Holder: US is nation of cowards on racial matters

[Uzybone]

He could not be more correct.

"WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder described the United States Wednesday as a nation of cowards on matters of race, saying most Americans avoid discussing unresolved racial issues.

In a speech to Justice Department employees marking Black History Month, Holder said the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives.

"Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards," said Holder, nation's first black attorney general.

Race issues continue to be a topic of political discussion, Holder said, but "we, as average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race.""


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090218/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/holder_race

ETA the link

[XemaSab]

1. Maybe because every time you bring up race

people act like you're a bigot. :shrug:

[Uzybone]

4. You have a good point, but it buttresses what he says

too many people are scared to discuss race. There is still a lot of denial on racial issue when it comes to the American public at large.

[Captain Hilts]

6. And denial about sexism too. Just put it all on the table. nt

[Barb in Atl]

2. Wow... That was nerve-y of him

I don't disagree. Heck, even I avoid the topic if I think folks will be defensive and unable to hear - not necessarily agree, mind you. Just hear.

Again... wow.

[balantz]

3. Speak for yourself Mr. Holder.

I see a lot of regular folks doing quite well when it comes to evolving on racial matters. Sure ther are still problems, but a ton of Americans are getting along just fine.

Maybe if you would have a positive approach instead of such a negative and generalized statement about the American populace it would be more helpful Mr. Holder.

[Captain Hilts]

5. The best discussions on race take place on ESPN. On PTI, Outside the Lines, etc.

You want good dialogue about race, and issues relating to it, go there. Really.

Now, sexism, is still okay, so there's nothing to talk about there.

[Number23]

7. I find it odd that in a thread about race, you keep bringing up sexism.

I'm a black woman, I've experienced both -isms in spades. But I find it absolutely fascinating that twice in this thread about racism, that you have tried to steer the conversation to one about sexism.

Is that the -ism you are most comfortable discussing or do you just believe that racism is not that big of an issue anymore?

[Fountain79]

8. Fully agree....

Too many people are afraid to truly express their feelings on race because they are afraid of offending someone or being labeled a racist. White people(non-Hispanic, non-religious minority) in particular I think are in this group.(See I am being sort of racist in that statement!) I don't claim to not be a racist..on the contrary....I know I have racist tendencies, if we are honest with ourselves we all do. The point is to not have these tendencies but to rise above them.

[Say What]

9. Discussion?

Maybe we don't talk to each other about race enough because we know any such discussion has only one acceptable direction and conclusion.