A statistical argument on racial inequity can easily be won by the participant who argues that,in America, whites fair better than blacks. Anyone who argues against that point would need to interpret the data in an original and unique way or make astounding leaps against accepted beliefs. By most standards (ie. education level, income, health care) there are measurable inequities.

It's easy to see there's a problem. It's not easy to see what causes the problem. Too many people take the simplistic view that racial oppression by the white majority is the cause. If the problem was that simple to solve there would be no racial inequity in America. It's been against the law for forty years. The only legal racial discrimination in America is discrimination against whites. Maybe the problem is more complex.

Why do we have people described as "black leaders?" There are leaders who are black. Colin Powell is one. Then there are people who lead blacks. Jesse Jackson comes to mind. Keeping people divided based on race served no purpose for Colin Powell. As Secretary of State he spoke for the United States. On the other hand, it serves Jesse Jackson's purpose to divide the country by race.

Al Sharpton says black children aren't getting an education. The white man needs to do something about that. Jesse Jackson says black men are going to jail in astounding numbers. The white man needs to do something about that. Black people don't have jobs. Blame the white man. Black men don't raise their children. Blame the white man.

This approach has helped some black people. Al Sharpton is now a wealthy man. Jesse Jackson and his family have done very well also. But overall progress is hard to find. Maybe some new ideas are in order.

If a white man says people need take responsibility for themselves and their children he is labeled a racist and told to sit down and shut up and take responsibility for all the suffering he has caused to blacks. Now he might just be some factory worker raising a couple of kids on his meager paycheck. He doesn't have a clue what he's done to oppress anyone. He just knows what he did for his kids. He went to work everyday to feed his kids and put a roof over their heads. He made them go to school and be home by curfew. He didn't get any favors. He worked hard. He doesn't understand how this makes him the bad guy.

If a black man like Bill Cosby says the same thing he gets labeled an Uncle Tom and a traitor. He's just talking about what he did raising his kids and he doesn't understand how this makes him the bad guy.

Louis Farrakhan is one "black leader" who preaches about personal responsibility. Some people argue against his more controversial rhetoric and lose his message all together. This is unfortunate. There are several factors that contribute to racial inequality. If all the responsibility for getting rid of these inequities is placed on the white man then we will fail.

Learn more about this author, Charles Popielarz.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Racial inequality or oppression: Do they truly exist in today's society??
We want to hear your view. Write now!