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Originally posted by Frank W
Very interesting article. But I wonder whether the author neglects to analyze the impact that cultural values play on individual behavior and how this affects both external perception and internal politics. If the analysis was performed at this level maybe the result would not be categorical groupings of 1 "race" /
ethnicity = 1 behavioral grouping. Maybe the result would be that within any one "race" or whatever grouping, there would be a continuum of behaviors/value systems. Middle and upper class whites, blacks, etc probably have different life outlooks and work ethics than working class or lower class members of their "race".
If the latter was true then maybe the issue is more about class than "race"? The pathologies of violent crime, welfare dependence, etc is distributed more on the lower end of the class spectrum. The American value system prizes hard work, creativity, and individual responsibility. My guess would be that these traits are not the exclusive province of any one "racial" or ethnic group but are distributed amongst groups in varying degrees. Some groups may have larger concentrations of certain traits along this spectrum but this does not in anyway eliminate the fact that the distribution exists.
Unfortunately, many African-American "leaders" get a lot of mileage from these discrepancies to substantiate their claim that black Americans need more welfare, more affirmative action, and more subsidies. By playing up the pathologies facing some minorities in this country, many minority "leaders" end up perpetuating [i'm sure unconsciously] negative perceptions of their "race" held by the mainstream. Indeed, once the "problems" faced by blacks disappear, "race leaders" like Jackson and Sharpton will be out of a job! This is a source of "racism" that was neglected in the article. Black pathologies may [with enough political will and a balanced look at black economic achievement] be on the way to extinction but non-nuanced media attention and self-serving race politics seem hell bent on keeping it alive.
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I agree. The article did over simplify things somewhat. The fact still remains though. What's okay for a black person, or a hispanic person to do, is frowned upon by the people who are so (hyocritically) pro-equality.
But yes, you raise very interesting points.