Race: Bridging the Gap
Race: Bridging the Gap - November 18, 1995
By Jim Gibson
From our personal lives, all of us know it is impossible to solve any problem without open, honest and constructive dialogue. Pretending that racial division does not exist has only continued to increase racial polarization in our society.
It has been too quiet on the racial front - except for false solutions we are now hearing from the likes of Buchanan & Gramm. The rest of us have engaged in a conspiracy of silence, resulting in racial gridlock and camps more focused on own their self-interests rather than a healthy productive discussion.
The current incentives on both sides of the political spectrum are wrong. Conservatives have had little success in recruiting significant numbers of people of color. In fact, many win elections when large numbers of white Democrats switch over and vote for them. As a result, Republicans have no political incentive to propose real and constructive solutions.
On the other side, most white Democrats duck the race issue because their support among whites is already so tenuous. In addition, they worry that discussing race might be confused with racism, endangering support from people of color.
This racial gridlock has led to very little dialogue. One side exploits while the other is silent. The time for real, open, honest and safe discussion is long overdue.
The political burden is on those who want to move forward because a sustainable, pragmatic, progressive agenda and coalition will be, by its very nature, multiracial and multiethnic. Because, otherwise, politically, the numbers simply will not add up.
Everyone around the table must take responsibility. Washington Post columnist, E. J. Dionne, has said it very well.
We need a persistent effort to vindicate the rights of others who do not belong to our own group. Whites need to speak up against racism while non-Jews openly confront anti-Semitism. Native-born Americans need to take a stand against anti immigrant rhetoric and people of color must oppose white bashing.
To productively further this debate, whites - my racial group - have another important responsibility. We must also abandon our guilt complex.
Of all the emotions, guilt is the least productive. It often leads to poor choices, condescending and offending behavior, and holds back real progress. Let me give just one of many other examples we can all relate to - Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings.
Folks, the battle for racial equality is not primarily about enhancing the power of particular groups. It is also not about making a problem go away so whites as a group can feel comfortable. It must be a common effort to improve our state and country and that will only succeed if its goal transcends our respective group identities.
As we face this very real crisis, I know I want to do everything possible to bring unity to Colorado and our country. My hope, when I reach my elderly years, is to be able to look back at my life and honestly say I tried and hopefully helped to achieve more common ground. I hope all of you share that same important vision.