In most discussions regarding race relations, we tend to dwell
mostly on the rights of minorities being trampled by the majority
(at least in this country). We see police brutality committed
against those of meager means and faint voices, financial
opportunities closed due to the thoughts of small minds, and
threats made against our lives and property. Of course, we must
continue to fight against these tendencies and denounce all forms
of discrimination. Yet, we must also be fair in dealing with
prejudice and discrimination from all sources, including members of
minority groups.
Yes, minorities can also perpetuate unfair stereotypes that
sound quite a bit like racism, and that is because it is, in fact,
racism. For instance, a few years back, a movie titled "White Men
Can’t Jump" played on the notion that whereas black basketball
players can leap out of the gym, white players must depend on guile
and a sweet shot to succeed. In other words, the perception is that
African Americans tend to be more athletically gifted than whites.
Somehow, we believe this was just a harmless movie, but if a movie
was made titled "Black Men Can’t Think," we’d be up in arms and
demanding apologies, retractions and disciplinary action – and
rightfully so. Interesting, isn’t it?
I don’t mean to belittle the struggle of my people, because we
have experienced (along with other races) undue hardship and
obstacles to the American ideal of life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness. Our slums, high unemployment rate, rampant illiteracy
and endemic crime levels are a result of the "separate but equal"
policies that were truly separatist, but in virtually all cases,
extremely unequal.
But should we use the same weapon that has been thrown at us in
order to hurt others in the same way? An example is the notion some
people hold that white people are "devils" and "instruments of
Satan." This is just as ridiculous as saying that Jews are plotting
to take over the world. Such a thought can lead to deep animosity
and fan the fires of racial hatred. But because the speaker may be
African American, the community may find it hard to speak out
against those who spout these words, instead they choose to
rationalize the hate-monger.
Why do we accept the stereotypes and prejudices of one and not
the other? A large reason is the relative damage a person can do
with such words and actions. An African American (or maybe a Latino
or Asian American) can spew venomous words that incite anger; but,
by and large, the words spoken will do little damage (except to the
intended party’s ego).
If the victim is part of the American majority, that person
knows he or she is really in no danger – the speaker can rarely (if
ever) back up any type of threat with meaningful action. Besides,
the speaker, in many cases, has no political, social or economic
clout. On the other hand, if the speaker speaks as part of the
American majority, the fear is that a larger power base can be
brought to bear on the minority population, and the threat is much
more real. African Americans, Latinos and others who try to move
into positions of status or power step into territory heretofore
occupied by the majority culture, and some consider us trespassers
and interlopers.
Therefore, we (the minority) become much more exposed to
incidents such as the recent attack of an African American woman on
the steps outside Campbell Hall.
As a result, the tendency is to dismiss the ignorant blathering
of people such as Reggie White and demonize the equally ignorant
speeches of others like John Rocker. The problem is, how can we
(minorities) gain the moral high ground when we stoop to the
diatribes that we so vehemently oppose? Our arguments of equality
become moot and pointless, and our fight to end discrimination
becomes a losing battle. The effort to promote cultural sensitivity
is indeed a worthy cause, but all cultures must share in this task.
We cannot speak of poor whites as "trailer park trash" or
"crackers," just as we cannot speak of women as "hoochies" or gays
as "faggots." If sensitivity is expected, it must also be
shown.
A column such as this may offend some of those who I call my
kindred, and as a result, I may be called an "Uncle Tom," or worse.
To defend myself, I will say that I am very proud to be an African
American. But even more, I have self- worth that no one – white,
black or green – can take away from me. I make no excuses for those
of my own culture who feel it necessary to put down others in order
to lift themselves up.
It would be cowardly if a white person did this, and it’s just
as cowardly when a person of color participates in racial
superiority. While I’m not naive to believe that everyone thinks
about equality (if so, we wouldn’t be in this situation), I’m also
not blind to see only the prejudice put forth by those of the
majority. Prejudice is prejudice, no matter who does it.
In addition, people of all races, colors and creeds must view
each other as neighbors to share experiences, not opponents to
overcome. Instead of participating in a "zero- sum" game in which
all minority races compete for the same dwindling slice of pie
(where any gain by one race means losses by others), we should work
to broaden the game so that all races can gain.
The Latino should embrace the African American, who should
understand the Korean, who should embrace the Egyptian, who can
share with the Norwegian. The cultural differences are just that –
differences, not items of superiority or inferiority. As Latino and
black gangs kill each other on the streets and in the prisons, what
we fail to see is that such activity destroys a bit of each
culture, and furthers no one’s agenda.
So, what can we do? As we demand respect from those of the
majority, blacks and other minorities must give respect, even to
those who historically have treated us as less than human. Martin
Luther King Jr. believed in the treatment of all men as equals, and
Malcolm X came to the realization that Islam drew from all nations
and cultures. There are no "white devils," but bad people who just
happen to be of European origin. To be sure, "devils" can be
African American, Asian, Jewish, Arabic, German, Russian or
Aborigine.
If we all treated each other as we wished ourselves to be
treated, there would be no room to belittle, berate or denigrate
anyone on the basis of their appearance. As a wise man once said,
"The trip of a thousand miles starts with the first step."