I welcome you all to the second annual Multiracial Solidarity Rally.
I want to congratulate Ruth and Steve White for their hard work and
dedication in organizing this event.
I want to thank Charles Byrd for his foresight in originating the
Multiracial Solidarity March.
I want to thank you all for this great turnout!
I am honored to be here on such a monumental occasion.
The last year has been an especially eventful one for the multiracial
movement. We have forged ahead on many fronts. We have experienced failure
and success, sadness and joy, obstacles and victories.
In our quest for a multiracial category on the 2000 Census, we were once
again denied the ability to honestly and openly state who we are.
Choose all that apply is not the answer. We are not "choose all that apply
people." We are multiracial people!
However, the fact that we were in Washington, D.C. discussing a multiracial
category represents significant strides in our movement and attests to the
fact that we are being heard.
Our presence in Washington, D.C. must be viewed as a step in our process
toward dismantling society's stereotypes and biases with regard to
multiracial people.
More importantly, we have defined ourselves as multiracial and made clear
to the world that we will no longer be made to feel invisible.
The individuals and organizations who continue to fight against a
multiracial category are hanging on to the apron strings of oppression. It
is their fear that keeps them tied to the mentality of oppressive power.
The notion that we as multiracial people must choose one side in order for
a group to have political power is rooted in slave-owner ideology.
Although it is a difficult thing to do, we must have compassion for those
who oppose us. We must hope that they will begin to work inwardly on their
own anger and rage, rather than scapegoating our movement.
We cannot allow their fears to destroy our emotional, mental, and spiritual
well-being, nor sidetrack us from our ultimate goal of racial harmony.
By virtue of our multiracial identities, we have been and will always be a
part of those who fear and oppose us -- will they be a part of us?
As part of and by accepting all of our races and ethnicities, our true
power as multiracial people comes from within ourselves.
We have the power as multiracial people to bridge the racial divides of our
country.
We must put aside our personal agendas and work together for the benefit of
all multiracial individuals.
The rigid racial roles that exist in our country today are psychologically
and emotionally damaging to everyone, but especially to children.
As human beings, we must provide a climate that accepts and appreciates
diversity.
Our goal for the new millennium must be to stamp out hatred and bigotry in
all forms wherever they exist.
Our multiracial community can set the example of accepting differences with
respect, diversity with tolerance, and individualism with unity.
Thank you and enjoy the rest of the rally!
Patricia's email address is: PDJpsyche@aol.com
Patricia D. Johnson's Speech at MSM II
Good morning, Los Angeles!
Patricia D. Johnson holds a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology
from Antioch University. Patricia instructs classes and conducts workshops
on interracial and biracial subjects. Included as part of her clinical
training are her experiences working in the Maple Center Psychology Clinic
and Center For The Study of Young People in Groups (Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center/Thalians Mental Health Clinic). She currently serves on the board of
Women In Non-Traditional Employment Roles (W.I.N.T.E.R.), and is a
consultant for public and private sector companies, assisting in conflict
resolution/organizational management. Patricia is a staff writer for
Biracial Child and Interrace Magazines, and has appeared as an expert on
the Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, and Leeza Gibbons talk shows.
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