RK ARCHIVE - P2008: It's Time To Address Racism

I probably should have written about a topic like this closer to Martin Luther King's Birthday. However, it's something we all think about and never really talk about. We can talk about religion, difference in political views, etc. But are we afraid to talk about something that is boiling just beneath the surface?

Yes, racism is still very alive in this country and the world for that matter.
Americans believe racism isn't an issue anymore because we think the civil war and civil rights movement of the 60's may have solved these racial tensions that boil just beneath the surface only to be seen when the situation and individual may be out of control.

We have seen this with the recent Michael Richards incident. We have heard the shocking statements of politicians whether it be former Senator George Allen or former Senator Conrad Burns. Or even more striking were recent statements from Virginia lawmakers Congressman Virgil Goode and Frank Hargrove.

This has always been something I think about frequently. This is probably because just like Barack Obama & Bill Richardson I am of mixed heritage. Mostly Hispanic I have never really identified with any single race. But, I have experienced racism first hand. I ask myself, why do we in 2007 still have racism that is so prevalent even if it can't be seen?

We need to revisit the national conversation about race in this country, since the last 2 major time periods of discussion about race were very different. First, during the Civil War the conversation was about slaves. Second, during the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's the conversation was about equal legal rights.

But, it would seem to me that after the Civil Rights bill was passed in 1964 most of the questions about race were never answered. We haven't finished that conversation, we haven't addressed some issues. There are many issues like economic disparity and how to resolve past transgressions.

Something happened yesterday to a friend of mine, who is a young white lady from Northern Virginia. Her friends decided to celebrate a young man's birthday at the ESPN Zone in Washington DC. If anyone isn't familiar with Washington DC it's probably visually one of the most racially divided cities in America. At one end very wealthy and well to do whites, at the other very poor blacks.

She and her friends were waiting for service in that restaurant and she felt that because they were an all white group and those who worked at the restaurant were all black, that there was tension underneath the surface between customers and those who had to serve them.

Being someone who is young like me, race is not an issue to her. At least she thinks so, but I really believe race is still an issue to all of us. It is especially an issue to minorities who confront it every day.

We both agreed it's time to restart that national dialogue between races in this country. It can't come from a White American (as we seen Howard Dean attempt this in '04) so it would best coming from an American who is a minority.

Barack Obama & Bill Richardson. Someone needs to address race in this country, someone needs to finish this debate we started so long ago. Someone, needs to help heal this country's wounds and help move all of us forward. Barack Obama has already staked his fame on unity. Most people agree he's missing a serious issue to talk about during his campaign other than Iraq. Bill Richardson is the great diplomat and uniter.

He can begin to talk about race. Leadership on this issue could help us in a way that previous Presidential candidates who campaigned on race hurt us as a nation. The time is now.

Comments

Not sure it's Obama (Vivian J. Paige - 1/21/2007 1:30:57 PM)

I don't know that Obama is the one to lead this conversation. Although he is half black, he was raised primarily in a white environment. As the result, I'm not sure he understands black America. (Much like Colin Powell, BTW.) So his approach to the issue of racism is, unfortunately, from a mainly white perspective.

Interestingly enough, this was pointed out this morning on one of the TV shows (I've forgotten which).

I do agree that race and racism are issues that we have not talked about enough. But I disagree that it has to come from a minority. I think it has to come from white America, because, unfortunately, in order for it to be accepted as a part of the necessary conversation, it has to come from those in power. Until whites took up the cause of civil rights, it was ignored. That's just the way it is.

not sure I follow you (Jambon - 1/21/2007 7:41:24 PM)

First you say "I don't know that Obama is the one to lead this conversation" because you aren't sure "he understands black America". But then you say for the discussion to be accepted it must come from "white America".

Your first line of reasoning (about Obama) implies the conversation should started by a black person. You're second argument says it needs to be started by a white person.

I voted for "Iraq is more important" (DanG - 1/21/2007 7:54:25 PM)

Racism is definitely a problem and must be dealt with. Preferably sooner than later. However, men and women of all races and religions are dying in a foreign country for a war we need not fight. I think that our first priority should be getting our troops home.

Separate issues (Vivian J. Paige - 1/22/2007 12:01:25 AM)

1. Obama is seen as black but was he raised as such? From all that I have read, the answer is no. So, he doesn't understand the black community well enough to be a spokesperson.
2. The Civil Rights movement wasn't taken seriously until whites joined the fight. The discussion on race won't be taken seriously until whites take up the fight. Far too many whites think that racism is a figment of our imagination.

National Dialogues versus Everyday One-on-One Dialogue (joe8track - 1/21/2007 11:10:17 PM)

I remember Bill Clinton's Initiative on Race. I remember a lot of criticism that the conversations only covered the tip of the iceberg. I came away from them thinking that at least it was a start. I can understand the current need for some organized forum on the issue on racism. What I hope for more is that individuals confront racism on a daily basis. We shouldn't wait for any one leader or groups to sponsor a discussion. Its about questioning statements or jokes. Its about questioning institutionally how some folks are discriminated against. Its about learning about this country's history. And more importantly its about learning about your neighbors and respecting them as equal brothers and sisters.

In regard to Barack, he had a very colorful growing up - Hawaii is a true melting pot; Indonesia must have been an adventure; New York, New York and Southside Chicago. I do agree with Vivian, though.