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It wasn't a stunning piece of writing or research but stimulated a great discussion and - I think - quite an insightful thing to bring up in these days when we are coming to terms that Barack may very well be the next President of the United States.
Race will be at the core of many discussions on this election.
Somehow, we're going to have to come to terms with how we talk about it - without the constant feeling of walking on eggshells whenever it comes up.
We're pro-choice on everything! - Libertarian slogan
by CA Libertarian on Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 10:25:55 AM PDT
[ Parent ]
With due respect to American Indians, the United States was built by immigrants. Immigrants from Europe, from China, from Mexico, from Africa - from all over the world.
What has made this country great is not who was here first, or who had more power when, or who has occupied which positions of political leadership, but rather than great, indomitable American spirit of independence, freedom, and the ability to seek out success no matter one's race.
We have not always been perfect in achieving this ideal. Over time, through battles hard-fought by courageous leaders (include examples here), we have become more enlightened in creating a level playing field where ideas and ability matter more than gender or ethnic heritage.
This is what continues to draw people to this country, the land of opportunity.
This mission is not yet accomplished. But it is one that we should continue to aspire to.
Yeah, that's what I would do. I would totally abstract out the African experience and talk about in terms of immigration and equality - from Plymouth Rock to present day.
I think it would set a fantastic tone for the presidency.
by CA Libertarian on Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 10:38:43 AM PDT
...there is a power dynamic at work. The "African" experience you're talking about is really the American experience of dark skinned people. This is a historical experience that includes capture, the Middle Passage, slavery in perpetuity (American slavery, where descendants of slaves were slaves forever, is unique in human history in its severity), broken promises of freedom and political franchise, white supremacy, lynchings, segregation, a historic (and continuing) struggle for freedom that is unparalleled in human history, and the current pervasiveness of racism/white privilege. I can claim none of these facets of historical identity. How do you "abstract" that out of cultural identity?
From a non-white perspective, cries that "ideas and ability matter more than gender or ethnic heritage" sound like an effort to shirk responsibility for the awful legacy of white privilege. Whiteness in our culture confers privilege; there is no equality of opportunity.
"They say you've revolutionised American politics merely by not being dumb." -Mark Helprin, Freddy and Fredericka
by Matt W on Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 12:03:13 PM PDT
wide narrow
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