Time for New Approach to Old Problem

Over the past several months, I conducted an informal, non-scientific poll concerning the degree of racism people still believe exist. My questions interrogated white and black Americans alike. I began this effort following the election of President Obama, because I was curious as to whether people believed America moved past racism as a barrier to success.

What I discovered is regrettably the expected answers from both whites and blacks. Nearly to a person, the whites I questioned believe that, in part because of the election of Obama, racism no longer is a valid excuse for failure among blacks or other minorities. Conversely, nearly every black person remarked that while they believe Obama's election is a positive step to ending racism, enough exist to deter and even derail the progress of Black Americans.

To those of us who truly wish to see America progress into a post-racial society, I believe necessary the adoption one very important factor as mantra. We must conclude that the definition of a "post-racial" culture will not include the eradication of racism as a personally held belief. If blacks and whites together believe, that the elimination of racism is necessary in order to "prove" we truly live in a new age; then they may be sadly mistaken.

In his book, "Winning the Race", author John McWhorter quotes Pennsylvania Law Professor Amy Wax who says regarding racism, "In seeking solutions, we must look forward rather than dwell on the past because the way out of the present dilemma may not resemble the path in". What Wax means, and McWhorter supports, is the fact that past racism did leave many black Americans without opportunity and vulnerable to social ill temptation. However, her statement suggests that progression from this state will require work from the victim. If you hit me with a car, leaving me crippled, you can pay me damages, but walking again requires my own effort.

It is this belief, that black Americans must shoulder responsibility for moving beyond the damaging effects of racism, that gives many blacks, especially prior generations, the greatest pause. Many I spoke to ask, "How can we move past racism when it is still so prevalent?" When pressed for examples, not one of them could provide me with a concrete, verifiable example of the virulent racism of which they passionately spoke.

For sure, the question I now pose will leave some uneasy and others angry, but here goes, "Does the fact that many blacks are unable to articulate verifiable virulent racism of which they claim exists mean that racism or its effect is more emotional and mental, rooted in occurrences long past?"

I know we are on a slippery slope here. In fact, I will concede for argument sake that isolated instances of racism exist. However, even these instances, when juxtaposed against the deep emotion surrounding the degree of racism in current culture; fail to support the reaction.

I contend, that for blacks to benefit from the move to a post-racial society, we must purge from our consciousness the idea that until conditions are perfectly equal, then whites don't care about blacks. We must add to our thinking that our success is the best remedy for past pain. This requires a conversion experience of the mind and heart. That is real change.