Can America ever get past the race issue?

[yvr girl]

As a Canadian, this is one of the most striking differences between our two countries. It's not that there isn't racism here - anywhere where you have people of different races, it is bound to exist - but it isn't a forefront issue.

Why does the wound created by slavery still fester? Don't get me wrong slavery was a blight on humanity, I think I would rather be murdered than be a slave. And I know that the civil war didn't make things 'better.' It was another hundred years before the civil rights movement of the 60s.

I know poverty is a huge contributing factor, but it seems to me that it isn't limited to people who are poor.

Is it possible for there to be an America where race isn't an issue anymore?

[Dez]

1. I don't think so.

Since priveledged people keep the power, and so nothing will ever change. Especially since the corporations bought all the politicians, they for sure don't care about equality in America. The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer, and it will never change. Blacks and natives, and other people of color are considered less than by those in power.. it's always been this way.

First you have to admit there is something wrong, but they like America just the way it is.

[yvr girl]

9. People of privilege are in power in most countries

They get the best education and have the most connections - that's why they are privileged. Also, wealth does not equal heartless bastard. There are plenty of rich people who are progressive and compassionate.

Racism can't be blamed on institutions either. It's a people problem. I know it can become institutionalized when racists are in charge, but change the people, and the organizations will follow.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. I think so, but it will be slow in coming

you can see it in some areas of the country now, especially smaller towns. I remember the pride of my African American students in Southern Illinois when I taught them the history of the region, how their ancestors (escaped slaves) helped settle the county and even founded a town. They were starting to get into local government when I moved away about twenty years ago-an important step-they represented only about 15% of the population. I was heartened a year ago when my boss hired on an African American college student to help with the summer rush in the pest control business. This is northern Arkansas, in a county that still has a branch of the Klan, but all my boss would talk about was how great a baseball player the fellow was-and how we would DROP any customer who complained about the fellow working for us.

[Solly Mack]

3. how do you get past it if you've never honestly dealt with it?

America has NEVER EVER honestly dealt with it.

America has swept it under the rug and lived in denial about it...but give a honest accounting of the problem? Not once.

[shadowknows69]

4. Some of us never had one

Its just the rednecks we put in power that perpetuates things

[mandyky]

5. Not until it is honestly addressed

The South felt the Civil War infringed their rights, and they have taken it out on the black people. Then you get the coded race talk from the GOP that pander to racists.

We need to develop a race relation strategy and stick to it, but some people here in the US don't even think black people should be apologized to for slavery. Recently many of our Southern GOP senators would not vote to apologize for lynching.

Until Americans take an honest look at the past and become willing to make amends, I am afraid the race issue will continue on the same path
or god forbid move backwards.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

6. Part of it is human nature. But it's much worse if racist sentiment and

resentment is actively cultivated and encouraged by those in power.

And when their actions result in a tragedy that will fuel resentment for at least a generation to come.

[Mr_Spock]

7. Well, if anything good comes from this disaster - it's the black poverty

being put front and center before the nation. There is no question WHY these people were UNABLE in so many cases to make it out of the city on short notice. There lives just aren't as important in many white bigots (Bush) eyes...

[jedr]

8. No;

and yes, there is racism in Canada... Racism is universal...why here? because when Lincoln was shot and killed, we were left with weak leadership for the next decade or so, and the whole race issue never was solved, and it still hasn't. Just as in the '60's we thought that we made progress toward equality ,we find a backlash from those liberal ideas that seem to divide us again and is used as a political tool by some very greedy and immoral people. "Is it possible for an America where race isn't an issue"; Not for a long time to come.

[Dez]

14. Our politicians need

massive amounts of therapy. I think John Bradshaw got it right, about the Family. Gererations of abused people continue down that path, until they work through it.. but this is not happening. Take the Drug War, for example .. drug users are punished by being put in prison for using drugs. If they politicians wanted to help fix the problem with these people, they would put drug users into treatment, and not in prison. But prisons are big business now in America, and of course the tax payers pay for all these prisons for pot smokers. The Americans appear uncivilized to people in Europe and other democratic countries.

[jedr]

18. Recommend Michale Lind's book " Made in Texas"

Will explain the "New Confederacy" , what brought it about and how the southern Conservatives view the race/class issue.

[yvr girl]

16. I know there is racism in Canada, but it's not the same

It's not a national festering issue.

Our history isn't without blemish either. We interred Japanese people during WWII. We had native children who were abused by priests in their segregated schools. A huge percentage of native people still live in poverty.

I guess our government is a bit quicker to apologize and try to make amends.

[jedr]

19. true, I just wanted to point out that racism is universal.

[Dez]

20. Canada is more compassionate towards

people of color. I would move there if I could. I hate America, and all it stands for. It's all a LIE. It's all bullshit. Like Buffy Ste. Marie said, My country tis of the your people are dying.

[Spazito]

22. Our shame is the treatment of First Nations, it is an ongoing shame

One only needs to visit a reserve to see that. It wasn't long ago that the horror that was Davis Inlet was made public. First Nations are still fighting for rights that have been taken away from them, they are still treated like second class citizens.

[SoCalDem]

10. As a unit, NO...Individually, yes

As long as there are selfish greedy people who REFUSE to share equally, it will never happen..

There's a hard-core bunch (and in power) who feel in their bones, that only white people matter, and everything that's "given" to non-whites is directly TAKEN from THEM. they will NEVER accept that they are nothing special.

[two gun sid]

11. I seriously doubt we will ever get past issues of race.

It would take intense and public debate about race issues and relations. It serves many politicians and corporate interests purposes to keep us divided by race and class.

[pepperlove]

12. No.

It will always be with us. Always.

[VelmaD]

13. First off some history...

the civil rights movement got cracking in the 50s, not the 60s. Brown v Board of Education was in the 50s. So was Rosa Parks and the bus boybotts.

Second, racism is certainly a problem in Canada even if it isn't a forefront issue. The treatment of the native population there has oftentimes been abbysmal and it says something about both countries that the treatment of the Native Americans isn't a "forfront" issue in either the US or Canada.

Now, on to your actual point. I think there is the possibility of an America where race doesn't matter...but it's going to take work that a lot of people in America aren't willing to do yet. It takes a lot of soul searching on the part of white America; an admission that there's still a problem, a sincere effort to make ammends, and then actual changes in behavior. It's like a recovering addict..."hi my name is America and I'm addicted to having a perpetual underclass to take advantage of". Until white Americans, especially those in positions of power, are willing to do that soul searching then we're pretty much fucked when it comes to ending racism, sexism, homophobia, you name it.

[Zodiak]

15. This is good

"hi my name is America and I'm addicted to having a perpetual underclass to take advantage of".

Very good

[yvr girl]

23. You could argue that the civil rights movement began with

the efforts to emancipate the slaves - but good points.

I don't for a second suggest that Canada is devoid of racism. We have people - 'nuff said. I mentioned some of the issues up thread. Native people are still disproportionately poor, homeless and addicted. But at least our government is making efforts to address the problems. Status Indians get a free ride in university in Canada. Education is the best way to end poverty.

I don't really want this to be a Canada vs US thread re: racism. We have different histories and different issues.

[C_U_L8R]

17. It starts at the top

As long as there is a racist president... (bush)
the worst of society will find comfort and reinforcement
to keep hating and dividing our society (by race, sex,
religion, sexual orientation, etc). Bush is a divider. No question.
Not once has he fought for moral right.
No man of god is he.
He is greed.

[journalist3072]

21. Here's why the issue of race still matters

The issue of race still matters in this country for several reasons I think.

First, the United States has NEVER fully atoned or apologized for slavery. Sometimes, the simple acknowledgement that wrong was done, can help free everybody.

Next, there is debt that the United States owes its African-American citizentry, and it has yet to fully pay on that debt. Corrective programs like affirmative action have been attacked as "reverse racism" and people like John Roberts have wrongly looked at affirmative action as something that forces companies and businesses to hire unqualified people just for diversity's sake.

Lastly, I think there needs to be a national conversation about race in America, and oddly, perhaps Hurricane Katrina will help us do that. Many times, you will find that people don't even want to bring up the issue of race; it's like the big elephant in the room. President Clinton tried to get a national dialogue going, which the media largely ignored.

So unfortunately, race still matters in this country.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

24. As long as racism relegates blacks to higher mortage rates,

lower wages for the same work, and less adequate services in predominantly black neighborhoods, it will be...it MUST be an issue.

[yvr girl]

25. I didn't mean to imply that it isn't a legitimate issue now

There are two Americas. Can we look forward to a day when there is one.

[MercutioATC]

26. It would be easier if people didn't start screaming "RACISM" every time

there's a situation that effects the poor.

Racism may, in part, be responsible for the overwhelming number of minorities living below the poverty level. The fact the these minorities are then disadvantaged (eg. not having the resources to leave NOLA before Katrina) is a function of POVERTY, however, not racism.

[shadowknows69]

27. there are only two races in America anymore

The Elite race and The Slave Race. I sleep better at night being a member of the latter. But I still want justice.

[MercutioATC]

28. At least you're framing the situation accurately...it's about money, not

color.