http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-904665.mp3
Macomb, IL – Rich Egger's guest is Tim Wise, who is author of "Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity." Wise was one of the featured speakers at the 17th Annual Dealing With Difference Institute at Western Illinois University.
Wise says there has been a growing school of thought during the past 40 years that the best way to deal with racial inequity or division is by talking about it less - in other words, to be colorblind.
Wise contends that philosophy is flawed. He says you can't solve a problem that you won't name or address head-on.
Wise says his family helped him develop an understanding of race at a fairly early age. He says teachers also opened his eyes, and he's worked as an activist in the south.