For the past 50 years, it has been fashionable to "empathize" with the plight of Black Americans and blame all of their problems on external (i.e., White) racism. Regardless of the validity of this approach, where does it ultimately lead?
A strong case can be made that we have been moving away from harmonious race relations during this period, despite the myriad of nondiscrimination laws which now govern practically every aspect of our lives. The divergence of the Black subculture from that of the mainstream has never been greater. We are now asked to think and see things as Blacks do, as if there is a fundamental difference in their brain functions.
Is this not "institutional racism" at its worst? With no end in sight, does it not acknowledge fundamental differences (i.e., inferiority) in African Americans? Do we really want to set up a permanent Special Olympics for them so that they don't have to complete with the rest of society?
There is a fine line between empathy and enabling. Are we able to tell the difference?
A strong case can be made that we have been moving away from harmonious race relations during this period, despite the myriad of nondiscrimination laws which now govern practically every aspect of our lives. The divergence of the Black subculture from that of the mainstream has never been greater. We are now asked to think and see things as Blacks do, as if there is a fundamental difference in their brain functions.
Is this not "institutional racism" at its worst? With no end in sight, does it not acknowledge fundamental differences (i.e., inferiority) in African Americans? Do we really want to set up a permanent Special Olympics for them so that they don't have to complete with the rest of society?
There is a fine line between empathy and enabling. Are we able to tell the difference?
