In this speech, given at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Education on April 22, 2005, Professor Payne discusses the complexity of race relations in the Chicago School System. He begins by defining the racial baggage carried by both white and black individuals in the school system, and continues to address the following issues: (1) the impact of race relations on the effectiveness of external partnerships; (2) the use of race as a signifier of intelligence; (3) differences in the disciplinary styles of white vs. black teachers; (4) the notion of "whiteness" as a universalist, colonialist attitude toward school reform; (5) overcoming racial hostilities in parents and professionals and students' use of race as a weapon; and (6) the importance of trust in the ultimate success of external partnerships. (Contains 7 footnotes.) [This speech was published in part by the University of Illinois at Chicago.]