A constructive response to racism

This fine essay, by Aaron Counts, appeared in today's Seattle Times.

As a black man and a Seattle native, I always take a moment to chuckle every time a local newspaper or television broadcast discusses the actions of local "black leaders." Local people of African descent are so economically, politically and ideologically diverse that I fail to see how a handful of men could be anointed as our leaders ("Black leaders say plan to honor UW coach reopens painful past," Times, page one, Oct. 25).

Similarly, the model of leadership they seem to have undertaken is one of knee-jerk reaction to covert and overt acts of racism, both real and perceived. When one pauses to examine the effectiveness of such a tactic, it becomes clear that a person whose life and career are dedicated to reacting to external forces is not leading, but merely following the will of others.

Counts concludes:

Sure, racism exists, but given that fact, now what? Now we build from personal and cultural strengths, we work to educate ourselves, and we learn how to navigate institutions. We choose to fight battles of consequence so that it is clear we won't be placated with empty gestures.

And those who profess to lead us we hold to high standards, just as we do ourselves.

Read the whole thing.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at November 01, 2003 05:10 PM