Managing Diversity & What the Individual Can Do About Intolerance, Prejudice, and Racism...
October 4, 1998

By Antonio A. Brown

Despite the vigorous battles fought on the battlefield of human and civil rights by many brave people of good conscience both black, white, male, and female, the division and hate in the dark recesses of America still persist. In fact, in many instances the problem appears to be growing despite all of the people today who proclaim to be more accepting and tolerant of others. A man by the name of Dr. W.E.B. Dubois wrote that the color line would become an area of contention again in the twentieth century. If one was so inclined to examine honestly the events of the past 15 years as well as the most recent attacks on legislation responsible for the progress the nation has seen over the past 20 years, the conclusions that you would ultimately come to would be that the statement by Dr. W.E.B. Dubois has become a reality.

Most people excuse themselves from the discussions necessary to bridge the hate and intolerance. Instead they prefer to characterize the nation in ways which suggest that as a nation her image is stainless. In quoting historical events most people omit the horrors and decidedly overlook the reality that the past has shaped the nation's present. An example of this can be found when dialog concerning ways to assist African Americans and their communities is often strained when reference to the slave era comes into the equation. The response is most always that slavery happened so long ago that it has no bearing to our present situation. Yet the breakdown in relationships between people of different origins occurred during the conception and evolution of the American continent. We need only ask ourselves these basic questions. What type of relationship was forged between the country's native population and the new settlers? What type of relationships developed between the African slaves, Chinese slaves, and the settlers? Are any of the relationships between these groups actually better today? We would have to answer by acknowledging that even hundreds of years later these groups are still discriminated against by much of the Euro-American mainstream although there has been measurable improvement. The truth is that we all say we want more understanding and unity among the many diverse groups and generally feel that we are achieving this worthy goal, but the fact is that securing these goals require each and every American to do his or her part in bringing about substantial change. The fact also remains that most individuals are not doing anything except relying on the leadership and their hopes that the outcome will be one of inclusion and healing. This is not enough!

Understanding that every person needs to weight in on the problem solving process, we must then acknowledge the differences in our understanding of the definitions we use when discussing problems related to race in America. For instance whites today have broadened the definition of the term racist to embrace all people who are racially intolerant or insensitive while most blacks refuse to accept the new definition. In the African American not everyone can be a racist by their definition, although they accept that everyone can be racially intolerant, insensitive and prejudiced. Generally speaking in black communities all people can be prejudiced and unfair to others based on there prejudgments. But to acquire the distinction of being considered a racist one must not only be racially prejudiced but must also be in a position to manipulate the system, or the circumstances in an adverse manner which determine the ability of an individual because of their racial, ethnic or religious distinction to pursue life to its fullest. Thus exercising their power and position in the system's hierarchy to promote racial and class cast systems for the purpose of keeping individuals from achieving equity socially with the ruling class. Yet, the term tolerance has thus far yielded basically the same meaning among both groups. Both acknowledge that the word is troublesome because it suggests that real acceptance is not present; merely the appearance of acceptance.

What then should America's focus be if we are to build on the Declaration of Independence and ensure that all of America is able to participate, develop and achieve unobstructed by their cultural distinctions? It is my humble belief that we must examine the origins of supremist ideologies and how they have shaped the American experience for all people. White Supremist ideology has been woven into the American fabric and we must come to understand that there are still many people in America who believe in their racial superiority as Europeans. They can be found even today working and living all around us. It is my belief that " white supremacy " continues to be the catalyst for the undercurrents of racial animosity between the various groups in America. The solution to the problem requires the development of healthy approaches which deal with the misrepresentations of the facts concerning the true nature of the many groups which make up this land. Misrepresentations of fact that have been perpetuated over the last several hundred years but have had much to do with shaping the minds of Americans concerning one another. Leveling the intellectual playing field would be a good beginning. Finally, it is my sincere belief that the white, brown, black, red and the yellow of good conscious must come to understand that we are all members of the human family. We are like the fingers on a hand and the institutions and systems we call racist are mere inventions of mankind regardless of how they operate. This means that ultimately the way they function depends on the views and behavior of the men and women in positions of authority. If change is desired then it only makes sense to focus on correcting the belief systems which have led to, and continually promote misleading information concerning members of our human family who happen not to look like us.

It is also very important that all of America understand that over the past 20 years white supremist organizations and militia groups have reorganized themselves to include politicians as well as others sympathetic to their positions. They have created a network of hate mongers that are working all the time in government, business, and the organizations themselves to further the supremist agenda. Law enforcement agencies consistently monitor these groups and have been doing so for many decades, but for the most part have been powerless in there ability to eradicate them. I have witnessed personally the whole sale purchase of military equipment and other hardware by a known supremist in the midwest. The weapons purchased are designed for combat not target practice. Also they have purchased acres upon acres of rural farmlands for training, storage, command centers and places which provide sanctuary from law enforcement agencies seeking to bring members to justice illegal and subversive activities. As events over the past few years should demonstrate to all of us these individuals have acquired the knowledge of explosives by actually placing its members in the Armed Forces for the purpose of gaining expertise. Remember the Oklahoma bombing situation some 3-4 years ago and the tremendous potential for hurting masses of people that explosion represented. Most people view these events as isolated but I am here to tell you that they are not! As a matter of fact according to my sources there are better than 98 separate KKK organizations today and the crimes that the KKK have been responsible for have increased from 187 reported in 1993 to over 280 by 1994 which represents a 100% increase in violence against nonwhites by this group alone. Nationally there are better than 200 such groups using different names. They exists in Howard County, Anne Arundel County as well as other places throughout Maryland. Yes, they even exist in Crofton! Since 1996 these groups account for no fewer that 10,000 hate crimes reported nationally.

African American people in particular are not aware today of the danger these organizations could pose to their communities, churches and schools. Over the past several years the Justice Department and F.B.I. have uncovered plots to randomly kill minorities in California, Texas, and even the killing of blacks as they left the amusement park Disney in Florida nearly 3 summers ago. However a few years ago it was noted that many law enforcement personnel also participate in these organizations. This was uncovered in a Justice Department investigation into a picnic held by white supremists in the south at which law enforcement agents from virtually every branch were represented. The Dept. of Justice decided however not to discipline the officers other than by way of verbal reprimand. As a counter several law enforcement officers have started a web site to inform the public of the problem.

We do have the capacity to change all of this if everyone of us truly attempts to overcome their fears concerning their neighbor. If we teach our children to celebrate the differences which exists among the members of the human family instead of remaining silent. Finally here are some very simple things that everyone can do:

- read aloud stories to your children that depict the folklore and real life of people from other cultures and backgrounds
- patronize businesses that have fair hiring practices and that treat their employees fairly
- stand up on your job when it is evident that a coworker is being held to a different standard
- support human rights initiatives
- support public education and its reconstruction so that it benefits all children
- plan events that allow you to talk to and share perspectives with others of different cultures
- don't forget that violence, racism and intolerance are not always tangible or visible
- watch documentaries or programming which provides an African American perspective
- look at the documentary "Eyes on the Prize" presently found in Blockbuster video
- promote conflict resolution for youth in your area schools, clubs and churches
- finally resist voluntarily segregating yourselves at community events etc......
- educate yourself concerning issues of racial hate
- verify for yourself information on television, radio and in print whenever possible
- work to improve attitudes within your own family and amongst relatives when possible....

Realize that we are all witnesses to what is occurring in the world and in our lives, we must come to know that in the final analysis it makes no sense arguing who's right or wrong; nor will it be healthy to determine who should be held accountable for the mess present on this earth for we all are witnesses to her deterioration and her rape.
So we will all be held accountable in the end....................................................AB

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