whites

What is happening in American politics is probably shocking to many white Americans right now, but for black Americans there is both relief and nervousness. Black Americans are relieved because expressions of racial antipathy, which have been non-public over the past 35 years or so, are finally being made publicly. And, black Americans are nervous because they really do not know the “true” extent of the anger.  The anger is publicly targeted at Barack Obama, but the source of the [White] anger is race.

Over the past 11 years, the Gallup Organization has conducted an annual national study examining Minority Rights and Relations.  In each of the 11 years, black Americans have been significantly less optimistic than white Americans about the state of race relations, and the hope that they [relations] will “eventually be worked out.” Almost always there is a public response, regardless of how minor, implying that Black Americans are “stuck in the past” and “overestimating racism” in America.  These assertions are couched in the language of the racial progress that has been made in America. True, but the beauty of racial progress is always in the eyes (or noise, ears, mouth, or touch…these all count) of the beholder. 

Before you get unnerved, just hear me out; this is not an attack on people who happen to be white. None of us has control over the skin we’re in.

Here are some findings to consider from the 2008 Gallup study (conducted in June-July of this year).  According to the results, 48% of blacks admitted they would be better off if they were “born white,” while only 6% of whites expressed they would be better off if they had been born “black.” Forty-six percent of whites agreed that “racism against blacks is not widespread” whereas 78% of blacks said it “is widespread.” Lastly, 35% of white said that a “national conversation about race” will cause “greater racial divisions, while the number for blacks was about 27%. 

I mention these points because of the web link at the end of this email (don’t click on it just yet).  There is no doubt that America has come a long way since segregation and Jim Crow era standards, however, just as a car mechanic can forecast what’s wrong with a car without seeing the actual problem (i.e., they can just see symptoms and make fairly accurate diagnoses), many Black Americans can accurately assess the state of race relations (within a reasonable margin of error).  

While black Americans know racial prejudice is not espoused by ALL whites, the problem is Black Americans don’t know the “true” extent of the anger (see above).  Black Americans are in a catch 22 situation: they know white racial prejudice exists, and are obligated to call people on it (see poll results), but they must also be aware of the resentment that comes from over-generalizing.  As I saw recently in Ted Kopel’s excellent documentary, “The Last Lynching,” there are many white Americans who gave their blood, hearts, souls, and lives for the cause of racial equality.

This will be the unfortunate dilemma of this election. Black Americans now see a great deal of racial anger on a daily basis, and with 2 weeks in the campaign, blacks will continue to be resolute in their faith in the American political system.  But, when Obama is elected president (yup, that’s a prediction), imagine the hostility and outrage. And this is nothing like winning over Clinton voters; these people are being driven by racial fears not gender politics.  

We should all praise the steadfast determination and courage that Barack Obama has displayed in all the small towns and events where he gets called something unsavory. In addition black America should be proud of their record levels of engagement and involvement in politics this year.  An ABC News survey conducted with Columbia university, in late September, found that black political engagement (i.e., awareness and interest) was at an all time high, and higher than that of white Americans.

Although we’ll probably never see it, at some point [mostly white] America has to acknowledge that Black America was (is) not “exaggerating” their perceptions of racism, nor have they been falsely (in most instance) playing a “race card.”  The racism in America is alive and well, and Black Americans will continue to live their lives. 

But, imagine what it’s like to go out into the world every day knowing that only 6% of people in America believe they’d be better off if they looked like you.

Racial ignorance 2008:  http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/2008/10/racist-mccain-supporter-hangs-obama-in.html

David C. Wilson