Reaction on Race

This piece was written late last year as my reaction to a class project in a communication course I instructed @ Loyola College in Maryland. I felt a bit nostalgic...and wanted to share my memory of our class discussion. Enjoy...

Greetings GoodPeople,

I send you this message today after much contemplation and observation. The United States of America has done something that I NEVER thought I would live to see. I say this because my current contemplation and observation is a direct result of the election of Senator Barack Obama as President of the United States of America. I, for one, thought this achievement was near impossible. [Because I was wrong, there is tremendous lesson in this event.] As I write this letter to you, the trees outside my apartment are decorated with bright autumn reds, oranges, and yellows...a natural sign of CHANGE. Like the trees, I and my country, are moving through a change as well.

I study Human Communication (Rhetoric), Culture, Politics, Race, and Power. I've also learned a substantial amount about Mass Media in the year 2008. I currently instruct an Introductory course on Mass Media at Loyola College in Maryland. My students submit four "reaction" papers during the period of a semester. These papers serve multiple functions, but above all, it allows them the freedom of expression. They receive the opportunity argue, extend, discredit, or agree with any material they feel is pertinent to material discussed in class. Though these assignments are usually submitted to ME, in the spirit of CHANGE, I am submitting a "reaction" paper to THEM (and anyone else in the world who reads these words).

This "reaction" paper is submitted in response to our inter-racial/inter-cultural discussions on Thursday, October 30th and Thursday, November 7th. My thoughts are as follows:

October 30th

Students within the Mass Media communication course I instruct at Loyola College in Maryland presented PetriDish to a group of media/cultural practitioners of whom I met during my tenure at Morgan State University. PetriDish is a blogspot that the class is constructing as a Final Semester Project. Its general bend is one of culture; more specifically the culture of Baltimore City, Maryland. For those who may not know, Loyola College is predominantly White and Morgan State University if predominantly Black. (These institutions are approximately 2 miles from each other.)

That initial meeting (October 30th) was, to my chagrin, an incomplete and unbalanced dialogue on race and culture...which also seemed to lack a clear structure or goal. As one who has conducted my share of inter-racial conversations on race, I DID notice some familiar patterns. My general assessments are as follows: 1.) Blacks speak with much more intensity and fervor on issues of race; 2.) Whites listen with more intensity and fervor on issues of race.

I was already familiar with these aforementioned observations, so consequently, we had to hold another meeting in hopes of gaining a greater understanding of such a pervasive yet elusive issue (race may very well be the ultimate paradox).

November 7th

Yesterday, November 7th, we came back together to "finish" our discussion on race and culture. Believing it beneficial to introduce a theoretical construct that could "guide" the conversation, we began our conversation familiarizing ourselves with scholarly notions of Black Rage (Gladney, 1995; Henderson, 1996; West, 1994) and White Guilt (Lewis, 2006; McCarthy, 1998; Steele, 2006). After gaining an understanding of these two notions, and more importantly, understanding how they "cooperatively" act as impediments to "Buberian" dialogue between races....we seemed more able to move in a progressive direction on the subject. I observed in this particular meeting that my two earlier observations can be challenged due to my 1.)observation of Whites speaking with more fervor and intensity about their observations and worldview, and 2.) witnessing Blacks listen with a bit more interest and curiosity regarding Whiteness. I also witnessed and participated in Blacks and Whites disagreeing on key/critical issues INTRAracially...which I believe takes a large dose of courage and fortitude; considering our racial history.

Important Notes:

1.) Participants in these conversations were between the ages of 18-30 years. At 30 years, I was the oldest in the room.
2.) I don't subscribe to the sentiment often heard in the Mass Media that purports notions that the youth have little or NO problem with race. I do believe, however, if we are diligent and honest with our approaches to race we can make significant positive changes.
3.) I believe we are all aware that these conversations aren't the most comfortable, so "Kudos" to all those that were present and active in the conversation. I have no doubt you're a BETTER person for it.

Unresolved Questions

1.) Was intra-continental African slavery of the same type as American chattel slavery; in reference to humanity and brutality, of course?

2.) Is the term "oppression" over-used by Blacks as an excuse for non-performance OR are there active/contemporary mechanisms of oppression at work in society which constrain Black freedoms?

During the time I've taken to submit this blog, I've watched the first press conference held by President-elect Barack Obama. I must say, I have the distinct feeling America, as a nation, made the correct choice...and I have little doubt we'll all be the better for it. The sun is now setting on the wonderful array of Autumn colors outside my window. Just as the autumn leaves and the setting sun have shown me today, CHANGE is natural...CHANGE is good.