Race
Published October 7, 2016
by Tom Campbell, Executive Producer and NC SPIN moderator, October 6, 2016.
The first step in resolving any conflict or problem is to admit that you have one. Let’s admit that we have a race problem. Not only is it divisive, but it is killing us – literally and figuratively - impeding our progress and overall welfare.
Half a century after The Civil Rights Act (1964), The Voting Rights Act (1965) and legislation dealing with housing and employment we have failed to achieve the goals Dr. Martin Luther King elaborated in his “I Have a Dream” speech. We passed laws but attitudes and prejudice obviously haven’t improved as much as many hoped and may even be worsening.
Whether we Caucasians want to admit it or not the road to better incomes and conditions is much rockier for African Americans than it is for us. There is now, as it has always been, white privilege and we can talk all we want about equal opportunity, achievement through hard work and level playing fields but it isn’t completely equal.
Let us agree that the vast majority of men and women in law enforcement are good people earnestly trying to ensure our safety, but people of color are more likely to be stopped while driving and given citations in larger percentages than are whites. People of color are more often involved in shootings and violent crimes. They belong to gangs in greater percentages. People of color receive harsher court sentences and represent a larger percentage of the prison population than do whites. They dropout of school in higher rates, forcing them into lower skilled, lower paying jobs. Single-parent homes are too prevalent.
There is evidence of racial prejudice and even hatred among all races. It’s no wonder we can’t even talk to each other about race. Conversations quickly turn emotional, inflammatory, include code words and racial undertones. Blacks don’t trust whites, whites distrust blacks and both have issues with Hispanics. And when we hear elected officials like Congressman Robert Pittenger making comments that are obviously racially biased it only fuels the fires of prejudice, distrust and hatred. Talking about the recent riots and racial problems in Charlotte Pittenger told a BBC interviewer, “The grievance in their mind is – the animus, the anger – they hate white people because white people are successful and they’re not.” Statements like these should repulse whites, but understandably reinforce the beliefs among minorities that they are considered inferior.
Before things escalate further we need to stop the battle among the races and open meaningful, unemotional and fair-minded dialogue. Those of all races must begin with the acceptance of and responsibility for attitudes and practices that disrupt racial harmony, promote discrimination and prevent equal opportunity. Each must redouble efforts to repair trust and improve the status-quo. Not only must they respectfully speak their truths but also be active listeners to hear the positions of others. It cannot be a one-way street, but if people of goodwill come together and charitably and humbly accept responsibility and pledge to work for the betterment of all we can find ways to improve racial harmony and the wellbeing for all.
We are not and never have been a homogeneous society. That’s not the goal, but we can and must be better than we currently are. There are enough issues for us to fight without fighting each other.
October 8, 2016 at 10:44 am
Richard L Bunce says:
First step is to recognize the science of the last several decades... as the Federal government has in it's guidelines on race in place since the 90s. There are no races in our species. Race is a social construct based on self identification. When the US Constitution Amendments and the CRA and VRA addressing race were written, the science was not nearly as clear. So we have Federal law that uses self identification data from the US Census to measure and redraw Congressional and Legislative Districts as well as regulate housing, medicine, education, spending, etc. That is no way to run a railroad but here we are. It also plays into the minds of the still considerable number of people who believe there are races in our species, that there are inherent difference in groups of people making some genetic superior to other groups of people. This is almost entirely based on looks and not actual instincts/intelligence that might indicate significant inherent differences. Although for some odd reason red haired green eyed with matching skin tone persons do not have their own "race"... although in FB with it's many possible genders (also now a social construct based on self identification) there are likely also many possible races to be.
Hopefully in time the difference in looks will be reproduced out with our now global community and perhaps even genetic engineering. If parents can select the looks of their children and perhaps even adults change their looks to reflect themselves... the even now antiquated notion of race will be finally forgotten.
October 12, 2016 at 7:33 pm
L R Jordan says:
I did not particularly care for this article. There is definitly equal opportunity in this country. It doesn't matter what your background is or was, you are able to rise through the ranks if the desire is there. There is truth behind the phrase, "if there is a will there is a way." But people like to hold themselves back and not even strive for something better and blame it on racism like its some excuse. The "white man" is not holding you back. Show me the person who is literally holding an african american back, who is somehow physically keeping them from working, from getting a raise, or from getting into school, and I will gladly call the authorities to help.
I hate the term white privilege. Nothing was ever handed to me just because I was white. But yet, there is something called affirmitve action that gives a positon to a minority just for being a minority. Skill and knowledge is completely thrown out the window. If a white person was given a position just because they were white, you would never hear the end of it.
Just because more blacks are in prison than whites does not mean that the penal system is racist. Blacks make up just 13-14% of the population but commit over 50% of the homicides in this country.
I am not going to take "...acceptance of," or take "responsibility for attitudes and practices that disrupt racial harmony..." if it is not from my mouth or own actions. I am only responsible for myself. I will not mope around and walk with shame because of something someone else did or said. All we can do is learn from our past or our wrongdoings. We are products of our environment. If children are being raised that their failures or below average living conditions are because of oppression or racsim then this blame game will continue. Change can not come about with just one side making the attempts.
