A thought on the racial undertones of this disaster

[electricray]

It is worth noting that the racial divide in this tragedy shines a bright light into a dark hole in a lot of white American's souls. I am white and I have in the past been ignorant enough to feel that racism was vanishing from our culture. I no longer think that (circa well before the hurricane) but I know a lot of people who do, especially the people who want to attempt to quell racial arguments with colloquialisms such as “Why can’t we all just get along?

I believe that there has long been a veil over race relations in this country. You see it in humor, in music, in culture of all types. There is a disconnect between the races in this country. That disconnect allows non-racist Americans just the loophole in their moral compass that they need to tolerate racist policy and activity.

This tragedy was evidence of a massive class divide among all Americans, but the racial component is evidence of a massive divide within the economic structure of our nation and its blatant unfavorable imbalance toward those of minority status.

I believe that the most important thing right now is for all the poor in this nation to stand in solidarity. By poor, I mean if you make less per year on investments than on your labors. If you still actually have to spend money, you are poor. Wealthy people don't spend money anymore they just trade toys and buildings. I feel that if we stand together now and fight elite forces diplomatically, we will work out our acceptance issues and heal our race wounds fairly in time. There is no more time for acceptance of the greedy and power-hungry. If we don't stand together now we will fall together very soon.

Sincerely,

Ray

I am proud of our country, ashamed of our government, and disgusted with our president.

[awoke_in_2003]

1. is the problem...

racism or classism? I tend to lean toward the latter. The neocons will readily snap up a black man (who is well off) into their fold. Race is not the issue, it is a battle between the haves and have nots.

[Karenina]

3. In America today

RACE. TRUMPS. EVERYTHING.

Digby has written an excellent analysis of the race/class intersection:

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2005_09_11_digbysblog_archive.html#112655061384794954

It may give you a more encompassing view of the dynamics.

[mestup]

2. This is an awesome post! I'd also like to think...

...that the same white America who "have in the past been ignorant enough to feel that racism was vanishing from our culture," is the same white America sincere and sensitive enough to recognize our mistakes.

I read a post here earlier today stating - "it's not about black or white. It's about green."

That's the true issue of color in our society today.

[Brewman_Jax]

4. Even the skewed media understands it's about race

white people find, black people loot.