[CornFed]

Well, I read it as one who was not convinced.  I would have to acknowledge that it was not immediately transformational, but then you couldn't even convince me that Iowa sucked.  ;)

I would like to seriously thank you for a non-snarky, thoughtful post that provided valuable, credible input for my ongoing mulling.

This is a centuries-old issue.  It has been a global issue.  It is not as though anyone on this board is going to solve it here.  The manifestation of racism in the U.S. is unique to our system overall and to our societal evolution.  Even if there were some point at which all racist acts of any type would suddenly cease to happen, there would nonetheless be a very long period in which the impacts of racism would be felt.  For one thing, horrific damage has been done to the cultures that were most heavily affected.  The psyche of those victims was damaged and this translated into damaged communities.  It seems to me that the reason that minorities are so disproportionately represented in failed communities in the U.S. is that their core beliefs and instincts have been diminished.  There are fewer individuals in those communities who can nurture the hope and optimism necessary to move their lives and the lives of their loved ones in a more positive direction.  This is tragic.

The solution is beyond my personal ken.  But restoring a shared community vision and belief in which personal sacrifice and self-discipline are rewarded more proportionately and effectively must surely be a part of it.  Many people like myself over-estimate the isolated capability of those qualities to overcome the hopelessness and despair so deeply embedded in members of these impoverished communities.  Nonetheless, a large part of the solution seems like it has to come from these communities examining their ethos and buying into a greater, more constructive role for themselves.  Actually, some aspects of what I understand to be the teachings of Malcolm X are critical to those who would strive to lift themselves. 

But we have not had that critical moment when all "incidents" have stopped.  There is perversity in the human spirit in some instances and some people cannot control their baser instincts.  Additionally, we have those who are engaged in, and profit quite handsomely from, the grievance/poverty industry.  These factors make any progress difficult to gauge.  But it seems to me there has been undeniable progress.  Grudging progress and awkward progress.  But this progress can only be nurtured through hope.  Hard to manufacture but critically necessary.

[CornFed]

Well, I read it as one who was not convinced.  I would have to acknowledge that it was not immediately transformational, but then you couldn't even convince me that Iowa sucked.  ;)

I would like to seriously thank you for a non-snarky, thoughtful post that provided valuable, credible input for my ongoing mulling.

This is a centuries-old issue.  It has been a global issue.  It is not as though anyone on this board is going to solve it here.  The manifestation of racism in the U.S. is unique to our system overall and to our societal evolution.  Even if there were some point at which all racist acts of any type would suddenly cease to happen, there would nonetheless be a very long period in which the impacts of racism would be felt.  For one thing, horrific damage has been done to the cultures that were most heavily affected.  The psyche of those victims was damaged and this translated into damaged communities.  It seems to me that the reason that minorities are so disproportionately represented in failed communities in the U.S. is that their core beliefs and instincts have been diminished.  There are fewer individuals in those communities who can nurture the hope and optimism necessary to move their lives and the lives of their loved ones in a more positive direction.  This is tragic.

The solution is beyond my personal ken.  But restoring a shared community vision and belief in which personal sacrifice and self-discipline are rewarded more proportionately and effectively must surely be a part of it.  Many people like myself over-estimate the isolated capability of those qualities to overcome the hopelessness and despair so deeply embedded in members of these impoverished communities.  Nonetheless, a large part of the solution seems like it has to come from these communities examining their ethos and buying into a greater, more constructive role for themselves.  Actually, some aspects of what I understand to be the teachings of Malcolm X are critical to those who would strive to lift themselves. 

But we have not had that critical moment when all "incidents" have stopped.  There is perversity in the human spirit in some instances and some people cannot control their baser instincts.  Additionally, we have those who are engaged in, and profit quite handsomely from, the grievance/poverty industry.  These factors make any progress difficult to gauge.  But it seems to me there has been undeniable progress.  Grudging progress and awkward progress.  But this progress can only be nurtured through hope.  Hard to manufacture but critically necessary.