Room for Debate,,,, HBCU,,,,, BLACK IN AMERICA ,,,,,,, (1031 hits)
An article in The New York Times this week quoted a prosecutor in Detroit as saying that race relations seemed more troubled than ever: “I think when the president was elected it became much more overt.” Is she right?
Have racial tensions in the U.S. changed since Obama was elected? For better or for worse?
As a civil rights and employment lawyer in Charlotte, N.C., I can say that racial tensions or the overt expressions of racial disharmony are more prevalent than ever. It’s sad to admit, but from my vantage point in my practice and everyday interactions it has become more commonplace in the past five years to hear and see open expressions of racial discord.
I have met with many people over the past several years who have described situations especially in the workplace in which open dislike for President Obama has led to other open discussions about racial differences and people expressing themselves in ways that are counterproductive to our society. Comments like “now you have one of your own in the White House, you think you have rights” reflect passions of a segment of our country that now believes we have achieved racial equality and the expression has no limits anymore.
These situations span the spectrum of our country – from blue collar to the well-heeled. These expressions of dislike and disdain are prevalent, in my experience, more prevalent since the election of the president.
The last decade has brought big changes, both positive and negative. Our nation elected its first African-American president, but also is enduring one of its worst economic slumps. In times of great happiness or despair we should remain steadfast in our efforts to reach across the racial and socioeconomic divides. When we tear down instead of build up, everyone loses.
Friday, November 29th 2013 at 7:34PM
DAVID JOHNSON
I looked up the definition of racism and Webster says: 1) a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race 2) racial prejudice or discrimination.
I understand that we have come to use the word exclusively here in the US as discrimination of people of color but racism refers to sterotyping or discrimination of any group. But that's one of my points, that we refuse to acknowledge that groups other than whites can be racist. People can view themselves as superior for a variety of reasons, not just economically, it can be "morally".
Your objection might be that since people of color have not typically had as much control, then it is not important whether they are racist or not. But since things have changed and there are influential powerful people of color, and we hope there are more, then whether they prefer people like themselves, discriminate etc. is important. I know that there was a long history of white racism but there has been a systematic effort to eradicate it. So it is disheartening that not all people are leaving racism behind.
Friday, November 29th 2013 at 7:52PM
DAVID JOHNSON
