A Volatile Conversation: Race in America (Part II)

[Alex Luboff]

Note for the readers: This is Part II in a two-part series about race. The first part is "Part I: The Misconceptions"

"Part II: The Solutions"

Some say that government is not the instrument of change in society; that for change to truly occur, it must take place in 'the streets'. I would argue, however, that we need both institutional and cultural movements in order to truly make change.

Without the societal movement, there is no ground for addressing the issues institutionally, but when it comes to formal representation of ideas in government, empowerment of the people has to be delivered by those who make the rules. It is part of the balancing act of democracy, and it is the best way to actually solve problems as substantial as racial tension.

Politicians have gotten very good at playing on our fears, but those that dare to inspire us are also those that can lead us to a better life. However, this is not to say that we need blind hope; that certainly is not the case. The greatest hope we have must come with a realistic vision and a pragmatic approach to changing the status quo. The reality stands that no law that could be passed would solve every issue we have with race, but there are things that we can do to raise awareness and sensitivity to the issues concerning the underrepresented and disenfranchised populations of our country.

The problem that we are looking to conquer is not finding out who to blame, but rather it is a challenge of our tolerance and intellect to be called forth to rise above the mistakes and prejudices of our ancestors, no matter who we are. It is our collective burden. And unless we can agree on proper and respectful terms of discussion and work in a multi-partisan fashion, because there aren't just two sides to the race issue, we could no longer hope for a solution. We would all retreat to our self-imposed partitions instead of coming together in an American identity.

Some people may despise this opinion, calling it erroneous or perhaps even irrational. Some may not consider it to be an issue politically or culturally, while others don't want to think about it at all. Still others may think that I am just plain old wrong.

But when a white person wants to talk about race and is labeled odd or insensitive, or if that white person has to feel guilty when expressing their opinions, it's an issue.

Or when a black pastor takes center stage in a major political debate for saying things that, if the "white equivalent" of what he said in a black church were to come out of a white pastor's mouth in a white church, there would have been little to no media coverage of it. When that happens, it's an issue.

Or when a personal interest in the long history of racism can be misconstrued as actual feelings due to the volatility of the subject of race in this country, it's an issue.

When a major news outlet can get away with calling a Presidential candidate's wife his "Baby Mama" or talk about a gesture between husband and wife as the "terrorist fist bump," it's an issue.

Or when, at a gathering in a Chicago suburb, the N-word is used repeatedly and passively by a doctor and a lawyer, it's an issue.

Or when I hear a group of students at the university that I love saying that the minority students that attend their school "got in only because of Affirmative Action" and that they "didn't have the grades", it's an issue.

When things like this happen, race proves still to be an issue. It's a secret and yet still venomous assault of which many people may not take notice. While it doesn't occur in overt forms of hatred, such as the Ku Klux Klan or public lynching, as much anymore, it's happening in word choice in simple conversation or in the private attitudes that people express only to their closest of friends.

This is the new kind of racism in America. It isn't that it is "new", but more that it is now being ushered in as fairly mainstream and not being properly addressed. "Silent racism" is an old problem that is now the main force of this attitude.

I don't expect this piece to change lives. I don't expect this piece to change much of anything. However, I guess that my hope is that people will seriously question their own perspectives and examining other cultures of our great country. It doesn't happen from observing alone, but it comes through experiencing what a certain culture is really about. Part of the reason that segregation was so bad was because it committed the un-American error of avoiding a difficult situation by opting for ignorance. Diversity is the greatest gift of democracy, for we do not thrive without the clashing of ideas.

In our increasingly global society, we cannot progress without addressing our inconsiderate outlooks. We think that progress might be happening, but it is not; our racially insensitive views are only being hidden. It is only when one creates tolerance through understanding that change and acceptance can help to open up the hearts that had been closed by small-mindedness.

It is, in fact, very American to confront conflict head-on, and to establish real relationships with those who differ from us in any myriad of ways. When we confront superficiality, we are grasping our common bond; the
belief that all men, no matter our skin color or ethnic background, should be treated equally in our liberties.

-------------------------------------------------------------

What do you all think about these issues? Do you agree or disagree with Alex's points? What do you think does/doesn't need to be done in America when it comes to race?

[IUBalla512]

Being aware that the problem still exists is the first step to solving it. It's not fun to realize that it is still well and alive (even if it is buried a little bit deeper), but we have to face it head-on if we are going to continue to progress.

[Purcupile]

Alex your essay is very thought provoking, I am sure it is equally provoking on all sides of the issue of racism. In order to provide an insite into my perspective I will share a little about myself. White, male, 63, graduate of Indiana University. I do not consider myself a racist, however I do think I have some bigoted views. My bigotry is directed more at what I perceive to be ignorance than anything else.

But before I address that subject I want to state that my opinions of Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther Jr. King are apparently very different than I took yours to be. Dr. King was a man of peace, who even while he protested (many things besides racism) he did it in a peaceful non-violent manner yet died violently at the hands of an ignorant career criminal. Nelson Mandela also spent his life protesting apartheid repression in South Africa, he did it in non-peaceful and violent manner.

Now to your question regarding what I think needs to be done in America regarding race. In a word...communication. Communication in a different way than I think you might first think...speech. Not just speech of ethnic groups in our country, but also of white people.

To use an over-used yet accurate phrase...perception is reality. As I mentioned earlier I am bigoted towards ignorance, and when I apply perception to that, then I find that often many blacks, as well as other races sound ignorant. I won't go into other races as it becomes too fractured to make redundant points, however the same basic situation exists.

Generally both races, in my opinion, view people who are successful...especially resourceful people, regardless of their race, who use their minds and hard work to achieve success, in a more positive light than those who are not successful.

Now if young black children are not taught to speak and pronounce words properly...I say taught, when I should say "made to speak" then those children are going out into the world at a severe disadvantage. They are not as able to get a job (that another person of any race) may get simply because they better spoken and thus more easliy understood. Ebonics plays a negative role in the future earning ability of black children. In my opinion, Ebonics is a different language than business English...and face it a persons job is their business, regardless of what the job is. It is a language that should be used in the home, or neighborhood...but not in school, or business (unless of course it is an ethnic business where the use of that manner of speaking is the norm).

It is much like my wife who I met at Indiana University was a Cuban refugee. She had lived in the U.S.A. for about 7 years when I met her, yet she spoke perfect English...oh sure she had an accent but she spoke eloquently and clearly. While many other Cubans in Little Havana, in Miami made little effort to learn to be understood they found that their earning abilities were depressed in spite of the fact that they had been professional people in Cuba.

White leaders should equally insist on children learning to speak properly. However it is my "perception" that a much large percentage of black youth need to be brought-up to the same level of communication skills to meet their personal aspirations of success.

I might suggest a survey that you could conduct to demonstrate my point of view. You sound as if you are a student and thus more likely than I to be able to conduct it.

Gather a number of people from different races who speak clearly and eloquently...the degree of which should range and mix in people from different cultures who are less clear and eloquent. Ask those taking your survey different questions about the perception of the different voices. Things like does this sound like an honest person? Do you think you would enjoy working with this person? Would you be able to react to this persons leadership? Would you like to know this person socially? So on and so forth.

I'll close this by saying the most important aspect of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech was that everyone who heard, and hears it today understands what he meant with each eloquent word he spoke.

Black leaders should insist

[David Burkart]

Originally Posted by Purcupile

Gather a number of people from different races who speak clearly and eloquently...the degree of which should range and mix in people from different cultures who are less clear and eloquent. Ask those taking your survey different questions about the perception of the different voices. Things like does this sound like an honest person? Do you think you would enjoy working with this person? Would you be able to react to this persons leadership? Would you like to know this person socially? So on and so forth.

Not sure if you were finished with your post, but you make some great points, Purcupile. That sounds like a great communications study, for sure.

For the finished product, I think that boundaries would need to be set and disclaimers would need to be made regarding the definitions of "business English" to keep everything scientific and so that the experimenter doesn't come off as bigoted.

I think your point about communication being the source of success is a great one, but I would limit it to the workplace. Otherwise, what about preserving one's cultural heritage? Of course, we're all 'Mericans, but people cannot completely deny the vernacular they grew up with.

[Purcupile]

David
Well I was finished...at least I had written enough to get my point across. I am not someone who has studied the art of doing surveys and all of the ramifications that are inherent it getting accurate and non-distorted results.

I was simply using the term "business English" to get to where I wanted to be without a long-winded description. Certainly I recognize that anyone doing a survey would need to cover all of those bases.

I agree completely with you about preserving the cultural heritage of every individual and family. That was really one of the main points I wanted to make but apparently didn't do so well with that. I think, however, that as people became more familiar with "correct English" or "Merican" as you put it, that they would switch between their 2 languages dependent on who they were speaking with or to. For instance, a non-business situation might be a student in college making a presentation or speech. When addressing an older person or even a police officer in a demonstration of respect. That is what we all want, I believe, respect...and in my opinion is more quickly earned by proper speech.

It is not all about ethnic groups...I live in Central Florida and there are a lot of "crackers" who I would not hire because of the way they speak. If they are going to say "ain't" and "got no" etc. when I'm interviewing them, then how are they going to speak to my customers. Incidently, I have hired some great employees from people working in fast food or other restaurants because I observed people speaking to, and treating me the way I would want my customers to be treated,

[David Burkart]

Understood- you have a great point. I have a lot of incredibly fluent, well-spoken friends...though, I can't say they would be so well-versed if they weren't afforded a college education. Isn't the ability to go to college somewhat related to ones speech? What do you think??

Oh, by the way, wasn't being sarcastic about whether you were done posting...in your 1st post, your final sentence was "Black leaders should insist" and thought it may have been cut off...

[iuhoosiers17]

It all comes down to early education, I think. Not just in language and communication but in math, science, everything. The fact is that there's still a significant achievement gap between minorities and Caucasians, and that affects all the issues mentioned above. We need to find a way to get under-educated kids of all races the education that they need to succeed at home, in the workplace, and in life.

[Purcupile]

You are correct iuhoosiers17...there is no magic solution, it is a stew of ingredients but there is peer pressure and family values that are perhaps the 2 most important ingredients in the pot. In my opinion etnic leaders (not just political, but social, athletic, teachers all need to speak out and attempt to make examples of successful ethnic people young and old, who in return reinforce the point that they succeeded, in part, due to an ability they learned in early school and at home to speak as a successful person.

It is like getting dressed if you take off your everyday clothes and put on a new sharp outfit...you feel better about yourself. If you work hard your feel better about earning your paycheck, if you speak more eloquently you feel better about yoursel...and on and on. Self esteem...Bill Cosby has addressed this issue many times. And I think the family values for the caucasian kids is more established than with a lot of black families...it all starts at home. Teachers of all ethnicities need to speak more clearly and eloquently...if you have a teacher who doesn't they send the message that you don't have to to be successful. The ethnic community must demand that their children's teachers and mentors lead by example.