How blacks and whites tend to view progress toward racial equality differently
Whites tend to measure progress by comparing the present and the past -- and America has made giant strides since the Jim Crow era. Nonwhites, Eibach found, are likely to evaluate racial equality in comparison with an idealized future. These yardsticks create entirely different perceptions.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/23/AR2008032301417.html?hpid=topnewsWhen Eibach asked each group to use the other's yardstick -- whites to focus on the future and nonwhites to think about the past -- the differences disappeared. Now, everyone agreed the country had come a long way -- and had a long way to go.
In a speech last week, Obama similarly argued that his former pastor had failed to acknowledge how America had changed for the better. But Wright's critics, Obama added, were also wrong -- because true equality is still remote.
The intriguing question prompted by Eibach's study is why whites and blacks are unconsciously drawn to different yardsticks. Eibach said one reason might be that racial equality means different things to whites and blacks: Whites see it as an ideal, blacks as a necessity. When people evaluate progress toward idealistic or optional goals -- saving for a vacation -- they tend to focus on progress made. But when people think of necessities -- paying the rent -- they focus on how much they are short.
okay.... the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/23/AR2008032301417.html?hpid=topnews
March 23, 2008 11:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a middle-aged white male, it's easy for me to think about the segregated South that I was born into, with separate schools, restaurants, restrooms, and water fountains and feel that tremendous strides have been made. But I never suffered from racial discrimination in the first place, so I'm only aware of the most obvious iniquities that racism caused.
If I were black, I would be much more aware of the more subtle racism and discrimination that still takes place. While I might be appreciative of the improvements made in my lifetime, I'd still want complete equality, and I'd probably be angry and resentful that it still wasn't there.
That's why the difference, I think. Those of us who are white are observing changes that had minor effects on them, and blacks are living it.
March 24, 2008 12:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Couldn't have said it better myself.
March 24, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I spent some time working at a job, where I was the only white person, and I worked with a mixture of male and female African Americans. (disclosure: I am actually Hispanic, but I look white and have an Irish last name)
I travelled extensively with various combinations of employees which was very enlightening. What I learned was that subtle racism is extremely common. It was almost a daily occurrence for my co-workers. Sometimes it was little things like waitresses leaving the check for me, without asking, even though there were other men present. Other times it was more obvious, like office managers refusing to talk to the others, or asking for me. Shuttle bus drivers routinely loaded my luggage onto the bus, while letting the others carry their own. Sometimes, doormen opened the door for me, and not the others. I almost always got a better room or location in the hotel. I am sure you get the point.
Only once in the entire 3 years that I was employed at this position, did I ever see blatant, in your face type racism. A host at a restaurant told me that if I kept spending time with those n***s then I would start acting like them, and end up living like scum. As offensive as that was, it was almost easier to take than the hundreds of little things that I had seen through the months. At least it was easier to respond to.
I will never be black, so I will never know what it is like. Through this job, I did have a small window on what it was like. It was pretty discouraging, and I can't imagine how a lifetime of it could change my perspective.
March 24, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, ga medic, for this honest description of what you have seen in your experiences.
March 25, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's the difference between achieving the minimum and thinking you've done enough, versus achieving the minimum and your goal is the maximum.
Should you be satisfied with the glass half-full now, when it was empty before, or the glass half-empty when you were promised "full" a long, long time ago. Should you be satisfied with less when others get more. Should we be filling all the glasses to the same level?
March 24, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good article. Thanks! The question of racial inequality is also addressed in this Robert Jensen interview.
March 24, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for bringing up this article.
I'd maybe look at it another way. It's not so much that nonwhites are comparing the present to an idealized future, it's that they're thinking in the present tense.
So a white person might say, "Look how far we've come since 1950," but that isn't really meaningful to somebody who is experiencing inequalities in 2008.
March 24, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Would someone explain "true equality"
Is there really any such thing?
If so how will you know when you achieve it?
We have been hearing that black is black, and white is white, as to perception. Will we ever come to an agreement on this subject?
One of the tv commentators stated (when defending Wright) that blacks even have a different view of the Book of Exodus.
Maybe someone can enlighten us on that.
March 24, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's the same as commenters have noted above, Searay.
The story of Exodus can be read objectively or subjectively.
March 24, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
searay185
It's Whites who have a different viewpoint than Blacks.
What did the particular Black person you mention say about Exodus?
Who was he/she?
What program are we discussing?
March 24, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thomas Jefferson told you this more than 200-years ago: "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal". Since that time, we have had to - as a nation - fight a war to establish that African men are indeed men and should be given citizenship (including the right to vote) and we have amended the constitution to give women the right to vote too - but we have not passed the equal rights amendment to ensure that women are given the same opportunities in this society as men.
We all know what "true equality" is; we do not all want to fight for it as some of us benefit from the rules of the game as they are now.
March 25, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Like, Obama, you didn't answer the question.
And just how does the black church read it?
March 24, 2008 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well searay, what you are talking about are cultural differences, not human ones. If you are a human being, you are capable of understanding where other human beings are coming from; provided you care enough to listen.
And from what I can tell, one of the main problems has always been that whites don't really listen. Not really.
And I'm white, if that matters.
I've not heard that African American churches read Exodus differently so I can't answer you, but I'm sure that someone can.
I can't imagine why it matters to you, unless you are theologian, to be perfectly honest about it. Catholics and Protestants have used a different Bible. And of course, the Mormons have their very own book. And what difference does that make to you, one is compelled to ask?
March 24, 2008 8:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you need to attend services at a "Black" church, Searay.
You ask people to answer questions that you yourself must "seek and you shall find".
Then when you get to a black congregation member, "Ask and it shall be given unto you".
March 24, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pardon me. I thought that it was a straight foreward question. I have no idea what the commentator meant, and it appears that none of you do either.
At this point, one might think that the commentator (in defending Wright) was simply blowing smoke.
Several commentators(also defending Wright) say the The Rev is no different that other Pastors across the US every Sunday. Two have come forward to say that this is not exactly true.
As to attending a service, no thank you.
March 25, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
By the way, quqsar, and mrd0000
Neither of you tried to answer the question, or did you not understand it.
March 26, 2008 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink