Wow! Some strong words today about race relations in America from Eric Holder, our new attorney general. In a speech to Justice Department employees commemorating Black History Month, Holder said the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate in their private lives.
“Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards,” said Holder, who is our first black attorney general. Race issues continue to be a topic of political discussion, he added, but “we, as average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race.”
More from Holder’s speech:
As a nation we have done a pretty good job in melding the races in the workplace. We work with one another, lunch together and, when the event is at the workplace during work hours or shortly thereafter, we socialize with one another fairly well, irrespective of race. And yet even this interaction operates within certain limitations. We know, by “American instinct” and by learned behavior, that certain subjects are off limits and that to explore them risks, at best embarrassment, and, at worst, the questioning of one’s character. And outside the workplace the situation is even more bleak in that there is almost no significant interaction between us. On Saturdays and Sundays America in the year 2009 does not, in some ways, differ significantly from the country that existed some fifty years ago. This is truly sad. Given all that we as a nation went through during the civil rights struggle it is hard for me to accept that the result of those efforts was to create an America that is more prosperous, more positively race conscious and yet is voluntarily socially segregated.
You can find Holder’s complete speech here. Pretty bold statements for someone who has only been in his job a few weeks. I tend to agree with him. In fact, some of his comments read like things I’ve been saying during my talks at churches, Christian colleges, and conferences. I hope Holder and others in the new administration are able to help America talk about these issues in a more honest and forthright way.
I know it’s become somewhat of a cliche to say it but, this is why “In a divided society, only the church can model unity”; Because it’s a heart issue. The world can bring about a certain degree of order and justice (biblically, that is the work, and rightful role, of the law). But the true unity in diversity where people willingly choose to come together and live in harmony requires a new heart. That’s why what you do Edward is so important. You’re about reconciling hearts.
You might want to reread Holter’s piece. He talks about some form of social integration but uses language steeped in segregation and separatism. A subtly mixed message that carries the nuance of bigotry.
“It is also clear that if we are to better understand one another the study of black history is essential because the history of black America and the history of this nation are inextricably tied to each other.”
Black America and “this nation,” as in two separate entities.
“the history of the United States in the nineteenth century revolves around a resolution of the question of how America was going to deal with its black inhabitants.”
Black inhabitants? Again, not a reference to them being part of America.
Holter goes on to try to pull it back together, but the overall “nuance” is still that of a man who is “less than comfortable” with Whites and America.
I am trying as hard as I can not to punch a wall or swear. Jonolan, you are a disgusting, evil person. It is the hatred that fills your soul that keeps blacks from being comfortable around you, and people like you.
Go ahead and punch a wall, kip. It’ll make you feel better. 😉 Though, after looking at your blog, I’d say you carry a far greater burden of hate within your soul than I do.
Thanks for bringing this speech to our attention. I’ve not had time to read the entire speech yet, but one question comes to mind: Would the attorney general have been as likely to make this speech before an Obama presidency? President Obama set something of a precedent for this type of candor in his “A More Perfect Union” speech back in March. At the time many of us wondered if this speech (along with an Obama presidency) would lead to more honest conversations about race in our country. Perhaps Eric Holder’s speech is a sign of of hopeful things to come.
B”H
Hey Brother Ed,
I think you have exposed a raw nerve here. I hope that both Kip and Jonolan will take a time-out and reconsider their harsh words before they write any further comments.
One thing that I thought we might have learned here by now is, that kindness wins more friends and allies than mean-spirited brashness. It doesn’t matter who is right or wrong in this case. If we are brethren in the LORD, then we are bound together in the Body and we need to find ways to honor the Spirit of GOD in one another. When I disrespect my sister or brother then I also injure and harm the LORD who resides within them.
Most certainly I understand where Kip is coming from, but I was more hurt by the cruel remarks exchanged between him and Jonolan than by her initial comment.
I hope that we can go forward and have a deep and honest discussion without feeling the need to castigate and dismember one another.
Hi Pastor David. I think that your question regarding the connection between Pres. Obama’s speech last year (Towards a More Perfect Union) and today’s remarks by Atty Gen. Holder are very sightful. I don’t know that Pres. Obama has ‘made possible’ the current on-going conversation on race we are hearing, but he surely has been a major player in taking us to a higher plane of honesty in our exchanges with one another.
Black people have long been saying a lot of things about race relations in private, that are now being discussed openly in the public arena. Some of us, myself included, are not entirely comfortable with all of these developments. (My discomfort however, has more to do with the issue of presumption than with the actual topics being discussed. I could go further in to that, but I think it is quite a bit off topic right now.) One further CIP of this current sense of uneasiness was mentioned in an article on the Urban Faith site. See The Reconciliation Supper Club, by Linda Leigh Hargrove,
“What Did You Say?
“Interracial marriages are sinful,” the older white man said, his face set like stone. The mixed-race group seated at the table around him was stunned.
Eating with white folks was a little risky at times. You had to have thick skin and a good hold of your sweet Jesus — the one Who knew when to turn the other cheek and when to upset a few tables.”
“Amazing Grace
“This is kind of weird,” the burly black man said, “talking about white folks to their faces.”
And that’s just the thing about our potluck dinner meetings — we could talk. But we had a few ground rules and a few goals. They went something like this:
• Commit to coming for a year
• Be honest
• Be loving
• Everyone shares
• Admit when you’re wrong
• Submit to God as you submit to one another
• If you have a question, you better ask somebody”
It is my hope and my prayer, that an open environment of love and respect can be fostered here. A place where it’s ok to say the things that are truly on one’s mind. A forum where we can safely disagree and seek to learn from one another as we honestly sit quietly and listen from time to time.
Blessing in the strong name of Jesus our King,
Shlomo
I apologize for my harsh language. Jon and I have been going at it for quite a while. You know, with me being a liberal who thinks that people should have human rights, dignity and respect, no matter how they came into this world.
All I was doing was pointing out that Holder’s words were largely couched in phraseology that belied his supposed message. Because of that I don’t think his words should be heralded as that great of thing.
Yeah, Kip and I have been going at for quite a while. We do tend to get irate with each other on a regular basis and should work harder to keep that limited to our own blogs.
I was pleased to see Holder’s speech today. It is refreshing to hear a major public official speak so honestly about race. I was especially struck by his “nation of cowards” comment. Bold words, but words that need to be said. Keep it coming! I agree with Holder that we have yet to come to grips with what we have done, with what it has meant, and still means, to be black in America. The more we have these kinds of informative and honest speeches from our leaders, the better off we’ll be.
Thanks for bringing our new attorney general’s speech to our attention, Ed. A coward, he ain’t, at least not in regards to speaking freely about race and racism in America.
In the truest sense that’s what we all need: permission to speak freely. Particularly in the church. Reconciliation not only involves the opposite of cowardice but the presence of deep conviction.
Unfortunately I don’t see a lot of that these days. Not the kind that took King to the mountainside and Tubman through the darkest of nights.
There may be some dark days and nights ahead in the necessary journey of reconciliation our nation has been standing in need of for many decades but it probably won’t require any massive marches. It seems that’s when many people want to join the effort, when the numbers are impressive. That speaks of our cowardice, I suppose.
Breaking down walls may call for something as simple as coming to the table to share a meal even when folks think you’re crazy for ‘eating with white folks’ and talking about race.
Thanks for remembering, Shlomo. My DH and I were talking about those ‘good old days’ last night. Thank the Lord some new ‘meal’ plans are in the works.
Nation of Cowards!
We live in a Nation where there is no all white Miss America pagents but do have the ALL BLACK Miss America pagents.
We live in a Nation that would be criticized if we had a television chanel titled “White Entertainment”.
Although we all a chanel with the title “Black Entertainment”.
We dedicate one whole month to “Black History Month.” Ever hear of a whole month dedicated to the Asians, Indians, Italians, ect. Get my point?
Still existing today is the all black college.
Our Nation has made so much progress regarding the hatred towards the blacks over the last 200 years. No way can all hatred be eliminated. Although it would be a nice thought. Hatred has always existed and always will. It is not always a color issue. White man hates white man. Black man hates another black man. The hispanic man hating someone because they are Jewish. The Jew man hating the Catholic man. The Indian and the Cowboy. The Texan and the New Yorker! The list goes on and on and on!
The way I see things is that so much has been given to those that always want more. Progress has been made! But, these people are not happy with half the pie, they want the whole pie! Comments like the one made by Holter can break down and destroy the progress made in our country.
I am not a coward to say what I feel. It is what I see and believe! Holter has his belief and I have mine.
A “nation of cowards”? Seems we can never do enough to show to Mr. Holder that we are not what he thinks we are. The likes of him will NEVER be satisfied.
He can come to my house this weekend, but it can’t be published here what I want him to do.
Wow!
I have to say, the majority of these comments proves Mr. Holders’ point.
Hi Shlomo- If you get a chance I would really like to hear more about this: “My discomfort however, has more to do with the issue of presumption than with the actual topics being discussed.” Hope you are well.
I don’t know if these comments prove Holder’s point or not, but I think it proves why people may be hesitant to talk about race.
If you voice a concern or opinion that differs from someone else’s, you will not be met with respect and a desire to understand a different point of view, but will instead be lambasted for daring to hold a different point of view.
Yes, Judy, that quite eloquently sums it up.
I wonder if Holder has been emboldened by an Obama presidency? These kind of harsh honest words were usually reserved for a closed door session for Blacks to release the pressure built up inside of them because of racism. What he said was true. But if Obama was not president and he was attorney general, I dont think he would have said it.
Think about it.
What he said sounded like something over the top that Sharpton or Farrakhan would say (although true). If any of those two had said it, it would have been summarily dismissed by white society but quietly embraced by African Americans.
The big difference is that Holder said ‘we’, not ‘they.’
[…] to start constructive conversations about race, culture, and understanding (the kind I believe Attorney General Eric Holder was attempting to get at yesterday), or will we use them as justification for our hostility and as […]
I hope Holder’s statement was not only meant for the white community. His statement of “voluntarily segregated” is true in a sense. When my kids were in grade school everybody played together. ( I live in a diverse community, in the school my children attend is the make up is black, white, hispanic in that order) At the junior high level something happened, the kids that all once played together no longer do so. They have now separated. There are many black and white kids still hanging out together, but for the most part it has become segregated. By choice. Not just the choice of the white kids, but also of the black kids. We tend to gravitate toward what is familiar. Is that wrong, no. It is comfortable.
He makes a statement about Sunday mornings looking no different. Is this a church reference? I don’t know, but I will go there. There are several black churches in my community. I am sure if I would go to one I would be welcomed with open arms. I do not doubt this. The reason I choose not to go is because I like a different worship style, it’s a choice. The white churches are always trying to attract more people of color, or being accused of not doing enough to attract others, do the black churches do that? Do they mix up their church services, music, etc. to attract more white people? Just curious.
He says we do not “talk enough with each other about race”. I may be naïve here, but what conversations do black people want to have? How do I bring up race? Why do I bring up race? I am just trying to build a relationship , a friendship with another human being. Is that not enough? I don’t know what to say about race, “Hey you’re black, I’m white, should we talk about that?”.
Honestly Ed, I enjoy your blog and I appreciate your blog. But I must say, I have come across as many black people as white people who just don’t want to “get along”. There are just as many black people as white people who don’t want reconciliation. When you have speaking engagements are they to all races? Again, just curious. Reconciliation has to be desired from all sides.
I truly would appreciate answers to any of my questions. They are honest questions.
[…] to start constructive conversations about race, culture, and understanding (the kind I believe Attorney General Eric Holder was attempting to get at yesterday), or will we use them as justification for our hostility and as […]
B”H
Hey All,
First off, I was glad to see Jonolan and Kip both rejoin the conversation with revised attitudes. Although we may disagree, I don’t think any of us want to “win” by having others leave the forum.
Hi Judy, I want to challenge your assertion that …. “If you voice a concern or opinion that differs from someone else’s, you will not be met with respect and a desire to understand a different point of view, but will instead be lambasted for daring to hold a different point of view.”
Let’s just consider what is happening here on Ed’s Blog. There have been many occasions where strong words have been written and yet Ed and most of his regular readers have generally tried to respond in gracious and tolerant ways. If we assume that hostility and rejection is the natural follow-up to unpopular opinions, then would we be dejected and disappointed when our views are simply accepted as “a different point of view” ? Granted, I may truly think that one is ignorant or sinister to hold a view of cultural or biological superiority, but I also know that we will never make any progress if I belittle the other person rather than trying to help them embrace differences.
I guess my point is this. It is my understanding that Brother Ed started this blog to take the ideas he shared in his book, Reconciliation Blues, and engage an on-line audience on those topics and other current events. The goal of creating a caring cyber-community, which is honest and vulnerable, is still a work in progress. I’m glad to be a part of this effort and hope that you, and many others, won’t give up and conceed that the conventional wisdom is true, “Nothing can be done to make things better, so why even try.” My hope, for greater understanding and true acceptance, hinges on the premise that GOD is in the business of establishing His Kingdom in the midst of human endeavors and He is well able to make “all things new.”
Blessings,
Shlomo
I must say, I didn’t expect this post to generate such charged conversation, but I’m glad that it did. Thanks, everyone, for your heartfelt comments. And thanks, Shlomo, for your peacemaker spirit. Honestly, I’m fine with disagreement, but I would encourage each of us to really try to listen to what others are saying. I think often we have our particular agendas (I certainly have mine) that automatically drive our interpretations of what the other person is saying, but I think we sometimes miss each other because of those filters through which we hear things. That’s why grace and patience are so important in the blogosphere–and in life. 🙂 I’m so grateful for the boatloads of grace that you folks have extended to me over these last couple years.
DCE, I would like to respond to your questions. I agree with you that racial reconciliation should not be a one-way street that only whites are required to travel. We all contribute to the racial and cultural divides in our world, and we all need to be willing to sacrifice, extend grace, and reach out across the chasms.
I speak to whatever groups invite me, and they’re usually multiracial (though mostly white) evangelical settings like Christian colleges and ministry conferences. At those events, I try to make it clear that “we’re all in this together.” And I attempt to express the struggles and concerns from all sides, based on personal conversations, interviews, and even blog interactions that I’ve had with people of different races and backgrounds (so, don’t be surprised if some of your comments show up in one of mhy talks someday :-).
I aplogize if you got the sense that I’m only “preaching to” white people; that’s not the case at all. I would hope that this would come out through my statements on the blog here, but I guess I take it for granted that everyone here has read my book or knows where I’m coming from. But, of course, that’s not the case. And that’s my mistake. In my book, Reconciliation Blues, I do speak primarily from an African American perspective, since it’s a partly autobiographical book and that’s where I come from. But my purpose in speaking about these issues so directly is to get them out on the table and to say in public what many of us have only dared to say in private, among folks of our own race.
That’s a scattered and rambling response to your questions, but I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I’m so thankful and honored that you would read this blog and share your heart here.
Blessings,
Ed G.
Question:
Does Holder’s language belie and separatism between Black America and Americans or does he merely talk that way about the 19th century because, in fact, it WAS two separate things? Seems to me his language reveals the obvious fact that things are more separated than should be. And minorities will always be separate as long as we continue to objectify some groups of people by their race and not others.
Just some thoughts. Thanks Ed for posting this and allowing uncomfortable conversations.
Phil
Phil,
“minorities will always be separate as long as we continue to objectify some groups of people by their race and not others. “
I think a more accurate statement – one without as much of a racial bias at least – would be, “our peoples will always be separate as long as we continue to objectify people by their race”
A Black, Latino, Asian, or Amerindian is as likely to prejudge a White as a White is to prejudge a Black, Latino, Asian, or Amerindian. And the minorities are just as likely to prejudge each other as well.
B”H
I wrote a post on my own site this morning on this topic. There is so much to say about this topic and little time.
Blessings,
Shlomo
Ed, great post.
I have been thinking about this too as one of many conversations that will likely be more common in and around the white house as a result not only of President Obama and in this case AG Holder but from many many black folks in and around them all. So for instance, the woman who is the social secretary for the first time is an African American and her comments, views and experiences will create similar changes in perspective. Some substantive, others not.
In some ways, for me, the change in racial discussion and conversation empowered in an unspoke manner by Obama’s presence but actually carried on all the people around him will be most interesting.
I think that we now have 4 women who are the direct descendants of slaves living in the white house. . . and not as servants. That should spark some comments and conversations!
I think the biggest problem with Holders comments have been that the one phrase has been carried everywhere in the media (NOT HERE!!!!) without context. So we focus on the sting of being called cowards without being able to recognize the obvious truth of his sentences that follow.
The man through lawsuits uncovered had lawyers ruined for life and COPS KILLED!!! to cover his corruption.
How on earth can the American people be called a coward by this evil,evil man and not take a suicide high powered 50 caliber pop shot at this guy.
I digress, what goes around comes around and someday he will pay,no doubt.
Man, is it ever a sick thing to say by a twisted tyrant.
Speaking of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder:
Eric Holder is a racial-minority individual, and in his heart and mind he inevitably does not endorse hate crimes committed by George W. Bush.
George W. Bush committed hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism (indicated in my blog).
George W. Bush did in fact commit innumerable hate crimes.
And I do solemnly swear by Almighty God that George W. Bush committed other hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism which I am not at liberty to mention.
Many people know what Bush did.
And many people will know what Bush did—even to the end of the world.
Bush was absolute evil.
Bush is now like a fugitive from justice.
Bush is a psychological prisoner.
Bush has a lot to worry about.
Bush can technically be prosecuted for hate crimes at any time.
In any case, Bush will go down in history in infamy.
Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Messiah College, Grantham, PA
Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993
“GEORGE W. BUSH IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY” BLOG OF ANDREW YU-JEN WANG
_____________________
I am not sure where I had read it before, but anyway, it is a linguistically excellent statement, and it goes kind of like this: “If only it were possible to ban invention that bottled up memories so they never got stale and faded.” Oh wait—off the top of my head—I think the quotation came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook.
The reason people don´t want to discuss race is because it will always break down into a shit fight.
Imagine the following.
I don´t believe all races are equal.
Even though I could produce 10 pages of facts to support my claim, I would be demonized. I actually don´t have to say any more than the above to provoke a stream of abuse.
Now you know why I don´t bother discussing race.
What this retard wants us to do is all agree that race doesn´t matter, when it clearly does.
Sorry, that´s the truth. Deal with it.
As for Mr. Thompson’s assertion that “races” are not “equal,” and that “race,” whatever that is, “clearly does” matter, there are not any pages of fact to substantiate this in light of current scholarship, which establishes, keeping it very brief, that: (a) “Race” does not exist as a verifiable scientific category of analysis; (b) Differences between blacks and whites, for example, obviously exist and these cultural groupings are not “equal” in wealth, health, freedom, opportunity, and so on–pretty much all measurable indices of well-being–but historical and sociological explanations are adequate and compelling, while biological or intrinsic (i.e. “ability”) explanations don’t fly.
I would add that when someone calls a person with whom they disagree a “retard,” right off the bat, that is a good reason to suspect that person knows their argument is weak and can’t win on the merits, so he resorts to invective instead of these “facts” he claims he could cite.
Although Mr. Thompson claims that he would be the victim of a “stream of abuse” for even naming his views, he has not been abused, and instead he is the one slinging abuse and setting aside the facts.
Tim Tyson
To eradicate Racism from our society we must first eradicate it from our thoughts and our conscience. By understanding that racism does not work, never worked, and never will work. And we need to start seeing ourselves and each other as the deities own creation, that we are all connected and there is no separation, we as people , the human race have to make a conscious choice that the idea of racism is not working and reject it.
Much the same as old ideas and learned behaviors once we learn to let go of those we can move forward and away from the beasts of the past (old teachings)