White Privilege Conference - Pella, IA
www.whiteprivilegeconference.com
Bay Area Newswire
April 12, 2003

he 4th Annual White Privilege Conference at Central College in Pella, IA opened on April 19, 2003 with opening speaker Tim Wise setting the tone for the conference.

Actor/Comedian, Carl Raye performed double duty as a speaker and performing his one man play at the conference banquet on Thursday night. Raye spoke at the break-out session on Thursday afternoon where he enthralled the audience with his message of "white" on "white" discrimination, and the negative impact that white males in power have upon white Americans. Raye focused on the saving & loan scandals and mergers to he Enron and corporate scandals and the downsizing of corporations.

The highlight of the conference was the performance of his one-man play, "A Killing In Choctaw." Scheduling the play during the conference banquet in lure of a speaker was the idea of Eddie Moore, Jr., Director of Intercultural Life at Central College and the conference organizer. Moore said, "I knew the play was awesome. I saw him speak and perform in the fall of 2002. His message and play were a perfect fit for WPC4. Mr. Raye is more than an actor. He is a survivor of the Civil Rights Era and a role model. Adding his personally story really fit right in with the conference's message and focus: understanding, respecting and connecting.

The play is a biography the chronicles the incredible struggle to success of a young black man from Alabama after witnessing the brutal murder of his father and how forgiveness changed his life. In 1962 while being questioned by a white man, Raye responded "yes" and "no" instead of the customary "yes sir" and "no sir". The young man was severely beaten the man for being disrespectful. An hour later the man, still enraged, went to Raye' s home and shot his father eight times.

Raye takes his audience on a journey through his horrendous family tragedy, sprinkled with his unique down-home comedy, he present an abject lesson on racism in America. The audience rides and emotional roller coaster that runs the gamut of sadness, anger, fear, hostility, frustration, despair and humor. Through his talent as a stand-up comedian he is able to help the audience escape his severe pain by injecting comedy routines throughout the performance.

Moore said, "I wish every American had an opportunity to see the play. The play redefines the meaning of the power of forgiveness and spirituality. I have extended an invitation to Mr. Raye to participate in the 2004 White Privilege Conference."