• Kenneth Elmore (SED’87)

    Kenneth Elmore (SED’87) Profile

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There are 7 comments on POV: My Riffs and Questions about Race

  1. Dear Dean Elmore,

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts on and experiences with being on the “wrong” side of race. I’m a helping professional who is always interested in how it is for another person. Imagining myself in their situation, coming to understand how those experiences might have carved me into a different shape, enriches my life and strengthens my resolve to confront my own prejudices.

    You ask, “In the context of race, am I really allowed to make mistakes?” I would claim (possibly with little authority, but I’ll leave you to judge) that it is imperative that you make mistakes. –And correct them, or at least acknowledge that other people might have done things another way. To have a perfect role model is not only unrealistic, but it also cuts off anyone from following. What motivation would there be to attempt anything else if it had already been done perfectly? Failure would be the only option in this case. And, remember, we would not have true equality if we demanded perfection. We would only have a situation where any flaw would be taken as an indictment of an entire, heterogeneous group of individuals. And that’s not equality.

    In short, though I’m sure I wouldn’t like it if a misstep of yours went against my own interests (I am also only human), I will fight for your ability as a proud Black man to make them.

    I look forward to continuing this discussion on race and remain yours in glorious imperfection,

    Karen Chenausky

  2. Very revealing, thanks, Kenn. I’m only speaking for myself, of course, though there are many “like me” who only encounter race “when it comes up,” not every day. Going to read this again.

  3. My name is Maria E. Restrepo-Toro, a Senior Training Associate at the BU Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. I congratulate you Dean Elmore for starting this conversation. I would love to share my perspective as a Professional Latina working here at BU for 18 years. I encourage face-to-face opportunities.
    Thanks

  4. Dean Elmore,
    Much applause for stepping in here to have these very uncomfortable, yet extremely needed and wanted conversations. Schedule is adjusted and I will be in the proverbial mix.

    Daymyen T. Layne – Salem State University

  5. One of the privileges of entering the BU environment is the encounter with others of diverse backgrounds. One of the privileges of practicing psychiatry is listening to people sharing their inner experiences. For many students, Dean Elmore, their encounter with you has enabled them to expand their notion of who they are and who they can be.
    Phil Sandler, MD
    Retired psychiatrist
    BU Student Health Services

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