The Long Neglected Conversation on Race
Our new Attorney General, Eric Holder, echoed Barack Obama’s earlier call for a national conversation on race this morning at the DOJ. Americans, saith Mr. Holder, are a “nation of cowards” when it comes to racial issues and average Americans “simply do not talk with each other about race.”
I, for one, have to give my mulish second to his appeal. We have wasted far too much time in this country meditating on the Federalist Papers, Aristotelian ethics, and Picasso’s Blue period. The deafening silence on race over the past fifty years simply must end. Then we can move on to other neglected topics like gender and class.
That’s a little open ended don’t you think?
The reason that race isn’t discussed it because no one wants to “discuss” it. If, during the course of a discussion on race, one makes a remark that could be perceived as negative, he or she is automatically branded a racist.
Race is a huge issue however, and a full frank discussion would be beneficial to all levels of society.
I agree with Franklin. Disagree with a liberal on any issue involving race, and you are immediately suspect. So most folks just shut up or parrot the liberal groupthink speech – whether they really believe it or not.
Just look at all the hullabaloo over a cartoon run by the NY Post. Too many people these days look for reasons to be offended.
my problem with the race issue is that, despite what they claim, races aren’t treated equally. while searching for scholarships to pay for college, I looked into minority scholarships since I’m a racial minority. However, I found that to be a “minority”, I’d have to be black, hispanic, or Native American, and I am none of those. The ones I did qualify for, on a racial basis, assumed that, as an Asian, I’d be studying engineering or math at MIT or someplace. which was an equally egregious error on someone’s part.
I normally don’t do this sort of thing, but since the Attorney General says we need a discussion on race, I feel it’s my public duty to point out that I wrote a whole series of posts on the subject last year.
Never fear – with this book out, there will be as much talk about race as anyone can stomach, but the terms and the limits of acceptability may be changing a bit.
I think you really mean “gender oppression–i.e., Christianist males restricting women, homosexuals, lesbians, and transgendered individuals” and “class warfare”.
Yes those issues need lots more attention.
It is going to be a long four years.
So, I guess the whole “conent of character” thing was a crock?
The Nation of Cowards recently elected an Af-Am as POTUS. Fire that professional black elitist AG idiot.
http://patterico.com/2009/02/18/holder-we-are-cowards-on-the-issue-of-race/