The Myth of Post Racial America

by: mooncat

Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 18:17:24 PM CDT

I attended a wonderful panel discussion this morning, with the same title as this post, featuring Keith Kamisugi (moderator), Rinku Sen, Rich Benjamin and Annabel Park.

This will be a brief post so I can grab a bite before heading over for the keynote featuring Bill Clinton. Here's what I got out of the discussion:

We are not living in post racial America.
America has a moral aspiration not to be racist.
Individual racism (one person with terrible feelings/actions toward others) is better in America than it used to be.
We don't understand how racism works -- it is not just individual and explicit and it doesn't require prejudice, animus or intent.
Structural racism is built into our laws and institutions.
Structural racism is little, if any, better now than it was in 1970

This is the clip that inspired 9500 Liberty, a documentary Annabelle Park is working on about racial tension in Prince William County, VA. One of the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan counties in America and it was turned upside down due to a high influx of people of hispanic descent.

mooncat :: The Myth of Post Racial America

Rich Benjamin traveled to and lived in some of the fastest growing and whitest locales in America for his book (October 2009) Searching for Whitopia: How the Whiter Half Lives. He even attended an Aryan Nations retreat in Oregon. He says (and I agree) that the small government movement has always had racial components, beginning with white flight from central cities and public schools in the 1960's -- and a great deal of this is based on fear. Here's a film clip describing his experiences --I can't wait to read the book.

Rinku Sen talked about her work at the Applied Research Center, which I think will be a great resource for anyone writing about racial issues or tensions, or immigration, especially in terms of how to frame the issue. The typical focus on individual racism leads to a feeling of hopelessness because it seems impossible to reach every single person who harbors those feelings and have a discussion to try and change their mind. Structural racism, and the need to change laws and institutions or enact new laws, is a better and more productive area for discussion. Don't lead with data, she said, lead with individual stories. Facts are not psychologically powerful enough to counteract longstanding cultural frames about race, but personal experiences are.

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The Myth of Post Racial America | 8 comments

The Talking TeeVee Pundit Heads declared America post racial after (4.00 / 2)

the election of President Obama. And we can't change laws and institutions or enact new laws if the lawmaker are not so inclined. As it stands now, candidates who would change laws or enact new laws can't get elected. Candidates have to be a flaming "conservative" in order to win.

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

by: Redeye @ Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 18:33:45 PM CDT

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The Obama Plan (and why I like him) (4.00 / 3)

From reading his books I got the impression he thinks calling people racists is ineffectual. As in his muted acceptance of Robert Byrd's history and roundabout apology what Obama did not say spoke volumes to me.

I think he has a vision of economic equality trumping racial inequality. It's about class and no-class.

All the programs he supports and agendas he promotes are really a new Progressive move to raise the standard of living for the many who have no chance at the American Dream because they can't afford it. Health care for all, efforts to revive the economy (which have been successful), energy independence in tandem with new jobs and technologies, products we can supply the world, and a basic philosophy that wealth should be for everyone not just the few.

These have always been Democratic goals and the Republicans have always stood in the way. I believe the racial aspect of it keeps President Obama's eye on the prize. He wants it now not later. I hope when he gets progress on health care reform (what he can get), he rolls right into the remaining big transformational promises.

Success and satisfaction are the only ways to ride over the resistance. When people see things are not so bad and are improving as a result of Democratic policies with no Republican support, we will have a real awakening in America.

When I see my Republican aquaintances driving a new car and reducing gasoline consumption -- subsidized by Obama and the Democratic Party -- I remind them Democrats aren't so bad, are they? Happiness and contentment will shut them up.

The Obama Plan. Something for everyone!

by: yellowdog @ Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 19:27:37 PM CDT

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I don't think so yellowdog (4.00 / 1)

When I look at the tone and the tenor of the healthcare reform bill debate it doesn't give me much hope for a post racial America. I mean how could anyone be against providing healthcare for the un-insured? If it's not racism what is it?

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

by: Redeye @ Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 19:41:39 PM CDT

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Selfishness? (4.00 / 1)

I hear a lot of people who say they're opposed to universal coverage because then it will be harder to get doctor's appointments, the system will be overloaded, etc.

So, instead of trying to correct the systemic problems, it's just easier to do the "tough luck for you, but I've got mine" dance.

I don't deny that there's a big racial component to some of it with some of the opponents. Some of the comments are just nasty - like those on YouTube that said the meetings were peaceful before the "monkeys showed up."

But remember that President Clinton encountered misinformation and fierce resistance too.

I'm not short. I'm fun size!!

by: countrycat @ Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 20:29:45 PM CDT

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I'm laughing (4.00 / 2)

I myself have a friend who thinks Ronald Reagan hung the moon, who now has a new Ford Focus.
He calls it his "Obama car" :)

When in doubt tell the truth. It will confound your enemies and astound your friends.---Mark Twain

by: julie @ Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 23:37:16 PM CDT

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That is the heart of it! (4.00 / 1)

Racism is the result. Racism is a tool.

Maximizing profits without government interference is the driving force.

All of this is the face of the Corporate Oligarchy, the machinations of the few to control the many for the reward to the few.

It is the face of evil!

by: yellowdog @ Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 20:00:35 PM CDT

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There was considerable discussion of labels at this panel (4.00 / 1)

That the real division started the moment we accepted labels such as white, black, hispanic, native American or whatever. Once each of us became a particular kind of homo sapiens, division was pretty much inevitable.

Work harder and work smarter!

by: mooncat @ Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 23:16:06 PM CDT

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Pay close attention to the end result (4.00 / 1)