Here's an exchange I had with a friend on ghettos in America, prompted by the heinous murder of 3 young black teens on the south side last weekend:
Person 1: Do you think the black community needs to take care of the problem of inner city violence itself; or do you view white America as having an obligation?
By obligation, I mean one which flows from 250 years of slavery and 100 years of segregation in the South.
I have an instinct here, but I'd like to hear your (if you want lenghty) response.
Person 2: Well, it's interwoven. It's more like 150 years of segregation and terrorism in the South, second class or no citizenship, little economic oppy in either case.However there is a blame-responsibility dichotomy here. The blame I set squarely on whites and thus the obligation to support innovative approaches, development, etc. will always be there. Nevertheless, there's also the concept of responsibility. That could mean engineering solutions that cover the bases from progressive to ones that conservatives might claim, to personal morals and courage. Do I turn in my own son? The answer must be yes.
Person 1: Now here's my answer (for your consideration):
1. I think we all have responsibility for the ghettos. We're all Americans. And it's the biggest problem, in my view, in America. Much worse than healthcare by a long shot (no pun intended).
2. White America can only really address the after-effects of violence, in my view. We can prosecute people; we can put more cops on the street; even soldiers. We can't be in the homes of the young men who grow up without dads, which is the problem mostly.
3. I don't know what middle and upper class Black America can do.
4. I believe that Black America will gain self-confidence if they choose to take on the problem themselves. A source of pride.
5. You can tell that not only is there a white/black gulf, but really a rich/poor gap. Holder (who I know) and Obama have 'made it' big time. Yet they are not turning to the problem because they are now interested in keeping what they've gained, and turning attention to this problem is not popular. I personally say, fuck popularity. One doesn't become AG or President to be popular, but to get things done.
When I was prosecuting in DC, I got my wH secretary (a dark-skinned black woman who was very responsible, and a single mom) to take to lunch a young black mother of two (about 22) who was in court over a domestic dispute with her children's father. They all were in need of stability. But I'm white, and was only one person.
I don't think at this point that looking at the relatively distant past is useful. (Meaning the obvious problems the country had.) I do think it is reasonable to hold politicians and Americans accountable now, for a continuing problem.
If you want to fancy-up your post, I'd be glad to post our interchange as my next blog entry (which goes out to my friend, which includes some quasi-opinion makers, including a few middle class Americans!!)
One other point for clarity: I don't think the blame/responsibility dichotomy is helpful to anyone.
Not how I see it. I know almost all people tend to fall into one bucket or the other. I don't. I think that feeds on the problems that got us to this place, which helps none of the people who need the help, including most importantly their mindset.
I like this picture, as modified a bit:
Person 1: Do you think the black community needs to take care of the problem of inner city violence itself; or do you view white America as having an obligation?
By obligation, I mean one which flows from 250 years of slavery and 100 years of segregation in the South.
I have an instinct here, but I'd like to hear your (if you want lenghty) response.
Person 2: Well, it's interwoven. It's more like 150 years of segregation and terrorism in the South, second class or no citizenship, little economic oppy in either case.However there is a blame-responsibility dichotomy here. The blame I set squarely on whites and thus the obligation to support innovative approaches, development, etc. will always be there. Nevertheless, there's also the concept of responsibility. That could mean engineering solutions that cover the bases from progressive to ones that conservatives might claim, to personal morals and courage. Do I turn in my own son? The answer must be yes.
Person 1: Now here's my answer (for your consideration):
1. I think we all have responsibility for the ghettos. We're all Americans. And it's the biggest problem, in my view, in America. Much worse than healthcare by a long shot (no pun intended).
2. White America can only really address the after-effects of violence, in my view. We can prosecute people; we can put more cops on the street; even soldiers. We can't be in the homes of the young men who grow up without dads, which is the problem mostly.
3. I don't know what middle and upper class Black America can do.
4. I believe that Black America will gain self-confidence if they choose to take on the problem themselves. A source of pride.
5. You can tell that not only is there a white/black gulf, but really a rich/poor gap. Holder (who I know) and Obama have 'made it' big time. Yet they are not turning to the problem because they are now interested in keeping what they've gained, and turning attention to this problem is not popular. I personally say, fuck popularity. One doesn't become AG or President to be popular, but to get things done.
When I was prosecuting in DC, I got my wH secretary (a dark-skinned black woman who was very responsible, and a single mom) to take to lunch a young black mother of two (about 22) who was in court over a domestic dispute with her children's father. They all were in need of stability. But I'm white, and was only one person.
I don't think at this point that looking at the relatively distant past is useful. (Meaning the obvious problems the country had.) I do think it is reasonable to hold politicians and Americans accountable now, for a continuing problem.
If you want to fancy-up your post, I'd be glad to post our interchange as my next blog entry (which goes out to my friend, which includes some quasi-opinion makers, including a few middle class Americans!!)
One other point for clarity: I don't think the blame/responsibility dichotomy is helpful to anyone.
Not how I see it. I know almost all people tend to fall into one bucket or the other. I don't. I think that feeds on the problems that got us to this place, which helps none of the people who need the help, including most importantly their mindset.
I like this picture, as modified a bit: