| As I am sure you are aware, February is | | | | receive different sentences. The Caucasian may get |
| African-American History Month in the United States. | | | | probation, while the African-American may do jail time. |
| This is the time of year when most schools will | | | | That is why it is so important for African-Americans to |
| present some program to their students discussing Dr. | | | | learn about their history--to become familiar with |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. and maybe Rosa Parks. | | | | successful people who look like they do. The majority |
| However, there are many unsung heroes of the Civil | | | | culture has things immediately available to them that |
| Rights Movement and many contributions made by | | | | African-Americans do not. |
| Blacks historically, that impact our society today. | | | | If I want to trace my family roots back generations, I |
| Often, the majority culture doesn't really understand | | | | can do that. My friend who is Black can only go back |
| why it is so important that minorities receive special | | | | two generations to his grandparents. This is a part of |
| recognition. As a white female myself, it is difficult for | | | | white privilege. It isn't something Whites ask for; it is |
| me to understand and perhaps even harder to explain | | | | simply inherent in our system. |
| but I think it's important so I want to give it my best | | | | I often hear many Caucasians say things are better |
| shot. | | | | now. There isn't any racism anymore. Look, the |
| When people of the majority culture look for examples | | | | president of the United States is Black. The truth is |
| of success, it is easy to find other members of the | | | | Barack Obama looks Black, he is married to a Black |
| majority culture dominating that area. Up until recently, | | | | woman and he was born to a White woman and |
| every one of our American presidents was | | | | raised by his White grandparents. |
| Caucasian. The House of Representative and Senate | | | | Are things really better in this country? Yes and No. I |
| are dominated by Whites. This has the political power | | | | believe there are many Caucasians who support |
| resting with the majority culture. When you look at | | | | equality. They are not consciously racist and the very |
| successful business owners and head of companies, | | | | thought of treating someone differently based on their |
| many are Caucasian. | | | | skin color is abhorrent to them. |
| Now, I am not taking away from the hard work, | | | | On the other hand, because there are many places still |
| sacrifice and dedication of the majority culture. I am | | | | in the United States that are segregated by choice, |
| simply saying that it is more difficult for young | | | | many times the majority culture does not have |
| African-Americans to find examples of successful | | | | day-to-day interactions with people of color. They may |
| people who look like them who aren't rappers or | | | | work together but go home to separate environments |
| athletes. | | | | and cultures. When this separation exits, it is common |
| I was at a dinner party recently with about 10 couples | | | | to develop a discomfort around people who are |
| who are personal friends of mine. An | | | | different simply because of a lack of exposure. Often |
| African-American friend accompanied me and he was | | | | this discomfort can be perceived by the minority |
| the only person of color at the table. Within each | | | | culture as evidence of racism. |
| couple, at least one of them was a business owner, | | | | Another issue that still exists is the formal and informal |
| including myself and my friend. When he gets together | | | | systems in the United States are inherently racist. This |
| with other African-Americans, that isn't as common an | | | | doesn't mean that the individuals that comprise the |
| experience. | | | | system support racism. It simply means that we are |
| He later asked me how many of those couples know | | | | implicit partners based on the privilege most of us don't |
| someone close to them who either has substance | | | | even know we have. |
| abuse issues or a family member who had gone to jail. | | | | In order for this trend to be equalized, the majority |
| Admittedly, there were two of 20 people there who | | | | culture must begin to see how privilege asserts itself in |
| had a close family member or friend with substance | | | | the systems currently in place and do whatever it can |
| abuse issues and no one who had family who had | | | | to correct the inequities. Minority culture can help by |
| been in jail. He shared that many of the people he | | | | first realizing many individuals want to make things |
| knows who resemble him have friends or family | | | | different and then being willing to share their |
| members who have experienced incarceration and/or | | | | experiences to help educate the majority culture to |
| substance abuse issues. | | | | what it is like being a member of the existing systems. |
| It is well documented that there is a disproportionate | | | | Working together in a spirit of acceptance, inclusion |
| amount of Blacks incarcerated. A Caucasian and an | | | | and cooperation will create the changes we are |
| African-American who commit similar crimes often | | | | seeking as the only race-the human race. |