The Friday column: Talking about race
JPL’s Bobby Nelson, fresh off the victory by senior lab employees over wacko, un-American government intrusion into their private lives, has long been involved in area and national politics.
He recalls working on the Jesse Jackson presidential campaigns in 1984 and ‘88, and the failure to establish much of an interesting, non-personality-driven national dialogue on race. I think that’s probably because Jackson was rightly or wrongly a divisive character himself — note that no candidate this year, so far as I know, has exactly sought out his endorsement. His views, his past, his rhetoric, his womanizing — I once saw him corner a beautiful young girl backstage in the John Muir High School auditorium, and a fine piece of work it was — were too easy to caricature.
And Nelson remembers what I had certainly forgotten: President Bill Clinton’s effort, first put forward in a commencement address at UC San Diego in June 1997, to formally establish such a national dialogue. In the speech he announced the creation of an advisory panel that spent a year holding town meetings around the country and then released a report, “One America in the 21st Century: Forging a New Future,” which included suggestions for helping to eliminate ongoing discrimination based on race in America.
Right. That one caused quite a kerfuffle. Race-wise, everything turned into a big beautiful rainbow coalition after that landed with a thud on our desks.
To be fair, I would probably say the same thing about most any report, however well meaning, that came out of a national commission. I’m not so sure we solve problems through reports. In fact, I propose a ban on national commissions on anything.
Informal national dialogues — conversations, more like — are a good thing, though. They start up for random reasons, not by decree. Sen. Barack Obama’s speech on race Tuesday night had to be given because of the outrage over his former pastor’s racial stands. And now it’s started not only a national but an international dialogue, thanks to its instantaneous availability on the Internet. I heard a Lebanese intellectual on the radio Thursday saying that the Obama speech was the talk of Beirut. He noted that something like 15 percent of those in the Arab world have sub-Saharan African roots. I’ve seen it, and on the surface at least there is a more relaxed attitude toward race in Arab countries than there is in the West. But the Beiruti said that this surface sheen masks real issues of class and discrimination that mostly go undiscussed.
So I agree with Bobby, and with Obama — let’s discuss them. Let’s talk among ourselves, and at the dinner table, and in the office and the classroom and the public square. How’re we doing, America, on the race thing, which the sin of slavery made a subject that will never go away? Let’s write into the papers, and post on the blogs, with thoughts and stories. Have you had a religious or cultural figure in your past, like Obama’s Rev. Jeremiah Wright, with whom you might disagree about race but whose out-there views you learned from? Can you still be close with friends or family whose racial views differ markedly from your own? Is Wright all the way out to lunch, or does he make sense to you? Should Obama have repudiated him more fully?
Let’s have a little talk. I’ll be happy to print your take on race in this space.
Comments
Over de voor- en nadelen van het afsluiten van een lening zonder BKR-toetsing.
Posted by: lenen zonder bkr toetsing | August 3, 2010 2:14 PM
Hoeveel kan ik lenen? (hypotheek). Wat worden mijn maandlasten? (hypotheek) ... Hoeveel hypotheek heb ik nodig? Hoe hoog is de boete die ik nu zou moeten
Posted by: hypotheek | August 8, 2010 1:43 PM
This range of types of these Faux Handbag are progressive for the classics. They were almost entirely from the skin and many colors. What ever you want to bet your bag can go with you, that has to go Giorgio Armani A with your event and equipment.
Posted by: Faux Handbag | September 14, 2010 5:13 AM
When you buy Buy Cheap Replica Handbags wholesale, you will receive a far lower price and can sell at a price below the price or lower than retail. While we are experiencing the global economic crisis, there are still people who are willing to pay more for the price of a designer bag wholesale. But of course, are more careful when buying. Make sure they get what they paid for.
Posted by: Buy Cheap Replica Handbags | October 9, 2010 8:38 AM
Neat blog layout! Very easy on the eyes.. i like the colors you picked out
Posted by: Motorcycle Jacket | November 16, 2010 1:03 PM
This is the best blog I've ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.
Posted by: Backlinks | November 24, 2010 4:59 AM
Appreciation for the great blog post. I am glad I have taken the time to learn this.
Posted by: car lift kits | November 24, 2010 6:32 PM
There is no need for a warehouse or tank! Everything you need to do is market and promote their Designer Knockoff Handbags to their customers in addition to notice and buy it!
Posted by: Designer Knockoff Handbags | November 25, 2010 7:56 PM
The women are really born with a taste for beauty and fashion. They are still in the process of looking for trendy accessories: designer Fake Designer Handbags expensive diamonds, luxury watches impressive style scarves, etc., to continue the trend in fashion, they make a great effort and care in their appearance and impression on others. For them, the most beautiful places handbags that are strongly associated with women’s daily lives. If you’re a modern woman who has a special favor to economic handbags replica, then this message is for you.
Posted by: Fake Designer Handbags | December 7, 2010 7:24 PM
Thanks a lot for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this matter. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your web site with more information? It is extremely helpful for me. Respectfully, Thomasena.
Posted by: Thomasena | December 8, 2010 10:27 AM
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it's rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. :)
Posted by: Backlinks | December 12, 2010 4:53 PM
Nice!! Great Ifo. Great People. Great Blog. Thank you for all the great sharing that is being done here.
Posted by: Link Building Services | December 15, 2010 7:51 PM
yay google is my world beater helped me to find this outstanding website ! .
Posted by: Avery | December 19, 2010 6:08 PM
You made certain fine points there. I did a explore on the matter and found the majority of persons will consent with your site.My secrets about back link building Thank's for you recommend.
Posted by: Howard Mcglothin | December 24, 2010 8:12 AM
I love the journalism relevancy of your blog and it does a sweet decent work of presenting the info.
Posted by: Xavier Bench | December 25, 2010 10:42 AM
A friend of mine gave me a link to your website. It is cool, I will be back definitely.
Posted by: i sold stolen kesha ticket to ur mum | December 29, 2010 5:07 PM
I've been keeping my eye to the Triboro web page (and their leftovers) for any although.
Posted by: baby pink ghd | December 30, 2010 9:39 AM
I am not in fact positive if greatest methods contain emerged nearly things like that, except I am sure that your great work is clearly discovered. I was wondering if you offer some subscription near your RSS feeds since I would be very concerned.
Posted by: laser treatment for hair removal | January 1, 2011 5:58 AM
I am not in truth sure if best methods include emerged roughly stuff like that, but I am sure that your large job is clearly identified. I was thinking if you offer one membership to your RSS feeds as I would be very concerned.
Posted by: womens running shorts | January 1, 2011 5:47 PM