Race In America: Unpacking The Invisible Knapsack
October 2, 2010
Race and how it turns the volume up on politics has been a source of several contentious posts on this blog over time. The last such one was this week when I tried to provide some reason as to why there is so much angst in this nation in 2010 among white people. Some clearly did not agree, and that is fine. The important part of any such discussion is the mere fact people are talking and thinking. The matter of race has always been a source of struggle. It will continue to be until we honestly talk this stuff through.
After writing my post I was emailed a YouTube video that I think is most remarkable. As such, it gets some airing here. I also hope it gets some serious reflection.
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amazing.
Too often when confronted with a thorny issue….pick one…..people often have quick off-the-top-of-the head reactions. Those reactions are like preset radio stations in a car. So when there is an opportunity to sit down and have a discussion and varying points of an issue are brought up there is an opportunity to learn and grow. And form new ideas.
An example.
Fifteen years I was opposed to allowing non-citizens the ability to get drivers licenses. But after conversations with those directly impacted, learning more of the transportation safety/crash stats of unlicensed drivers, and hearing views that differed from mine. etc. I came to the conclusion I was wrong.
I think that is a good example of what I am talking about when I wrote, “The important part of any such discussion is the mere fact people are talking and thinking.” Too often we think the ‘presets’ are never wrong.
Secondly, we do not talk about race enough. Real from the gut chats.
Example.
Back in (1988…1990?) the Democrats did a massive survey on voter attitudes. Some of those polled were then later followed up with a longer interview type questioning. One of the things I recall from the results was the resentment about air conditioning in residences of black people when the white person (the one being surveyed) had no air-conditioning. It struck me then, and as I type this now, as truly odd and not so much an economic matter as a racial one. Why would that stick out in someones mind to mention to a pollster? The reason it mattered to the poll was that white America was paying taxes (blacks only get hand-outs naturally) and so ‘why should I not have air conditioning when they do’…..you get the point of where the poll was trying to warn Democrats.
But it is that type of under the radar type emotion and thought pattern people do not voice enough as we do not really have the ideal manner (forum) to talk about it. Granted, it makes all uncomfortable, but until we get through some of this a nation nothing will be be settled. This is all akin to seeing a shrink and beign honest and working through the internal issues that confront us and hinder our forward developement.
Black people have a list of equall resentments in the other direction.
Most of all these from both sides go untouched because we want to think we (as a city, state, nation) are above all that. We are healed from the past.
In Madison there are many who think there is no divide. But I can assure you there is a very wide gulf in this liberal city. Problem is too many care not to truly address it.
When I see almost no black people at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, Art on the Square, free band concerts, Olbrich Gardens….etc…it is very clear to me there are two Madisons.
But we don’t talk about it.
As one who disagreed with your claims that white men were upset that in some distant future, they would be in the minority, I have two questions–honest questions. First: how can it be an important part of any such discussion is the mere fact people are talking and thinking? This is a confusing statement, and people are not talking, just accusing. Secondly, who decides what honest conversation is? The left? When we use race as a political tool, we do nothing to solve the problem.
Here’s my reflections: Having been robbed at gun-point twice, walking alone in black neighborhoods late at night makes me nervous. I still sometimes walk them. I constantly worry that my African American students will see me as a racist, so I provide them feedback differently than I do other students which makes me racist. WhenI was younger I had african american friends over all the time which makes me not racist. I dated an african american woman and had a severe crush on her which means I’m human. I feel sad that so many of my african american students come from single parent homes. This means I love my father and know how little I’d be without him. I think you are scum if you bring a child into the world and then abandon that child and the mother. I think it is sick anyone would take an “I’m okay, you’re okay” attitude toward this behavior. I think minority groups hold equally negative stereotypes about other minority groups and about majority groups. I think the balance of power is situational. I regularly collaborate with african american members of the faculty. I think people enjoy the racial divide in america because it allows them to feel they are morally superior. My children play with the african american girls which live behind us. They like goldfish.