Letter from the Executive Director: Race Talk

On all sides, we are seeing renewed attacks against issues that we care deeply about.  We know that you, like other friends of the Commonweal Institute, care about the wider society, too — you share our values of community, caring, justice, and concern for the future.

The attacks are just beginning, but a familiar pattern is emerging.  As in the past, the Right is using race to try to divide our country and halt progressive change. Targeting this strategy toward the presidency is new. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Van Jones, and even President Obama himself are being challenged by baseless political attacks drenched with subtle and not-so-subtle racial overtones. The danger is that the Right will use race to mark the President and his team as dangerous "others" – who are not part of “us,” do not look like “us,” and do not share “our” values, leading to the war cry of the tea-baggers, “I want my country back!” The irony is that these racialized scare tactics – by undermining the presidency as the country faces serious problems – diminish the ability of government to fulfill its fundamental role to support life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans. 

Why would the Right think this strategy will work after the majority of American voters just elected a black man as president?  When asked, most Americans reject racism – and want to be egalitarian. But solid scientific research has taught us that implicit biases infect all of us, even toddlers, and in subtle ways can influence our anxieties and our behavior, without our ever consciously recognizing their influence.  That is because most of us have some level of racial ambivalence – we value racial openness and fairness, while also at times experiencing racial resentment and doubts.  

When Americans perceive obvious instances of racism, most of us reject it.  Yet when attacks occur with more subtle racial overtones – such as questioning the President’s citizenship, the meaning of the “wise Latina” comment made by Judge Sotomayor, Van Jones’ signature on a petition, or an image in a political cartoon - sometimes we sit by, rather than clearly identifying and challenging the racial content of such attacks. 

But challenge them we must.

Unmasking racial bias when it is being used against us works - because Americans really do not want to be racist.  When future attacks occur, we have to be ready to act – we cannot let the Right bring good people down, and destroy our democracy in the process.

Just think of the multiple progressive issues that could be adversely impacted if the Right can get away with undermining public support for the President; a Supreme Court Justice; and a leading administration figure appointed to address global warming, energy policy, economic recovery, and social justice. And that is what the Right is trying to do—they are undermining public trust in our country’s leaders by playing on conscious and unconscious racial fears.

As supporters of the Commonweal Institute, we have a critical role to play in preventing the Right from dominating the air waves and threatening to derail all we have worked for. The failure to talk about race leads it to be manipulated to arouse subtle fears and doubts that have serious consequences for all the issues we care about.  

We want to call upon all of our friends to be ready to create a more constructive environment on race and other forms of ‘otherness’, and to be able to respond quickly when the next attacks are made. We have to make sure our voices are heard challenging the Right’s well-proven strategy of racialized attacks and absurd political name-calling.

 We all knew the Right would not accept progressive change without a fight -- and we should not be surprised at their tactics. In lieu of silence that will create our worst fears, we must challenge racism to realize our best values and aspirations.

What can we do?  Call attention to racist comments. If an acquaintance or family member cracks a “joke” or forwards you a supposedly “humorous” e-mail, let them know you reject it. Help others see the fundamental unfairness of ridicule based on race, gender, and so on. Point out to friends how Americans have overcome prejudice in the past, and can continue to do so. Help them feel a part of the USA at its inclusive, progressive best.

Please share your thoughts with me on how you deal openly with racist comments and attitudes. In the coming weeks, we plan to offer you other insights and strategies to build the America we want to live in. Because only together can we make a better world.

Onwards and upwards,

Barry Kendall, PhD
Executive Director