Can People of Color Be Racist - or Not?

Dear Cultural Coach:
What about the idea that "people of color can't be racists." A few weeks ago a young black man told me that racist is a "white word" so blacks can't be racist: What a novel idea!
- Not Buying It in Greensboro

Dear Not Buying It:
While I am impressed by this young man's creativity, my Encarta World English Dictionary does not agree. It defines racism as "animosity toward other races." It does not add: People of color merit special exemptions.

Of course, it is possible that young man has a different dictionary. So I suggest you and he set up a time to consult your dictionaries. Suggest this reasonable course of action and chances are good he'll run, not walk, away from you and that argument.

Whenever people make blanket statements such as "this is a white word" or "a Hispanic belief" we hinder the dialogue on race. Seldom have I encountered people who are always wrong, or always right. So it is with ethnic groups.

Over the past decade, a number of my friends have been the victim of racial discrimination, and a few of them have been White. I'm ashamed to admit that I once told a white victim, "Now, you will know what it is like." Luckily, common sense set in. When a friend steps into a leaky boat with you, it is more prudent to work to plug the holes than sit back and gloat.

While it is OK to be discriminating in our choice of neighborhoods, schools, and popular culture, acts of discrimination that cost people jobs, promotions, the house of their choice, or a livelihood is against the law.

When we discuss diversity in this country, the conversation rarely includes the concerns, or views of white men. We rarely ask what they think, or how they feel. Let's consider the issues of European American men:

  1. "White men get special treatment." Well, it depends on who they are and how they look. White men with earrings and tattoos would disagree. Fact is thousands of white men would not have any more luck than I getting into the Augusta National Golf Club. And they play golf.
  2. "Only Whites can be segregationists." On college campuses today, special commencement ceremonies are held for gays and lesbians, Hispanics, African American, Asian Americans, and Jewish graduates. These student communities have the option of attending their group's ceremony, the mainstream graduation, or both. White students are the ones complaining the return to the days of segregation. Life is funny, isn't it?
  3. "White men just don't get it." Some do, some don't. If you take the position people can't learn, you will soon grow frustrated and weary. If you take the position that you have not yet found the right way to explain it, you hold open the chance for success.
  4. "Reverse discrimination does not exist." Good managers have the cultural skills to competently evaluate workers and make fair hiring decisions. When job applicants are discriminated against, a change-resistant corporate culture or ineffectual manager is more likely to blame than a racist. If white men and people of color lobbied for effective corporate governance, every worker might have a chance to excel.
  5. "White men can't truly understand the pain discrimination inflicts." While it is difficult to compare the experiences of different ethnic and religious groups, it is wise to search for similarities. Most gay men would disagree with this statement. So would whites injured during a riot. Let us remember the vast number of whites whose children, grandchildren or relatives have skin that is black or brown.