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Being Judged by the Content of our Character…how long must we wait? June, 2003
Sadly, and much too often, America lumps us all together -- Black Americans behaving badly…because we're Black Americans? I am not saddened so much by what I think these men and women's actions represent for the black race. I am saddened that the larger community doesn't accept the fact that these men and women's actions are representative of no particular race or culture. Their decisions were personal ones -- the same as every other human being acting badly. I am saddened because I believe such atrocities by people of color are consistently, historically fodder for America's race theories. Giving credibility, albeit tainted, to America's racial myths. I fear that America -- even in the 21st Century - continues to grasp for reasons, justifications for their historical atrocities…slavery, segregation, discrimination, and their legal appropriation of the label, "less than a whole human." Another loop-hole for America's right-wing contingent, who declare such episodes equal the failure of Affirmative Action. Either, because it's not fair to the rest of America; or, because white America can't be held responsible, indefinitely, for the sins of their forefathers. What could be more disingenuous than the suggestion that black America isn't deserving of a level playing field…simply because one or ten or 100 black people act badly. I am not one to overlook or forgive bad acts. Wrong is wrong, no matter who the perpetrator. But, while black Americans are no more guilty of outrageous acts, heinous crimes, or plagiarizing stories in high-brow publications than any other race of people; we seem to pay a far greater price for our sins. The spotlight shines brighter and harsher, and what we as individuals do or don't do, instantly becomes a credit or discredit to our race, our culture, our ancestors, our history. Admittedly, the intelligent response to this hard and fast rule of race in America would be for blacks to accept it, and act accordingly. And, most of us do. It's called `100 ways for blacks to survive in America.' America, for good or for bad, operates on the premise that the ends justify the means. A large part of this country's survival has depended on its creation of proof that justifies its actions. Even if the truth is that millions of black folks are not acting badly. While our forefathers had it much worse, they refused to allow reality to destroy their optimism in humanity. Like them, I yet dream of a day, and a world where -- to paraphrase the great dreamer, Martin Luther King Jr. - men and women will be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. It is days like this, however, with the harsh glare of spotlights on Black America's stumbles and falls, that I wonder… how long? Janis F. Kearney is a Chicago writer, former journalist and diarist to President Bill Clinton. A Harvard W.E.B. Du Bois Fellow, she is currently completing William Jefferson Clinton: From Hope to Harlem; and a personal memoir, Cotton Field of Dreams. Kearney Communications 5138 S. Kenwood Ave.#2 Chicago, IL 60615 (773) 493-2007 --ph (773) 493-5747 -- fax janisfk@aol.com |
Jayson and Malvo and Diana and Whitney…and, the hip hop artists, and young athletes who can't keep their
pants up, or their hands off their women, or their bad thoughts to themselves. All individuals…granted,
some more troubled than others, but individuals none the less. And, all representing different backgrounds,
experiences, parentage …all the things that go into who we become.