How whites should respond to the demand that they must do something to end racism

In the discussion on Duluth’s “You can’t see racism when you’re white” campaign, which began several days ago and is still continuing, the first reader’s response was by Paul K. His comment should be spread all across this country. If whites weren’t three quarters brain-dead, it—and statements like it—would be spread all across this country:

Whites have turned our society upside down trying to deal with racism for the past 60 years, so it’s hardly novel to urge them to “have a role.” One wonders, though, when blacks will play a role beyond voicing complaints and demanding concessions. Much of what is called racism is an understandable reaction by whites to the unacceptable behavior of blacks. For example, whites tend to avoid situations where blacks congregate, out of fear of black violence. Which group can do more to resolve this problem? Would Mayor Ness recommend that blacks be less violent or that whites be less fearful of their violence? A great many social problems are attributed to the fatherless homes in which black children are raised; according to Mayor Ness, is this a problem that it is up to blacks or whites to address? Many whites withdraw their children from public school because the poor performance of black students lowers the academic quality and their disruptive behavior creates a chaotic environment; would Mayor Ness recommend that whites get over these concerns? Examples could continue.

Blacks are responsible for the behavior out of which most racial friction grows. Whites can only choose their reaction to it—resistance, acceptance, or avoidance. Yet to Mayor Ness and his ilk, it is only whites who have the power to change the situation.

- end of initial entry -

Paul K. writes:

It is remarkable how often the obvious question goes unasked. I recall an instance when then mayor Ed Koch was being shown around a dilapidated housing project. Local activists pointed out its many unacceptable deficiencies, among them stairwells reeking of urine.

“Who urinated in the stairwells?” Koch asked, ingenuously.

The response: a baffled silence.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at February 09, 2012 10:35 AM | Send