Those who feel America is a post-racial society tend to be either die-hard conservatives or so naïve, they might believe there are snow-capped mountains in Florida. But by any measure, public education, the criminal injustice system, poverty, etc., White privilege and its cohort racism, remain the prime barriers to Blacks receiving actual justice and equality.
The negative implications of disunity are clear though largely ignored, even though now, more than ever, Black unity on political, economic and public policy issues is crucial-not just for forward progress, but our very survival. Today’s column takes a closer look at Black disunity and the need to come together to develop strategic alternatives for concrete sustainable change.
The bogus claim that America is a post-racial society is fueled not only by conservatives, but liberals and progressives as well. (Note: A post-racial America was one of Barack Obama’s campaign themes.) This hybrid collective is made up of ideological opponents, i.e., extreme right wing conservatives, ambivalent liberals and so-called progressives. Unfortunately, many Blacks also embrace the post-racial rhetoric, albeit for vastly different reasons. White leadership downplays the primacy of race, but maintains race-based power under the mythical guise of America as a melting pot. And for many Blacks, minimizing race is part of a long- misguided attempt to assimilate
The ongoing reality of white privilege cannot be overemphasized and should never be minimized. Why? As the face of racism, white privilege perpetuates America’s foundational tenet, i.e., to control and oppress people on the basis of race or ethnicit
People who tend to minimize the importance of race are also more likely to minimize its cohort, white privilege.