Nov 10 2008
Today’s Question: Is Racism in America over?
Since the historic election that occurred last Tuesday, there has been one question circulating around in the media, in classrooms and even at kitchen tables—is racism in America over? Or, to be more precise, with the election of Barack Obama, are we now living in a post-racial time?
I pose this question to everyone out there. It appears on the surface to be quite a simple question. And with the election of the first black President, the answer can easily be thought to be a resounding yes. However, I am much more cynical about America and Americans. I wish that we have arrived at a place and time where racism would cease to exist in this country, but I think the mere articulation of the question is premature and even thinking such thoughts has just begun. Make no mistake, I, along with millions of other Americans, voted for Barack Obama because I do feel he possesses the abilities to bring about the possibility of real change. I think he will do some good things for this country, especially the middle and working class families. But does this mean that America is at the point of looking beyond a person’s race? I am not so sure.
While this election has brought the promise that we can get past race, we are not quite there yet. This country has a very complicated history and wounds are only beginning to see healing. Furthermore, until all minorities are not prejudiced against, i.e., Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, Arabs, etc., we cannot address this question. It is only when we truly embrace the idea that all people are created equal in its totality, that we can seriously discuss whether or not we are past racism. I only hope I can believe to witness such an event.
It is very important to celebrate this historic moment in America. We should be proud that we have, as one of my favorite TV comics Jon Stewart put it, fulfilled the promise of our creed. We lived up to our word that all men are equal and in America there is the possibility for us to achieve anything and become more than we are. Yes, we need to pause and really wrap our minds around what this means. But at the same time I have to be cautious and really think that we have so much farther to go in terms of issues of race. So as we move forward, we must never forget our stained past and try to go toward the future with more sensitivity and with more courage to overcome the many obstacles that are ahead.
One Response to “Today’s Question: Is Racism in America over?”
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No. It’s not. But we’re on our way. Think of it in terms of this: Millions of American children will grow up with Barack Obama as the first image/memory of what a President looks like.
This may sound morbid, but it will take an older generation of Americans dying off before we can really get to work on eliminating racism…and even then it won’t be gone. People hate. It’s in their nature. Especially if they don’t understand another culture.