I can’t say I was a very big fan of the essay I’m Black You’re White, Who is Innocent? The author, Shelby Steele, brings out some good points regarding the fact most people don’t like to discuss racial issues openly among a racially mixed group.
He makes a good statement when he says “I think the real trouble between the races in America is that the races are not just races but competing power groups.” In my personal experience, when I ever I have to deal with somebody of another race, I have to be very careful on what I say and do. I the person I’m dealing with doesn’t like the things I say to them, or if I do something they don’t agree with, I can always count on them “playing the racist card”.
The biggest thing I got out of this essay was all races are trying engaged in a balancing act. None of the races want to be viewed as the weaker race, but on the other hand they all want to receive special treatment because they feel they have been mistreated. It reminds me of a small child who tries to use “guilt trip” tactics to get something. They act like they have been neglected so they can achieve more respect and recognition.
This way of thinking has been going on for thousands of years. It is something that seems to be part of the human emotional make up. I don’t think there is anything that can be done to stop this problem completely. No matter what happens, somebody is going to feel they are being mistreated.
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