Black Catholics Director Gordon talks on racism

Greer Gordon, director of Black Catholics for the Archdiocese of Boston, told a group of 35 students last week that she believes that racism is caused by "intolerance" and "closemindedness." Gordon said that many people have grown intolerant of difference in opinion. She also explained how intolerance developed in our society and in individuals. "Most intolerance, I suspect, is learned in the educational environment, not the home," she said. She also said that such intolerance leads people to make assumptions about others. Often, she said, people will extrapolate an entire political view from a stand on a single topic, breeding stereotypes. Gordon told of one case in which she refused to reveal her stance on abortion, fearing that the questioner would instantly classify her. But intolerance was not the only cause for racism Gordon cited. "Racism is fed right now by economics," stated Gordon. Differing societal norms, such as a tendency to visibly display emotion, also create barriers among different cultures, she said. The solution, Gordon said, is to discuss the problems caused by the differences and to accept diversity. "Diversity is the creativity of God," Gordon said. Gordon said that organized religion should facilitate this discussion since it teaches compassion and understanding of others. Father James McGuire, the director of the Newman Center, said he was pleased with the program although he was disappointed with the small turnout. He said that Gordon's empathy made her appealing to students. David Mestre, a first-year graduate student in astronomy, said that Gordon's humor facilitated understanding of the message. Sister Barbara Bamberger, the assistant director of the Newman Center, said she heard Gordon speak when she was in Boston this past summer. During that speech, Bamberger said, she discovered biases in herself which she had not been aware of and felt herself opening up. After hearing Gordon speak again about problems which related to the University, Bamberger suggested to some students that they bring Gordon to campus. The program was sponsored by the Newman Center, the Black Student League, Eracism, Connaisance, GSAC, the Office of Student Life, and the Interfraternity Council.

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