Obama’s new Attorney General, Eric Holder, gave a speech this past week about Black History Month. Here are the most important bits:
One cannot truly understand America without understanding the historical experience of black people in this nation. Simply put, to get to the heart of this country one must examine its racial soul.
Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards…. we, average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race.
… this nation has still not come to grips with its racial past nor has it been willing to contemplate, in a truly meaningful way, the diverse future it is fated to have. … And so I would suggest that we use February of every year to not only commemorate black history but also to foster a period of dialogue among the races.
… While the problems that continue to afflict the black community may be more severe, they are an indication of where the rest of the nation may be if corrective measures are not taken.
You can read the whole thing at the Department of Justice website.
I pretty much agree with Holder except that maybe “cowards” was not the right word: blacks know race is an important issue, but I think most whites do not understand just how important it is – many of them seem to think racism is over: “We elected a black president, so let’s move on”.
Half of what the civil rights movement in America did in the 1950s and 1960s was to bring racism into the light of day. The protests that Martin Luther King and others led showed the country just how racist it still was. It made racism something you could show on television from coast to coast. White people could no longer fool themselves or talk it away.
But the racism that remains is much more subtle, harder to show up and therefore much easier for whites to deny.
But Holder is right that race is hard to talk about once it is brought up. There are three reasons for that:
- It is hard for whites to understand racism – most have never experienced it.
- Many whites have had the experience of “saying something wrong”, of saying something racist that they did not know was racist. And so the whole race thing becomes something they avoid.
- The r-word: Calling a white person “racist” gets them upset and makes them incapable of talking calmly and reasonably.
Most whites have this self-image of not being racist and yet most of them are racist, but mostly in ways they do not see. Yet it is because of that self-image that it becomes hard to point that out to them. And so white feelings and ideas about race remain stuck in the 1970s.
See also:
Abagond 
I agree that Whites just don’t understand what it’s like to live as, in my case, an Asian in white societies. Personally it was really hard for me to get mated with Whites with all those racists around, and the society would criticize Asians for shutting ourselves around the ‘Asian’ wall, not even trying to melt into their society.
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I like how you point out that Holder’s use of “cowards” is too broad, and that white Americans in particular tend to be much more race-averse than black Americans (and, I would add, a lot of other non-white Americans). A lot of commentators on his speech aren’t doing that.
You wrote,
Most whites have this self-image of being not racist and yet most of them are racist, but mostly in ways they do not see. Yet it is because of that self-image that it becomes hard to point that out to them.
True. But as you said in your third reason for why talks on race are difficult, would it even do any good to point that out to most of them? To say to them, “You know, deep down inside, you really are racist. You should admit that about yourself and your fellow white racists.” Most whites reflexively reject such characterizations of themselves, because in their minds, “a racist” is someone who wears a white hood, slaps Confederate flags on his pickup truck, and dreams about dragging black men to their death with said pickup truck.
I think that instead of wishing that we could get most whites to admit that they “are racists,” it’s more effective to talk about a broader racist society, which embeds within us mostly subconscious racist associations and tendencies, which in turn can result in racist actions, IF those associations and tendencies are not actively exposed and counteracted.
But then, that takes a lot of time, doesn’t it? There’s a lot of context and back-story to fill before most white people can see this part of themselves. I wish Holder (and Obama? do you supposed Holder got the nod from his boss on this speech?) the best of luck in getting some sort of meaningful conversation going. With hard economic times upon us, I fear that the flames of racial scapegoating are already getting fanned, and the incidents it causes might claim most of whatever serious collective attention we devote to the topic of race.
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The fight for tomorrow: We the people of the United States of America in order to form a more perfect union. Killer first line it says who we are and what we want. You rarely see that anymore much less from the government. Everything today seems to be hidden in doubletalk, innuendo, and in case out right lies. In a country that was founded on the beliefs that all men are created equal – yes it did take us a while to get there – why do we continue to back and elect people who care little for the whole and more about the individual – themselves. Everyone sees this and yet it never changes. In a time where the media has a immense hold on the population people just seem to have sensory overload and don’t really seem to care or understand what the heck is really going on. We have become a culture of idiots. Maybe there is something to be said for all the crazies in the world who call the U.S.A the great Satan, as we have become a nation driven by our sins rather than our virtues. We raise up those who have no sense of moral being and then call them roll models. We praise those who have made huge fortunes by exploiting others. Today we are paying the price for our errors. No one has faith in the government, few believe in heroes anymore, the greedy have destroyed an economy that had become the more powerful in the world inside of one decade – — – well it took longer than that the dissolution of America began in the 60’s. Yes everyone will wine and complain that this was a time where American found it’s voice for peace and all that. But they would be wrong. At the time the whole movement thing was a positive step however it was the beginning of a downward trend for American. It was the beginning of the end of American Pride and Values. These two thoughts are no longer alive or perhaps they are just in intensive care and WE THE PEOPLE need to remember what American really stands for and what we really need to continue on as a great nation. We need to reclaim what our forefathers fought for and to reclaim the ideals on which this land was founded. Unfortunately few alive today could tell you what those ideals are. They pick and chose words and paraphrase speeches and writes to there own ends. Even I can barely remember any of the ideals as they have been beaten out of my by the way the country has gone. First myth – Separation of Church and State – there is no amendment stating the separation of the two here is the test of the 1st amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” The underlying message is that the Congress cannot pass laws to establish a national religion. The founders of America were VERY religious people many who came here to have the ability to worship how they pleased without being forced into any particular belief system by anyone. I am not saying that we need to make the government a religious based entity that would be very bad what I am saying is that we need to perhaps think long and hard what we are going in this area. I am not staying we have to latch on to any religion but to look to the underlying messages that they all put forth treat others as you would like the to treat you. If you are truthful and kind in turn others will treat you as such. I am not someone who goes to church that often but I don’t keep my fate in my mind at all time – well most times. I have jumped around a bit casting a little light on a growing darkness and I hope at least one person will see a little glimpse of the problems we face. I will add more later as I have time. And the Fight for tomorrow will continue and if we are deserving and learn from our past mistakes we will prevail.
I have a couple comments to add first off I am a white male no a European American no I guess I am just an American. Just so everyone knows where I am coming from.
I would like to alter the last paragraph of the where it states that all whites are racists. Well I will give you the benefit of the doubt and say you only believe 90% of the whites are racist. That comment really shows how little you really know about people. All people of any color are racist to some degree. The most vocal and most visible signs of racism today is located in minority communities rather white. Just look at riots over the last the ten years most have been directed between minority communities with very little white involvement. However, most of the feelings people have are less to hurt others than to make themselves feel better. A very good example of this is Black History month or other minority based events. These types of events may have some positive impact but are little more that candy coated history placing the minority in a very good light. I very much doubt that there will be a lot of events during February showing all of the inter tribal massacres in Africa as these have been going on for centuries as such I would conceder it black history. If there was a White history month I would be less inclined to complain but the minority communities would never allow it a basically I personally feel if you are going to break down historical periods break it down by events or timeframes as you cannot get an accurate accounting of history in any other way. Also, ethically based events only continue the separation between the races rather than to bring them together in an atmosphere of understanding.
The reasons white people rarely talk about race as we have learned that it never does us any good. Any comments we make are turned around and used against us by those who wish to brand us as racist. So why enter into a conversation which will lead to an argument that there is very little hope of us coming out looking good. Moreover, to enter into such a discussion in a workplace is completely stupid as we might as well go an put in our resignation letter before hand. Over the last 30 years we have learned to keep our mouths shut or get sued/fired/punished in some way because we get branded as racist.
To make matters even more bleak the other races know this and use it the there advantage. I have seen it where individuals have falsely accused white people of racism so that they can get ahead in a job or to take a critical eye off of them.
So to Holders coward comment the primary reason that he is getting a lot of grief from minorities is that they were included. As for the White we have just learned to keep our mouths shut.
One last comment that will really get your dander up but one if you truly think about you cannot but agree. The single most discriminated against segment of American society in the last 25 years is the Single White Male. We have no defense if a women says we sexually harassed here were boned, if a minority says we discriminated against them we are boned. We are always guilty until we can prove our innocence but even then our reputations are destroyed. That’s why we keep our mouth shut.
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Two additional points:
*What business is that of the Attorney General to tell the citizens what to think and how to feel? Isn’t his job supposed to be about, you know, enforcing the law?
*The language in the speech is unmistakably that of a conqueror. Take heed, whitey.
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“Most whites have this self-image of not being racist and yet most of them are racist, but mostly in ways they do not see. Yet it is because of that self-image that it becomes hard to point that out to them. And so white feelings and ideas about race remain stuck in the 1970s.”
this is so true but to a small degree i have to to agree with the white guy we all are racist. i dont mean to play on words but we are. now the ones you speak about are straight bigots. and any white person cannot deny this. although we as black the number of bigots on our end pale in comparison to the the number of bigots in the white community.
the main difference is where our racist views/feelings stem from in comparison to whites. are they the same? i will not speak for everyone but as a black man mine stem from the acts of racism/bigotry towards me, i never had any ill will towards a white person until i was “hit”…whereas the average white person’s bigotry stems from propaganda, entitlement or dear i say affirmative action.
to this day you stop complaining go to school(he ends up going to one of the top ones),okay stop squandering and do something(he ends up becoming the 1st blk president of the law school)…learn to speak well(he ends up winning most of his political debates) and in the end dear i say he might just be another negro as far as you (some whites are concerned)
its not holders position to speak on the issue and im not sure if we should make on of it…but there is truth to it
http://www.blackfitnessblog.com
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Some points:
1. Yes, blacks are racist too. I wrote a post about that:
https://abagond.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/all-blacks-are-racist/
2. When blacks use the word “racist” for the most part they are not thinking of the extreme sort of racism that whites mostly have in mind – the Klan and all that. The Klan killed people. Most whites are no where near that racist. But that different understanding of the word “racist” creates misunderstandings.
3. Some blacks use the r-word for personal gain or to score points, but I think what most of them are looking for is for whites to open their eyes and see what they are doing. It is like when someone steps on your toe.
4. American society was founded by and for white males and even now it still heavily favours them. Look up income levels in America by race and sex. Here are the numbers for 2004:
white men: $1.00
white women: 0.77
black men: 0.75
black women: 0.68
Yes, some white men do get hit by lawsuits, but in practice that is pretty rare.
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The speech was fantastic. It was exactly the kind of talk this nation needs to hear from top leadership at this point in our history. Holder’s use of “coward” was especially apt, and it is a double-edged sword, applying both to whites and blacks. White people – not all, but many – are without question terrified of race, for many reasons: whites are afraid of being labeled “racist”; whites are afraid of being stained with the blood of slavery and Jim Crow; whites are afraid of an end to the comfort of their extant communities. At its most basic level, many white people are plain and simply afraid of black people.
At the same time, enabled by American liberalism, black people – not all, but many – are also afraid of race. This nation’s approach to race has been almost completely constructed upon the foundation of the liberal viewpoint of “the black man qua victim.” A handful of time worn tropes about race – WSP, DWB, racial steering, glass ceiling, to name a few – most forged in the early part of the second half of the 20th century, have become shibboleths on the question of whether an individual is or is not a “racist.” This is unfortunate because these tropes tend to perpetuate themselves and become institutionalized in exactly the same way racism became institutionalized. They become Holy Gospel to the extent that people are afraid to question them. They have remained static while society itself has progressed.
Thus the rhetoric becomes threadbare, anachronistic, out of synch with reality, and yet anybody who attempts to articulate this disharmony is loudly branded a Gileadite, an outsider, a “racist,” notwithstanding the level of empirical evidence and good faith, honest observation and reflection that may motivate the attempt. Note the dynamic. The moment one of the Holy Gospel Tropes is called into question, one hears “spoken like a white racist,” or “you are even more ignorant to your own racism than I thought,” or, if the speaker is black, “Uncle Tom” or “out of touch with the common folk.” Name-calling is the refuge of a coward, yet name-calling is often the first and last resort of those who cling to the mantra afforded by the old Holy Gospel Tropes without reexamining their continued viability.
Is the United States now a “post racial” nation? We certainly still have racists in our country, even violent, organized racists. Black and white. And we certainly see in many sectors of our economy a lingering and unacceptable disparity between population percentages and the distribution of wealth, power, high level jobs, etc.
At the same time, we have a society now where there are black people born every day into socioeconomic and familial circumstances that will confer upon them a bundle of privileges – including financial resources, educational opportunities, and social fabric connections to leverage those good educations into fruitful career opportunities – that exceed by a substantial level any bundle of privileges that inure to large sectors of the white population. Though I do not believe this fact makes our nation a “post racial” one, it certainly confounds the simplistic model embedded in the traditional notion of WSP. Contrast, say, the life choices afforded to Vanessa Simmons vs. those afforded to Lynndie England; Malia Obama vs. Bristol Palin; Jaden Smith vs. Dante Bonaduce.
More to my point are everyday people from real life, such as a BF friend of mine, a high performing professional I met as a young adult, who graduated from a prestigious military academy, where she was admitted upon the recommendation of a family friend who was a US Congressman; vs. a WM friend of mine from the public high school we attended together in a small, dirty little mining town who was, as of high school graduation, attempting to gain a hockey scholarship to the same academy but, in the end, didn’t make the cut. It’s not the only example I know, but I raise it because it poignantly invokes a couple of concepts – the privilege afforded to my BF friend by her familial circumstances vs. the lack of privilege afforded my buddy who, because of his familial station, looked to athletics as his ticket out of the iron mines and into the academy. This is in fact a post-racial dialectic, and it is real life. I’m not suggesting that this example defines the state of our nation, but at the same time I know that it’s not an anomalous event.
Thus, I think it is safe to say that we live in a nation in which post-racial results occur every day. But not to everybody. And at the same time we live in a nation in which “pre-racial” limits still apply to probably more people than not. A courageous conversation about race must honestly take into account both realities, which exist in parallel in our nation.
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And we certainly see in many sectors of our economy a lingering and unacceptable disparity between population percentages and the distribution of wealth, power, high level jobs, etc.
Why unacceptable? Is any such disparity a prima facie evidence of racism, of the underperforming group being “held down” through artifical means?
Isn’t there at least a possibility that group disparity in social performance is due to innate* differences between the groups?
No, I understand that racially-tinged social inequality creates additional levels of tension (however spurious are the grievances). But such are the fruits of diversity. Enjoy.
*By “innate”, I don’t necessarily mean “biologically-based”. That is beside the point for the moment, and indeed is a question best left to academia. It’s enough to acknowledge that cultural differences exist and matter.
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Speaking of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder:
Eric Holder is a racial-minority individual, and in his heart and mind he inevitably does not endorse hate crimes committed by George W. Bush.
George W. Bush committed hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism (indicated in my blog).
George W. Bush did in fact commit innumerable hate crimes.
And I do solemnly swear by Almighty God that George W. Bush committed other hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism which I am not at liberty to mention.
Many people know what Bush did.
And many people will know what Bush did—even to the end of the world.
Bush was absolute evil.
Bush is now like a fugitive from justice.
Bush is a psychological prisoner.
Bush has a lot to worry about.
Bush can technically be prosecuted for hate crimes at any time.
In any case, Bush will go down in history in infamy.
Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Messiah College, Grantham, PA
Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993
“GEORGE W. BUSH IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY” BLOG OF ANDREW YU-JEN WANG
_____________________
I am not sure where I had read it before, but anyway, it is a linguistically excellent statement, and it goes kind of like this: “If only it were possible to ban invention that bottled up memories so they never got stale and faded.” Oh wait—off the top of my head—I think the quotation came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook.
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I have so much respect for Eric Holder, to me he is the counterpart of President Obama, he speaks and says what the President can’t say, I love that he is not afraid to express himself. Especially on the issue of race in this country. I hope he is recovering and doing well.
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Eric Holder is on the money when he made the statement that “America is a nation of cowards, where the discussion of race is concerned.” I wholeheartedly agree with that. Especially a large part of white America, who want to sweep the issue of race in America under the rug.
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