Why is America Afraid to Talk About Race?
by: Dr. Boyce Watkins

Let’s be honest:  Much of America, particularly conservative America, does NOT like black people.  I figured this out when doing an interview on Sean Hannity’s radio show (the guy on Fox).  I sat there listening to him ask questions about black people and answer them, all at the same time.  I probably know a bit more about being a black man than he does, but he didn’t want to hear what I had to say.  He seemed determined to continue his tirade of highly emotive mental masturbation.  I was determined to allow him to continue, for I am rarely offended by ignorance, and interviewing by phone allowed me to watch the football game on TV.  By now, I pretty much know what racism looks like, even when it is dressed up as neo-conservatism, and I had heard this “conversation” many times before.  But this “conversation” led me to reflect on how screwed up race relations are in America, and what can be done about it. 

Nobody seems to want to talk honestly about race, at least not in public.  When I once tried to discuss race at Syracuse University (where I am on the faculty), my reaction from colleagues was interesting.  I should first say that it has been made clear to me that my controversial statements in the media are not exactly helping my job security.  But I am not sure if a business school that, to my knowledge, has NEVER tenured an African-American in any department can be anything BUT racist.  Am I the crazy one here?  Have no black people been tenured because none of us are qualified?  Is this something that I should be embarrassed for noticing?  Or have we become so complacent in our second-class citizenship that we are fearful of telling America what true equality looks like. 

What is also interesting is that, when I pointed out the obvious, the response was not what I expected  Complete and total silence.  I think that in some training manual for survival in a politically-charged environment, there is a clause that says “When at work, if someone talks about black people, slavery or racism, just look at the floor and DO NOT SAY A WORD.  Just pretend that you didn’t hear the question.  If you are consistently evasive, the big, scary negro will eventually go away.  If that doesn’t work, just offer him chicken.” 

I sat puzzled after getting this odd reaction from the other faculty and leadership.  Did they expect their silence to make me feel better?  Did they think that I was going to forget that I was a black man if they simply didn’t inform me of that fact?  Was I going to vanish into thin air if they clicked their heels 3 times?  Does a non-response to something of critical import to one of your colleagues indicate that you respect their experiences? 

In all fairness, I did get a bit of a reaction to my statement.  One person came to me on the side, whispering in my ear, saying, “I agree with you, but don’t tell anybody.”  This sort of made me feel like the girl that guys only visit after midnight.  I am guessing this person believed in racial equality, but as long as her friends didn’t know that she felt that way.   

Black folks are just as guilty as others when it comes to the way we talk about race.  We will talk all kinds of “doo-doo” around the dinner table, but we all understand that when we get into the office or around non-black folks, we are supposed to be quiet.  I am not in favor of the idea of stirring up trouble just for the heck of it.  But I would say that I am in favor of the idea of at least sharing the discomfort that is experienced by millions of African-Americans.  Millions of “successful” African-Americans end up fighting the same battles, whether you are working in the steel mill or hanging out with the Board of Directors.  I have sat with Professors, Doctors, Lawyers, professional athletes, multi-millionaires, baby’s mamas, carpenters and police officers, and we all have many of the same experiences.  My question is very simple:  Why IN THE HELL are we afraid to talk about it?  Do we not have the same rights as the rest of America to lay these issues at the foot of the conscience of our country?             

I am an American, and I love this country.  So, I propose this silly thought:  In order for the American family to prosper, there MUST be an open dialogue on race.  Talking about race, honestly and openly, even if others do not want to hear it, is one of the most patriotic things you can do.  So, let me be the first black patriot (or shall we say scapegoat) and say that America needs to address its past in order to brighten its future.  This is not about agreeing not to call someone a “nigger” in the hallway, for racism is much more complicated than that.  The most dangerous forms of racism come from the institutions we have created on a racist foundation.  Do you really think that the organization with 100 white males is going to change very much by hiring 2 or 3 black people?  We can continue to presume that minorities have little wealth and few positions of power because they are unqualified, or we can face the facts and realize that the only way to reverse the effects of 400 years of deliberate oppression and systematic economic exclusion is through a century or more of deliberate effort to correct the most egregious abuses in recent human history.  To have a harmonious America, you must have an equal America.  But creating harmony and equality requires us to look at ourselves in a mirror of honesty, not one that is conveniently distorted by the demons of the past.

 

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