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Race
Relations 2003
By Kevin Johnson
President Bush's recent trip ( 7-08 to 7-11-03) to five African
nations invoked the issues of combating AIDS, terrorism, and
Liberia's violent internal conflict. He addressed the prospect for
improving trade opportunities and prospects for securing stable
oil supplies. In addition, he talked about the centuries old
transatlantic slave trade and the impact of what he called
"one of the greatest crimes in human history".
The president's speech at Goree Island consisted of clear and
strong words condemning the past wrongs while acknowledging that
African Americans helped the U.S. to better understand the meaning
of freedom, citizenship, and the struggle for justice. The speech
contained a healthy heap of good dogma draped over by the flag of
morals and the higher aims of Christianity. He wielded the words
and language of justice, equality, and freedom with great skill
and command.
Action, of course, speaks louder than words. But, the president's
words were sufficiently strong to spark a few commentaries by the
talk show hosts. And, it was sufficient enough to inspire me to
comment as well.
On one talk show there was a call-in guest who, instead of
responding with the sense of sorrow and sympathy that I was
expecting or hoping for, proceeded to basically state that
Africans were destined for slavery in Africa or America anyway.
And, since America is such a superior place to be those folks were
actually better off being slaves here. Another caller disagreed
with that assessment. Then another caller stated that there isn't
a single African American that doesn't consider himself better off
here. This caller went on to state that HE understood how African
Americans feel...
There were a few more callers scrammed in between commercials. One
touched on tribalism in places like Rwanda. The last caller stated
that he married outside of his race and that he did not teach his
children to view themselves solely as Black ( I think that was the
gist of if). He went on to state that you should make the color of
your skin someone else's problem not yours. This was a bit of
advice he attributed to Colin Powell. He stated that Jesse Jackson
and people like him were simply gaining fame and fortune inflaming
racial messages/events everywhere he could.
It struck me that these calls constituted very open and honest
opinions that each caller felt a "calling" to share.
They needed an outlet to vent or share their feelings and
thoughts. Thus, they turned on the radio and listened and then
called in. Perhaps, this was the most effective way for their
voices to be heard.
Race relations are not confined to political speeches,
politicians, activists, talk show hosts, radio programs,
television programs, or newspaper commentaries. In fact, most race
relations take place in the streets, in the shopping centers, in
the schools, in the workplace, in the neighborhoods, etc. Race
relations are a composite of your personal experiences,
interactions, and investigative study ( listening).
I would recommend the book, Racial Sobriety by Rev. Dr. Clarence
Williams Jr, CPPS as a reference for improving awareness and
racial interaction. ( see http://www.ifrfr.org
)
Most of the callers on the radio show seemed to operate from the
base of denial, fear, and anger in regards to the issue. In
contrast, Racial Sobriety suggests ways to go beyond the gates of
anxiety and resistance to change. The road to improving relations
and relationships is one that enables you to have honest
discussions on the subject. There must be a level of trust and
concern for feelings that is present in order to travel down that
path.
I think many fear discussions on race with folks who have a
different opinion. And, I think we don't trust people who don't
think like us on this issue. This does not mean that we need to
throw the history book out of the window and just deal with
opinions and feelings. We must in fact look closely at the history
book and better understand the path that lead us to where we are
so that we may more clearly see the proper path forward.
I believe that guilt is something that White people wish not to be
made to bear much further. There are Blacks in higher positions
making more money than the "average White person". It is
difficult therefore, for the "average White person" to
see why the "average Black person" needs a hand or any
kind of special treatment. Why can't you just be another Colin
Powell or Oprah Winfrey or Bill Cosby? They are Black; and,
they're making it. That shows you that Black people HAVE arrived.
Then you have the myriad of statistics that show poverty levels
and incarceration rates of Blacks and Hispanics and Native
Americans as being exceptionally high. Their entry into higher
education is exceptionally low. All of this is in spite of the
Bill Cosbys, Halle Berrys, and Jennifer Lopezes. Then there are
the educational test scores that are indirectly used to
explain/justify the discrepancy. That will be a topic of further
discussion elsewhere.
The president recognizes that the nation's past dealings with
African Americans has imposed some negative impact on the
conditions of today. However, there is no clear direction on how
to address those conditions. What is the action? Perhaps, dialogue
is sufficient for the moment. But, with the Republican Party being
held in such poor regard by African America one can but wonder
whether he has to got out of his way to try to appear to be
reaching out.
He adopts this noble humanitarian effort to attack AIDS in Africa.
This is a welcome initiative leading up to re-election
campaigning. He could also carry the mission a few steps further
by increasing efforts to eradicate AIDS at home. And, he could log
a few more miles meeting with African American leaders. He could
meet with Black folks right here and make some good speeches right
here followed up with concrete productive action.
For the rest of us common folk, we need not look to the president,
the congress or the Supreme Court solely for addressing race
relations. The answer ultimately resides not on Pennsylvania Ave.
but within the core of our very hearts. Can we commit to
listening, learning, sharing and improving ourselves? Do we have
the courage to take a step in that direction; or, do we leave the
race issue buried in the deep recesses of our souls avoiding the
issue as though it were the plague?
Tragically, we've come to think and act like honest talk about
race will make us sick or sicker. Whereas, if you get the medicine
just right, race discussion can actually make us sober and a few
steps closer to getting "well". |
