The Great Divide

Written by Bob Houghtaling

Soul Liberty is a concept we in Rhode Island should be proud of. Roger Williams felt there were ideas, values and concepts individuals possessed that should be protected from the law by the law (also from the church). In many ways Williams guaranteed Freedom of Thought more than a century before Freedom of Speech came into play. Unfortunately there are institutions today that seek to limit Freedom of Thought. One such institution might be an education system that promotes conformity. Another would be the legal system (especially when it comes to race and class). In many ways Black Americans are being asked to forget 350 years of hardship. This is being conducted on an institutionalized basis before our eyes.

Recently, the Pew Research Center released some interesting polling information regarding race and the Zimmerman trial. In short, there was a significant difference between how Whites and Blacks viewed the event. While 80 percent of blacks thought that Trayvon Martin’s killing brought up concerns about race, 28 percent of whites felt the same way. In fact, 60 percent of whites feel that race is “getting more attention than it deserves.” Statistics are what they are, but the ingredients that go into their making make for a serious discussion. How come the wide gap between viewpoints?

Could it be that African Americans like to play the race card? Perhaps white folks are racists. Maybe the liberals are putting blacks down by keeping them on the system with handouts. Then again, maybe conservatives do not care and are just trying to maintain an economic advantage. These all or nothing attitudes and statements are endless.

Jingoism abounds in regards to race. Some claim that President Obama is a race baiter, while others assert that "things" are just as bad as ever. Conservatives point to a number of blacks who have made it as examples that all you have to do is work hard. Many liberals still throw names like George Wallace and Strom Thurmond around when comparing the actions of some today to the past. Round and round we go. Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Al Sharpton and others are having a blast.

If we all could step back a bit maybe it would become more apparent that many folks are not really listening to each other. Sometimes there is so much to say – we leave little time to hear.

Most white folks I know do not consider themselves racists. Sure, some fall into that 60 percent I mentioned earlier, but for the most part they do not wish harm on African Americans. In addition, a common lament from some whites is, “I didn’t have anything to do with slavery or not letting blacks drink out of a water fountain.” For many, they see great change. They see Obama. They see some successful blacks on TV, as co-workers and in positions of power. All too often when blacks claim unfairness, or racism, many whites feel they are being blamed. That is when their defenses come up. Nobody wants to be considered a racist or bigot.

Blacks on the other hand cannot help but refer to 350 years of institutionalized racism. It was not so long ago when they were denied voting privileges. It was not so long ago when George Wallace was the Governor of Alabama (and a presidential candidate). It was not so long ago when folks who committed crimes against them skated. Many still feel a sense of mistrust.

Not all whites are racists. All blacks do not hate whites. At the issue’s core are fear, mistrust and years of stereotypes. These have led to distance and distance often breeds misconception.

Now back to Soul Liberty and our institutions. The Zimmerman case clearly illustrates differing viewpoints between blacks and whites regarding race. What is more subtle however is how those views impact our courts (often to the detriment of blacks). To some extent we have deluded ourselves into believing that our systems are fair. The court system is controlled by whites. It favors those with money (meeting parole, hiring lawyers). The system, being created by human beings, also carries the prejudices and foibles of the species. Sure our legal system is better than most. With this said, it needs some fine-tuning when it comes to race. In fact, the justice system does what it does fairly well. The problem here is that it is rigged before it starts.

The same can be said about our education system. Here in Rhode Island there is a battle over NECAP testing as a graduation requirement. The issue is not the test. The issue(s) have more to do with usage and fairness. Some populations are set up to lose before they even pick up the pencil. These institutions, while well intended, deny fairness and individuality. They also expect a "one size fits all" style of conformity. And those who cannot fit are faced with punishment. Freedom of thought is being truncated. Our systems (maybe inadvertently) are creating disadvantages. Not only that, they sometimes punish those who speak up. Glossing over issues does not make them go away. Glossing over issues, all to often denies confronting things like race and class.

Race matters in subtle ways. It matters because we continue to make it so by not really listening and respecting. When we go to our corners with old beliefs nothing changes. We have to let people own their feelings.

Saying that blacks should "just get over it" is ridiculous. Saying that they should not feel pain, marginalized, or leery of the legal system, is not taking into account their experience. For them it is visceral. There can be no denying our nation’s long history of troubled race relations.

Saying all whites are racists or do not care is equally unfair. Many do care and make concerted efforts to learn more and also lend a hand. All whites do not live with "silver spoons." They also cannot undo history. The benefits they have gained are not their fault. Recognizing those benefits and promoting fairness for all, should be a civic goal. We need to look at how our institutions could be used to address this. Before doing so we have to look at ourselves.

Perhaps we can begin by really listening to each other. Along with this comes a validation of feelings and points of view. Many have already formulated answers before hearing the questions. In doing so we are denying soul liberty by forcing people to think like us. In many ways that is the direction racism has gone today. Denying an issue will only make it come out sideways.

The fact that there is a great divide should surprise few of us. Divides can be bridged. Divides can also be explained or traversed. It is up to us if it continues to be something that keeps people apart.