Have We Become a Post-Racial Society?
Jul 23Few people today would deny that race relations are better today than ever before. Finally, our country has made some significant leaps in understanding and accepting diversity. A recent ABC News survey asked people whether there’s anyone of another race that you consider a close friend. A large number of people said yes. Twenty years ago that response would have been very different. However, the survey also showed African Americans, Whites and Hispanics view race differently. White respondents are far more in agreement that most or all of the goals of the civil rights movement have been achieved. Moreover, nearly 7 or 10 African Americans believe they face discrimination in applying for jobs, while only 20 percent of Whites agree.
As for college admissions, more than 40 percent of African Americans and 7 percent of Whites said Black applicants almost always face discrimination. Yet if some Whites turn a blind eye to possible discrimination others according to the Manhattan Institute’s Center for race and Ethnicity consider themselves “honorary Blacks” because they are very sensitive to the travails of African Americans. Interesting with the changing demographics of the country we are seeing that the racial divide is no longer just between African Americans and Whites. The Democratic presidential primary drew fresh attention to long standing strains between African Americans and Hispanics, according to Ad Age. A Pew polling survey last year, showed that Hispanic and African Americans saw themselves as getting along only pretty well. Richard Rodriguez, editor of NAM, sees Hispanic and African American tension in a broader historical context. As immigration grows, many in the African American community are seeing jobs and neighborhoods going to Hispanics. This has produced as it did in the late 1800s tension among the two largest ethnic groups in the country.
Looking ahead though, the country has made great strides in embracing change and moving beyond race. There’s a multicultural awakening which is producing a unique appreciation for everything ethnic. In communities across the country, that influence is so felt that ethnic culture has become mainstream influencing food, fashion, entertainment and yes even politics. The strong candidacy of Barack Obama is a reflection of that and potentially a catalyst for change in racial thinking. Some would argue that its even a sign that despite some lingering problems ”America has already become a post-racial society.”