it with the evil that their descendants fought against and who feels that his opinions of that heritage is the only one that has value. (Continued…)
affirmative action IS giving to the undeserved
posted 4/15/08 @ 1:23 PM EST
Affirmative action is giving those who do not deserve, things that others have EARNED. If one doesn't go to school, or does not have the academic skill to succeed, one does not get into college. (Continued…)
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