Response to the Morning Joe

For a while, I wanted to avoid this one but I guess as a cultural commentator, I really can't since this is the issue of the day. Is some of the criticism of President Obama racially charged....unfortunately yes...when protest pictures show Barack Obama as an ape, a witch doctor, or individuals wear shirts that refer to a phrase used by Abraham Lincoln's assassinator, then clearly there is an undertone of race!

Alternatively, is everyone who criticizes Barack Obama a racist? Well no... That’s an extreme perspective as well, although some would argue that he does represent an interesting paradigm shift for the mainstream... a black male not as an athlete, or as an entertainer, but as an intellectual and family man.

Here are some uncomfortable facts:
1. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center there has been a 40% uptick in hate group in the last 8 years; following the election Barack Obama received more death threats than any previous president elect
2. A poll conducted by AP Yahoo in conjunction Stanford University, found these disturbing results, (7% of those polled would be upset by a black family living next to where they lived, 10% would be upset by a black person being President of the United States and 25% of those polled are upset by black leaders asking for racial equality in the workplace. Of whites polled, 48% felt the word "violent" described black people moderately, very or extremely well, 57% shared those sentiments about the word "complaining", 38% felt that way about "lazy" and 40% thought "irresponsible" was a good descriptor.)

Sad but true folks, not quite the kumbaya results we wanted to see. It highlights an interesting truth; the fact that we see more African-Americans excelling despite the aforementioned views may be as much a testimony to their tenacity, intellect, and hard work rather than merely the changing racial landscape.

This leads to the point that while unpleasant, the race discussion remains important. If Oprah magazine's recent feature article offers some insight it is this, while more of us have friends across ethnic boundaries, we often don't talk about race. Anecdotally, one of my great mentors, a Caucasian woman in her 70's from Iowa confided," I have black friends in the social work field...we've known each other 30 years, and you know, we have never talked about race...I realize now that it was a missed opportunity."

The discussion is critical because frankly if I don't face an experience every day, there may be challenges to being sensitive to its real affects. For example, what is it like being a religious minority- a Hindu, a Muslim, a Morman,? What is life like as a person with a disability? What is it like to have a gay partner? My experience has been that when I have spoken to these minorities, I gain more perspective on the realities of our nation's level of tolerance. I also learn that my society may not be humane as I would like it to be. I learn that there are privileges associated with not being a member of those groups.

What does it all mean? Perhaps instead of assuming we have solved all of the problems associated with living in a multi-racial, diversely religious, and lifestyle rich environment, recognize that this is an organic discussion that requires a variety of voices to judge how far we have really come. More importantly, grab a coffee and have an honest talk with a friend...you may be surprised what you learn......I have always been better for it. Kumbaya