Racism Higgins the Price of Racial Harmony

Racism Higgins

The Price of Racial Harmony

Almost thirty years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, race relations in the United States continue to be strained and the dream of racial harmony appears to be as far from reality as it ever was. Many commentators, including Shelby Steele, consider that the cause of these continued difficulties lies in society's determined emphasis upon race and color, rather than upon equality and individualism. The convenient packaging and classification of people into the camps of either black or white perpetuates the divisive conflict of oppressors vs. victims, and innocence vs. power. Although integration and multiculturalism are among the catchwords of the time, the present situation is merely a case of blacks and whites adopting the path of least resistance. To truly achieve equality and cooperation within racial relations, society must make radical changes in the way that it acts and thinks. This will be difficult and painful for many, and the major obstacle to its achievement is the fact that, in the words of Steele, "what both black and white Americans fear are the sacrifices that true racial harmony demands" (Rereading America, 1992).

Since the 1960s, the pursuit of racial harmony has been high on the political, social, and cultural agendas, yet it is very rarely discussed at a meaningful level. When the subject of race is a topic for discussion or discourse, it is usually to examine and analyze the concept of racism. Furthermore, as claimed by Bell Hooks, any such talk of race usually reinforces traditional ideas of black inferiority, perpetuates a denial of racism, or sustains a conflict mentality in which blacks and whites are depicted as occupying enemy camps (1995). Although the road to improved race relations relies upon communication and understanding, many individuals continue to be extremely reluctant to "talk race" because "it is painful to think long and hard about race and racism in the United States" (Hooks, 1995). Shelby Steele supports this view, and states that race talk among blacks and whites is often unproductive because when such talk occurs, both groups struggle to "maintain power by maintaining their innocence" (Rereading America, 1992). In essence, this fear of discussing racism, and an equally strong desire to avoid confronting personal prejudices and attitudes, results in a general pretence that racism does not exist, and that it therefore does not have to be dealt with.

The major sacrifices that are faced by individuals, if racial harmony is ever to be fully realized, are those of power and innocence. Steele's essay I'm Black, You're White, Who's Innocent provides an excellent description of the ways in which power and innocence, in the guise of policies such as affirmative action, can be viewed as an attempt to make whites feel as though they have repented for past discriminations, and to make blacks feel as though they are receiving overdue "backpay." This, however, only serves to avert society's attention away from the ultimate target of achieving a "democracy of people," by settling for a "democracy of color" (Rereading America, 1992). Such 'rewards' or preferential treatment are responsible for maintaining the sense of victimization and inferiority felt by black individuals, while perpetuating the white individual's feelings of power and superiority, additionally boosted by a sense of innocence and righteousness. Unfortunately the solution, which involves the sacrificing of these 'well worn' and traditional attitudes, is not prospect that is welcomed by many black or white individuals.