Criticism / Journey To Equality
On February 19th, I read an article on CNN.com about our newly appointed U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder. Holder accused our people of being a nation of cowards when it comes to the subject of race. He admitted that we have come a long way in coming together in the workplace, but that when it comes to the hours after 5:00 PM, we spend our time basically segregated.
There are several things that Mr. Holder fails to acknowledge in his assessment of our nation. First of all, this does not only apply to race, we do not generally associate ourselves with people of other classes, or religious beliefs either. There is a tendency for people to spend their time with others of the similar influences. We befriend people in situations where we discover we have things in common with each other. This is just the nature of our civilization.
Secondly, he ignores the consequences of honesty in the discussion of race issues. This is the problem with society expecting everyone to be politically correct. It does prevent hurt feelings, but at the cost of inhibiting honest and progressive conversation. If people were to speak candidly about the things that divide us racially, there would be accusations of being bigoted and ignorant.
Lastly, Holder fails to acknowledge the concessions made for African-Americans that are not made for Hispanic-Americans, Asian-Americans, White-Americans, or any other race. There is a Black History Month, but not a celebratory month for any other minority. There are Black History classes, which is unique to the African-American culture. There are colleges that are exclusively for African-Americans, which is lacking in other minorities, and that White-Americans are forbidden from forming.
I do not believe that we are a nation of cowards as Mr. Holder says. I believe that in our quest to be racially sensitive we have blocked the path for successful discussion about our racial issues. We need to be willing to accept some hurt feelings on the journey to equality, and to make our country treat ALL races equally.
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Another great poem I read. In my opinion I believe in racial equality and this is the subject matter it discusses. Good job.
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I think your argument would be clearer if you gave more of Holder’s argument. As is, you give one point from him and then tell what he leaves out. Not having read the cnn.com article, I have no way of knowing what other points he made. And just because he didn’t make the points in the article doesn’t mean he wouldn’t agree with you.
Notes:
hurt feelings (I had to read this twice because it sounded like a verb at first rather than an adjective. Would wounded feelings or simply offense work better here?
If people…divide us. Better: If we…divide us. or If people…divide them.
Also, the point about speaking candidly could be expressed more clearly. Are you advocating plainer talk, or are you merely making the observation that people will think you’re bigoted if you speak your mind?
African Americans, Hispanic Americans, etc. are not races; they are ethnic groups within the US. The races (also debatable) are Caucasian, Hispanic, Black
and Asian, etc. (regardless of where these people live).
I’m not crazy about the syntax of the last sentence or the verb “make” at the end. legally required or similar would be more specific.
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