Three weekends ago, just before the start of Black History Month, I traveled with three friends of mine to their hometown, Columbus, Miss. On our way, they repeatedly asked if I was afraid, and even wondering if I was nervous to meet their mother.
 I am white. I grew up in Tacoma, Wash., and have experienced the cultural differences of the South only since having moved here in the fall. My friends are black. I replied, “No, why would I be afraid?” But they just shot a look at each other, smiling.
When we arrived, we walked inside where one of my friends greeted her mother saying, “As part of Black History Month, I brought my white friend home!” I laughed along with everyone else in the room… But deep down I ached. This encounter would not have similarly taken place where I’m from. I felt homesick. The fact this household did not host many people of my race was apparent. As I reflect on the purpose of Black History Month, I realize the misconceptions of how far we have come as a nation regarding race, especially considering the attitudes still held in the South.
Those who believe we live in a color-blind society, which may be more prevalent in the area I’m from, are simply misguided and will be apathetic about racial discrimination due to their ignorance. We have certainly overcome many obstacles, and I say “we” because it has been a conscious effort of people of all races and will continue to be. But our society as a whole remains resistant.
Laws can be made to protect the rights of blacks. Our legislation is continually altered. What we really need to focus on is our attitudes regarding race. The improvement of the beliefs and behaviors of our nation’s people will make lasting change.
Last week a story aired on CNN about a drunk man on a plane who called a 2-year-old the n-word and slapped him, leaving a scratch below his eye.
The CNN reporter, Carol Costello, asked guest speakers on her show if this incident was an example of racism. To me it was, and at least shows attitudes regarding race may lay dormant until a stressor – such as alcohol, a slow economy or a challenge to one’s norms – reveals the true underlying world view. One guest responded by saying this incident can be chalked up to growing pains that our nation is going to experience as we move towards a post-racial society. I don’t know if I like this term, post-racial. It sort of implies to me that race won’t matter, when it absolutely does and always will. The phrase “post-racial society” sounds like a cry of denial – a title used to ignore current racial issues and pretend they do not exist.
People who use this term must believe the Civil Rights Movement was an event that took place in the ’50s and ’60s and not what it really is: an ongoing struggle for African-Americans in present day. There are statistics to prove that blacks are categorically discriminated against based on their skin color. Radicalized systems have been built which keep people static within our social construct relating to wealth and success.
But there is hope through education. It is the responsibility of everyone, of every race, to educate and become educated, in order to have an institutional and structural analysis for race. We must also evaluate our assumptions and experiences to avoid pre-judging.
In the end, our experience of and relationships with people who are different than us uncover our blind spots and cause us to change our beliefs and attitudes about people. We become better, wiser, less judgmental and more compassionate when we allow this to happen. White people are often uncomfortable discussing racial issues, accepting our inherited privilege, believing discrimination exists and getting involved in the conversation.
Since the progress toward racial equality requires everyone’s effort, it is our responsibility to become allies in this movement.
So, will we have a post-racial society someday? I don’t know if that’s reasonable. All I really hope for America is that we get to a place where we appreciate every race, making a post-prejudicial society our goal and cultivating better people in the process.