Are we "a nation of cowards" ?
US Atty. General Eric Holder made a simple statement that started a national media controversy. He stated that America has been "a nation of cowards" when it comes to engaging in a meaningful and constructive discussion about race relations in our country.
Eric Holder is an intelligent, extremely well educated gentleman. He stated his conviction in a clear and respectful manner. And then on cue; all hell broke loose.
Many Americans now seem to believe that since we elected a Black President, race relations in America are a resolved issue. Many appear to believe that we have done enough. I believe that the election of President Barack Obama is a sentinel event. It is a very significant step, not the conclusion to our journey of creating a more perfect union.
I recently wrote an article discussing the NFL combine. It has become a widely read and insightful piece. Comments fall into 2 groups: either, "I'm glad that you had the courage to finally publicly state what we have always known to be true" or "how could you say such a thing...I expected more from you". Sadly, these groups tend to separate along racial lines further emphasizing my assertion.
If in your heart you truly believe that there is no need to openly and honestly discuss race in America, please watch the HBO Real Sports Documentary regarding the shooting of baseball player Robbie Tolan.
Regardless of your beliefs, now is the time for all reasonable people to come to the aid of our country and openly ask the question "has the subject of race relations in America been adequately addressed?"
Eric Holder is an intelligent, extremely well educated gentleman. He stated his conviction in a clear and respectful manner. And then on cue; all hell broke loose.
Many Americans now seem to believe that since we elected a Black President, race relations in America are a resolved issue. Many appear to believe that we have done enough. I believe that the election of President Barack Obama is a sentinel event. It is a very significant step, not the conclusion to our journey of creating a more perfect union.
I recently wrote an article discussing the NFL combine. It has become a widely read and insightful piece. Comments fall into 2 groups: either, "I'm glad that you had the courage to finally publicly state what we have always known to be true" or "how could you say such a thing...I expected more from you". Sadly, these groups tend to separate along racial lines further emphasizing my assertion.
If in your heart you truly believe that there is no need to openly and honestly discuss race in America, please watch the HBO Real Sports Documentary regarding the shooting of baseball player Robbie Tolan.
Regardless of your beliefs, now is the time for all reasonable people to come to the aid of our country and openly ask the question "has the subject of race relations in America been adequately addressed?"
Dr. Benjamin,
I read your post on the NFL Scouting Combine, and while I don't think there is anything inherently immoral about evaluating potential players, I can see how you would find it offensive at a visceral level.
And while your readers might object to your discussion of the race relations issue via criticism of the scouting combine, I would be shocked if any of those readers would deny that there is a race relations issue in America.
I am not an American, but I have visited your country on a few occasions now, and what I saw disturbed me. Yes, you have eliminated segregation and slavery in law, but why is it that minimum wage jobs are overwhelmingly performed by young black men and women? What is the explanation for cities being divided into neighbourhoods almost exclusively based on the colour of their occupants' skin?
I am not suggesting that my country is perfect - indeed, racism is alive and well here too. In particular, the way we have treated and continue to treat our Aboriginal people is appalling.
This, of course, does not excuse racism elsewhere in the world. So while I may disagree with your evaluation of the NFL scouting combine, I do applaud you for raising the race relations issue and hope that we will see significant improvements in our lifetimes.
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