I believe racism is virtually non-existent in this country in the normal day-to-day activities of our lives.
Pretty bold statement, huh?
I’m just as sure people experience racism in this country. But I also believe that many experiences people have which they attribute to racism are actually something completely different. Conditioning makes them prone to the assumption that they’re being treated differently because of skin color. And it’s a condition pounded into them daily by folks who have an agenda. What people view as racism is, more times than not, based in social and cultural differences rather than racial.
What people perceive as racism is often the difference we see between liberals and conservatives. It is a question of whom you feel comfortable with, and there are many discriminators in play. For example, when I interview someone with ten body piercings and ragged clothing hanging from their body, I have no interest in associating myself with them. I won’t hire them. They are free to dress how they want. I am free to not associate myself with them. The same goes for language skills. If you can’t speak clearly in a way I can easily understand, why would I want to spend any time with you? You may be extremely intelligent and have ideas and opinions worth hearing, but I’ll never get to that point because you feel I need to adapt myself to you. Listen, if you want me to hear you, try adapting yourself to me. Any class you take on public speaking will tell you the first rule is to size up your audience and tailor your presentation to that audience.
I’m no more comfortable with Bubba Redneck than I am with someone like Snoop Dogg. I would enjoy time spent with Dubya, but not with Kerry. Brit Hume would be a welcome guest in my house, but not Pat Robertson. Jesse Jackson would do well to stay away from my door. But Al Sharpton might be an interesting visit. So would J. C. Watts.
I think that’s true for all of us, even if your particular guest list is exactly opposite mine. The charge of racism falls into place often because of these very differences. If most blacks are Democrats, they would view any discrimination they felt at the hands of Republicans as racism rather than a conflict of social perceptions and beliefs. The Democratic Party is more than happy to play on this belief.
Just because you’re black doesn’t mean you have to be a liberal. That’s racist thinking. Not all caucasians are conservative, now, are they?
Excellent topic and well stated.
Comment by Wallace-Midland Texas — August 12, 2004 @ 10:29 am
Great post, I totally agree with you.
Comment by Carla — August 12, 2004 @ 4:21 pm
I agree. Groups like the NAACP are simply living in the past. They are only relevant in that they are a politcal force, as an intellectual force they are bankrupt. They only still have the political power because they continually sink to new lows of namecalling.
That said, sure, in parts of the US racisim still exists. It also exists in individuals in all parts of the country. But, as you correctly state, “it is not exist in day to day activities.”
And it also exists in both blacks and whites.
Unfortunately as long as groups like the NAACP wield political power the problems of black Americans will not be solved.
Comment by Redhunter — August 13, 2004 @ 8:09 pm