Nationally recognized anti-racist writer and educator Tim Wise, who has been called "one of the most brilliant, articulate and courageous critics of white privilege in the nation,” will give a free lecture at Penn State Great Valley at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15. Wise will present “In An Age of Backlash,” a lecture that critiques “diversity” efforts on campuses and in corporate America. Unlike conservative criticisms, which claim diversity and multiculturalism have gone too far, Wise focuses on how most “tolerance” training amounts to little more than a feel-good approach, which fails to address the fundamental structures of racism and inequality.
The event, sponsored by the Diversity Action Committee of Penn State Great Valley, is free and open to the public. Registration is required at https://timwiseatpsgv.eventbrite.com
Named one of 25 Visionaries Who are Changing Your World by Utne Reader, Wise has spoken in all 50 states, on more than 800 college and high school campuses, and to community groups across the nation.
He has also lectured internationally in Canada and Bermuda on issues of comparative racism, race and education, racism and religion, and racism in the labor market.
Wise is the author of six books, including his latest, "Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority" (City Lights Books); his highly acclaimed memoir, "White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son" (recently updated and re-released by Soft Skull Press); "Affirmative Action: Racial Preference in Black and White"; "Speaking Treason Fluently: Anti-Racist Reflections From an Angry White Male"; "Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama"; and "Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity."
His forthcoming book, "The Culture of Cruelty: How America's Elite Demonize the Poor, Valorize the Rich and Jeopardize the Future," will be released in 2014.
Wise has provided anti-racism training to teachers nationwide and has conducted trainings with physicians and medical industry professionals on how to combat racial inequities in health care. He has also trained corporate, government, entertainment, military and law enforcement officials on methods for dismantling racism in their institutions and has served as a consultant for plaintiff’s attorneys in federal discrimination cases in New York and Washington state.
Wise has been featured in several documentaries, including the 2013 Media Education Foundation release, “White Like Me: Race, Racism and White Privilege in America,” which he co-wrote and co-produced. He has appeared on hundreds of radio and television programs, is a regular contributor to discussions about race on CNN and has been featured on ABC’s "20/20."
He graduated from Tulane University in 1990 and received anti-racism training from the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond in New Orleans.