Racism Higgins the Price of Racial Harmony Term Paper

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Racism Higgins

The Price of Racial Harmony

Almost thirty years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, race relations in the United States continue to be strained and the dream of racial harmony appears to be as far from reality as it ever was. Many commentators, including Shelby Steele, consider that the cause of these continued difficulties lies in society's determined emphasis upon race and color, rather than upon equality and individualism. The convenient packaging and classification of people into the camps of either black or white perpetuates the divisive conflict of oppressors vs. victims, and innocence vs. power. Although integration and multiculturalism are among the catchwords of the time, the present situation is merely a case of blacks and whites adopting the path of least resistance. To truly achieve equality and cooperation within racial relations, society must make radical changes in the way that it acts and thinks. This will be difficult and painful for many, and the major obstacle to its achievement is the fact that, in the words of Steele, "what both black and white Americans fear are the sacrifices that true racial harmony demands" (Rereading America, 1992).

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Since the 1960s, the pursuit of racial harmony has been high on the political, social, and cultural agendas, yet it is very rarely discussed at a meaningful level. When the subject of race is a topic for discussion or discourse, it is usually to examine and analyze the concept of racism. Furthermore, as claimed by Bell Hooks, any such talk of race usually reinforces traditional ideas of black inferiority, perpetuates a denial of racism, or sustains a conflict mentality in which blacks and whites are depicted as occupying enemy camps (1995). Although the road to improved race relations relies upon communication and understanding, many individuals continue to be extremely reluctant to "talk race" because "it is painful to think long and hard about race and racism in the United States" (Hooks, 1995). Shelby Steele supports this view, and states that race talk among blacks and whites is often unproductive because when such talk occurs, both groups struggle to "maintain power by maintaining their innocence" (Rereading America, 1992). In essence, this fear of discussing….....

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