The issue of race has plagued the United States since its beginnings. Although strides have been made, we have still failed to come to terms with it. During the Clinton administration, many hoped for a national dialogue on race, but it did not occur in any significant way. Some want to believe that a “post-racial” America came into being with the election of Barack Obama as president, and yet that is far from the reality.
Some recent events point to the fact that our conversation on race may even be regressing. As commemorations of the Civil War sesquicentennial begin, many want to reshape that chapter of our history to minimize the role of slavery in the divide of our nation. News commentators continue, on occasion, to make racial remarks about Obama: as recently as June, Eric Bolling of Fox Business commented on “hoods in the hizzy,” and when a leader from another nation visited Obama, the question was raised whether they were discussing diplomatic issues or playing basketball. Yet there is no major outcry about this. No public disgust. Only a few lone voices even noticed.
So the conversation about race in America has nearly come to a halt—and, in some cases, shifted into reverse. Why?
Several factors may play a role. There is no national agenda to address racism in America, and little leadership or voice on the issue. From the White House to organizations to schools, people have gone underground with voicing their concerns about the gap that still exists for People of Color in the United States. White American liberals who once marched alongside African Americans and other People of Color have slipped back into their own worlds of comfort (for some) and economic struggle (for others) – not seeing across the racial divide to how they are impacting People of Color. In many ways, People of Color have given up hope that white America cares or will listen. There continues to be a deepening of the mistrust across racial groups that has been inherent in America’s racial dynamic. After the legacy of slavery, Jim Crow, and institutionalized racism, African Americans do not see any evidence that white Americans are open to having a conversation about race or taking actions that will lead to substantive change.
Differences in perception also factor into the equation. Typically, for people in a privileged or “one up” position, many white Americans see no reason to bring up issues of race, because “everything is fine the way it is.” According to many if not most white Americans, the United States has come so far in race relations that the need for the conversation has disappeared—especially when compared with the need for discussions on issues such as the economy and health care.
Many African Americans and other People of Color have a different perspective altogether. As people impacted daily by the vestiges of institutionalized racism, they see the extent to which racism remains embedded in U.S. systems, institutions, and attitudes. Many see little or no progress in race relations and find it difficult to believe that any conversation will make an impact. Meanwhile, they experience daily the economic disparities attached to race, with substantially higher rates of foreclosure (8 percent compared with 4.5 percent of whites, according to a 2010 study of recent borrowers) and unemployment (8 percent for African Americans versus 4 percent for whites, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health).
The sheer difficulty of the conversation may also account for the lack of discussion on race. Whites continue to feel blamed and are unclear what they can do to create change. People of Color continue to feel frustrated and not heard when they bring up issues of systemic discrimination. Whites often want to look at the issue on an individual level (“I don’t discriminate”) whereas People of Color often will see the impact of race and racism at the group level (“This happens on a daily basis because of the biases and discrimination that still exist in our systems”). It takes hard work to untangle the effects of racial differences and the role they play in our lives as whites and People of Color.
As a society, we have made significant progress in race relations, and we have a long way to go. But it will be difficult to move forward unless we bring all our differences to the table for a sustained national conversation in which all perspectives are heard. This conversation cannot simply replicate the dialogue of the 1960s. Rather, it must take into account the changes since then: the progress we have made, the elements of racism that still permeate our society, the perception (held by many People of Color) that whites won’t change, the desire (on the part of whites) to believe we are in a post-racial America, the simple fact of how deeply ingrained racism is in our thinking and mindsets.
In short, we need to come together differently – sitting on the same side of the table to find ways to address the vestiges of institutional racism together. Collectively and through dialogue, we must come to terms with understanding the price we all are paying by dragging around the legacy of race and racism.
How important is this conversation? Why has it virtually disappeared? What can we do to restore it? What shape should it take?
What do you think?
Editors Note: For a free downloadable PDF of this file click here and select the Add to Cart button.
Author Bio: Judith H. Katz, Ed.D.
For more than 30 years, Judith H. Katz, Ed.D., has helped Fortune 100 companies address systemic barriers, foster inclusive interactions through the 12 Inclusive Behaviors, leverage diversity, and foster strategic culture change. As Executive Vice President for The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Inc.—one of Consulting magazine’s Seven Small Jewels in 2010—Judith has created numerous breakthrough concepts in organization development and transformation, including (with Frederick A. Miller) Inclusion as the HOWSM as a foundational mindset for higher performance. The author of the landmark book White Awareness: Handbook for Anti-Racism Training, she has co-authored (with Frederick A. Miller) The Inclusion Breakthrough: Unleashing the Real Power of Diversity and Be BIG: Step Up, Step Out, Be Bold. In 2007, Profiles in Diversity Journal named her one of 40 Pioneers of Diversity.
Comments
I believe this article
I believe this article addresses many issues that are clearly true but we very well look pass it. It is well said that we sweep racism under the rug not bringing it up as we ought too. The statistics in the employment rate shouldn't be that way. If racism hasn't even come close too going away how long will it eventually take? I believe there will always be racism but there are many ways too reduce its affects on society and economically. I believe we just have too address the racism problems now as we speak then sweeping it under the rug.
Racism Today
I definitely agree with all the racism problems that were addressed in the article. Racism is still here in America, and it’s sad to say that through all these years not that much change has been made. Many people have already stated that when Obama came into office, several Americans were shocked that he succeeded in doing so. Yet, in the days before Obama came into office seemed like every American was ready for change. When Obama won the presidency, many white Americans ignored the victory. People from all different cultures witness racism in their everyday lives without trying to correct the issue. Americans boast about being equal and just, but their actions do not illustrate that equality. We need to be that change even if that change only occurs in your own community. Unity is what builds a sturdy foundation for change in this next generation.
Advocating for Equality
I concur with your view that we need to unify in order to bring about change. Of course, there will always be those in society with the most to lose in terms of power and privilege who will fight against diversity at all costs. The more the rest of us openly talk about our societal problems and potential solution around the topic of racism, the closer we will come to being a civilization of true egalitarianism. Discussions of race and the importance of advocating for equality, even if you think it doesn’t directly affect you, are absolutely essential. Equality for all people in terms of race, gender, and sexual orientation would benefit us all.
Not to be ignored!
I think that it is so important to talk about race relations here in the United States. Many times we keep out mouths shut because of fear and sometimes ignorance. I know one reason why I don't talk about racial issues is because I don't want to step on anyone's toes. As American's, most of us are conditioned to at least try to be politically correct. We graze past issues such as religion, morals, education, and race, in order to keep people around us happy. However, just because you ignore an issue doesn't mean it will go away. More often than not, ignoring the problem, such as the issue of race, will do nothing but increase the problem. History has shown us time and time again with things such as war, poverty, and disease, that it takes individuals to change things.
The Obvious
Still to this day there is no comfortable dialogue about racism in America. So we people just sweep it under the rug. After hearing that Obama won presidents millions of White and African Americans were furies about the results. The whites were mad because there was a "black man", in one of the most powerful position our there but they fail to realize he's not "black" but multicultural. African Americans were mad because people true colors appeared after it was announced, I even lost two supposed friends during this amazing time. We have become lazy and mindless people to work together in creating dialogues for racism; this is not only between Blacks and Whites but for other ethnicity as well.
The Discution on Race
I think it is important to realize that the discussion on race is changing, not disappearing. As society progresses and generations grow old and are replaced by new ones, the discussion has no choice but to change along with the current social structure. Today's youth did not and do not grow up amongst the same social constructs of race that existed in the past. Though the issue still exists and prejudice and discrimination still plague members of our society, the structure of the discussion is completely different than it was in the fifties or sixties or even the eighties. Today's youth, specifically today's white youth such as myself, grow up in the most forward thinking society that the country has seen so far. Because of that, there is a much larger disconnect from the sins of slavery committed by those who came long before us. My parents grew up closer to the issue of segregation and I will have grown up closer to it than my children and so on. The reason it seems to be fading is that with each passing decade, the wrongs of the past are being corrected however slowly it may be. Arguments such as the speed, or lack there of, of such progression and correction are a different point all together, but the fact remains that race and its influence on society still exists its merely changing identity.
Today
Today many people might say that they are not a racist, but in reality they are. They night not show it but it is implied. All my life I have experienced implied racism. Your friends in your face, but behind closed doors you are considered an outsider. Racism is not just aimed towards African Americans but towards all races. Is it still a problem today? Yes, it will always be a problem in this country. Even with the first every elected African American president, we sill face a challenge ahead of us. We have to look around and see who's your bosses boss and who runs your school. If you don't go to college in this country the chances of making it in the real world are slim.
The Blind Eyes Toward Racism
I believe racism is still alive today, but due to the strides of freedom most of the prejudice has been ignored because America today has the passive mindset to cover up issues. There are many different stereotypes that contributes to this topic is how serious it could get in politic. Politically this topic can get your hands dirty so most just turn an blind eye to the issue.
Pages