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Racial and Ethnic Te Nsions An Issue Book for National Issues Forums RacialRacial andand EthnicEthnic TTeen n s s i i o o n n s s WhatWhat ShouldShould WeWe Do?Do? For the National Issues Forums This issue book was prep a r ed by National Issues Forums Research , in col l a b o r ation with the Ketter i n g Fou n d a t i o n . Books in this series are used by civic and educational organizations intere s t ed in addressing public is s u e s . These organizations use the books in locally initiated forums con vened each year in hundreds of com m u - ni t i e s . For a description of the National Issues For u m s , see Pag e 32. In d i viduals intere s t ed in using National Issues Forums materials as part of their own prog r ams should write National Issues Forums Research at 100 Commons Road, Day to n , Ohio 45459-2777, or call 800-433-7834. Kettering Foundation The Kettering Foundation, a nonprofit,nonpartisan research institute based in Dayton,Ohio,(with offices in Wa s h i n g to n ,D . C . , and New Yor k) was founded in 1927. It has provided books, ma te r i a l s , and moderat or trai n - ing for the National Issues Forums since this nationwide networ k was started in 1982. It is engag ed in a wide ra n ge of activities to pro m o te civic participation and enrich public life. For information about the Kette r i n g Fou n d a t i o n , contact the foundation at 200 Commons Road, Day to n , Ohio 45459-2799. Phone: 800-221-3657. Ordering Information Additional copies of this book may be ordered from NIF Publications, P.O.Box 41626,Dayton, Ohio 45441; phone 1-800-600-4060.It is part of a series that includes other topics such as violent kids,cam- paign spending,public schools,urban sprawl,privacy and free speech on the Internet, gambling,jobs, alcohol,physician-assisted suicide,and Social Security and Medicare. For more information,or to place orders for these books, contact Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 4050 Westmark Drive,Dubuque, Iowa 52002.Phone: 800-228-0810. Acknowledgments Our thanks go to colleagues at the Kettering Foundation,and National Issues Forums associates and others around the nation for their help in defining the issue framework,clarifying the presentation,or reviewing the manuscript: Beatriz Amberman,Leland Bordeaux,Lan Calderon,Alfredo Carrasquillo, Ramon´ Daubon,Edwin´ Dorn,Richard Elkins,Cheryl Gibbs,Damon Higgins,Dennis Hartig,Ellis Hinnant-Will,Bob Kingston,Chris Kloth,Betty Knighton, Jesus Lechuga, J. Roger Lee,Ceasar McDowell,Bob McKenzie,Estus Smith,Susan Willey, and Ruth Yellow Hawk. Publisher: Edward J. Arnone Design: Long’s Graphic Design,Inc. Writer: Greg Mitchell Cover Art: Long’s Graphic Design,Inc. Editor: Fannie Flono Inside Illustrations: Long’s Graphic Design,Inc. Research: Deborah Witte,Diara Fleming Copy Editor: Betty Frecker Questionnaires: Julie Fisher, Ilse Tebbetts, Racial and Ethnic Tensions: What Should We Do? John Cavanaugh Copyright© 2000 Production: George Cavanaugh National Issues Forums Institute Production Assistant: Elizabeth Hensley ISBN: 0-945639-18-X A note about this issue book Each book in this series for the National Issues Forums outlines a public issue and several choices, or approaches to addre s s- ing the issue. Rather than confo rming to any single public proposal, each choice re flects widely held concerns and principles. Panels of experts review manuscripts to make sure the choices are presented accurately and fairly. By intention, issue books do not identify individuals or organizations with partisan labels such as Democrat, Republican, conservative, or liberal. The goal is to present ideas in a fresh way that encourages readers to judge them on their merit. Issue books include quotations from experts and public officials when their views appear consistent with the principles of a given approach. But these quoted individuals might not endorse every aspect of the approach as it is described here. Racial and Ethnic Ten s i o n s What Should We Do? By Greg Mitchell Introduction 2 As this nation enters the twenty-first century, the rich diversity of its people may be Ameri- ca’s greatest promise — and its greatest challenge. We have made great strides in breaking down barriers that once separated us.But we still struggle with a legacy of racial discrimi- nation and ethnic disparity, even if their forms are subtler today. This book is designed to promote public deliberation that can help us find common ground for action on the trou- bling racial and ethnic problems that still divide us.It provides an overview of the issue and outlines three different approaches.Each approach speaks for one set of American priori- ties and views and,drawing ideas from across the political spectrum,advocates a unique and consistent way of dealing with the problem. Approach 1: Look Beyond Race and Ethnicity 8 In this view, we must focus on what unites us,not on what divides us. We will all benefit if we stop seeing everything through the lens of race and ethnicity. There has been much progress in bridging racial and ethnic divides,proponents of this approach say, and there will be even more if we eliminate racial preferences,which are unfair to everyone. What Should Be Done? 9 We must also insist that recent immigrants assimilate rapidly. In this view, we should Dangers, Drawbacks, provide equal opportunity for everyone,and treat everyone the same — as Americans. Trade-offs 13 Approach 2:Build Self-Identity First 15 We should acknowledge and accept differences,not blur them,say supporters of this view. The way to reduce ethnic and racial tensions is to first build racial and cultural identity. We will never learn to get along well with others until we first know who we are — as indi- viduals from different cultural backgrounds.Only through ensuring that our particular What Should Be Done? 16 group is strong and well regarded,can we relate to others. We must allow minority commu- Dangers, Drawbacks, nities and schools to set their own course,even if it means accepting some self-segregation. Trade-offs 20 Approach 3:Open All Doors to Everyone 22 This approach calls for all of us to take an active part in finishing the job of integration.It is a job that we will have to work at by making continuous efforts to meet,talk with, and understand each other better. Proponents of this view oppose policies that encourage or What Should Be Done? 23 accept racial or ethnic separation.Only through living, working,and going to school togeth- Dangers, Drawbacks, er — and setting common goals through community dialogue — will prejudice subside. Trade-offs 28 In Your Community… 29 Issue Map 30 What Are National Issues Forums? 32 Questionnaires: Register Your Views 33 Racial and Ethnic Ten s i o n s : What Should We Do? Los Angeles Police Department officers lead Often, however, racial or ethnic conflict shakes children to safer ground, s Americans we are far more unit- away from the North Val- ed than divided. Whatever the this common ground and twists the threads that ley Jewish Community bind us together in this American democracy. As Center, where a gunman A our country enters the twenty-first century, diversi- wounded five people. color of our skin or country of origin we ty may be America’s greatest promise — and our share many common values: a belief in gravest challenge. fairness and justice and opportunity, a Today, more than ever, we are truly a society in transition. Race relations no longer focus narrowly passionate desire for freedom. Most of on problems between whites and African-Ameri- us want the same things in life: safe cans. “The classic American dilemma has now become many dilemmas of race and ethnicity,” neighborhoods, a good job that pays a Linda Chavez-Thompson, executive vice presi- fair wage, a comfortable home, adequate dent of the AFL-CIO, has declared.Our national conversation on race now includes, among others, and affordable health care, a quality edu- Hispanics,Asian-Americans,Native Americans, cation for our children. Arab-Americans and the very different nationali- ties within each (Cubans and Haitians, for exam- ple).“There are problems all over the country roughly 10,000 hate crimes are reported to police relating to different ethnic groups,” says Lana Buu- each year, the vast majority based on racial or eth- Sao,vice president of the Vietnamese Association nic bias. in Orlando,Florida. “It’s not just black and “It is not any one person’s or faction’s fault,” white.” America has made great strides in relations observes psychologist James Jones of the Universi- among its diverse people. Polls show a steady ty of Delaware.“Rather it is the deep and perva- decline in racial bias over the past decades and sive penetration of race into our collective psyche there is wide agreement on ideals of racial equality. and social institutions.” There is in America a Many see tangible signs of progress in a growing, deep-seated national consensus on the ideals of multicolored middle-class and the large number of equality and integration,but a recent Ford Foun- nonwhite elected officials. dation opinion poll found that most Americans “I really think there is a new phenomenon out feel we are growing apart, not together. A minister there,” Eddie Williams told Newsweek magazine. in Indianapolis says,“There are no race relations. Williams heads the Joint Center for We are two different communities in Tiger Woods poses with his mother, Kultida, and Political and Economic Studies,the two different worlds that hardly have “Race remains Amer- the winner’s trophy after nation's premier think tank on blacks anything to do with each other.” capturing the U.S.
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