Our new Attorney General, Eric Holder, has found himself in hot water with some comments that he made on Wednesday: "In things racial we have always been, and I believe continue to be in too many ways, essentially, a nation of cowards." Pundits, particularly those on the right, have called these words "reprehensible" and "inflammatory." While he actually said nothing new, it seems to be the fact that he used the word "coward" that has people upset. But which people? White people? Black people? Brown people?
Beyond this single statement, listen to this portion of his speech and try to find something that is outlandish.
What he said, in a nutshell, is that Americans are afraid to discuss race. What is wrong with making that claim? Is he off-base about that? He didn't single out any group. Or are some folks assuming that he implied that only white people are the cowards? How would this be received if this was George Bush saying this? Or Bill Clinton?
Lots of people are saying that fifty million cowards seemed to have gotten beyond their fear and put an African American in power who would then appoint Holder as the Attorney General. However, he's not discussing any singular act of racism or anti-racism or racial preference but, rather, the way we live our lives -- which is to tolerate other races in our work lives but maintain very segregated personal lives. By the way, the data pretty clearly support him on this.
The overarching problem with Holder's words is that white people don't know how to interpret them--and so they return to the old script: "It's a black guy speaking about race. So he must be critiquing us."
Another element of the old script is that most any statement made about race from one group is going to offend another group. That's exactly what Holder is talking about. So if we're not a nation of cowards, we would just allow him his critique and keep talking to each other, don't you think?
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When it comes to the issue that he brings forward about the nation being, essentially a nation of cowards I can't exactly say that I disagree with him fully. There seem to be many things that are brought to our attention each day that we seem to mutter under our breath, and yet, when brought up and put face to face with what we've said if questioned about it, many of us simply shy away and say "I didn't mean it like that!" I feel that when he'd addressed Black History Month as a whole and showed how it was, in itself unequal, he struck a bit of a fragile point with many people. When we seem to celebrate Black History, it seems like we only dab onto some of the very few people who made it what it is. People like Louis Armstrong, or Harriet Tubman, or George Washington Carver. I can see how he feels this is only a very small portion of what is actually to be had out there. Going back to the previous point however, I've noticed in my own experiences that when people are confronted by what they've said, they quickly try to weasel their way out of it. People who don't want to come off as a racist quickly try to rephrase their statement, and then there are very few who will admit what they've said. It goes back to the white supremacist blogs, where people who are hidden behind masks and aliases can safely try to garnish their point of views and corrupt others along with those all because of their given anonymity. When confronted in the real world, face to face, people often turn into the cowards that quickly hide back in their shells and try to change their story around. However, equally to blame are those that instigate comments towards themselves. Personally, I can't stand Al Sharpton for example, I can't stand how he consistently attempts to play the "race card" when it's really unnecessary to do so. I find it often takes situations that could have been reasoned with and dealt with accordingly and blows them out of proportion to the extent that, in particular trials, people are forced to re-evaluate their own beliefs in an unfair manner and to me, always seems to make it worse for the party he is defending. There's one example that I've brought up a few times to discuss fairness in race and such, and that is the John White Trial. John White was convicted of Manslaughter of a 19 year old man who had threatened his own 19 year old son, Aaron. Apparently, this article is a key case that some people are still too afraid to stand up for their own beliefs due to the fact that they are faced with other pressures aside of just racial tension. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-lijury0106,0,6471802.story
Eric Holder’s words certainly are thought provoking; especially at a time when many people think we have resolved many of this country’s issues regarding race relations with the election of Barack Obama. However, it is clear that many people are still quite uncomfortable talking about race and the inequalities associated with it. And, while I don’t think Mr. Holder was referring to only one race, I believe it has been shown time and time again that white people are the ones who are most reluctant to discuss race. I think this has previously been called “white guilt” in class. Because of our fairly nasty history in the treatment of other races we’ve grown to loath talking about race because we are afraid that we’ll be painted as villains. Thus, I believe that many white people become very defensive when they are confronted about their beliefs about race and ethnic relations. Frankly, this is somewhat depressing because it seems to indicate that race relations will continue to move at snail’s pace in this country, simply because the vast majority of people in this country dislike talking about these important issues.
Simply put, many people need to grow up and stop being so awkward about it. Yes, some unpleasant events happened in the past that created strict divisions between people of different races both in this country and around the world. And I’m not saying we should forget about those occurrences, because they have definitely played an integral role in the shaping of this country. But, unless we can recognize our reprehensible past as a terrible mistake and learn a lesson or two from it, race relations in this country will never progress to the extent that it could. We’ve been taught that race is one of the easiest ways to differentiate ourselves from one another because it’s one of the first easily noticeable characteristics. But the color of one’s skin is something that means so little in the grand scheme of things and is an issue that shouldn’t make people so uncomfortable. Every single person on this planet is very unique in terms of their upbringing and culture, among other things, and we need to work very hard on just accepting people for being half-decent individuals rather than focusing so much attention on the color of their skin. I feel like the more people talk about the differences between us because of our varying skin colors, the more our society will believe that these differences are actually significant and lose sight of the fact that we’re all just human beings with totally distinct personalities and experiences.
My point here is this: we need to work on being a more accepting society as a whole. Put aside your biases and prejudices for a little while and just learn to tolerate people who are different and be able to have productive conversations with those people.
I completely agree with Sam’s viewpoint on how the media over blew Eric Holder’s statements that can only be described as, well, confirming his beliefs. I found nothing he said to be offensive. On the contrary, Holder’s statements echoed a previous blog post that I had made stating that we do need to talk more about racism to try and eventually diminish it. To me, it seems like one of those complicated catch- 22 issues that always seem to plague politics- how can we even begin to solve a problem if we cannot even discuss its existence?
I think that part of the problem with Holder’s statement did lie within the fact that he is black. To the white Americans who are still patting themselves on the back for electing a half-black president, throwing out the “R” word seems over-the-top offensive and insulting to their good moral character. As Sam has said in lecture, there is little more that you can do to offend a white man than to call him racist, especially if it is by a minority group member. This is just one of many examples of people pointing to Obama’s election as a band-aid for the ever present and obvious issue of racism in America, and I believe that many American voters think that the problem of racism was cured on Inauguration Day, when in fact, electing Barack Obama into office should serve as a catalyst for change. And yes, that does include talking about the issue of racism.
Sam states that, “Another element of the old script is that most any statement made about race from one group is going to offend another group.” I agree with Sam’s statement, however, how it pertains to Holder’s statements is far more intriguing. I think that Holder’s statements are as neutral as they could be with the subject; he called “Americans” cowards, not “White Americans” or “Black Americans.” I suppose the white man may assume, as Sam stated, that a black man making these statements is on the offense. On that note, the same or similar statement coming from a white man, in my opinion, would be marked as insightful and congratulatory, not offensive.
Holder’s statements, in my opinion, at least served as a starting point for discussing the issue of race. I believe that talking about the subject, in any form, serves as a forum for more open discussions and has the potential to get people to look inside themselves and dig into the deeper issues. I hope that, with all the media attention given to his statements, Holder does not back down from his statements and continue to get America talking. I think that Americans should be satisfied when racism becomes a term used to describe the past instead of the deepest insult that can be used against someone.
Attorney General Eric Holder indeed to put himself in “hot water.” His words were bold and struck a lot of people in a place that as he said would be “uncomfortable.” However the portion of his speech was well spoken and simply laid a case for a claim that most people simply want to think as a nation, we have gone beyond. What he said was not outlandish. His words were meant toward all people, white, brown, black, blue--everyone. He was speaking to Americans as a whole. He means that racial dialogue should be openly discussed between all the races; no one is at fault, Americans are afraid in general to speak about race.
I don’t think that he is wrong with making that claim, or we would not have classes like SOC 119 to attempt to open the conversation about race. We are students in an environment structured for learning and understand each other. I don’t think that open conversations are happening frequently outside of environments such as college campuses. Personally as a white person, I agree with Holder and it’s about time that someone comes out says what he did so that all people hear it and have to contemplate what he is saying because he is speaking to everyone; not just the white people. As a whole we have to be able to move beyond this.
All kinds of media responded. I happened to catch one program, “The View,” typically known as a show that is racially and politically diverse for morning talk, some of the ladies were taken back by the word “coward” and took it out of context. They started to attribute it not to speaking about race, but towards the Americans attitude as a whole. A white host, particularly, Elizabeth Hasslebeck was particularly offended by the word “cowards” and called it a “dangerous” word. The ladies tried to stress that people are scared to discuss race or that people may not understand how to approach it, and that is what Holder meant as being cowards.
I think if a white person such as George Bush, or Bill Clinton were saying it the white people that became offended by Holder’s words would have felt more comfortable with the statement, and maybe not see it as in attack and more of a suggestion. Yes, the nation has come very far, with the election of a black man for president but our conversations about race can’t stop there. The fact that the race of the man that was elected president was such a huge factor in the election means that these conversations aren’t happening, because then maybe we could move beyond race and see people for what they are. He is correct in saying that as Americans it is our “duty and solemn responsibility” to talk about these issues in trying to establish a nation without racial barriers in the future.
I don’t think Holder was trying to offend anyone personally, or any one particular group. I mean lets face it, if we didn’t have a problem talking to people of color or bridging that race barrier, then we wouldn’t have classes like Soc 119. The main problem with his statement is that there wasn’t enough clarity as to exactly which group or collective population he was talking about. He left his interpretations open to anyone who wanted to try and analyze his words. I’m pretty sure there are those out there who would say “I’m not racist, I talk to black people, white people, yellow people, blah blah blah”. But if those people actually paid attention Holder said the main problem is that even though we tend to talk to other races while at work or school, we don’t normally spend time outside of those situations conversing and socializing with those groups. It is that exact behavior that while we are more disegragated as a nation, we truly are a nation of cowards, and racism of course is the unavoidable products of this viable reaction. Just because you can tolerate different types of people when in a necessary situation, doesn’t mean that you respect those same groups, or even individuals of those groups outside of those situations.
A main problem is that people don’t know where to start talking or how to talk about such huge an issue as race. Many people become scarred and tend to run, afraid of offending someone. Others don’t care. I belong to the latter. I could honestly care less about things as a whole. I am friends with people of all different backgrounds and ethnicities. One of my greatest friends I’ve made in college is Taiwanese, another is African American. I have friends that are Hispanic, Asian, Black, and White. I know where I stand on this whole issue, but I honestly could care less. The way a lot of people act and talk is ridiculous, but in today’s era, everything you say is up for criticism.
Holder is a slightly newer face to the public’s eye (at least to those of us who don’t really follow government or politics that well). Had this been someone such as G.W. Bush or Bill Clinton saying these words, white people probably would have looked at them as being crazy, while black peole praised him for bringing such a sensitive topic to the table. Its all interpretation, and idealization. The choice is up to you if whether or not you want to get offended, or just let it brush off your shoulders.
I believe our new Attorney General, Eric Holder was just trying to say that now we have a new President Obama, that the idea of holding back on racial issues and tension should now be alleviated. I like his idea of February, being black history month, that we should contribute that to the racial problems and acknowledging black history because besides Obama, it is kind of silenced. Black history is one of the number one subjects that get over looked in school. Besides going to a predominately black school I can't think of one single thing that was done on campus that was major enough to recognize black history month and the struggle behind it. Why should he be in hot water for his honest opinion on and issue that has been on the "hush hush"? It is about time someone addressed black history month. Also he wasn't just saying that February should be for the history of African Americans but to also discuss racial dilemmas and reasoning on why race is so hard to bring up unless a black person is involved.
I also liked the fact that he talked about how in 50 years there will be no minority or dominate race. That was pretty cool. To know that in a half a century, what was once unreal, can come true and maybe this racial profiling and racial issues might cease. I think Obama is year one and this is where the journey of not putting a color to a person and character to a person first begins.
Just because a black man, who happens to be an ATTORNEY, which means he did go to school and does have a background, it's not just coming out of nowhere. This man has a legitimate approach to this "coward" behavior. Maybe his word choice offended others which in a way I can understand, but I like how he didn't sugar-coat the issue. Someone has to be bold and blunt and realize, hey there is a coward-like attitude that's masking the idea that race issues are still prevalent and around, and just because Obama is in office doesn't mean that this will just go away randomly. America has certain ideals and issues where this normal system of not talking about race because you seem racist has gotten out of control..... to the point that when you do talk about race no one can be open-minded and it is like because we aren't learning about other races and issues we are unaware and confused in our little bubbles.
I really believe people are upset because Eric Holder made sense and never did he accuse or bash anyone about being a coward... he just addressed how this issue could be taken care of without making any race seem more dominate.
In my opinion, I believe people are too sensitive when it comes to African Americans, he said what he believed like any other attorney and now that he's black its an issue. Whatever he's trying to do I understand and I agree that black history month and racial issues need to be put more in the light now than ever.
First and foremost I’m glad that Attorney General, Eric Holder’s statements this past week is being highlighted in our blog. I was flipping through the television the other night and came upon his speech on CNN. I was shocked yet pleased in some ways to hear the words that came out of his mouth. And I thought we would for sure have had a heated discussion in class or at least brought up the topic of “American Cowards”.
Anyway I believe that people are just pissed that he was speaking the truth…. and that’s the problem people can’t handle the truth. Some folks would rather turn the other cheek than actually discuss issues of race that are still prevalent in our so called equal opportunity society. What the new Attorney General said is nothing new, yet they are just facts that people choose not to discuss…. and by not discussing it but rather suppressing it, it does not rid of the problem. I believe that’s how he came to his terms with labeling American’s as “cowards.” Always talking the talking the talk but falling short when it comes to walking the walk. I personally wasn’t offended by his comments and those that were are probably just guilty of the very topics that he spoke of. It is true “we,” Americans feel as though we made great stride in relations to race and equality, which is absolutely true, we have come some ways. But for a nation to think “WE MADE IT” is just a gassed up fabrication. We do have integrated schools, sports, government, jobs etc., yet like the General said in a gist, when we sit down to eat lunch take a moments to sit back and look who is sitting with whom.(food for thought)
A personal example I have of this is: I once attending a program for a branch campus I went to which focused on the diversity of the university. We talked about race, sex, gender and discrimination issues. What I thought was really funny is WE, students, teachers and faculty all sat in a room talking about how people segregate themselves and are discriminated against, name calling and racial slurs. Yet at that very moment we were all guilty of some of the same things. One of the students made an excellent point by pointing out that everyone in the room actually had possibly unknowingly segregated themselves, including faculty!!!!! The black students and faculty all sat in one spot of the room, same for the Latino students and faculty, white and so forth. Everyone in the room literally became speechless. It was such an awkward yet needed moment to be put on the spot like that. Everyone immediately got up and changed there position of seating.
Erica Holder spoke up when no one else was willing to. Some of the words such as coward may have strung a cord with some individuals, but I think people should just take a moment to look at the pig picture, the whole picture, not just what they want to believe. BE REAL
I think Holder couldn’t be closer to the truth. Even his word choice is honestly spot on. We are cowards when we “come to the race table” and a discussion is opened. Indeed, he didn’t single out any specific group of people. I certainly cannot put words in his mouth, and to assume he was referring to anybody in particular would be doing exactly that. However, speaking from my own experience alone, I think he can accurately refer to almost any American, regardless of ancestry, who’s grown up here. The imperative of political correctness has become fuel for this cowardice.
The only contention of his that I’m unsure about, is that we’ve always been cowards when it comes to race. I’m not sure history supports this claim, but I could very well be wrong. It seems to me that in the past, people were quite open about race, even when their views would now be tagged as racist. Even scholars had no qualms with asserting that certain racial groups were inferior to others! The eugenicists of the 20th-Century, now viewed as racist, pseudo-scientific pigs, were taken quite seriously in their time. In the past, people didn’t mind saying what they would about others unlike themselves. I don’t mean to imply that racism or any sort of intolerance is thus warranted. It is, in a way, it’s own form of cowardice, and perhaps this is what Holder is saying. In any case, I think the present-day or extant cowardice is linked to the emergence of political correctness as a social “prime directive” when it comes to discussing any sort of diversity in the population. This directive is young, as is the modern phenomenon of cultural relativism, the two of which I see as parallel if not linked.
Cultural relativism, today, is taken to be the antithesis of ethnocentrism. It is the notion that one cannot truly evaluate a culture (or another-cultural practice) unless they make the effort to step into that culture’s shoes and see try to see things the way a native would. This is a fundamental anthropological tenet, and as an anth major it’s an instruction that’s been repeatedly written on the inside of my skull. But when I took the time to step back and view my own field objectively, I realized that this instruction has, by many practitioners, been grossly overblown. What was once a reasonable if not logical approach to objectively viewing alien cultures has been twisted into a subjective dogma. The way many take it is that one cannot say anything about a culture, unless one is from it. I feel this renders our field useless and utterly futile, but that’s another matter.
I see political correctness as having undergone a parallel transformation. What was once (perhaps) a noble effort to avoid offending people has become a voracious dogma of avoidance if not enforced silence. It’s created this idea that you cannot say anything much at all about a race or ethnic group unless you are from it yourself. Ergo, black people can call each other “nigger” and smile about it but when a white person does the same, the smiles go away. Moreover, this imperative for correctness, I feel, has bred a fear of the topic of race that goes beyond fear of offense. I think people of all sorts are becoming afraid of the notion race itself. It has become a dogmatic policy of avoiding the topic of race almost completely. To avoid the label of racist, you must avoid the topic of race. If not fear, it’s made a great excuse, a way to feign “colorblindness.”
I understand that this sort of cowardice is generally associated with whites, and the stereotype isn’t necessarily unwarranted, but it’s not exclusive to whites I feel. I’ve seen this cowardice in people of all races. I’ve heard black and brown people call any remark at all regarding them (from whites) as “just ignorant.” I’ve heard Asians complain about the use of the term “Oriental,” however innocent the speaker (something I don’t understand as an Asian myself). I’ve been thoroughly chided by whites who called me an ignorant racist, just for bringing up the topic.
The only people I’ve known whom this generalization does not in some way apply to, are recent immigrants. That is, people who absolutely did not grow up in this country and are not inextricably linked to its culture, and are thereby not keen to our racial feelings. Often times, they do not feel that imperative of political correctness. My mother (from the Philippines), for example, does not quite grasp the concept. Some Asian immigrants I know had no qualms with openly voicing their racial perspective, only changing their habits after being chided by American locals. Many learn of our cowardice the hard way.
If we weren’t cowards, this would never have resulted in controversy. Our being unsettled proves Holder’s point absolutely. The very mention of race by a public official has made us cower and shudder. The word cower is clearly related to coward (thanks Captain Obvious). If he had altered his wording, he would have stood a chance of dodging scrutiny, but he’d be understating the truth and missing the point. Perhaps, he meant to play the iconoclast, and foresaw this controversy. It is said that when you tell somebody something true that they already know, they’ll thank you for it, but when you tell somebody something true but new, they’ll hate you. I think that’s precisely what’s going on here. If we weren’t cowards, we would never have reacted to this statement in such a way.
After listening to the portion of the speech made by Attorney General, Eric Holder I had several mixed emotions regarding the content of his speech. At first after listening to the segment of his speech I felt that he didn’t really say anything that was to outlandish. I felt that he was making a general request to all people of our society to experiment and experience other races. I believe he was trying to convey a message that, although this country has come a long way from our racial past, there are still many mountains we have to climb. We have to educate ourselves and learn about other races through multiple institutions. I feel that by giving this speech Eric Holder was trying to bring a nation together to focus on our America rather than focus on races and other petty issues. Listening to this speech at first I felt that what Eric Holder was saying was positive and would encourage people to experience and eventually accept all races and eliminate racial issues. I don’t feel that by giving this speech the Attorney General was trying to offend any one group of people, and after analyzing the speech I was not offended but I can see how several people might be. I don’t think I agree with Eric Holders use of the word “coward” to describe people in our society because in reality there are many people that are simply just not educated or haven’t had enough experience with other racial groups to think any differently than they do. When the Attorney General uses the word coward I don’t think he is referring to any one racial group but in my opinion I felt that he spoke from his lack of education and experience with other races.
What I am trying to say is when Attorney General, Eric Holder spoke about racial issues from his experience he has probably been surrounded by upper class white individuals who have a certain outlook on life and our country, however I feel that Eric Holder has not had enough experience with middle class or lower class white, brown, or black families of whom many don’t, or refuse to see race as an issue at all. I support Eric Holder an his attempt to open up discussions and talks about race, my opinion however is that in many of our communities around the country race is not something that people often talk about but it isn’t really an issue. I believe that race should not be an issue in any situation but in many circumstances it is. Our country in fact has made huge strides regarding racial issues and will continue to make improvements with our first president of color. In conclusion I don’t know if opening the racial communication lines will cause more problems in our society or really finally bring us together and comfortable with other races.
I could not agree more with the new Attorney General’s statements. He is exactly right in everything that he says. For those on the right to call them “reprehensible” and “inflammatory” is ridiculous; clearly they were not listening closely enough to what Eric Holder had to say. I personally don’t think he called out any singular group of people. He made a speech on a topic that needed to be discussed, and framed it exactly how it should be framed. I have brought up the fact that too many people are too uncomfortable with race to discuss it freely and openly, which I think it totally necessary, in my section’s discussion group. It has generally gone over well, and I think just about everyone in my section agreed with me. Holder also was correct in the usage of the word “coward”. There is not another word that could more accurately describe people’s inaction in race relations in the United States.
I think that white people automatically, when other races speak on the topic, think that the speaker thinks all white people are racist bigots. As soon as they get this thought into their minds they fail to actually pay attention to the message trying to get across. This is obviously also the case in this incident. If a completely white person, such as George Bush or Bill Clinton, had said the exact same things, his thoughts would be groundbreaking and thus provoke the thoughts of white people on the issue. There is certainly a double standard. I can firmly say this because I am a white person, and I know how white people think.
It is a way of life in the U.S. to tolerate many things, including different races and backgrounds, yet one rarely sees the instance where there is integration outside of the tolerance. My generation is much better at getting past racial appearances than the prior generations, which makes me very happy! My generation understands that there is much we can learn from each other, and race is not a factor in this statement. We also are less likely to worry if we hurt someone’s feelings if we ask a certain question, because we would most likely get reprimanded if it was offensive and then promptly get an honest answer. Professor Richards IS right in saying that if Attorney General Holder is wrong, then why is everyone up in arms about him discussing this issue? People’s reactions to the speech are precisely what Holder is talking about in his speech. The reactions have done nothing but further confirm his comments. Once we can move past this, then there will no longer be a basis for this discussion.
I’m glad that Sam chose this topic for this week. I was watching CNN and saw this clip and was intrigued as to how everyone is taking these comments. These comments are being blown way out of proportion. I see absolutely nothing wrong or outlandish about these statements and clearly neither did Attorney General Holder or any of his speech writers. As a nation I have felt that we have always been afraid to speak about race. That is why I and a lot of other people in this class are taking this class. Race is very rarely discussed openly and it is about time that that changes. We’ve already made a monumental change in electing a black man president of this country, what is so wrong with openly talking about race now. What is wrong with a black man, acting as this country’s Attorney General, proclaiming that our country shies away from discussing race? As we’ve discussed before, white people take offense to anything that comes off sounding like whites are racist, which is probably why right-wing analysts are so upset. This comment and speech was clearly not meant to offend anyone, it was just meant to keep people informed that we should be tolerant of other cultures and races. I hate how white people, in particular, immediately jump to offense when a black man or a person of any other race tries to just speak about race. Clearly the only word that is getting a reaction from this speech is the word coward. The word coward doesn’t need to have a negative connotation as it always seems to carry. The word only means someone who lacks courage or is fearful or timid. I see nothing wrong with saying that our country is fearful and timid about talking about race. The only time I can remember in my life that we as a nation have been open to talking about race is when President Obama was recently elected. If not for Obama being elected this guy would not have the power to speak on such a strong pulpit and speak about such a taboo topic. That is what talking about race has become, taboo. How did all of this happen? Maybe it comes back to whites feeling guilty about their ancestors enslaving a whole group of people over the simple fact that their skin was a different color. Maybe it is because no less than 40 years ago we used to make blacks and whites have everything separate. Or maybe it is because there are still many white people living in this country who still believe that whites are the superior race. I think Attorney General Holder’s statement hits this country’s nail right on the head. If we aren’t cowards then why are so many people taking offense to this statement?
Eric Holder was simply making a statement that many Americans are afraid to speak their mind, and I find that to be very true. Talking about race is often like walking on egg shells. You don’t know which topics will offend which people. Some people take words that are said to heart. For example, a racist joke could be very offensive to certain people, while other people might go along with the joke and laugh. The bottom line is that our country is made up of overly sensitive people. Since when has being called a coward overly offensive? It isn’t it’s just the pure fact that a high figure of a different race said this. Sam is right if this were a white person saying whites are cowards this would be a totally different situation. Because Holder is black we feel as if the only people he is calling out would be white people, therefore, it is taken as offensive. The crazy part of the whole situation is that most white people probably aren’t going to change their ways and start speaking more about race, so therefore they could be considered a coward.
I feel as if white people are often afraid to say certain things about race relations because they don’t want to be called a racist. As we talked about in class, “nigger” is a derogatory name for blacks, “chinks” is a derogatory name for Asians, and although there is “cracker” for whites it is the most offensive to call them “racist.” Racism is coined in our world as a bad and cruel view to have, so those that are called racist would be considered cruel. Therefore, it is extremely offensive for a white person to be called racist.
The underlying issue that we are forgetting in his speech is that he is not singling out white people; he is talking about our nation as a whole including all of the races. Thus, I feel that his statement is not wrong at all. It is his opinion and I believe many other people agree. I think that even some of those white people that were offended by the statement also think that his statement has truth in it. I have begun to open up more in our discussion groups for SOC119 because I am able to see different viewpoints of various races. In the process I am able to look at race through a telescope and view a different perspective of how people think. The discussions have also made me more conscious of other people’s feelings. I wish that the types of conversations we have in my section could occur outside of classes. However, it is the same issue people are too afraid, they only speak out because they are forced to for the class.
I have to agree that although most of us claim to not be racist we are “cowards” in the sense that you rarely see people of different ethnicities approaching each other by choice to make friends. I believe that in most situations if given the choice the typical white person would choose to approach another white person before they would approach maybe a black or brown person to make friends with. I see it every day here at Penn State, for example, the hub is the center of this campus where friends congregate to make plans or grab lunch it is the perfect place to observe various racial groups segregating themselves from each other. Like Eric Holder says, it is not that anyone is racist but that they are afraid to approach others, it is not the social norm.
Watching this video I immediately thought he was referring to white people but I’m not sure if that’s is because I am white or if it is just because generally when speaking of racism the public assumes it is the white man being racist. After thinking it over I definitely do not think that white people should always be thought of as the only racist ones. As you can see all over campus it is not just the white people segregating themselves from other races but black people are separating themselves from Asians too and vice versa. It does not seem to make any sense that many of us claim we are not racist and yet we are still afraid to try to make friends with people of different colors. From the viewpoint of someone currently enrolled in a race relations class I should know that if I were to try to make friends with someone of another race it is unlikely that they would reject me just because I am white. For the most part I think we are all open to becoming friends with people of other races it is just hard to make the first move. It comes down to our fears of rejection, for some reason it seems that people think there is a greater chance of them being rejected friendship from someone of another race than someone of their own even though I think that is entirely untrue. I had a roommate freshman year who was black and we became friends rather quickly. Of course neither of us were racist, but we had had conversations where we admitted that we are just more comfortable approaching someone of our own race because that is how we were brought up. If we weren’t rooming together we probably never would have tried talking to each in another setting simply because of the different colors of our skin. I think it is up to the parents of future generations to encourage their children that it is perfectly acceptable to make friends with people of any color and that should never be a factor when choosing who to include in your personal life.
I believe that Eric Holder’s words holds true to many aspects of this nation and it is unfair that he is being judged so critically by the media. It is clear in everyday life that people do not talk about race unless they are forced to as in our small discussion group. The only real explanation for this lack of communicating a topic that is clearly still an issue is that it makes people feel very uncomfortable when they speak of topics that are “politically incorrect.” It is true that people have become significantly less racist, and that most people accept other people based on personality than the color of their skin. Accepting or tolerating, however, is not the same as being friends and mingling with other race and creating a “melting pot.” It is clear, like Holder stated, that many races have very segregated lives from other races. Choosing to be segregated, however, is not racist; it is just the race relations of this nation. It is naïve for white people to assume that Holder is critiquing them on not having many personal relationships with black people. He clearly never mentioned a specific race when talking of this topic, and he probably meant both black, white, and any other race in this nation. Races usually like to keep to themselves, and it is not just the white’s people fault or the minorities’ fault. It is just the race relations of this state.
Even in Penn State you can that most minorities stick together. Asians are usually with other Asians and black people are usually with other black people. It is not that it is impossible to be friends with people of a different, but usually the main group of friends a minority holds is that of their minority. For example you might be white and be friends with a black from class and occasionally invite them to your parties, but the black person’s main group of friends might be all black. The same holds true for white people or any other race. I am not saying that this is implies for every scenario, however. Personally, I am an Indian who’s main group of friends are predominantly white people. I do have a group of Indian friends at home, but they are more family friends that anything. I have never chosen to only seek out Indians and become friends with them; I became friends with people whose personality seem to click with mine. I understand why people would choose to be friends with people of their own race. Usually I do not notice that I am the only minority, but sometimes I do. There are also things that I have explain about my culture sometimes that can get pretty annoying and it would be situations that I could avoid if I was friends with only Indians. I do not think that it is anyone’s fault that people still remain segregated, but do believe that there is nothing wrong about talking about it
After listening to Attorney General Eric Holder’s comments, I agree that he said nothing to warrant the scrutiny that he is currently under. He was simply making accurate observations about the state of racial relations in this country – despite the election of President Obama. I think that for a lot of Americans, the fact that we have a black president is hard enough to swallow, let alone the idea that this is essentially “a nation of cowards”. Last night I watched a documentary on HBO called “Right America: Feeling Wronged – Some Voices from the Campaign Trail”. It consisted of interviews with mostly Southern, conservative McCain supporters in the months leading to the election. In all honesty, I wouldn’t call them so much “McCain supporters” as I would “Obama-haters”. I didn’t hear much from the people about their disagreement with Obama’s policies as I did about his ties to terrorism and…the devil. Over and over I heard people say that America is “just not ready” for a black president. If they really believe that this is the case, hearing that the racial discomfort that exists is considered cowardly is undoubtedly going to set them off. The situation is similar in regards to right-wing political pundits. Putting this country in the hands of a black president has been bitter for many of them, and being criticized on the way race has been handled is too much for them to hear. Of course, the fact that another black man made those remarks is significant. It is as if they feel like they are immediately being attacked for being white.
As I said before, I see nothing wrong with Holder’s comments. However, I have to admit that there are times where I have been a coward when it comes to race. In my first blog response, I wrote about a situation in which a black girl in one of my classes got angry when she saw an “Obama for President” button on a white student’s backpack. I thought about saying something to her, but I didn’t. I just did not want to start an argument because obviously this was something that the girl felt strongly about. It’s like I feel that because I am a white girl, I have no right to tell this black girl that Obama would be our president too. It can just be uncomfortable, and so many people (including me, sometimes) are afraid to say something offensive or come off sounding racist, even if we are nothing of the sort. For these reasons, I fully agree with Holder. Once we can get past our discomfort in talking about racial issues straight up, things can go a lot more smoothly. I have faith that people in this country can do that, but the people I saw in the documentary make me nervous. They just seem to be completely behind the times, but totally happy about it. One man proudly proclaimed that he doesn’t think that women should be allowed to vote yet. I don’t know what to say about him; I don’t have any solution. I hope that the fact that President Obama was elected will open their eyes to how the rest of the nation is progressing, and I hope that Eric Holder’s comments will eventually be appreciated by everyone.
As a white female watching this video, I must admit that I was not offended at all by Holder’s speech. I feel as if he was so accurate and said everything in such a politically correct way as to reach anyone belonging to any race in America. He is right and it’s something that I could never put into words, but he chose words that were seemingly fitting. We Americans are cowards, we are afraid to let our guard down and open to change. Yeah, we have come a long way since the days of racial segregation and slavery but just because we made it this far doesn’t mean we can sit down and take a break, or stop completely. The work that needs to be done to racially edit our world has so much work left to be done that the constant criticisms and disrespect of those who are willing to put their words in the public will not get anyone anywhere. In my opinion, we need more people like Holder to put these ideas and statements out on the table. I feel as if people were over reacting because they do not want to believe what he is saying is true. Americans feel as if they are such strong people, not to single out any color, every single race has a metal wall around them, which they feel is a guard they cannot let down. Through hearing that they are indeed cowards is something that they don’t want to hear. No one wants to hear or recognize that they are scared; they feel that is only for young children and women who are walking down the street at night. But in fact everyone is a coward. Holder’s words were words that I would not at one time understand; the time before I went to college, when I lived in and was surrounded by many country club communities. I would have looked at this man and thought that those of minority race were always looking for pity. But now, being opened to so many cultures and so many racially enriched people, I can interpret these words so well and understand them to the fullest. Although I am thirty years younger than my parents these words spoken by Holder would have to be translated by me to them because growing up in generation where racism was much more prominent than now has affected the way they accept language such as this. I feel that people’s inability to stop and listen and interpret is a major problem in our country that has led to the continuation of the racism problem. People don’t want to make the time to listen and understand, to see what it is like to understand the racial problem we have going on in our country. Therefore, what Holder said shouldn’t be looked down upon. It should be praised and applauded because he has taken yet another step towards improving our country.
Attorney General, Eric Holder spoke his beliefs in his speech and once again there are many people that twist words into a negative perspective and make sense of it in a way that is discriminating to a race. I, as a white female did not take offense to his words at all, because I also believe that it is completely true. There is many times that people will say something about a race and it comes out wrong where they sound racist and they aren’t racist so they quickly say, “well I didn’t mean it like that” and try to put their words into another sentence that sounds better. It’s just a way of life, white people feel awkward talking about race, maybe it’s because they are guilty or maybe it is for some other reason but regardless of their reason I don’t see why what Mr. Holder said would be offensive. Our country has been through a lot with different races but we overcame so much also. These events are in the past, and no that does not mean they should be forgotten but no one can go back in time and erase these horrible times that occurred, so I think it is time that we all move on from the past and start looking at now and the future. What happened in the past may be why so many white people feel uncomfortable talking about race relations, because they don’t want to be seen as the people that thought it was okay to treat the different races the way that our people once did. I also think that if people don’t start looking at it more openly and having an open mind about talking about race relations our country will never fully see everyone as equal. I learned so many new view points from just this class and by going to some of the race relation groups, it opened my eyes to new perspectives that I wouldn’t have seen if I never wanted to talk about race and different cultures. I think many white people need to let their guards down for a little and see that this world is full of diverse people, cultures, religions, and ideas; and that’s okay. It’s what makes this place such a unique and wonderful place to be. So as far as Mr. Holder speaking his mind about how he feels, I don’t see why anyone needs to take it personally and blow it out of proportion when everyone has the freedom to speak in the United States and no one is forcing you to believe the same way as someone speaking their opinion. The United States has a lot more growing to do as a country and until everyone can open up and accept others for who they are instead of their skin color I don’t think this country will ever get to the point of everyone feeling equal.
Eric Holder should not be condemned for his comments. All he did was remind us that we Americans are uncomfortable when it comes to talking about race. He is not calling anyone racist, or singling out any particular group. Although many people would easily assume he is referring to white people, that is not the case. He is referring to all Americans- white, black, Latino, Asian, etc. I don’t know if he should have gone so far as to say we are cowards when it comes to talking about race, because that is a pretty strong term. I would say that Americans are shy when it comes to talking about race. And rightfully so. Race is a sensitive subject. A lot of times it is hard to predict what will offend someone of a different ethnic group. Americans are scared that they will say something that is taken the wrong way by someone else. No one wants to be viewed as a racist, and people stray from talking about race so they are not marked as a racist. That is why this sociology class is so important. To have an open forum to talk about and express feelings of racial issues is very important. Discussion groups provide us with a controlled, friendly environment to discuss racial issues. If only all Americans were put into mandatory discussion groups to talk about race, Holder might not think we Americans are so cowardly. But in order to talk about race effectively, people must be very comfortable with one another. This is why talking about race is so rare. Among friends, racial issues are much easier to talk about because there is a mutual trust in each person. However if strangers embark on a racial discussion, there is much more tension. If the people who are talking don’t know each other, they will be fearful of what they say and hold themselves back from expressing their full opinions. Holder says the majority of Americans feel uncomfortable talking about race, and would rather not have to deal with racial issues. He is correct when he says this. Many people seem to think that the best way to go about the race issue is to simply ignore it. Why talk about race if we are not racist? This is just laziness and fear setting in. It would be nice to think that if we ignore race it will simply go away, but that is clearly not the case. Race is an issue that should be discussed in an open forum. We should learn about each others history. I don’t think their should be such thing as black history month, because I think that all American history should be the same subject. Black history should be studied in all months, like white history.
I agree that everything the Attorney General addressed is true. Americans are fearful of talking about their feeling towards race. It’s like after the civil rights movement we put that chapter of our history behind us and we don’t want to go back to it for too long because bad memories will come back to haunt us. And I also agree with the facts that every time race is discussed in any way, especially in the negative way by people not white, white people get all nervous and uncomfortable because we think everyone is referring to us. And why shouldn’t white people be uncomfortable? We basically hated on every race other than our own, African Americans, Asians, Native Americans, and Hispanics throughout history. If we didn’t make them slaves, we took their land, or interned them for crimes they didn’t commit, or use them for cheap labor. Now we could technically say that all these acts were committed by Americans, not just white people but that’s just a ludicrous way to rationalize and really doesn’t make anyone feel less guilty. And that’s why whenever race is brought up we get all bent out of shape, it’s because we are feeling guilty for the actions of ourselves and our ancestors.
So are we cowards in this nation when it come to race? Yes. You could have the most well spoken, educated American, who can speak eloquently on various topics be turned into an awkward idiot when approached about racism and their views. In American schools, at least in my public school, speaking openly about races didn’t happen. We learned about the Civil War and slavery but as far as anything near to what we discuss in this course, well that never happened. And really in my history classes we only learned about the conflicts between white and black people, I don’t recall anyone teaching me about the internment of Asian Americans, or how the Native Americans were massacred at Wounded Knee. And I don’t think it’s just my school because I notice in our discussion groups all topics involve black and white people, it’s rare that anyone has input about o different culture. Like what are the conflicts and relationships of Asians and blacks or Hispanics and Native Americans?
But for myself maybe I’m just an ignorant girl from a small sheltered town but if I mention someone’s race, for no other reason than to acknowledge that they are decedents of that culture, people jump all over it as me being racist for noticing different colors of skin. Let’s be honest everyone sees color, not just white people, even if you want to pretend you don’t. And it’s this kind of mentality that our nation has that makes us a cowardly nation.
In my opinion the reason our country is so afraid to talk about race is because black people are so easily offended with what is said. I’m not saying every black person gets offended by race issues by peoples’ opinion can be taken the wrong way and it is easier to ignore the topic than to offend someone and have to justify yourself. For example, the whole “n word” conversation. Why is it that it’s ok for black people to say it? Even Whoopi Goldberg said on the view that she thinks black people can say it but its wrong for white people to say it. In that instance black people are segregating themselves from others. If the word is used in the same, non offensive context, why is it not ok for some races to use the word and ok for blacks? I’ve never heard a Mexican come up to another Mexican and say “what’s up my Spik”. Its an offensive word that should not make its way into regular conversation. I agree with Whoopi in that sense that other races should not say that word but I also think that black people should not say it either. I think that if a word is offensive to people it should be offensive no matter who says it. As far has having conversations about race the issue is almost not worth bringing up because its such an intense topic. After watching the video of Oscar Grant III I was shocked to see a human treated like that. The fact that he is an African American should not mean anything, he was a human being, following the instructions of the police officers. The man was shot in the most cowardly way by the police officer, in the back. This is another example of the way that race is treated in America. If that had been a white man that was shot, his race wouldn’t have been a big deal. I think that we have made a lot of progress as far as acceptance of other races however we have a lot more to accomplish. After Obama was elected president I was scared that he would appoint people to his cabinet positions simply because they were black or a minority. I think that he has handled it better than I expected and that he is more focused on who is suitable for the job rather than to get as many minorities in power positions as possible. I hope that having Obama as president has opened up people to be able to talk about race without being sensitive about the topic therefore allowing more opportunities for the races to correspond about sensitive issues.
Perhaps on a whole he has some credence. However, he makes me feel like we are bumbling fools who are removed so far from the topic of race that we pretend it doesn’t exist or something. This is probably because he is using that “old script” and doesn’t pin point anything directly, so of course I’m going to interpret what he is saying as a critique on white people. I feel as though he did need to drop some specific examples in order for us to be able to correctly interpret what he was trying to get across. I feel like he really needed to address directly the people who live in very homogeneous areas where there is little diversity at all. How do you teach tolerance and acceptance to a people who don’t know anyone of other races. I could see how his speech would have been particularly offensive to them. However, I do think that his point about us not wanting to talk about race with others is certainly something worth considering. One of my best friends from home is half black, half white and I really never stopped to ask him just what it is like to be him. Since we were so close I always just assumed that his experiences would be similar to mine. That was certainly ignorance on my part. Even here at Penn state, almost all of my close friends are white. Should I purposefully go out and look for friends of other races? No, I don’t think that is what Eric Holder was saying, I do think that he meant that if people of different races are close in proximately or friends already should speak about this issue of race in order to better understand each other. Mr. Holder did need to be a bit more specific with his speech in that aspect though. I also don’t think that America will continue to maintain this “separatist” attitude about race. I believe that we will be forced to deal with the topic of race as the demographics of the United States shifts towards a no minority country. I feel as though it will be impossible to avoid the topic. I could be wrong though. I suppose we could just keep living our lives as individual separatists, but I think that will get awful lonely after a while. I’m trying to think about the friends that I make in my classes when there are people of other races, and more often than not I find myself always talking to other white people. However, I have noticed that other races will often keep to their races as well. So perhaps we aren’t as far along as we would like to think we are, but I would like to believe that we are moving forward as opposed to just staying in this racial stale mate.
As I sit here musing about some of the things that I've just read, my eyes glance above this text box and read the words "Let's remain civil on our comments..." and I am struck by the realization of how absurd it is that people can even try to challenge Attorney General Holder on the basis of using the word "coward. Civil? Excuse me, where are all of those naive individuals toting around the notion that "MLK JR'S dream had been realized" only a few weeks ago? This is the kind of exemplary display of ignorance (on behalf of Holder's critics) that completely capsizes that sentiment.
In the end, I think that people just hate being wrong, and/or told that they're wrong: pride hurts sometimes. What really blows my mind here though is that someone with so much clarity and conviction can so accurately assess a situation and be criticized because of it. Holder isn't wrong, hes not even out of line here. Whats really obscene is the length of the line of people waiting to take a shot at him for saying this.
I do concede that the precedent of this argument resides on the word "cowards" but really, I don't think that's enough reason to berate someone for making analytical commentary on the state of a nations social scene. It isn't fair to say that Holder is not allowed to call people out for backing down from racial issues, especially because these comments are not just for one race of people, but for all of them. This is not a white specific comment (though it could be) but rather a commentary that all people are responsible for creating/perpetuating dialogue between races for the sake of diversity.
Honestly though, I think this has been coming for a while. When people were initially still celebrating Obama's victory, saying that the nation was a changed place and that MLK's dreams were coming to term, I was already upset and irritated at how irresponsible that comment was. I mean honestly, the whole reason that the country is in economic fallout is almost strictly due to mortgage companies targeting minorities with sub prime loans and redlining other areas. With that knowledge, how can you honestly believe that the nations race problems are on the decline?
Ultimately, I wish more people were forced to interact genuinely with people of different races on the topic of race and racial perception. I feel like if that could happen, if there were this kind of genuine exchange, that legitimate progress in making a new generation of people who are open minded. I mean, there are always *many* ways to look at an issue, and the more people become receptive to that the more successful and diverse our culture can become. I mean after all, black history month is the shortest month of the year. (jokes)
America is truly a nation of cowards. Eric Holder’s speech was prolific because I believe he knew exactly what response it would elicit and yet he still pursued to give the message. Many are offended because they feel Mr. Holder is trying to discount the advances that this great nation has made in the area of race relations. Those people may be thinking, “He’s just saying that white people have not done enough, and should feel that they are all cowards” for the current state of hidden racism in our country. When in reality, Mr. Holder is not saying that at all. He is making the statement that while we have made advances in race relations as a greatly diverse nation, there is still not an open dialogue on matters of race.
Many times in our discussion the solution to solving problems of racism reaches the answer of dialogue. This dialogue is what Eric Holder is getting at. While I was surprised that he only chose to specify whites and blacks in the dialogue, the implications of his message are profound. If individuals would start talking about very important issues such as race and then continue to engage in a dialogue through the developing years, racism would be curtailed greatly. I was particularly impressed by the fact that Holder addressed the irony of Black History Month in American history. This point illustrates the fact that racism is bad enough that our nation needs to designate a specific month for the sole purpose of being more tolerant to blacks in our country. I had never realized the irony of this event until Holder addressed it in this speech.
The problem with Holder’s speech is NOT that white people don’t know to interpret them, but that groups of white people do not want to think about racism and possible solutions through the mindset that Holder is presenting. Had a high-level white person given this message, the response elicited would have been entirely different. This is primarily because groups of white people would much rather hear a white person present a discussion on race because of a race bias to give more of a lenient ear to that person. When groups of white people hear Holder present this message, they assume that he is attacking them for their failures. Holder however is pointing to the nation in general for coward-ism in race relations. Our nation is generally white, but a nation that is increasingly diverse. As non-whites begin to get closer to the majority, whites will have to realize that the problem of racism will have to be dealt with openly now. According to Holder, the consequences are severe if we do not deal with this problem, and the growth of our nation will be stunted as all people groups are divided. Indeed our country is full of cowards if we can’t even consider the solution of healthy dialogue and discussion on race relations in order to fight acts of racism.
I really do not understand what all the uproar is about… In my opinion, our new Attorney General, Eric Holder, has done nothing wrong. Holder has just made the same claim that Sam has pointed out in class—that a lot of individuals in America are just plain uncomfortable with discussing race. I completely agree with this statement. Maybe this is not true across all races; however, speaking from my own point of view as a white American, I can say that this certainly seems to be the case. Thinking about my interaction with my friends, family, classmates, etc., the topic of race just never comes up.
So why don’t we talk about race? For me, I think it has a lot to do with my upbringing and background. I come from a small suburban town in Pennsylvania. The demographics of my high school consisted primarily of whites with about five Asians and two black people. So why didn’t we talk about race? Because there was no need to. Where I lived… my race was everybody’s race. I think that this same idea applies to many other citizens around the United States. I also think that as a result, many of us… when we are finally placed in a more diverse situation… we simply just don’t know what we are “allowed” to say, so we just don’t say anything at all.
I guess this is where Eric Holder comes in again. Just because I (and many other individuals) do not say anything about race for fear of overstepping my bounds, does that make me (or everyone else) a coward? According to dictionary.com a coward is “a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person.” In my opinion, I would not call myself a “coward” in terms of this definition. I would not say I “lack courage in facing danger,” although at times I may be “timid.”
Maybe this is the reason why many individuals are getting mad at this situation. The term “coward” has many negative connotations. For this reason, I can understand why individuals would not want to be pinned as a “coward” for something as innocent as being cautious. Perhaps in this situation, there would have been less uproar had Holder simply used a different word to describe Americans and their attitude towards race. For example, maybe he could have just used the word “timid.”
But all in all… like I said before, I do not think all the uproar surrounding this issue is necessary. I think that anyone that has a problem with Holder using the term coward should stop complaining and do their best to prove him wrong.
I personally believe that Holder was only saying what everyone else was thinking, and that he is absolutely right. Americans don’t seem to want to discuss the issue of racism and racial inequality. Even in Sam’s class, I can’t recall a time when I heard a student speak openly on an issue or conflict between two people of a different race or two different racial classes.
Surely this stems from an innate fear of hurting someone’s feelings, or causing some other sort of injury, and thus continues the awkwardness of discussing race. But ignoring an issue doesn’t make it go away; in fact the conflict causes more of a problem when it’s ignored because it continues the silence between the races when there could be problems that can be easily solved simply by putting themselves in the others’ shoes.
The reason people are getting offended by Holder’s admission that in regards to race, we are a nation of cowards is because people are focusing too much on the negativity of that statement (as nobody likes to be called a coward, no matter what the circumstances), instead of stopping to consider what he truly meant by it.
I can see how it can be interpreted that he was referring to white people as cowards. They are, after all, referred to themselves as the majority, and even by some extremists as “the superior race”. And let’s not forget that they condoned slavery over 200 years ago. Based on this view, it certainly seems that white people have a lot to answer for, and if being called cowards is the greatest injury they suffer in the discussion of race, well, it seems that they got off easy.
I’m not saying all white people think or believe this way; in fact, the majority of them don’t. But if white people are the source of the tension during racial discussions, shouldn’t they be the ones to end it? Perhaps the first step to ending the awkwardness during racial discussions is simply to realize that everybody has their opinion and is able to make their own choices and is entitled to express how they feel. We need to get over this attitude that when someone makes a comment about a racial group, they are “out to get” them. Taking offense to comments that don’t even single out a particular person or group is pointless because in the end, they could have meant something completely different than what the offended person was thinking.
Nit-picking over seemingly harmless comments such as Holder’s only prolong the awkwardness in the discussion of race. These comments need to be taken in the spirit they were given, which was to raise awareness in the awkwardness of discussing race. Given the public’s response, I’d say he succeeded.
Journal
I completely agree with what the new Attorney General was saying to congress in that video but people hate to hear the truth. His statements bring to the table the fact that people aren’t trying to talk about race. We are all so worried that we may hurt someone’s feelings that we tread lightly on everything we say especially in a mixed racial setting. So what do a lot of people do? They avoid interacting with other races because they are so afraid of saying something that will offend.
Our nation is obsessed with being politically correct all the time which stems from lack of education and conversation. If we could all just ask the tough questions and not be so “cowardly” we would know what the appropriate terms are to use and what could be considered offensive. I don’t understand the uproar over his statements. What? People don’t like being called out for being a coward. I do slightly see how white people may be angered over the whole thing. There is an assumption made that the only people who are racist in this country are those of white skin. While we know that isn’t true, it is the assumption automatically made. Race is a white issue, white people are the one’s who do all the oppression. So then when someone says that our nation is full of cowards who don’t talk about race, white people immediately think “ oh here we go again.” It is just a common assumption. In the area of race, white people equal bad and black people equal victim.
I am not sure what would happen if George Bush or Bill Clinton would have made this statement. I really don’t think there would have been much of an uproar by the white community. But perhaps, there would have been more of an uproar from the black community. I would even go as far as to say that a white person in power would not have even made that comment because they would be so afraid to address the issue of race because of people’s potential reactions. That is essentially why people won’t talk, because they are afraid of appearing racist by just bringing up the subject of race. We have been taught as we have grown up that it is such a sensitive subject. Therefore, everyone is too frightened to even talk about it. It is an ongoing, dangerous cycle that if we never address will become a huge, huge problem for our nation. So it is a good thing that people like our new attorney general are attacking this issue. People are always going to be shocked when a new subject is brought to the table and so we just wait until things become common to people.
I think that the trend with a lot of Americans is that they would rather be safe than sorry. People feel that they constantly have to be politically correct. I think that what Holder said was completely necessary and was very thoughtfully stated. I feel that he was able to address a problem that most people would rather ignore in a graceful manner. I believe people took his words and twisted them into something that he did not mean. Holder was simply stating the obvious; people need to stop being quiet because otherwise nothing will ever be resolved. Personally, I think it is funny that people are finding his words offensive. My mother would say “They have a guilty conscience”. Why else would they be so offended? If Holder did not state specifically that he was addressing white people in his speech, why are they being so defensive. It has been the norm that white people get “picked on” whenever the race issue comes up. Yet, I do not feel as though that was Holder’s purpose at all. Yes, he called people cowards. Yes, he mentioned something most people will not. So what, if he did not mention it was anyone ever going to? It is upsetting to know that people are getting so riled up by what he said. He was not disrespectful in the least bit and I feel he is being wrongly targeted for his words. I appreciate the fact that he was not talking about racism per say, but rather just the issue of race. It should not be so difficult for people to question the fact that people of different races still have trouble connecting. I think that people have made a lot of progression when it comes to dealing with people of different races, understanding their culture, and just being able to be friends with someone of a different race. Although we have made such great progress I cannot help but notice that people still feel as though they need to watch what they say around people of different color. As a Hispanic person I have felt this unspoken tension around me. It takes me back to Fresh Start last semester. There was a man in a Taco costume and my friend wanted to take a picture with him. She wanted me to take one with her, but she seemed as though she was uncomfortable with asking me. I realized that she did not want to be offensive because he was in a taco costume and most people stereotypically relate tacos to all Spanish people. I thought the whole situation was hilarious to be perfectly honest. I did not even take it seriously; his costume was funny & it was a goofy picture. I feel that people need to stop being so on edge about race. I think race is only a big deal because people make it a big deal. Maybe I am just being too naive and race does have something to do with how we live our lives. But, what I do know is that Holder said nothing wrong and more power to him for apparently stating the not so obvious.
I do not completely disagree with the attorney general, Eric Holder. What he said has caused much controversy, and I don’t completely disagree with him. We have talked about it in class, how many people are afraid to talk about race. And now, white people in particular, believe that they are being very forward and accepting by nominating a black person as president. However, I doubt many of those white people are willing to go out of their way to discuss race. It has most likely offended many people that don’t necessarily realize this about themselves yet. They just assume that since they voted for a black president that everything is clear. I believe that some white people choose not to talk about race, because they fear they might sound or come off as racist. And like in class, we said that the biggest insult or fear for white people is to simply be called a racist. Many people go about not talking about race because they think if they do not bring it up, it will simply go away or not matter, or merely not affect them. I agree with the attorney general when he states that as a whole we do not speak about race enough, and are not comfortable enough with each other to talk about race. He also says that the vast majority of Americans do not like to speak about race, and from my perspective I think this is true. I cannot remember over twenty times that race has come up in conversation with my friends or family. I can understand why so many people were offended and taken aback when he called the people of the United States cowards. So many people have fought for things they believe in, that one thing they don’t do shouldn’t make them cowards. Still, I believe that people should start talking about race and being more comfortable in doing so. Our race class has, personally, made me more comfortable in talking about race. I know that before the class, I too, was somewhat uncomfortable in talking about race. My high school was approximately 95% white and race was rarely talked about. He also states that race related issues come up often in politics, but somehow we still do not enjoy talking about race. I agree that for us to make progress as a country, we do not to go farther than to nominate a black president. We need to overcome our fear of race and start talking about it, and be able to be at ease when talking about it. Just because he brought this topic up, people should not be mad or upset, what they should do is just take this as advice and learn from it
The reaction by Eric Holder’s pundits and critics is exactly what he’s trying to point out. It’s pretty humorous that these people are actually fueling the fire and feeding into exactly what he’s talking about. These words are neither “reprehensible” nor are they “inflammatory.” No, instead these words are one thing and one thing only: the truth! Those who have critiqued him are bigger cowards than anyone. They not only are afraid to address the issues brought about by race but are also afraid of anyone else doing so as well. Saying that we’ve overcome all issues of race by electing Obama is not a legitimate excuse. First of all, not everyone voted for Obama and we don’t know what the reasons were for not doing so. They might have been fueled by race and they might have not. Also, who’s to say that no one voted for Obama based solely on the fact that he is black? I guarantee a fair share of blacks and whites voted for him because of his race. Even Obama was afraid to address issues of race during the campaign because he feared the reaction that Holder’s statements have caused. He may have been smart from a strategic and political standpoint to address his race as little as possible during the campaign, but it does not mean it was the right thing to do. Just the fact that no one is able to stand up and say what Holder has makes his statement of others being cowards somewhat true. The fact that Holder is black does indeed makes white people defensive because they assume this is an attack on them. It’s not an attack addressed towards any one race. It’s addressed to all people of the United States no matter who they are, black or white, private citizen or a politician. As Sam said, the facts do support what he’s saying. Not only are we afraid to address the issue, many people argue that there is no issue address. These people are completely wrong. As Sam said, the data does support the notion that there still is segregation in the world, including the United States. People for the most part spend their free time with other people of a similar race and/or background. It’s important for people, especially politicians and others in power, to stop avoiding the issue. They need to address it head on so that we can solve the problem sooner rather than later. Pretending that issues involving race don’t exist in this country does everyone a great disservice and prevents us from moving forward. The election of Obama is a great step forward, but it doesn’t mean that issues of race don’t exist, no matter how much people believe otherwise.
Congratulations to Attorney General, Eric Holder for his honest assessment of our nation on the issue of racism. The comment that “we are a nation of cowards” hits the nail on the head concerning matters of race. I was not offended by this comment, but I am not surprised that the pundits of the political right found it painfully so. Better that they continue to hide behind their denial that prejudice and inequality exist and continue to believe that justice prevails and racial profiling is nonexistent. It’s easy to believe these fantasies when you are a member of the upper middle class protected from reality by layers of materialism. A Black inner city teenager in Oakland California would have a drastically opposing reality.
As great as it is that Americans elected their first half African American president, it is not a real indication of where we stand on the everyday level socially in our nation on the issues of race. Holder’s statement is a call for us to use this historic event as a catalyst to break down barriers of communication, to talk frankly with one another, and address issues of race that face us in our daily lives and in our legislature.
I think Holden believes that people of all races are cowards whenever they fail to admit that racism is as pervasive in our lives as it is still today. White populations would prefer to ignore its existence because the weight of generations of guilt is more than they want to accept. There is also a large percentage of the uneducated that in their ignorance somehow believes that their own security and self worth can only be maintained at the repression of others they deem inferior. Subconsciously, I think they are driven by the fear that they will not measure up socially, professionally, or personally if inequality and prejudice is eliminated. The election Of Obama and Holden’s promise to uphold the right for freedom and equality through the Department of Justice must have such ignorant folk shaking in their shoes for fear of a day of personal accountability and reckoning!
Holder’s comment on Black History’s current presentation as something separate because past historians neglected to include such information in its writing is indisputable. To bring recognition to these historical figures of color required a separate writing to raise awareness and educate both Blacks and Whites. The void that exists in our American history texts is a real indication of the bias that has existed over the lifetime of our nation. Holden’s call to change this is commendable and long overdue. We are a melting pot of races and ethnicities that have contributed to the establishment and development of a great nation, and therefore the history must be told with all of the events and people no matter their color or ethnic origin.
After reading the blog and watching the video I kind of see where Holder is coming from. When he uses the word coward in his speech I feel like he is not pointing his finger at a single race, I feel like he pointing his finger at people of every race spread across the United States. He talks about the many racial issues throughout the nation and how people of different races have trouble talking to other races. I think he is right when he brings up this point because just being around some of my friends at home I see some of might white friends being afraid to talk to my black friends and vice versa.
Yes, a lot of things in the past have happened between races, but it is the past. Even people keep dwelling on things that happened in the past then we as a nation will never be able to move forward and make any progression on the topic of race. I think after hearing the speech that a lot of white people thing that Holder is targeting him and they are right. I think he is targeting everyone and telling them that now since we have a half-black president, it is time for people to put the past aside and begin to be more open to other races.
I think that if Clinton or Bush went up and delivered the same speech that it would have the exact same affect as it does now. The president would still be black so people will have to begin to see that times are changing at the country is going to keep growing in numbers of race.
I’m sure that there are white people throughout the country who got aggravated when hearing this speech and thing that Holder was speaking directly about them when using the word coward, but I believe that it is good for those people. I think if they sit and think hard about being cowards that they will see that they truly are being cowards. Our country has come far along since slavery and I think that with the election of Obama that it is another huge step for our country when dealing with race. Obama is guaranteed to be in office for four years, and if he happens to fix the nation’s economy, there is a good chance that he will be re-elected to another term. If people do not begin to start accepting other races, when will they? I feel that as a white male that our country needed this to happen to open people’s eyes to just how dumb they look when they are not comfortable talking to people of different races. It’s time for people to stop being cowards, put our pasts aside, and start a new chapter in racial history for America.
Holder’s statements are wise and true, and it is what a lot of Americans need to hear. His speech in my opinion was well-rounded, not one-sided or attacking one particular group. But of course when you talk about race in this country, people of another race will take offense. And Holder gets straight to the point – look, we are afraid to talk about it but it’s not so scary, so let’s start talking. This is exactly what the point of this class is. And I support this argument because I’ve learned that we’re all the same. Equanimity is where it’s at. White people are offended by Holder’s statements for a number of reasons, and predictably so. You first think, aw, man, why can’t these white people just open up their eyes a little and take some good advice when it comes to them? It seems so obvious to me that this is a good, sensible speech that could really benefit the (lacking) state of unity in our country. People become afraid because they realize that it’s hard to dig deep into your mind and root out the nasty weeds of racism. The ingrained thoughts in our mind lead us to live our lives in a way where we are not connected with those who look different from us. In other words highly segregated. The segregation leads to mass selfishness, wars, poverty, class, and a slew of problems which always leaves someone behind. My belief in regards to this is leaning over towards existentialism. We are all ultimately connected because I am conscious of you and you are conscious of me, we are one. Our consciousnesses are made up of the same material that comes from the same thing. When we become selfish and start treating each other poorly in order to get on top, we are hurting others and in turn hurting ourselves. This is the root of racism – treating each other poorly in order to get on top. Because we see ourselves as separate or different from others. But wake up and look at the bigger picture. Life is not only what we see with our eyes. There is more beyond it which lies in our consciousness, which is inevitably linked to anyone else’s, white, black, brown , red, yellow, whatever color their skin may be. So Holder has a great point. By talking about it and by finally admitting that we are in fact equal and having a frank conversation about the things that divide us, we can really come together. It’s the fact that the notions of racism lie deep in the hearts and minds of white people (and other people too) that scare them away from the truth and turn the story around to point fingers.
I do not agree with much of Attorney General Holder’s speech, but not because he calls Americans cowards. I agree with the fact that many people would rather avoid topics of race rather than confront them, so if he considers that cowardly, so be it. However, I feel that the more we try to force racial segregation from existence, the more difficult it will be to do so, and the more we talk about race in a negative way, the more negative it will become. For example, my mom works at an alternative school and she has students who are members of a new up and coming “gang” (they call themselves a family) called ICP, or insane clown posse. One of these gang members just brutally murdered a boy that lives in my town. Anyway, my mom is always talking about this gang and what a problem it is and how they claim not to be violent despite murders such as the one that took place near my home. When I hear her start to go off about them I tell her to stop because that is probably what the members of the gang want—the more people talk about them, the more publicity they get and perhaps more people will want to join them. This is not to say that racism is like a gang seeking new members, but certainly the more we talk about what a problem it is, the more we will become paranoid about race. Of course the emphasis on segregation in the history of the U.S. has brought the situation to a much better place. For example, in the past laws were passed allowing all races to attend the same schools. Now, we have affirmative action which may allow someone of minority to enter a school ahead of a non-minority who is better qualified. I think this has a negative effect on ending racism. This system causes more tension between races because it shows favoritism based on skin color, which will only create more animosity between people of different origins. Furthermore, Holder speaks of the importance of Black History month, but why do we never hear of American Indian History month, if there even is one? After all they were persecuted, just as black people were. I support the recognition of minorities who have suffered injustices in America, because it reminds us of how far we have come and what we want to continue to branch out from, but in Holder’s speech, he makes it seem like blacks are the only minority in America which in my opinion makes for more racial tension, especially between black and white people. I feel that we need to give the issue more time while continuing to uphold previous efforts to integrate races, but not by forcing more and more anti-racism standards in such a short amount of time. Looking at the progress we have made in the past fifty years, I feel that there is much more good to come of the next fifty years that does not need to be rushed or forced.
To be honest, when I began watching the video of Attorney General, Eric Holder, I was skeptical because he was black and speaking about our country being cowards when it comes to racial issues. Like Sam said, white people do not know how to interpret the words he spoke and go back to the idea that “he must be critiquing us”. Getting past this initial reaction, I agree with the general idea of what the Attorney General spoke about in his speech, that we do not speak to each other enough about the issue of race. Before this class, I was, and still am in certain situations, uncomfortable talking about race with people of color. The reason being that people of color seem to get very offended, judgmental, and overreact if a white person talks about race or is any bit confrontational when it comes to the conversation of racial issues. But talking with people of different races is the only way that a conversation of racial content is really effective and has the power to better our relations with each other. I have mentioned before in our section conversations that the reason I think white people avoid the conversation of race is because whites may feel like they have been made to feel like they do not have a place in race conversations except for being blamed or made to feel guilty. However, I have encountered reverse-racism situations where I have been discriminated against because I’m white. A simple example was one afternoon after work when two of the other employees, both being black, were rubbing in hand lotion and when I asked for some I was told that I didn’t need lotion because I’m white and don’t have ashy hands. While this is a trivial example and not a serious racist situation, I wondered what would have happened if the tables were turned. What if a white friend and I had said to a black girl, “well, you’re a black girl, you don’t need sun tan lotion”, would that be considered a racist remark? I believe that in order to increase conversation and better the race relations in our country, we all have to be open to the feelings of others and listen to the experiences of our peers. While we may consider a certain situation not such a big deal, it may have had more of an impact on someone else. Obviously, there are always going to be minority groups, such as white supremacist groups and radical black panthers, who do not believe in conversation with all races to better our relationships, but we must recognize the ignorance and educate our future generations. Since Brown vs. Board, which Holder mentioned, we have come a long away, and hopefully in another 30 years we’ll have come much further to where racial conversations are needed much less.
People are mistaking Holder’s words in the same way a white person’s words would be mistaken. If President Bush or President Clinton uttered the phrases Holder did, I doubt it would have received as much media attention, but there would undoubtedly be groups who were offended and would raise a ruckus of some sort. For this reason, I think Holder is absolutely correct. We ARE a nation of cowards. By ‘we’, I mean each and every American. Granted, there are those of every race who can truly accept people regardless of any characteristic but, by and large, the average person who is black, white, brown, Asian, Indian, etc, cannot truly accept people because of their race.
Even I am guilty of this. I think of myself as very accepting. I can hang out with people no matter where they fall on the race spectrum. The interesting thing though, is that it’s because I know them or, at least, I am willing to take the time to get to know them. In this case, of course I’d never say anything slanderous about a (for instance) black friend. (I only picked black because I’m white so there’s obviously a “difference.”) On the other hand, if I encounter a bunch of black people I don’t know who aren’t even doing anything wrong, I could still have thoughts—though I always keep these things to myself—that aren’t the most accepting thoughts in the world. A real life example of this is my apartment complex. The majority of tenants are Asian or Indian. There are some things these groups do that I’m either unfamiliar or uncomfortable with, or both. However, when one of my neighbors needed help carrying groceries and I helped him, that slight connection made me not think of him as “one of them.”
This is why I believe America could legitimately be considered cowardly. We, the people, do not go out of our way to meet other people of other races. (Even after I had the enlightening experience, I don’t make it a point to do it regularly.) We rationalize these actions (or lack thereof) by saying we’re too busy or we don’t think they’d be interested. It just boils down to laziness and lack of effort. Sure, some could argue the nation’s minorities are hoodlums. I hate to break it to whoever says that, but there are plenty of white hoodlums out there too… if being bad doesn’t know race as a barrier, why should being good?
We all like to know the good people and we tend to flock to those who seem as if they truly are good. I’m no statistician, but I’d be willing to bet at least 95% of us would choose somebody of our own race if we were told to choose between two people—one black, the other white (or whatever your race is)—who looked alike in every way save the color of their skin. This is why America is full of cowards.
Eric Holder is correct in saying that Americans are afraid to discuss race with each other. I agree with Mr. Holder when he says that average Americans do not talk about “things racial” and that race is an issue in which our nation has “never been at ease with.” I think this stems partly from our nation’s history, which Holder mentions, and basically the fact that people of different races are sometimes uncomfortable talking with each other because they are unsure what is acceptable to say to one another. In the United States, being politically correct is seen as the best way to handle a situation. If someone gives a speech, and they are politically correct throughout it, there will be hardly any negative feedback from it. On the other hand, if the speaker is not politically correct and makes some questionable comments, there will be controversy.
Moreover, when a white man is talking to a black man about racial issues who he is unfamiliar with, it is more than likely that the white man will have to hold back on certain things because he does not want to offend the black man, and vice versa. In SOC 119, I feel that we are lucky to be able to talk freely about racial issues and not worry about offending someone else. Most people in this country are never given this opportunity.
The election of Barack Obama as President does not mean that fifty million “cowards” have gotten beyond their racial fears. When electing a President, I strongly feel that most Americans put racial issues aside and vote for the candidate who they think is the most qualified and will do the best for our country. By putting an African American in power, the majority of American people have shown that they think he is the best fit to run our country, not that they are beyond their racial fears. Barack Obama ran for President at the perfect time. He tried to become President during our country’s worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and a war that many Americans disagree with. By promising to “change” our country, Obama won over the votes of many Americans who were dissatisfied with what was going on in the United States. I think that if Obama ran against McCain for the first time in 2012, and there was no economic downfall or war in Iraq, McCain would have been elected President. Due to what Obama stood for and because of what he promised to do, he was elected President in 2008.
Assuming that Eric Holder is only referring to white people as being “cowards” is incorrect. I think that he is talking about all Americans because it truly is not just one race that is afraid to talk about racial issues. Maybe Obama being elected President can help Americans put away their fears and talk about racial issues openly. Electing an African American as President can certainly help this issue, but it does not mean Americans are completely over their fears.
I definitely do not think Eric Holder was trying to offend anyone. His statements were honest, direct, and important. If anything, he should be considered a pioneer for attempting to directly confront race on a national stage. But to be perfectly honest, saying that his statements were “inflammatory” as some right-wing pundits apparently described it, is not too far from the truth. The only difference is the negative association coupled with the word inflammatory. His words are definitely sparking debate though, and that is definitely for the best. By my interpretation, it was very hard to miss the fact that Eric Holder was trying to send us a message to incite change, and it is hard to understand how anyone could take it as an insult. It certainly was a reprimand, but Sam is right in stating that if we can’t handle a little criticism, we really are cowards.
I absolutely believe that had this speech been given by a white person, it would have been accepted universally. As someone mentioned above, the reason people were offended by this was that they misinterpreted it as another excuse for black people to call white people racist, which truly offends white people. Once again, though, Holder was not directing this speech at any one group: it was an invitation for all people to engage in race relations and truly understand what it means to treat others equally.
When he began to speak about black history month, and how it wasn’t enough to just talk about history and avoid the important issues, I honestly think that anyone offended by that actually believes that electing a black president has made everything race related go away, while remaining oblivious to the fact that whites, blacks, browns, etc live separated but equal personal lives. There are real barriers between the races when it comes to any interaction that isn’t obligatory. This is not equality. Additionally, Holder was saying that many of us still do not see other races as equal in less noticeable ways; for example, seeing someone of another race as an equally capable friend as a person of one’s own race. Instead we see them as people who we are required to treat equally. And yes, in a way, that implication is offensive, because no white person wants to be racist, and few white people think they are racist. It is not offensive what Eric Holder said, but what he was implying; and that threat to one’s own decency is why many people are in an uproar. Instead of immediately crying for being put down though, we should see this as an opportunity for introspection about race, and the subtle ways in which America is very much not equal. Perhaps once we do that, we will really be able to say that we are above racism, and are a melting pot of equality.
Race is an incredibly touchy and sensitive issue for many people across the nation. For one man to say that the whole nation is full of cowards simply because the nation lacks the collective ability to talk about race relations in my eyes is unfair. Personally, I can talk about race, however given the fact that history has shown times of hardships for many generations, it is simply insensitive to not care about he or she who may be sensitive about the past. I highly doubt the claim, that a nation cannot progress without the aspect of being able to discuss race. I applaud the man for not singeling out any certain group however I honestly believe he has no intention of bringing a certain race to the table. I believe he is honestly talking to everyone, a collective group of cowards, rather than the White, Black, Hispanic, or any other community.
Though 50 million “cowards” may have come beyond race and elected a black man into the office, I do still kind of agree with Eric Holder’s claims that race must be a thing of the past, however realistically, that would never happen. Race is like religion, its not something you should mess around with. It can be sensitive, and bother many people’s feelings if talked about or touched the wrong way.
What I find ironic, is that he is trying to get the nation to stop caring about certain elements of race that could be negative, or even positive to any certain type of people. I feel he is also trying not to offend any certain racial group, but instead is offending everyone of all races, by calling them cowards. Maybe he’s the coward for not having the balls to call out the racial group he truly has in mind. I realize I say this after claiming that I honestly think he is not trying to target any certain racial or ethnic group, but lets be realistic, his speech writer was thinking of a certain group while writing the speech.
His road to a country that isn’t scared of talking about race would also bring many hardships on his cabinet aswell. When a bunch of white cops beat down another black man trying to live the hard life, people would be more open to talk about it. When an innocent Arab man gets on a plane and decides to pray on the plane while wearing a heavy duty jacket, and ends up getting arrested just because he looks suspicious, more people are going to speak about it. This spoken word will then lead to law suits, which would inevitably lead to even more of a crap economy than we already have.
Personally, I think the people of this nation are all a little too sensitive to issues and aspects of daily life that need not be analyzed to the point that they are.
When Eric Holder says that the nation is largely a nation of cowards when it comes to things that have to do with race, he is definitely right. There are few people, especially in politics, which are comfortable or even willing to talk about the racial issues in today’s society. I believe that, mostly, this cowardice comes from the whites of America. As a white male, I can say that I’m not especially comfortable when talking about something that has to do with race, especially with a person who is of a different racial background than that of me. I think that in the back of their minds, many white people are always worried that they will slip and say something that could be perceived or construed as racist. Holder makes good points when he says that racial issues are at the core of many political discussions, but how many average people really have meaningful conversations about the racial problems that plague America today?
He makes an excellent point when he says that people “retreat to their ethnic pooling,” where people feel the most comfortable. This is an excellent point and it is strongly supported by data, and it is pretty evident in many peoples’ lives. It is an obvious fact, that for an average white person, most of their close friends are going to be of the same racial background, and this goes the same for people of African and Hispanic descent. I think that what Sam says about white people not knowing about to interpret Holder’s comments makes a lot of sense. Since many white people try to ignore the racial problems and issues of the day, it would make sense that they would not know what to think about these comments. Many would probably jump to the conclusion that Holder is criticizing white people in particular, but that is not true in this case. This is not the correct conclusion to come to; what people need to do is take in Holder’s words and really think long and hard about the truth in them, and how they will continually return to their own racial group and often close themselves off from the other racial groups that all are equal parts of America. When people, not just white people too, can start to break out of these groups, it will really start to help the racial advancement of all people and maybe even solve some of the major issues. Another thing people as a whole need to improve on is taking comments on racial issues in the context that they are made. People should not instantly jump to the conclusion that if one race is talking about another, that it is obviously something negative and not something positive or even constructive criticism.
Something about this brings up a trend that’s been eating at me for awhile. It appears that a new general insult—not new in the least, but merely becoming a popular one with perhaps new implications—is coming into mainstream use. This is the word “coward.” In most cases, this word is just as powerful and provocative in offending someone of any race as is calling a white person a “racist.” But what is a coward, after all? Why should we care if someone feels that we are a “coward?”
Cowardice generally refers to lacking in courage. But, this in itself and its implications can be twisted to be used in virtually any situation and can take on a whole variety of implications in the mind of the receiver. Take, for example, a case in which a person is trying to avoid physical confrontation because this person has a better sense of judgement than the other. The other person calls the first a coward. What does this second person mean to imply and what does the second person believe is implied? Do they mean that the first is lacking the courage to fight? Do they mean that the first should simply cast aside the better judgement, to stop thinking and considering and simply act? Is it simply a base attack on the other’s character? Or, perhaps it is a combination of all three. Additionally, to lack courage tends to mean to use better judgement and thought instead of action. Of course, it can easily be argued that true courage is the willingness to use this thought instead of rashly acting.
Despite the meaning that is intended, there is one similarity. It is always a call to action, regardless of the meaning. So, in essence, it does not matter what Eric Holder’s real intent was by calling our nation cowardly when it comes to dealing with race. The word itself is so incredibly charged that any interpretation of the word can only result in a massive blow to the pride of the word’s targets and a reflexive reaction to defend one’s self against the attack. It brings up mental barriers and puts everyone on the defensive—which, of course, could mean aggression and hostility. It is at the very least more damaging, especially to the area of race relations, than helpful to the cause.
But, again, how is the word supposed to be received? To lack courage in the area of race relations, as is the only real thing that should be implied is that we lack courage. We lack the courage to, as said above, have the willingness to use rational thought instead of rash acting. We should have the courage to stop our daily routine and at the very least consider why we don’t often interact with persons of other races. We should consider why we need to force ourselves at all. These are the thoughts that should come up, that should be brought to the foreground of our conciousness. Most importantly, as the word often causes action, these are the things that we should take action on.
A very interesting development.
I watched this video the first time and really didn’t think anything of it. Holder seemed to be a decent orator who was emphasizing his commitment to further race relations that would benefit this nation as a whole. I decided to get on youtube and check out the kinds of comments people were making about it. It was unbelievable. On the first hit that came up, the author had decided to delete all the comments because in his own words they were too “ignorant.” I decided to watch the clip another time to make sure it was about the same speech I had seen on the blog site. I searched and found some interesting titles: “CNN – Eric Holder on black history – is he inciting a race war?” “Eric Holder calls America a ‘nation of cowards’ – incites black entitlement and white guilt.” I honestly had to watch the thing again to make sure people were commenting on the same video. I’ll make a couple of observations about the comments.
It was interesting that most of the comments I viewed (it would be good to point out that in many instances, the same person would comment multiple times) were written from a perspective that made it clear that the author thought that Eric Holder was addressing one particular race for its cowardice. This violent manner of being defensive seemed to exemplify the kind resistance to race relations that Holder was trying to address. Holder made a very good point of speaking to the nation as a whole. At one point, I’m pretty sure he commented that the people in the room in which he was speaking (suggesting the department of justice or general “leaders” and himself) had a special responsibility to our racial plights as a nation.
Somewhere around midway in the speech, Holder makes a comment that goes something like: “…a new birth of freedom…like our country’s greatest president.” A couple of comments about this video clip suggested that Holder was referring to Barack Obama as our nation’s greatest president simply because they are both “black.” This troubled me. I must confess that I am completely ignorant in all manners of history and famous speeches that everyone should have memorized. With a little research I found that Holder was quoting the Gettysburg address and, thus, was implying that he believes that our nation’s greatest president was Abraham Lincoln.
There were also a lot of other comments suggesting that Holder believed black history to be the most important subject that could be taught in school. This is ludicrous. I don’t understand what it is about human nature that is so inclined to twist the truth. It s obvious that Holder was just pointing out that our school systems tend to “ostracize” black history from all other history. It is almost as if black history is not “real” history whenever it is discussed in an educational setting. It’s something we do in February. It’s “cute”.
Discussions on race could go on forever. There is no distinct ending point to a discussion on race, because the opinions and topics are infinite. Holder’s speech about how Americans are afraid to discuss race was definitely a bold move. Calling us cowards was a little extreme as well. When you’ve just been appointed Attorney General, calling everyone a coward is probably not the first thing you want to do. Nor is it the brightest. However, he was definitely truthful in saying that Americans are afraid to discuss race. This subject goes hand in hand with Professor Richard’s comment during class about how the only derogatory comment you can say to a white person is that they are a racist. Whether it’s true or not, being called a racist does not sit well with most people. What do you say to that? “Yeh, well you’re sexist” isn’t the greatest comeback. Anyway, the point I am trying to make is, Americans are afraid to discuss race because of this fear of being looked at as a racist. Talking about race is a very touchy subject, and even saying something slightly harsh about a certain group of people could possibly change the way one is looked at and respected. People definitely think that it is just better to avoid the topic. Looking at another issue brought up in Attorney General Eric Holder’s speech, Holder could have easily used a different term other than “coward” in order to avoid confrontation. I was thinking that he may have said “coward” to emphasize his point, but then I realized that someone else probably wrote the speech for him anyway. Hope they still have a job. Anyway, some people have definitely implied that Holder is referring only to whites. This is an incredibly controversial subject, and I can see why they would think that; however, I do not feel that it is actually true. I can see why some feel he is only referring to whites, because of what I said earlier about being called a racist. This may make no sense at all, but when do you see a black person call another black person a racist? Usually you don’t. When it comes to the topic of race, usually people feel that one group is targeting another. Although in this case, this reoccurring opinion does not apply. Attorney General Holder is only referring to how people are afraid to discuss race, no matter what group they are associated with. I think some critics are just looking way too far into his underlying themes and the points he is trying to make. All in all, although it may have stirred up controversy, Holder’s speech was actually very bold and he opened the eyes of the public to realize how discussions on the topic of race should not avoided.
Although it may seem as though we have solved any and every race issue in this country with recently elected Barack Obama, the first black president of the United States, this is unfortunately not the case. I agree with what Eric Holder has said, and do not think it to be outlandish to any degree. I actually think that it is a bold statement that everyone should truly think about and consider it as food for thought instead of immediately just getting offended. It continues to frustrate me that people (in more situations than just ones similar to this) always seem to have to assume the worst, or in this case that white people can take offense so easily and so quickly when someone is simply just stating their thoughts, and clearly not accusing or even focusing on a certain group of people for that matter. After watching the CNN clip posted on the blog, I completely agree with what Holder is saying, and have always though that race is definitely a touchy subject to speak about with many people. I feel like the sole fact that people feel uncomfortable talking about race relations clearly demonstrates a racism problem in itself which is disappointing. How can something ever become acceptable if we cant even bring ourselves to think or speak openly about. I think that more people in our country need to be exposed to the type of open thoughts that Professor Richards brings up to us students in Soc 119, whether they agree or disagree with what is being said or not. It’s a shame that people are scared to be so relaxed with the thoughts inside their own head and how there is always so much pressure on being “politically correct” in today’s society. However, I will say this--being the new prime minister, I do think that using the word “cowards” was a little bit on the risky side for Eric Holder to use in a statement like the one that he made. There is no way he could have been convinced that using the term coward would surely not offend anyone in this country, and as this country’s attorney general he probably should have thought more about the way his thoughts were worded. But, maybe that is how he intended for it to be portrayed, as one should be allowed speak their thoughts in any way desired, and if this is so then I can not blame him. In the race relations blog, Professor Richards brings up an interesting point asking how would this statement be received if it had come from the mouth of Bill Clinton or George Bush, because I think that if one of them did say the same thing, white people would actually take a moment to stop and think about the actual message being relayed rather than immediately taking such great offense.
“American Cowards” I saw the comments made by the newly appointed Attorney General, Eric Holder, on TV a few days ago, and wasn’t surprised when FOX News seemed to only highlight that one line of the whole speech. They played it over and over. At first, even I assumed he was primarily talking about white people, but as I watched a little bit more, he used “We” and “Our” exclusively throughout the speech…without reference to any one particular race being at fault. He even goes so far to say that when one examines this country’s history, it is understandable that we’ve arrived at this point when taking into consideration the events that have lead to racial inequality in this nation. I think Sam mentioned in the article that there is a big portion of this country that would say we’ve resolved a lot of our race issues because of President Obama’s election to office. And I would agree that most white people probably hear a statement like that of Mr. Holder and don’t know how to interpret it, so they automatically assume that he is criticizing them. Electing Obama was a big step for this country, and although he had a huge following from black voters, his victory would not have been possible without support from white people. So I can see why some people may be offended by this statement, but if they were to listen to the whole speech, and not just that one line (which sounds out of context when simply read by itself), then I think they might understand a little bit more what he is trying to say. Tolerating black people working at your office, and actually accepting black people as fellow Americans and even as your friends is something completely different, and this is what I believe Mr. Holder was referring to when he talked about “cocooning ourselves.” He simply wants us to be able to be up-front with each other and talk realistically about race-related issues. In politics especially, it seems as though Americans have become so sensitive and worry so much about being politically-correct that we don’t actually get to the heart of a lot of matters that affect multiple races. Even outside of politics, it seems like most Americans tend to vent their true feelings about race related issues solely in the company of their same skin color. It is truly a shame that one line out of that speech will be remembered because I think that there was a lot that Mr. Holder stated that Americans could learn from. If we’re not speaking the same language, and by that I mean not conversing with members of other races and cultures on a legitimate and realistic level, than I think it will be impossible to move forward in the struggle for true equality. Then again, when I think about Sam’s “King of the Hill” example from class, maybe the reason a lot of white people aren’t in a hurry for racial equality is because it could potentially threaten their status of “King.”
It is an exciting time in our country when we not only have a black president, but also an attorney general who is not afraid to speak his mind. It is tough to see anything that he said being particularly offensive to any individual or group of people. He doesn’t mention white people one time in his speech so it is tough to see why so many are becoming so defensive.
The part of the speech that I found to be incredibly interesting was the part on black history month. It never even occurred to me how subtle, yet racist, this idea is. It is almost like many white Americans believe that by having this month, we can somehow erase or ease the pain of the incredible hardships that African Americans have gone through. Like many other students have said, Black History month is more about celebrating influential African Americans. It is the average poor black citizen that needs are help and support, not these people.
There is no need for a black history month. We should remember daily that everybody is different, and we need to acknowledge that blacks have had it harder in our country at times than other races. By eliminating black history month I feel like we as a nation can continue to progress to the point where we know that people have different ancestry, but that we are all the same. I am curious as to what the reaction would be if we did eliminate this month. Would minorities be happy, as our attorney general suggests, or would they feel disrespected?
As Dr. Richards points out, “What he said, in a nutshell, is that Americans are afraid to discuss race. What is wrong with making that claim?” There is absolutely nothing wrong with making this claim. It is almost like people are using the election of Barack Obama has a crutch. I am sure that many people are thinking, “How are we as a country racist when we elect a black president?” It is almost like that is how guilty whites make themselves feel better. We elected a black president! How far we have come!
There has never been a problem with wealthy black people getting recognition in this country. Tiger Woods and Lebron James are probably the most adored, famous, and respected people in sports. The problem is the average numbers for African Americans, among other races. We are just not where we need to be as a country in terms of equality for all members of all different races. When we get to the point where the median incomes are at least comparable, we will have reached equality as a country. This will be a day much more impressive and meaningful than electing a black president.
Many people are afraid to talk about race relations. When discussions (I am not referring to my recitation group, but just racial discussions in general) are going down, we are told to speak candidly to find the root of the problems that exist between races. However, this is easier said than done. Most people like to avoid confrontation if possible so if they have a thought that is going to step on some toes, they will neglect to make the comment. Then everyone leaves will a false sense of satisfaction. Everyone makes warm comments about other races which gives them a good feeling, but no progress has been made. As Holder said, everyone remains in their race protected cocoons.
Attorney General Holder’s use of the word coward was very effective. He is talking about a serious issue in this country, one that should be stressed even more now that Obama is in office. Far too many people feel that since a black man is running our country, racism must be over. We have all heard speeches about coming together and not just tolerating other races, but interacting with them and gaining what they have to offer. However, most of the messages are lost when the speaker is finished. But Holder calls the American people out directly. Criticism is a difficult thing to accept; no one enjoys hearing that they are doing something incorrectly. And a word like ‘coward’ brings with it a connotation that is going to make people respond to Holder’s message.
I can see how many people have criticized Attorney General Holder for having an ulterior motive within his speech. For the majority of the excerpt, he is talking about how this problem is affecting the country and that we all must work to resolve it. Then he completely switches gears and goes off about how black people are underrepresented and their accomplishments are underappreciated. While this may be true, his whole outlook seems to be lacking a bit. His points about black people may have been valid years ago, but racial issues do not solely exist between blacks and whites anymore. Holder himself mentioned that their will be no majority race in the United States within fifty years, but there will surely be more than just two. Who is this man to belittle the race relations in America, when he is close-minded enough to just focus on how his own race is mistreated? Being white, it is difficult for me to relate to minorities who do not receive equal treatment in our country. However, if I was Asian, Hispanic, or another race working hard to advance the name of my people, I would be outraged with Holder’s closing statements. Why should we make strides to rectify the race related problems in our country when the man who claims that his department will be the example only observes one major color difference?
Eric Holder hasn't said anything new or profound, you're right. This is the same argument or observation on the racial climate that we have heard many times before. And you are also right in pointing out that the simple usage of the word "coward" is probably the reprehensible and outlandish part of this statement that the conservative pundits have had a problem with. But why would they get so upset about this statement when no one group was called out and no blame was placed? It seems that the racial climate within the United States has always pushed for homogeneity, and this could be the cause of the response. When forming social norms, or trends, there is usually only one "cool" or "normal" and everyone is expected to conform to it. Just look at fashion, which is something we covered a couple weeks ago in lecture. Regardless of your race, there seems to be one iconic image of "beautiful" in our culture and white people, black people and brown people are all benchmarked against it. The kinky hair which is more common among black and brown people is pushed aside for the straight or curly hair more common in white women. And when you look at fashions in clothing, the more urban, city look which is found more commonly among black and brown people is celebrated more often than the "traditional" or "conservative" dress you would find in a small town somewhere in the mid-west. We don't celebrate or try to enhance these differences in culture, but rather we strive towards homogeneity and say beautiful comes only with straight or curly hair, and cool clothing only comes with the urban look. These of course are two superficial examples, but they extend to representing the current state of race relations in America.
We are cowards when it comes to race and racial issues. We don't like to acknowledge the differences between groups of people. We like to pretend or assume that everyone is the same, that there are no racial tensions in the country, and that everyone is living happily ever after. And when someone is in the political limelight, they usually are better off by staying under the radar. Saying outlandish things or being too extreme in any situation will cause undue attention to you. So when the racial issue is the topic of debate, people are better off either ignoring the problems or saying something to the effect of, "We're all equal, there's no real difference between us." Because if someone does make a statement on race, it will likely be taken the wrong way by some group, or someone will take offense to the statement. This is evidence enough that we are a nation of cowards when it comes to race because we shouldn't be shunning people for talking about potentially divisive topics, we should encourage all different sides of the issue to voice their opinions so the nation can learn each other's views and reconcile our differences.
This is in response to the “Nation of Cowards” article. I am in agreement almost 100%. If you have read my previous blogs you will see that I have been saying close to the same exact thing. This idea of race being the 700 pound gorilla in the room that everyone knows is there but won’t dare to speak about is bullshit. Race is race; it’s everywhere, but who the hell cares. The idea of being politically correct is for what reason?
I commend Attorney General Holder for saying what he said. He mentions that “Americans don’t speak to one another” if exact. I believe that it is true. When was the last time you were in the presence of anyone black and uttered the word “Black” or anything of that sort? Why are we afraid to speak to those of a different race, color, etc about it?
At the same time though, it seems that anytime a white person speaks about race, everyone looks around like he did something wrong. There is a double standard when it comes to speaking about race. Everyone wants to talk about it, but then when someone does, depending on who it is, it seems as though it’s a crime. The idea of being racist comes into play. Take for example our class Soc 119. Those entering the class know that race will be talked about, well because the course is called Race and Ethnic Relations. Also, all you have to do is look up the professor and you will know it will be talked about by a white guy. But let’s pretend and say that Sam walks through the streets of State College and talking the same way he does in class. What will people say? In class we know its cool and its part of class and we are comfortable, maybe not speaking aloud about it but at least listening to it. I can almost guarantee that Sam will be asked to silence himself or someone will think ill willed toward him and possible call the cops.
Personally, I can care less about the idea of being different. I am Middle Eastern and I could care less whether people look at me different. I know who I am and my friends and family know what I am and to me that’s what matters. When I am with my friends regardless whether they are black, white, Spanish, asian, whatever, I am the same person. One of the funniest thigns to do is point out their stereotypes just as they do mine, not because I want to start anything, but because its just plain old funny. When my asian friends drive…”Dear God, this is my last will and Testament.” I don’t look at race as the 700 pound gorilla, but more that lamp in the corner that is there and is needed to shed light, but I could care less about it.
I believe white people are scared of being called out for being racist. I think this is represented in Sam’s interpretation of Eric Holder’s comments. In the blog, Sam said white people didn’t know how to take the comment, so they assumed that he was critiquing them. Speaking from the stand point of a white person, white people don’t like to being called out on being racist. In discussion group this past week we discussed things we are afraid to say to our friends of other races, in fear of coming off racist. These things could be racial stereotypes, or just even words that are negatively associated with a race. I know I’ve been really embarrassed before asking a black friend if they want some watermelon. My intentions were pure, and my friend was joking with me when they called me racist, but still I couldn’t help but feel bad about the whole situation.
A girl in my class even mentioned that her friend’s mother wouldn’t even eat a banana in public, in fear of being called a monkey. It’s hard to believe that people feel this way. And if people feel this way, shouldn’t it be a sign that race problems still plague this nation? It should show that yes, a black president shows progress in the world of race relations, but it doesn’t mean there’s peace in the situation. Slavery, segregation, and racism are just about as old as our country. I can see how no one would like to be called a coward, but can’t they just look at the situation and accept the valid comment? He did say that we have always been cowards about race, and if you look at an American history text book, I believe he has facts to back up that claim.
There’s also the matter of who Eric Holder is even saying this comment about. Isn’t it a little egotistical for white people to assume the comment was directed towards then? It would make them look like they feel the country is entirely made up of only white people, which we all know is not true. If they take the comment so personal even though it was directed into a nation of millions, wouldn’t it make them look like they feel racially superior?
I think the way Holder went about his comment was completely justified. He didn’t attack any group, isolate any incident, or intend to hurt anyone. I think his motive was to show that even though he’s attorney general, this is his view on race relations in the United States .I think the people who are offended at his comments because they just voted a Black president into office need to get a life. Yes, Obama is president and the majority voted for him, but that was because he was the most qualified candidate. Obama’s win isn’t going to end racism in our country, and it by no means forgives the country for its racist past.
Is anyone really surprised that these comments caused such an uproar? Haven’t we learned that if any person calls another person or another group of people racist, or if they say anything about how they handle race, everyone’s reaction is to deny it and call the person crazy? In my opinion, if his comments were wrong, there wouldn’t be an uproar over them. Not only is America afraid to talk about race, people are also extremely afraid to admit it. So if white people think they are the ones being attacked in these statements, then it makes sense that they would have a problem with them. Maybe that is the problem with his statements. I do not have a problem with what he said, personally, but I interpreted them for what they were. I can definitely see how someone would think that this is directed at a certain group of people. When Holder said these comments, I find it hard to believe that he didn’t think he was going to offend some white people, even if he wasn’t trying to attack a specific group, but all of us as a whole. I think he is talking about everyone, black people included, but did he really think as a black man saying these comments that he wasn’t going to rub certain people the wrong way. I am glad he made the statements because it sparks the conversation. Maybe these comments will get people talking about race instead of avoiding it. Maybe, in an attempt to prove Holder wrong, people will talk about race. I think these are lofty expectations, but who knows what could happen? It is really sad that this is only causing a problem because Holder is black. I do believe that is the only reason why. If George Bush or another prominent white politician had said these things, he would have been commended for them. I also think that the idea that just because America voted in a black president means that they are comfortable talking about race is somewhat ignorant. Holder said nothing about our nation being racist, he said we are afraid to address the issue of race. It is a sensitive issue and all he is saying is that we need to bring it to the table and not be afraid of it. If our nation was racist, Holder probably wouldn’t believe that this was possible. Maybe all he is saying is that since we are not a racist nation, why are we afraid of the issue? Yet, his comments have made people mad, only further proving his point. Why is it wrong to bring up a problem especially when it is your job to fix the problem?
Holder’s speech and the video were definitely a very powerful statement and indication. There could be many different ways to interpret it and evaluate it. From what I have read, seen, heard and understood – President Obama has created a fantastic, confused but influential step towards the racial issues and matters regarding it. It has become a very important and significant yet over-thrown issue by many people – who Holder specifies as “cowards of America” or “American cowards”. The issue here is simple, that he may have put it in such a way that its audience may be the “whites of America”, but from my point of view I would say all colored and non-colored people around the America.
Holder says that we should “examine our racial soul”, I get confused whenever I try to make sense out of it, due to the fact that a vast majority of the Americans are “racially mixed” from various backgrounds. And the fact that he particular uses the word “cowards” is very alarming, especially if people use it towards their community and interpret it in the wrong manner.
Another statement he made which suggested a total different aspect of his speech was, “…history has demonstrated that Americans do not like to talk about racial matter and deal with it…”. This has been proven and is very believable from various sources, including Sam himself. Moreover, this could also suggest that most Americans are whites, who agree and admit that they are uncomfortable talking about racial issues with people of a different racial group. I feel he has left a good point that we should start conversing and make progress through talking about it with people openly and frankly, to exchange views and open up our “narrow” or “cowardly” minds.
Race relations and issues are definitely unresolved not only in the United States of America but various other countries, and it is never too late to start over at home where you have the opportunity to speak with various religions, racial groups and people which an average American, as said in the video, need to talk about. Schools offer children learning about African-American history and “white” history, but that is it. They could expand their syllabus, or encourage students to be more open with their views to improve our racial thinking standards.
In conclusion, with most of the questions listed by Sam, I would like to answer some. I definitely agree with the fact that he did not single out any group but it was for the vast majority of narrow minded cowards who think that one racial group is superior to the other. George W. Bush and Clinton would politically agree with Holder but maybe put it differently in context, however, racially speaking – they might feel that they are also categorized as cowards.
Of course we are cowards. Those who do fight his words are those that are blinded by thinking that race has disappeared or are offended to be called out on the words that they have spoken and there are other people. It is a very simple system, really. I believe that when one does not know what someone is talking about where the possibility of being the slightest way offended exists, or one feels guilty about what they have done but will not accept it, they become defensive. This is like cornering a child with one’s logic. In this way we become cowards as well. We cannot admit that this is a problem, or we deny its existence, almost as instinct will let us, just to make it go away.
When I heard the speech, I heard it as a taboo that we all hold within us. Something that we are scared to speak about because of the implications that are rooted deep within out history, and its great potential to offend. Therefore we do not cross the lines of race. Attorney General Holden said that when we come together it will lead to further stagnation and polarization, however, I do not agree with that. We are all cowards, and maybe when the world combines together and the lines of race are further distorted, then we will finally have peace with no race. How will we be further divided when race becomes distorted? It may be true that we will pick which race that we will identify with and that might create factions. However, I guess we are going to have to wait and see.
I know that what Eric Holden says is true -even without data. Our lives are much separated normally, which is what happened when one invented the locks to our doors. Real estate people too, fit people of the same ethnic background together so that they will get along with each other. What does Attorney General Holden want? Is this some kind of call to arms? Does he want us to get angry and burst through the door of another races family’s house and demand that we have dinner together? Is it suppose to guilt us because we know that he is right, and to slowly accept his words and take a whole new perspective on life?
Maybe because I am neither white, nor black and therefore I cannot see as clearly the critique’s aim that he is making. Or maybe, Attorney General Holden is trying to stir our anger, stir our thoughts, so that we will interact with another race, or even the same race, to hold meaningful talks. Maybe we are falling into Attorney General Holden’s hands right now.
I do not think what Attorney General Eric Holder said in his speech was that controversial. What he said was pretty much blown out of proportion because of his word choice. No one likes to be called a coward, so it is not surprising that there was a negative reaction. Yet, he did not single out any individuals or groups. Instead, he grouped everyone together as making the same mistake. Personally, I think he is right that this country as a whole does not discuss race on a large scale. When I was growing up I was taught that racial issues and racism where things of the past. It was almost as if they did not exist today. Clearly, looking at recent events this is not the case. Yes, there are things like black history month. Still, I think having black history month just further divides things by separating it from our country’s history as a whole. It is making it a separate part rather than including it in all the struggles and conflicts as a whole that makes America what it is today. By separating this part of history it just makes it harder or more controversial topic to discuss. Also, since Holder is a black man what he said may have been reacted to more controversially. However, I think there would have been a reaction regardless especially because of the recent election. Many people like to think this country does not have any issues of race and do not like to be reminded of them.
America is known as a melting pot of all different races. However, I do not think that this is an accurate portrayal of our country. When I think of a melting pot I see things all nicely blended together. That is definitely not how our country is today. There are still a lot of conflicts even between races. People continue to judge and discriminate against individuals based on race. There are still hate groups like the KKK and skinheads that are even gaining more support today. It is not like everyone is living in harmony because they are all citizens of the same country. Also, demographically communities and neighborhoods is divided based on race in many areas. A lot of communities are made up of manly one race. These communities are all different with different opportunities and barriers. Even at Penn State a lot of people tend to hang out in groups of the same culture or race. I am not saying people are not friends with or do not associate with all different people, it is just not uncommon for people to hang out with people of similar backgrounds. So for Attorney General Holder to call this nation’s people cowards, he was not far off. Citizens of this country tend to stay in their comfort zones and not really discuss race as an issue.
I basically agree with what Attorney General Eric Holder is saying when he says that Americans are cowards when it comes to the issue of discussing race. I suppose the reason why people were offended by what he said was because of the way it was phrased. Nobody likes to be called a coward and maybe he could have worded it better but he was trying to make a point. As a white person, I did not take any offense to what he was saying and for the most part agreed with it. He did not single out a specific group such as whites so I did not see any reason for offense to be taken. I would think however, that the people most upset with what he said would be white, only because a black man gave the speech. There may have been a different reaction if he had been white or rather had more of effect on a different group. As Sam has mentioned, some racial groups tend to take what people say from the opposing group out of context or in the wrong way more often then someone from their own or another group. In which case, throughout American history it has always seemed like blacks verses whites. Which is why it would make sense that the majority of people that would feel offended would be white people that are interpreting what he is saying in a wrong way.
In general, it seems that people do not like to talk or bring up the issue of race. It makes a lot of people uncomfortable. It is easy to say that people should just get over it and openly talk about it, however that is not such an easy task. For an issue to be addressed and looked at people need to be able to openly talk about it. However, this is so hard to do because of the fact that people do not want to offend another race by saying something. This makes people sensor their real thoughts and feelings about race so that the issue is never really addressed.
I don’t think that by electing Obama the issue of race is by any means closer to being resolved. In fact, it has brought lots of anger and other negative reactions from citizens and hate groups. Yet on a more positive note, it forces people to acknowledge the issue of race and discuss it more openly. This is an important stepping-stone in the path to race being a more comfortable issue. Altogether, I do believe that it is bringing the issue itself more out in the open, forcing people to talk about it, which is an important step.
When Eric Holder said that we are a nation of cowards he was not trying to put white people down. The problem with his statement was that since it came from a black man the white population automatically assumed that it was targeting them. There is almost this egotistical sense that white people couldn’t imagine him talking about all people. I agree completely with his statement. I think that as a nation we are on a whole way to scared to talk about race. Part of the reason for this is probably because many of us are embarrassed about the way different races were treated in the past. In order to make up for this treatment we act as though we should ignore the topic altogether, as if that is such a better alternative. However the opposite of prejudice is not silence. It is open, honest discussion. The fact that he used the word coward proved to be very useful because it got the press and the peoples attention. Had this jut been another black man talking about the need to talk about race people may have ignored him. However, in this instance using the word coward was almost like a challenge. It was as if he was saying I dare you to prove me wrong. I think that the American people should take up the challenge. They should begin to have more open discussions about race because despite what has been ingrained in us since we were children, race is not a taboo topic. It is a fact of life. And to ignore such an obvious fact is a little naïve and clearly counterproductive. Yes race relations have improved drastically over the last fifty years, but that does that mean that there isn’t still a long way to go. What Holder is telling us is that we must not become complacent with what we have achieved. Race is still an important part of the way our society operates and we should be as comfortable discussing it as we are discussing gender. The difference between a man and a woman and a black person and a white person (or someone of another race) is as inherently inconsequential in the scheme of things. If we know this then why are so many people afraid to talk about it? Perhaps if the person making this statement had been white then people would not be so offended. But then why has no white person ever said anything. The truth is that people’s hesitance to talk about this topic is exactly what Holders issue is. He was the one to make the statement because he was the only one who would. I think we should all have a deep amount of respect for someone with that sort of courage.
This idea of Americans being cowards goes back to something we discussed in one of our discussion groups. When people think of America, they think of a lot of different things. One thing that is constantly brought up is this idea of America being the “Land of the Free”. However when you think about it, what does free really mean? Freedom means that you are able to say what you want, do what you want without any objection from other people. However are we really free if we choose not to exercise this “freedom of speech” we have been given. Do I, a white, Jewish kid from New Jersey, have the freedom to walk into Harlem, and go up to a black guy and say “What up Nigga?” It may say that I have the freedom to do this, but in essence, I’m probably going to get the shit kicked out of me. Now this is an extreme example. What about the freedom to talk about race? We all have the freedom to bring up this issue of race. Are blacks treated fairly, are Hispanics treated fairly, are Asians treated fairly? Do white people get all the blame for racial issues in this country? Attorney General Eric Holder said, "In things racial we have always been, and I believe continue to be in too many ways, essentially, a nation of cowards.” In some way I have to agree with him. We have all these freedoms but we are afraid to express them. Race is a very touchy subject in this country. One reason for this could be the amount of different races that call America home. Yes, in our small discussion groups, we talk about race openly among each other, and not all of us are of the same race. However would we ever have these types of conversations outside of class? Would we talk to our friends about this, would we talk to our parents about this, would we talk to complete strangers about this? I’m not saying that we all need to go up to someone of a different race and ask them what they think about the issue of race in this country. I’m saying that to move forward in the issue of race, that many times divides these “United” States, we need to talk about the issues. We can’t be afraid to express our opinions. A lot of times issues are beast dealt by talking about them and getting everything that needs to be said out in the open. Until we are able to freely talk about the issue of race, we will be considered a nation of cowards. Until we are able to freely talk about the issue of race, it will continue to be an issue.
I feel like the comments made by the attorney general were completely valid. We are afraid of races and that is the way it has been since I have been alive. I see it in mostly everyone I know and myself. In no way is racism close to being over in this country, instead it is still very active just usually not in the same way we know it. There is minimal hatred and segregation as generations before saw, but today there is fear. Yes it is an improvement; we should take fear over hate, but it still should not be tolerated. There are many forms of this fear but the most important thing is that it is there and fully alive in so many of us. It is the way a white person will choose to go out of their way just to avoid walking into a black person in an alley. It is how white people feel the need to talk differently when they’re around black people and have to make sure they watch what they say. It is the way that when black people aren’t around white people still say the n word like it is no big deal, but 99% wouldn’t dare utter it in front a black person. I am speaking only from a white perspective because I am white and I don’t know how the fear of races is conveyed in black people but I am sure it is there. I think racism will have ended when people of all color can be in the same room and not have to change the content of what they are saying in any way at all.
The fact that people are outraged at Holder’s comments is ridiculous. Typical stubborn American’s thinking that they’re better than they actually are. Holder is just one person who is actually facing reality and being real about it. I respect him for that because I am one to admit that I am still not as comfortable as I wished I was around other races. For example, in discussion groups I try to be as open and honest as possible but I watch what I say because I have a fear of looking like an ignorant white asshole who doesn’t respect races. Although, I loved what Sam said in class by telling the “white team” to not let black or Hispanic people tell u how oppressed they are. This may be a form of fear from their standpoint, using their minority status as a defense mechanism. I just wish everyone could come out and say whatever they were feeling, and I bet if we got out the racist things that are unfortunately innately built into each of us, we would be much better off.
The comments made by Attorney General Holder were bound to be exploited by the media the second he finished his sentence. Race has become such a sensitive subject. Anything said around the term race can obtain a negative connotation that will be blown out of proportion. Holder was absolutely right to call us a nation of cowards. I believe people took his words and twisted them into something that he did not mean. Holder was simply stating the obvious; people need to stop being quiet because otherwise nothing will ever be resolved. Personally, I think it is funny that people are finding his words offensive. My mother would say “They have a guilty conscience”. Why else would they be so offended? If Holder did not state specifically that he was addressing white people in his speech, why are they being so defensive. It has been the norm that white people get “picked on” whenever the race issue comes up. Yet, I do not feel as though that was Holder’s purpose at all. Yes, he called people cowards. Yes, he mentioned something most people will not. So what, if he did not mention it was anyone ever going to? It is upsetting to know that people are getting so riled up by what he said. There are obvious cultural boundaries between races that have yet to be understood. The statements Holder made were not directed at any particular group, but I am sure different races have different views on them. White people in my opinion feel the most awkward when talking about race. It is as if were ready for brown or black people to lash out at us for being racist. It’s more out of fear than anything why white people don’t talk about it. Hopefully with time the issue will be easier to talk about without getting stones thrown at you by the media. With culture changing rapidly maybe racism will slowly die off. This is reaching very far into hope but what the hell. With interracial marriages and the number of minorities increasing, it is easy to wonder what the racial balance will be in thirty years. Maybe one day white people will be the minority and this country will be inhibited by mostly brown people. The demographics of our nation could go any way, and the way it is currently heading, I may be right about the “invasion of color.” What I realize the most of people’s perception on race, ethical and cultural differences, and all of it, is that it depends on how one was brought up. The majority of my friends share the exact same views on race as their parents. Of course there are exceptions but the bulk of their beliefs come straight from the parental figures. And the household is where one learns the most.
I think what Attorney General Eric Holder said about race is somewhat accurate. I think many people are “cowards” when it comes to talking about race because they feel uncomfortable about it. Often times it is young kids who feel this way. Being from a mostly white area of Bucks County Pennsylvania, I, for example, basically didn’t know or was friends with one person who was my age that was of a different race. I wouldn’t say that it was awkward when a person of a different race was around, but it was definitely rare. Many times my soccer/basketball teammates felt intimidated when we played soccer against black kids from different neighborhoods. However, when I got to Penn State I encountered people of all different races. Many of my friends are of a different race, and they are some of the coolest people I have met up here. Taking the time to get to know them and learn about their different race.
I don’t think the Attorney General was off base when he made these statements. I feel that people made it into a big deal because he is black. Perhaps some people thought he was calling out the white people of America who are the “cowards”. For instance, it wouldn’t have been a big deal at all if someone like George Bush or Bill Clinton said the same thing. The blog also states that there is data to back the fact that many people tolerate people of a different race at work but maintain very segregated personal lifestyles. I think this is somewhat true. Whenever a person of one race makes a statement regarding race, a person of another race is probably more than likely going to be offended. There is always going to be someone to critique the statement. I think that people don’t feel comfortable talking about race relations. I personally don’t know anyone who is outright racist. I hope that racism in the near future will be something of the past. The stats show that in the near future white people are going to be outnumbered by the different races combined. Therefore, we must get over the fact that just because someone is of a different race doesn’t make them any different than us. We should take the time to hang out and talk to them because we can learn a lot from them.
I feel that people like Jesse Jackson and others who go around talking about the past are just promoting racism more. They keep bringing up the issue of slavery, etc. in the past, but should drop it and try to promote good relations in the future. People should stop feeling uncomfortable when talking about race.
I do not think Holder was calling any specific group cowards. In my personal opinion, I think he was referring to our country as a whole. We try to work our way around race and pretend it’s not an issue anymore, when we all know that is very prevalent in our society still. Going off on a little bit of a tangent, I was thinking about when he mentioned February and Black History month. I find it is sad that we need to dedicate months and days to specific people. We need to recognize others every day, not just specific times during the year. It is also still looking at blacks as a minority, when the numbers are growing in our country. Even though there isn’t as long of a history of Hispanics fighting for equality in the United States, there still is no Hispanic History month. We don’t learn about people of other cultures, when we are and will continue to be a very diverse country. Anyways, getting back to Holder’s speech, I find it sad that we need to talk so much about race. Yes, I feel it is important for us to be aware of the people around us and be considerate and open to learn about other races, but why do we need to constantly bring up race? I understand that there is this ongoing problem with white supremacy, but when are we ever going to put aside our ethnic differences and just let people live their lives the way they want? Are we always going to have people making excuses for success and failure? Thinking about the discussion about determinism and free will, I still believe it is both free will and determinism. I think that everyone has the ability to succeed and do whatever they want in life, even with racial problems. It seems that minorities like to use it as an excuse a lot of the time. “Oh I didn’t get the job because of my race.” comments like that. Right now, I probably sound like an ignorant white person, but there comes a point where we are trying so hard to get rid of discrimination and race problems that we act like it is the sole reason for minorities not getting far in our society. Why can’t someone just be not qualified for a job or a school? Also, when any man or woman makes a speech about race, the other races will be offended. It will somehow be against a specific race, even if it’s not meant that way. The arguments get tiring because they are all the same. So in the end, we are all just cowards because we are too scared to get rid of bad attitudes on race. It’s going to keep coming up for centuries.
I think Eric Holder has hit the nail on the head about our nation. However, I wouldn’t go so far as to call us all cowards, maybe just a little stand-off-ish when it comes to speaking about race. But that’s why we take race relations, right? To get all those crazy, off the wall things we think about other races out in the open. To have the things we think and say, hopefully not judged by our classmates. But does anyone ever leave class and discuss with your friends the issues we talked about in class. I know I don’t. I never discuss race related issues with my all white friends, unless I’m telling them to shut up because they’re saying something mean about another race. I’m sure most of us just return to our little cocoons were race related issues never arise. Could we break the bubble by gaining friends of different races?
I’m actually not too sure how Mr. Eric Holder is telling us to fix the problem here in the United States. Is he telling us that we should get rid of Black History Month (which seems to be another way of separating race within schools every year) or is just telling us to get over it and hold hands with each other? He’s addressing a problem where I’m not sure there’s much solution. We always feel more comfortable among people who are similar to us. In high school we find friends among the people we play sports with or have similar classes with, in college we do the same thing. We all go after what we know and what makes us feel comfortable. I’m sure most of us feel uncomfortable entering a party where we are the minority and that’s why the barriers exist. Because people feel uncomfortable and that most likely wont change.
We can all humdrum over this issue but the only answer to it that we must become comfortable with the past to move on in the future. Maybe Black History Month shouldn’t be separated from the rest of the American history. Maybe it should be blended in with all the rest of the memorable history we have. Maybe white people should stop felling guilty or uncomfortable for what happened in history (maybe white people carry around black-guilt, which I would consider similar catholic-guilt).
I wish our economy wasn’t in such a state of disarray because then I think issues like this would actually get addressed in the near future. However, this is not on the top of the list so we will just have to wait and see how things change, and I’m sure they will. We’ve made one great step in the right direction by showing that we, as a country, have enough faith and optimism in someone other then a white guy to run our country.
Eric Holder is right when he says “We Americans simply do not talk enough to each other about things racial. It is something we are not at ease with..” I don't understand why people are so upset about his words. He talks of a subtle racism, similar to a lie of omission. We do not address the elephant in the room, and Holder believes that makes us cowards. In a way it does, because people feel the need to walk on eggshells when it comes to topics of race, in fear of hurting one another's feelings or getting themselves in hot water. I found Holder's speech bold and true. He addresses the huge milestones like Brown v. Board of Education that brought this nation closer to racial equality, but feels since this nation is changing in diversity faster than we can process, those milestones are becoming obsolete. Did we forget about those huge obstacles our nation has overcome? The word minority will soon be politically incorrect and there will be no minority or majority anymore. I think in the face of that, we just don't know what to do with ourselves. Classes like this Race and Ethnic Relations class try to transform those 'cowards' that Holder speaks of. Race is a subject most tiptoe around and leave out of conversations altogether if they can help it. Like we've talked about in class, white people are always uncomfortable when it comes to the subject of race. They would rather let the minorities say their piece and just agree with what they say instead of trying to argue with them and feel like the bad guy. White people are not always the bad guys. Holder was not talking about white people. He was talking about all races here in America and our need to segregate our thoughts and ideas from each other. We even segregate our histories from each other; in order to fully understand U.S. History, we need to know every aspect of it. You can't keep African American history as a completely separate subject when it is apart of our nation's history. Doesn't it seem kind of wrong to segregate our nations history if we've overcome segregation in the first place? I guess that's what Holder is talking about: our need to not address race as a country and just forget it is a prominent issue all together. Since I'm brown, if I were to say a statement about black people, or any other race, it would most likely be analyzed for tinges of racism, which is what Holder says is our nation's problem. We need to stop attacking each other for talking, and speak our minds.
If we can overcome that fear or talking to one another we would be the better for it.
I was actually discussing this video with my friend. She lives down the hall from me, and rooms with an African American girl. She was telling my about an experience she had while in the presence of her roommate. Her roommate was talking about race with her other black friends while Jane, my friend, was sitting at her desk. The other girls were talking about racism in general and how their mothers would put their hair in braids and when the got to school they would take it out. The girls said that it put them in the typical black stereotype that they did not want to be in. They tried making their hair straighter and smoother to be like the other girls, similar to the typical white hair. Jane then told me that their conversation drifted to talking about more stereotypes and how Whites are racist. Now my white friend was sitting in the dorm room right with these other girls. That was obviously very uncomfortable for her. She was telling me how she didn’t want to say anything or stand up for her race because she was afraid that her roommate would dislike her even more or even get her friends to gang up on her.
From the CNN video clip of our new Attorney General, Eric Holder, his views are somewhat presented and conflicted in this personal experience stated above. His belief that Americans are afraid to talk about race is not entirely true. The girls were not afraid to talk about race amongst their “own kind,” but more so between people of different races. Now I know that Holder did not single out any one particular group for being a coward, however I honestly believe that it is inferred that White Americans are the ones being talked about. I believe that we are afraid to speak out in front of other races, however I do not believe that we don’t like to talk about race at all. We certainly hear things about race that are experienced by other Whites.
One thing that Holder mentioned however caught my attention. When he said that in fifty years there will no longer be a dominant race. Do you honestly thing this is the way things will be? Whites have ruled the world for how many years now? Just because Obama is president now, it doesn’t mean that now Blacks will start to completely take over. But to take the other point of view, I don’t think that Whites will remain super superior, but I do think that our dominance will decrease. I feel this way because although a lot of people like to stick to their same race, more and more people are becoming multi racial. And because of this, and in addition to having a half-black president, I believe that this will slightly change over the course of fifty years, but not drastically.
I maintain a blog that covers think tank events in Washington, DC. Just after President Barack Obama was elected, panels popped up all over the city to discuss the state of "post-racial politics." Dozens upon dozens of jerks in business suits talking about how Americans no longer think about race, just weeks after the same people were calling Americans too racist to vote for a black man? It was quite the leap. It seemed to me that just talking about post-racial politics means that we're not post-racial. If we cannot define it, we are not it.
To my mind, the speech of the Attorney General Eric Holder was nothing if not appropriate. President Obama ran on the platform of change, and change will not be possible unless Americans become self-reflexive and conscious of failings. His words were absolutely inflammatory, but those who labeled it reprehensible either feel guilty about something or should feel guilty about something.
I showed the speech to 10 of my housemates, whose nationalities (countries of birth) included Pakistan, the USSR, Nigeria, Kosovo, and the United States. They all completely agreed (it could have been mob mentality) with the Attorney General. A few girls admitted that they do not want to talk about race, ever, because they always feel misunderstood. The only criticism that I heard of the speech was that the “coward” line should have come at the end of clip, so that it made more sense had more of a buildup. That would also take away from the punched – in – the - gut feeling.
To save money, prisons in California, Virginia, and other states are allowing non-violent offenders extra parole hearings. Those in for drug charges will now receive earlier access to treatment and be released earlier. A lot of the prison issues fall under the Attorney General’s jurisdiction. Holder will come face to face with some of the most painful race issues in our country. Rates of incarcerations are wholly unequal and racist statutes have been on the books since the country’s inception. Marijuana first became illegal to protect white women from black men. These are among the things that people do not want to talk about, that people to open their eyes to, for Holder’s sake.
Where does the blame go? No one group deserves the blame. Holder took the blame with everyone else in his speech when he said “we” and not “you.” That statement did not absolve the white community, but it included others so that he was definitively not just trying to create more white guilt. I think that he delivered a good speech, a necessary speech, and his detractors should be ashamed of themselves for trying to hinder dialogue.
Cayla Rasi
I agree that Americans are afraid to discuss race. What is wrong with the claim he has made is that not ALL Americans are afraid to discuss race, there are some people who are afraid—but not everyone. That’s what makes the claim incorrect, but to defend him partially, what was he supposed to say? How was he supposed to say that race is an issue among certain groups of people? How is he supposed to say “these people are racist” and “these people are not racist”? The speech he made was very difficult to make and the wording itself should have been corrected or he should have re-phrased many things but in the end the speech would never be perfect and no matter what he said people would find ways to criticize it. It is very smart of him though for not pointing to a certain group/skin color/culture and dub them as racist. He tried to keep his wording broad which is good but in the end was not necessarily one hundred percent correct.
If George Bush was saying this I would probably laugh and think “yea buddy you are one of those people… it took the US months and months to get into Louisiana after Katrina to really truly help people. But it took a matter of days to help the people in Sri Lanka after the tsunami… what’s up with that?” I also think that George Bush (among other people in the world) could be a selective racist. Look at how good it made the US look when we started helping the Sri Lankan’s immediately after their mother nature catastrophe. People around the world may have been thinking “oh what nice Americans, they are really trying to help those people in need.” But what happens when people in our own backyard need help? The government took their time to help. (am I allowed in this blog to say: wtf?)
When it comes to a black man making the statement that there is still racism and people don’t want to talk about race—it may sound to people that this man thinks that white people are racist and don’t want to talk about race. But reverse that, if a white man was saying what Holder said, black people would be thinking that that white man that is making the speech either: 1. Thinks that blacks are racists 2. Thinks that blacks are afraid to talk about race 3. The white man has no clue what he is talking about and is in denial that whites are really the racist ones.
I don’t know how each ethnic group decides what is racist and what isn’t. I have my own definition or racism and I strongly believe that it is possible for people in the world to not be racist. And for those out there who do not judge, stereotype, categorize, or have racist thoughts or actions—then those people need to have children and spread the “non-racist” thought process.
I completely understand why many Americans are upset with the statement made by Attorney General, Eric Holder. However, I agree with Sam and believe that what most people are so offended by is the use of the word coward, and their interpretation of what Holder meant in saying this. I imagine that Holder used the word coward to provoke people and get under their skin. He certainly achieved this, but in doing so he also offended many people. I do not believe it was Holder’s intent to offend people, but rather just to call out the issue at hand and Americans who are afraid to discuss race. He clearly feels this is an imperative issue right now, and wants the rest of the population to open their eyes to this; hence the dramatic statement and word use. However, in doing this he actually may have added the problem of the lack of communication and openness towards race in our country. Although Holder may not have intended to call out all white people, I can see how most white people would feel like this accusation was made towards them. I agree with the points that Holder was making in the rest of his speech, but there is no doubt that a great deal of white people would hear the word coward coming from a black man and directed at Americans and immediately become appalled and disregard anything else he may have to say. This is not necessarily Holder’s fault that white people feel so defensive. This defensiveness may just be a part of that “white guilt”. Yet, Holder was blunt and honest in his statement and I think that made a lot of people uncomfortable, and a lot of white people feel blamed or singled out. This, however, is not Holder’s fault. If white people are appalled by his statement, then maybe they should like at why they first, think that it is directed at white people, and second, why they are in fact so defensive on this matter. I think that the reason white people feel like it is directed at them is because they may know that white people are generally slightly guilty around African Americans, or do not feel comfortable relating with people of other races. Therefore, Holder is completely correct in his statement that Americans are cowards when dealing with race. The only problem is the way that Holder phrased this idea. Had he been a little more delicate with the issue and made a point to ensure that the public knew he was referring to all ethnic groups, and maybe not called everyone cowards because that is simply not true, that this would not have been nearly as controversial of a speech.
In response to Holder’s comments about America being a country of cowards, I do not think he could be more correct - in this racial context. Of course we are “brave” or “braver” in certain contexts - the fight against terrorism, exploring new frontiers, etc. But the fact that many Americans were outraged only goes to show that America really is not any closer to Martin Luther King’s dream than before. In fact, I am personally appalled that we could say such a thing about Holder’s speech. Why are people so offended when contradicted or when anyone says anything that may challenge us, make us better people? I think at heart, it is only an issue of pride and people’s inability to change our modes of thinking.
If anything, this only perpetuates the race problem and could possibly even heighten the tension between different races. After all, Americans (as a whole), pride themselves on being a nation comprised of people who have built this country on the ideals of being able to question patterns of thinking freely. Of course, people are able to express their opinions in saying that Holden’s speech was offense; however, at the same time it contradicts the fact that many people believe that the race issue is almost solved, and even improving. If people cannot even begin to change their thinking about race, then we cannot move forward and past the issue. If anything, it shows that Americans (in general) are actually more close-minded than we profess. No wonder so many people call us a country made up of hypocrites. We say that we are an accepting society, but when push comes to shove, we have proven that at least some of us are not. How can we begin to solve the problem if no one will every address it with complete honesty?
I am saddened to hear that Americans are still so ignorant and judgmental, yet not surprised because people are imperfect and selfish. Old habits die hard. And in some ways, even if society’s view on racism can improve, one’s thoughts cannot be monitored. People will still think and believe what they want, even while they say the complete opposite. Until people begin to truly realize this and own up to it, we will remain exactly where we are in this standstill concerning race. Unfortunately, this is much, much easier said than done. It takes a lot of effort and care to truly examine one’s own thoughts and actions in relation to each other. But until this is done, nothing will change.
I hope that we as a country will be able to move forward soon. I think even being aware of these issues is, at the very least, a place to start.
It is hard for me to understand how anyone could misinterpret Holder’s words, or make them out to be anything they are not. Holder is well-spoken and articulate, and it is easy to see why President Obama chose him as Attorney General. I believe it is attacks like this, and false controversies based on such attacks, that prohibit the frank conversation which Holder hopes to achieve. People simply do not want to rise to Holder’s challenge, as this would require a reevaluation of the way they see the world, and this process would entail too much effort; perhaps Holder should have called Americans lazy in addition to cowardly. As far as the argument concerning fifty million people transcending race and voting an African American into office, I think it could also be said that our country is in such bad shape, that those who generally harbor racist views were able to overcome their prejudices and vote for a black man. As we have discussed in class and in other blogs, this does not mean the racism in this country has come to an end. Again, arguments such as these allow us to push the issue further under the rug by assuming that they have already been addressed.
Holder’s appeal is not a difficult one to understand or fulfill because he does not ask Americans to go to extraordinary lengths to solve the race issues which exist in our country. He states, “…We, average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about things racial. It is an issue that we have never been at ease with…and yet, if we are to make progress in this area, we must feel comfortable enough with one another, and tolerant enough of each other, to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us.” Holder understands that the first step to this long process is simple conversation. The reason so many find these conversations difficult is because it requires us to confront our long-held beliefs and understandings, and the way in which race can either be a helpful or hurtful factor in our own lives. I think this conversation presents particular challenges for each individual, even those who consider themselves accepting of all races and cultures. For example, I find that I am quickly angered by those with intolerant, ignorant views, and I immediately shut myself off to their arguments. For example, a student wrote a letter to the Collegian this week in response to the annual KissOut event and described himself as “appalled that for two consecutive news days” [the Collegian] would publish such a story…great things are happening all over campus, and you focus the paper around the gays.” My initial reaction was that such a mindset was actually laughable, and I felt pity for someone who was so narrow-minded, that this event – and the subsequent coverage – could send them into such a tailspin. But then my amusement turned to anger, at which point I wrote off the entire letter as not even being worth my time. Yet according to Holder, it is my responsibility to engage in this conversation and try to understand why these people hold such views. In a country that allows us such unique freedom of speech rights, it is fitting and appropriate that we be asked to rise to this occasion, and create an environment of understanding and compassion which will make us better Americans, and better human beings.
Obviously there will always be contradicting beliefs and feelings when it comes to race and the idea of racism and there will always be a sense of uneasiness among the different race “categories” or classifications. I agree one hundred percent when sam richards refers to there always being some level of becoming offended when someone of another race speaks about race, even more so another race. I first related this to the job of a referee and how there is always going to be one side that will be mad or upset with any and every call they make. The same idea applies to this situation in my opinion. No matter what, if someone of one race makes a controversial statement about another race there will be conflict. But in this case, I really don’t see the big deal or the need for true controversy over Eric Holder’s statement. He has been appointed to that position, we as a nation are responsible for that, thus him simply expressing his opinion, even though it may not have been in the most rational way, must be attempted to be understood and not just immediately turning to becoming offended because we may not agree. I mean think about the countless number of famous George W quotes, however outrageous, comical, or even down right stupid they may have been. We dealt with that and much controversy arose from them. It is the inevitable American way for someone to be pissed off about something someone else said or stated. Everyone is not going to agree all the time or even see eye to eye for that matter. So is there really that big of a significance in acknowledging the “controversy” that Holder’s statement may have caused? It does seem as though he did just come out and say what was on his mind without truly considering any implications that may follow. People are always going to find something that seems offensive, especially when it comes to US politics in general. What else would be on the news or on the front page of papers and magazines if there was not someone mad, fighting, or just down right pissed off at someone else. Or maybe in this case, someone going to far in expressing their true feelings but when it comes down to it, personally I defer immediately to freedom of speech and the fact that its not Holder’s fault that his audience may not totally agree with his beliefs or simply his statements for that matter. Overall I believe it is safe to say that there will always be some level of “racial tension” between all racial groups to some extent no matter how far we progress regarding racial tolerance.
I have to admit being black has never gave me to big of a problem that I couldn’t handle. Sure I was followed around in a few stores as I shopped but other times I was left alone and given due respect.
I must say though that Eric Holder’s statement hits one on the head. I think this nation is cowards because if we weren’t there would of never been slavery and there would of never been a need for affirmation and segregation. Man should not have subscripts decided by the color of their skin.
If you hired someone because of their qualities and not their appearance you are a well rounded individual who can respect another to do the job you hired them to do and not be afraid that there credibility is questioned because of how they look. If the black man from Harvard is more qualified then the white man from ( as Sam mentioned in class) Penn State. Then by all means give the job to the black man for he has the qualities that you need. But if this work place consist of all white people and you feel he is not of the right stature that they want him to be, which is white, giving the job to the white man is wrong.
I think we all are a little scared, cowards, to talk about race. Well not be! I’ll be proud to talk about how I feel segregated and only approached and known because I am the easiest one to spot in a room of all Caucasians. I always wonder in a class of thirty do they only remember my name because I am the only black person?
It’s true if our nation were cowards Obama wouldn’t be in office. But isn’t it true that they think of him as part of them because he’s half white. True this fact is but his family tree isn’t posted on his forehead and you can’t tell that he’s half white just but looking at him. Someone would suspect me of being half white before him, and I’m just black!
Eric Holder has my respect to say such honorable words. I think the ones offended are the ones that are guilty of being a racist, subconsciously, and know that they have this fear that he speaks of. They are offended because maybe it wasn’t just the white man he speaks of. Maybe the black men to afraid to say that he believes he is being treated different because of his race. He’s the coward who watches his promotions go to the interns when he has been with the company for years. Maybe the Asian watches the black man get more money and glares at them because he is the one that trained him. He never singled out a race but of course if a black man said it he must be talking about a white man., get over yourself weren’t not that concerned to focus our whole life on the thinking’s of another race.
Don’t be mad that he called you out on a fact that is oh so true, be mad that you are still guilty of being afraid to address issues that you want to know about. Ask how we get our hair this way, straight, long and silky. Take no offence when we curse at you because it’s real and your former thinking’s of typical “black hair” is wrong. Don’t be afraid if we mention that we feel your only our “Friend” to prove you have a diverse group of friends. Talk to us because you want to get to know us. Never had a black friend here’s your chance. Change the thinking’s of the cowards that he speaks of. See a cute black girl go talk to her she just might like to get to know you too. I know that I would not mine if a cute, a word I define the qualities too, white guy would talk to me. And I would take no offense to the fact that he could ask about how I live my life, because I’m sure its be different from how he lived his. I would take no offense if he asked me about weave and how and why I get it? I know some may of never seen or heard of it and I would understand that and try to change that.
If I could I want to shake Eric Holders hand and say “Thank you!”
Race and racism have always been touchy subjects. People take great care in avoiding any leads into a conversation about it, or even to mention a word that is not “PC.” However, as discussed in class it also depends on many factors, such as who is saying what they are saying, where they are saying it, who they are with when they are saying it, and what the circumstances are when saying it. That is sure a lot of “its.” So what is “it”? What is it that makes people utter phrases that could either cause a fist fight borderline riot or cause people to laugh out loud clearly enjoying themselves? Personally, I agree with what Sam says about the Attorney General. It is because he is black that there is so much uproar. If it was George W. or even someone of equal stature and importance, people would probably agree with them, or quite possibly celebrate the fact that someone was brave enough to talk about racism in this country. In fact, I believe people would even respect Bush for calling people of his own race cowards. People would respect him for taking the initiative and being someone to stand up and say what pretty much everyone is thinking. However, as Holder is black, it just reiterates a longstanding dispute within the nation that has been going on for years and years, and makes up a major part of our history. For the most part the majority of racism in America is considering the ongoing argument of blacks vs. whites. So Holder in front of America, calling everyone cowards, though should be okay, was not very smart to due. Holder though, is a part of the small cluster of wealthy blacks in America. Whites also have this small grouping, but Holder has done this and like Obama he has made his mark in history by being involved with the political world. This involvement is a chance to create change with the laws and history that govern our nation, and that can bring about change with the ongoing problem of racism. Granted, even with the government finally taking complete steps to abolish racism, as discusses in class and in previous posts, it is the people that need to accept this, and to be honest I do not see that happening for a long time. Holder’s case is a prime example that despite the small movements and efforts to call out racism and attempts to stop it, the American people still find problems with it. Why? Because it has been and will probably always be a touchy subject, something people will not want to talk about directly and will go to great lengths to avoid. Even if it is addressed, such as the case with Holder, will it even matter; that is to say will it ever change?
Eric Holder’s statements surprised me because I did not expect any political leader much less this nation’s attorney general to speak frankly about race relations in a way that would as usual rile up emotions. He blatantly said that America is a nation of cowards when it comes to discussing race. He describes how Americans will retreat to their racial cocoons when issues become thick instead of confronting them head on. He also portends a future where an extremely diverse America will see its diversity as a burden instead of a blessing. However, his statements have been taken the wrong way or rather have been misinterpreted by many audiences.
Many people feel that his statements were rather like a roadblock of some sort where after periods of racial progress, and in this case the election of an African American president, somebody just has to remind us how still messed up we still are. Conservative’s especially don’t appreciate Holder’s comments. In essence, I agree with Sam Richards in the extent that Eric Holder as an African American and particularly during Black History Month may be viewed as just another black man lecturing whites on their misdeeds and such and such. Anyway, Eric Holder is basically saying that Americans (and most likely white Americans) are merely just too scared to confront race because that is a journey nobody is willing to take.
I found interesting how Eric Holder in summary narrated the experiences of American Blacks and how he felt that African American contributions and innovations were largely ignored and neglected in the vast scheme of American history. Also he states how Americans have a solemn responsibility to tackle the race issue. Now, many people can view Eric Holder’s statements as retrogressive statements where people are being forced to dwell on issues that they personally do not have a stake in. Seriously, how many people see race as a determining factor where they live. So many people live in areas in this country where racial issues do not stick out like a sore thumb, so should they also bear this responsibility too? I personally believe that many Americans are too tired to discuss race. It is less about cowardice, in my opinion. Race has shaped nearly every aspect of this nation and its tentacles are far reaching in virtually everything that people just tire when it comes time to man up and seal the chapter of race once and for all.
One statement that he made that surprised me was that in 50 years there will be no racial majority, but this would be a reason for polarization, not for unification. I would have thought that once there is no majority we, as a nation, would be more equal, simply because there is no one race that is more prominent than any others. It is interesting, and I believe off base, to think that there being no majority race in the United States would have more negative effects than positive ones. His main argument in his speech is that Americans are uncomfortable with talking about race, if this is the case then equalizing the percent of each race present should make it easier, not harder.
Attorney General Holder’s statement that Americans are afraid of talking about race is partially true, and partially false. Americans are afraid of talking about race, but only when they are in the presence of those from another racial background. When people, especially white people, are together they can speak more freely about race and how they really feel about the issue. When we are in the presence of other races, they censor their thoughts and words, for fear of being called a racist.
Although he did not explicitly single out a single group in his speech, the undertone was that he felt that whites were purposely leaving out blacks in the history curriculums in school. I do not think, however, that his claims are unfounded. Through out my experience with the school systems in the United States, I do agree that many aspects of our history regarding blacks are left out, or glossed over, in the American history we are taught. The education system in the United State likes to mention slavery, and then everything after that having to do with race is about how the white people helped to right the wrongs that were committed. They make it seem as though after the Civil War blacks were truly free to do what they wanted, it was only as I got older, and began to read things for myself that I realized that this was not the case.
Holder’s statement that we are a “nation of cowards” is unfounded. Yes, most people do not wish to talk about the difficult issue of race, but if this the product of fear; it cannot be overcome by courage. The way to overcome this fear is to be more accepting of other races, and being more willing to listen to others without judging or misjudging their statements. The reason most people stay silent is because they realize that most people will judge what they say based on the color of their skin. This is why I believe that the first step to overcoming the silence that separates different races is to be more accepting of the different walks of life, and experiences that people have had with race, and trying to understand their point of view.
In regards to Eric Holder’s comments, I agree with him about the fact that people are cowards when it comes to the subject pertaining to race. It annoys me when I hear people say that since President Obama was elected to office that the issues of race have been answered. Yes we have come a long way, but the issues of race are far from being dealt with. The simple fact that he was elected does not simply change everyone’s mentality overnight. When listening to Eric Holder’s comments, he is referring to everyone one in the United States not just one particular group of people. When it comes to issues about race people do become reluctant to discuss it to a certain extent because they feel their comments may be considered offensive. There are some people willing to discuss certain issues but even they probably feel that they can say but so much. I feel that there are certain groups of people that are willing to discuss it more than others. This is a subject that is usually avoided so people won’t get into a confrontation. I feel that the media is exaggerating Holder’s statement by saying that he is referring to white people only. From personal experience it seems as if white people are the most reluctant in discussing this topic. People talk about the whole “white guilt” thing because of this country’s history. I’m not saying we should forget what happened in the past, but learn from it and try to change for the future. Yes there still are people who have racial views, but we should not let those views impose on others as a whole group. I believe that Holder’s comments should be a wake-up call for everyone to be more open when it comes to race and ethnic relations. When issues are portrayed in the media things are blown out of proportion or are not mentioned at as much as other issues. In last week’s blog I would like to know the viewpoints of people from other backgrounds. I would like to know if they think the two recent shootings occurred because due to racism or not.
If this statement was said by someone else like Bush or Clinton, I think the media would not make it into a big deal like they are now. If either one of them had made this statement, they would have been commended for trying to reach out to others. I’m glad that there are courses like soc 119 in higher learning institutes, but I think they should have courses like these in high schools. Holder is completely right when he says that we should have more conversations about race and ethnic relations. There should be more discussions outside of the classrooms.
I don’t find it that shocking that out of a very meaningful speech the only part captured by the media is a part unrepresentative of the rest of the speech. As much as the word coward seemed to bother some listeners I am not sure there is a better description. We were talking in our group this week about fear and the potential of it driving some forms of racism. I think fear runs a lot about racism. I read in an article about how people who are confronted with a claim about racism automatically get on the defense. Some white’s feel confronted when asked about white privilege. Some men feel confronted when asked about male privilege. Some of the rich feel confronted when asked about class privilege. It is a natural reaction. But what really is everyone afraid of? These reactions leave no better description than the word “coward.”
Holder was right in his speech. It is sad that people hide in their “race protected cocoons” where they are safe from the uncomfortable feelings brought upon by our history. We also talked in our group this week about what kind of difference simple conversation could make in racism. What would happen if we left a group of similar skinned people and tried breaking boundaries? Holder referred to it as a “dialogue between the races.” Racism is apparent, maybe not in the sense of the KKK or white supremacy groups (which we learned last week are still alive and kicking), but racism is there in a form of a fear of being judged or not being accepted only because we are different. Dialogue: a simple fix to such a huge problem.
But I don’t think talking is the only thing that people consider scary. I think it is possible that racists stay racist because of a fear of having to accept people. Because in accepting other people we must first accept ourselves. I realize that I don’t truly understand racism and I probably never will. It has never been a part of me. My stance is that no one of us is better than any other. I know racism isn’t specific to a certain group of people, but is it common among people who just don’t understand each other? Is it a misunderstanding that drives a fear? Do racists in some ways feel threatened? And could it all be solved by dialogue? Maybe I have it all wrong, or maybe this is only part. I grew up in a town of white people, I didn’t travel when I was young, and I didn’t know much about other cultures. But I still knew we all deserved equality. I wasn’t understanding something that others misunderstood. I just couldn’t hate. Obviously it is more complex than most of us understand, but maybe it isn’t.
But to end on a positive note I think it is important to notice that whether we want to hear it or not race is being talked about. Our Attorney General thinks racism is going strong and that we need to confront it. Our President is black. We are getting somewhere, but the where to which we are going is still unknown.
I never had an issue talking about race. Maybe it is because I like talking. Maybe it is because I am not afraid to say something that affects me. Maybe it is because I am Filipino myself – I am part of the minority in this country; and I very much experience know how far from racial equality we are. And because I grew up in the Philippines, I can compare the differences of that culture from this one. I have personal experience and understanding of a third world country and I want to share that. I want people to know that it is a big world out there – and not the bedtime story kind. There is so much about the world and people from all over that we do not know about. I have a perspective different from most. And I am proud that it sometimes gives another viewpoint to an otherwise singular talk, thus encouraging discussion.
"In things racial we have always been, and I believe continue to be in too many ways, essentially, a nation of cowards." Are we? From what I have observed, people are not going to talk about race unless forced to do so. Actually, people are not going to talk about issues at all if said issue does not pertain to their lives.
Maybe it is good that Attorney General Eric Holder did not single out a group. It makes everyone upset. And because of this, it makes everyone think; makes everyone question themselves – am I really afraid to discuss about the important issues? Or am I comfortable where I am now?
Then again, why are people upset about this? The facts support him. I’m sure even though the blog did give us links, if we look for statistics and data, we would find that it accurately reflects his statement. Also, Sam Richards mentioned this, if we are not a nation of cowards, then shouldn’t we just let Eric Holder keep his critique? There is a saying in Filipino, “Bato bato sa langit, ang tamaan wag magalit.” I do not exactly know how to explain it in English (literal translation wouldn’t make sense either) But it basically means that one shouldn’t be upset over a broad critique. If one does become upset, that reveals that he or she is affected by the statement and thus the one being talked about – at least that’s the gist of it.
We become so automatic in placing the blame on someone or even refusing to admit it is us. Is it really that hard to talk? Of course we will not be able to please everyone. Of course we wouldn’t want to offend. But there is a need for an open environment and an honest discussion. So yes, maybe there really is a need to feel uncomfortable. That way, we will instigate our own movement. We will change our own surroundings. We just need the will and the drive to do it.
I do not think that any part of what Eric Holder said was particularly outlandish. I do, however, think that to deny that this man meant the use of the word coward to single out every member of the country is unrealistic, naïve, and frankly, stupid. He talks in his speech about how blacks are not appreciated in history and how they are treated with an unequal approach in education. He is obviously alluding in the entire speech to the fact that we need to become more comfortable with racial dialogue and acceptance towards African Americans. Is he including blacks in the meaning of the word "coward" to suggest that they are not accepting of the history of the white race? No, and to suggest so is to miss the entire point of his speech. I think that he has a valid point, and I agree that white people shy away from talking about the shameful history of the members of our ancestry that participated in the slavery of thousands. I know I try to avoid situations where I'm talking about it. I agree with him on the fact that "we, average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about things racial". I want to share a story that relates. I have a younger brother who is in the third grade. He attends a very diverse elementary school in South Eastern PA near Philadelphia, and that would mean that the curriculum that he is taught in his school is included in that which Holder criticizes for not including enough African American history. He has black, Hispanic, and Asian classmates that he plays and interacts with on a daily basis. One day a little while ago he was watching TV and heard the term "racism". He had no idea what the concept was and asked my parents about it at dinner. He thought it was a curse word. My parents had to explain to him what it was and how wrong it is to discriminate against people based on their race. I was disappointed that he did not know the term, but at the same time I found peace in his childhood innocence. He had no idea that there was any reason for anyone to hate the members of his class that he played with everyday just because of the shade of their skin color. Is it wrong that he was never taught about racism? He knows about Martin Luther King Jr. and his contributions, he knows about Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman, but he was never taught in class about the discrimination that these people overcame to be called heroes. This part of our history is often overlooked, but African Americans are not the only victims, and I think that Holder should have mentioned the people in this country other than black people who are discriminated against and whose history is overlooked. Do we celebrate a Native American history month? Are significant Native Americans mentioned in our history textbooks? Absolutely not, but the horrific genocide that the Native American people faced who were the first to inhabit our country is never even mentioned once in the public school curriculum. Again, I agree with Holder when he says that, "this nation still has not come to grips with its racial past, nor has it been willing to contemplate in any truly meaningful way, the diverse future it is fated to have." He also says that we are to have frank conversations on the issues that divide us. I agree. But despite what he alludes to, African Americans are not the only victims. I think that it is human nature not to want to talk about awkward subjects, but we should definitely work on being comfortable about talking about it. It is also necessary to incorporate racism and its wrongness into our educational curriculum to inform the young people of our country so that they will be prepared for the impending increase in diversity in our country.
Truth hurts and yet it sets us free. How very paradoxical that is. Holder's word have a lot of truth to them, which could be why people are upset about them. No one likes to be called out especially when they are being called out be truth. People get upset over being called a coward possibly because they know that maybe they are. Truth hurts. They felt holder's words hit their mark. I do think America has shied away from racial issues. We want to close our eyes and hold our ears hoping that the issues that separate the races will simply go away. Maybe they will go away when there is no dominate race, 50 years from now. But I don't think they will unless we address these issues now they will only get bigger and become larger issues as our country becomes more and more diverse. The gap between races will only widen as time goes on. Holder pushed some buttons he was frank and didn't dance around the issues as so many politicians tend to do. I think it is interesting that people assume that he was talking about white people. He gave no indication of what race he was referring to or if he was referring to any particular race at all. And yet people assume when a black man talks about racism whites are in the wrong. So their natural reaction is to defend themselves, or to take offense even when no offense was intended or even evident. We cannot move forward as a nation, as a diverse society unless we are able to discuss openly the issues that divides our races. We tolerate races sure but does that really help? Does it help to tolerate other races but still hold the animosity so many carry in their hearts? Toleration is not enough. We need to accept other races. I am not saying that we should all be one big happy race. No not at all, we must embrace our differences. We cannot hold grudges against other races, we cannot shy away from race. We need to be able to look at another race and say yeah your different but thats ok thats what makes this world interesting and colorful. What a boring world it would be if we were all the same race and all the same culture. What would we miss out on? Knowing that every where your go no matter if you drive miles and go across oceans that the people you encounter will act the same, dress the same, talk the same, and look the same as where you just came from. We need to act in the freedom that truth gives us and change how we treat and respond to other races. Yeah maybe we are cowards but now that we know that we are free to change how we act and maybe close the ever widening gap between races.
I am not surprised that the media blew Erik Holder’s words out of proportion, but I do agree with what he said to the utmost extent.
So many people in this country like to deny the fact that our founding fathers actually took land that wasn’t theirs to begin with, from the Native Americans, using violent measures. So many people like to deny the fact that this country had slaves for a long string of years and have had justice for too short.
He is absolutely right that people are afraid to talk about this. After all, it is so shameful that our country had once degraded the human race in such a way.
But to not call out the government on wrongdoing, is treason to the country itself.
In the same way, to not come forward and admit that what Americans did, not even centuries, but decades ago, was unjust, is disrespecting our country and all that it stands for. We cannot turn our heads away from something so atrocious. We must see the wrongdoings of the past before we can move forward with any sort of progressive in the future. We can use what we know of the past to realize how much better we can do, and how far we have come. Because we’re ashamed and embarrassed of the horrible atrocities that have occurred, we have the perfect opportunity to learn from them, and show the world, and each other, what we learned.
History textbooks paint too perfect of a picture and act as though Christopher Columbus shook hands with Sacajawea, they cooked corn over the steamy fire, and since then called it Thanksgiving.
Unfortunately, it was not so simple, and nor was it by and large peaceful. Ethnocentrism along with religion has reined the earth and initiated wars and human destruction forever. That we must all admit. Human nature may be innately good, but with that comes our desire for what’s good for us and our children, or our family, or our “type” exclusively.
I think Holder just wants people to start discussing this all without walking on eggshells and balancing teacups on our heads.
How can we ever move past something as a country if we can’t even get it past our lips? History is taught to prevent it’s repetition of mistakes. How many mistakes must be made before the lunacy ends? For those that refuse to admit that this young country is not perfect, and that the mistakes of its past were horrific, I must agree with Erik Holder that they are weak to try to brush off the blame. But it takes a much braver, more honest person to stand up and announce where we went wrong as a country. After all, real change comes from the ones who see the difference in the wrong, and make it right.
I personally do not find anything wrong with the statement made by Eric Holder. And if anything I agree with it. It is clear that in the United States, racism is still very common, but people tend to ignore that it is. All he was trying to say is that Americans are scared to talk about race, as Sam mentioned he didn’t single any group out and was just making a general claim about how American society operates. I think the problem erupts because he is a black man and with him not specifying any group, immediately the white race assumes he is directing his thoughts to them. As Sam also noted when white people hear a black person talking about race they immediately believe that they are pointing their fingers at white people. I do believe that when race comes into the picture black people at times do have more things to say about white people being racist than other groups, but I think this is true because frankly white people give them reasons to feel this way. However, in this particular situation I do not think Holder was directing his statement towards white people. I think he was speaking about the nation as a whole and society’s uncomfortable feelings when it comes to speaking about race. His statement became an issue really because he is a black man. I think if it were said by a white man it wouldn’t have been taken the way it was taken. I feel that if it were given by a white man for some reason it would be assumed that it was directed to everyone and not just a particular group. After viewing the clip of Eric Holder, I think that he was really just attempting to encourage the people of the United States to be more open to interacting and understand all different races. Because Americans have elected a man of color for president, I think they feel that our country has really gotten past all of the racial issues that we have within the country. However this is definitely not the case. I think Holder was trying to stress the fact that there are many barriers to break down when it comes to race in the United States. I think his attempt to address this situation reflects his courage, but I don’t think it will have enough affect on people to actually change their ways. He uses the word “cowards” and to me I think this does and does not apply to American people. For some Americans, it applies because they are well educated, have experience in interacting with other races and still continue to be ignorant in the area of race relations. For this ignorance they should be called cowards. In other cases, however, there are Americans who lack education or experience with races other than their own, and calling them cowards I think would be unfair. It is more understandable for these people to be ignorant in the subject of race relations, because they haven’t had a chance to learn or understand anything more than what they know about race and/or other racial groups. Therefore, I think his overall message was appropriate in that it is time for Americans to stop ignoring race and stand up to the racial issues that continue to surround us everyday.
I do not personally take offense to Eric Holder’s comment. I think he was honest and legitimate with his statement. The definition of coward is, “somebody who is too easily or too greatly frightened.” This is right on point with how whites in particular react when confronted with a conversation dealing with race. Generally, we create a boundary with race related conversations and discussions and make it a point to sensor 50 percent of what we really believe. In most cases, we pay close attention to the comments we make in order to avoid offending another party. We also monitor what we say in order to avoid feeling judged. There is no denying that things get more complicated when the topic of race arises. We spend a lot of time worrying about what is appropriate or inappropriate to incorporate in the conversation. I think most people screen their deeper, more intense opinions in order to not over step a boundary. But the hard part, in most cases is identifying that boundary.
The less we confront the issues, the more the “cowards” will hang around. Since there still exist major inequalities in this world, people find it uncomfortable talking about race related topics, especially in an interracial group. All people react differently when the issue arises and some deal with it more maturely and objectively than others. It is obviously difficult for a black man or woman to detach him or herself personally from the conversation but it would clearly make for a better argument or intense discussion.
I know if I am holding a conversation about race with an interracial friend, peer or acquaintance, I pay close attention to their comments before I make any of my own. I use their remarks to gage my own. There do exist remarks that white people are forbidden to utter while black people, in most cases give themselves permission to use loosely. In the comfort of ones own home and around friends and family that you trust, of the same racial background, you are uninhibited and speak whatever emotions you feel. However, put that person in a classroom with a plethora of interracial individuals, and they no longer have an opinion.
There is a definite chance that the more we talk about race and hear what people have to say about their own heritage and such, that the barrier will abolish. Because it is true that with greater knowledge, comes more understanding. By being educated by ones peers and friends of different races, and talking about opinions and true and false stereotypes, people will begin to relate and feel less of a sense of segregation.
If there were no cowards, we probably would not sign up for classes like Sociology 119.
Thank God somebody finally had the audacity to speak on this! I was just sick of floating through life as though everyone and everything is peachy and creamy and as if people of different races and cultures don’t smile in your face in public but talk about each other like enemies in the comfort of their homes. I’d like to think that Eric Holder’s statements in that video secreted the deep truth from the heart of our nation rather than plucked blood vessels from it. In addition, Sam’s question really makes you think about why we get so hype when people make comments about race and then if it comes from a minority; where the generalization that it’s directed towards white people originated from? I think that it’s truly our guilty conscience bitch-smacking us in the face when we as a human race do things like this. All that Holder is doing is pinpointing our weakest flaw. I don’t see the fault in that! But, so many small-minded people do… and that’s scary. I used to wonder why people never wanted to bring up these three categories: race, religion, and politics. Whether we’re on the job, at a party, or just at the dinner table, most Americans try to stay away from this subject. But why? They’re just topics! If you ask me, I think we already have an idea that the presumptions, which have been set and passed on from generation to generation, are predominantly false. So why have the majority of people up to present day followed them? Well, like Holder said, “We are a nation of cowards”. Our Christian, heavenly birthed, blood marinated soil that we so proudly declare has been sugar-coated with lies after lies and gets worst as the “top of the food chain” demands more deterministic individuals. This country is nothing but crabs in a barrel but with the lid closed shut. We say this is an equal opportunity but clearly people don’t have equal pay checks, equal human rights, and equal healthcare plans because of their “unequal” skin color. You see, my main point is that when we as a whole don’t talk about race it becomes this big green Boogie-Monster that grows bigger and bigger under our beds and in our closets as the years breeze though. As a result of this, fear (mankind’s ultimate flaw) gets the best of us and then we begin to single out those who hold the key to our hidden character. Moreover, I’ve always wondered why words offend us so much. Sort of like how we get so upset about people lying to us but unintentionally we’re the ones causing them to lie because of failure to accept truth in its rawest forms. What Eric Holder said was not “reprehensible” and “inflammatory”; it was a piece of verbal literature of our history that wasn’t included in the Declaration of Independence. This may sound totally off-topic but, reading this blog made me seriously think about something so surreal: I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like if every person on this planet had to take a race relations class. LOL! It would probably resemble a boxing match that had each opponent’s “tolerant aura” backed up into a corner.
In many ways I completely agree with our new Attorney General, Eric Holder, when it comes to the discussion of race and how it applies to our everyday lives. The lines of communication, while open, do not fully express the true sentiments on either side of this racial divide that has existed since the introduction of Blacks to this country. The way men and women of different race interact in this country is, perhaps, far more outgoing and liberal than in other nations across the world, but still has much room to grow. However, the claim that we are cowards for not bridging this divide without second thought goes a little far, though I do not see this as blame put solely on the white population. While Holder states that he does not expect there to be any racial majority in this country within the next 50 years, specifically targeting Whites, this speech applies to Blacks as well as Hispanics and any other ethnicity or race. Meeting others at the table is an appropriate means to open peaceful, understanding conversation so as to gain knowledge and support from people of other races, and even those of the same race. But meeting them at the door and keeping your personal life separate from your public life when it comes to matters of racial discussion is what many Americans do, and the data does back this attitude.
There is a great difference between what many individuals desire in this country and what is desirable as a whole. While the population struggles to form a more perfect union, freedom, tolerance, and equality being the end goal of our efforts, the individual often strives only for the status quo, or the normal. Without putting your emotions on the line, forfeiting yourself to foreign territory, there can be no gain. It may be easier for someone to insulate themselves with others of the same race, so as never to be forced to speak about these relations, and live a happy, stress free life. Yet knowledge and understanding are out of reach in these circumstances, and we are left with the nation described by Attorney General Holder; where we neither know nor care much for what other races endure, or what their culture has to offer. In recent decades the call to act has become less and less prevalent, and apathy has become the dominant mindset. To protest, to speak out, to act is to alienate oneself from the whole, and this is true not just with race and discussion, but politics, crime, and war. No more than 25 years ago, students would cause an uproar for something as unpopular as the war in Iraq, or the mistreatment of prisoners of war, or racial crimes committed in our own country. Today, such actions would be even more unpopular than the war itself, the act of protest a social blunder, and those behind it deemed outcasts. And so when Eric Holder chooses to break this mold of apathy and ineptitude, he is consequently ridiculed for his passion and desire for a better world.
When America’s new Attorney General, Eric Holder, an African American man, spoke on CNN’s broadcast last Wednesday, he presented a topic that many choose to avoid on a daily basis. He asserts that Americans do not talk about the “racial matters that continue to divide us” as a country. His statement caught many off guard, seeing as though his comment calling us “a nation of cowards” was taken personally, especially by whites, although he never specified a group of people he was referring to. In my opinion, I admire Holder for reacting to a topic that many are too afraid to speak about and feel as though it is important to discuss this issue because our new president is of African descent. Attorney General Holder states that America has never come to “grips with its racial past” and is yet to solve any racial issues that guide our “diverse future”. I think that his speech was not an attack at all on anyone specific, but more of a universal problem that all racial groups commit and suffer from.
Every race has there own prejudices and in Holder’s eyes, as a whole society of Americans, we are yet to overcome this discrepancy and become one as a society despite our race. We live our lives in a way that makes people cooperate with other races but not really mold together as one, which is a problem in itself, but the fact that Americans are scared to even discuss the issue is even worse. Racism cannot be solved unless people, like Eric Holder, initiate conversation and get people talking and identifying problems and devising solutions. Times are changing, with the election of President Barack Obama, the discussion of race should be acknowledged. But just because American nominated a black president it does not mean that Americans as a whole are no longer racists.
Additionally, People should not just assume that because a black man is critiquing the racial issues of our culture that he automatically is referring to how people discriminate about his race. Our country needs to view each other as equals and not by the color of our skin or ethnic descent. Each and every American citizen is unique, which is what makes America the powerful melting pot that it is. Because people, whites especially, are’ angered by General Holder’s words, it proves that they are in fact cowards who can’t deal with racial issues. They instead turn it into a personal attack on themselves to gain attention and sympathy. In all, I believe that General Holder is trying to tell our society that we need to strive be accepting of all people, and in order to initiate this, we must discuss our issues and overcome all the “cowards”.
Although I cannot say whether Mr. Holder was referring to black, brown, or white people, I would like to believe that he is referring to everyone – every race. Basically, just because you are black does not mean that race is still not an issue that needs to be addressed and, if you are white or brown or whatever color you are, this goes for you too. I believe he was referring to Americans as a whole – Americans of every race.
I do not believe he is wrong in making the claim that Americans are afraid to discuss race. We all tend to assume that white people are afraid to talk about race. They think their words will be taken as racist or people will think since they are white they are talking about something they do not know about. Then again, people of other races that roll their eyes when white people try to talk about race and open up and relate, are also being cowards. They do not want to hear what the other race has to say about their experiences and maybe some don’t even want the other race to try to relate to them. Maybe that is a type of blasphemy. Some people are scared to speak up because of the response they will get, others do not want to hear someone of another race trying to understand, and I’m sure there are more reasons we hold off our conversations…
Either way, race ends up being a topic that no one wants to bring up. Look at Mr. Holder, all he did was try to speak the truth about race and he is now facing an angry public. Why is that - that someone cannot speak freely about race? Obviously, we are NOT over the race issue. If someone is truly over something that happened in the past, they can freely and openly talk about it. If, however, that something is still a sore spot that has not completely healed then people tend to stay away from the topic; they are not ready to discuss it. If we relate this scenario to race, we still have a very sore spot that we need to help heal by talking and getting unspoken anger, misconceptions, etc. out into the open.
Since no one wants to talk about race, we attempt to live in a way that makes us appear colorblind to onlookers. Because that’s what is important – that everyone else thinks that we are NOT racist, and that we are all for equality for everyone. However, secretly our feelings toward one and other fester. We whisper to our close friends or to ourselves, “Those (insert race here) people…they’re no good, they can’t drive, they’re ruining this town, etc.” Instead of talking to each other, getting our feelings out there, asking questions, and trying to understand, we let our secretly unequal feelings build. We let misconceptions (developed from growing up in differently places and in different skins) continue instead of throwing them out in exchange for some clarity.
And sure, some people say, “But I freely talk with others about race. I don’t generalize.” Well, either you do, but you would rather not admit that or you really are one of the few colorblind people. Either way, I still believe this is an issue we have to address as Americans so that we can truly unite as a nation instead of groups of ethnicities/races.
I agree with Eric Holder. In all honesty, I believe most people – white and black, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, Democrat and Republican, even American and foreign – do, too. Furthermore, I believe everyone should agree with Eric Holder --- not because he is the United States Attorney General or a prominent African American, but simply because he is absolutely right. According to his claim (appropriately translated by Professor Richards), Americans are afraid to discuss race. Really? Yes, definitely. Shocking revelation? Nope, nada, negative. Headline news? Not exactly … actually, not at all. Notice the verb in Eric Holder’s claim – are – literally means definitive, certain and true. Also notice that the verb is not may be or might be, which leaves the door open for uncertainty to creep in and arouse denial, thus making the claim appear more like opinion and less like fact. Unfortunately, there is no denying Eric Holder’s claim. It is accurate. It is truth. It is fact. Americans are afraid – very, very, very … I might add – to discuss race. Americans are even afraid of that word, unless it has nothing to do with skin color and everything to do with 40 or so cars going in circles for five hours in the blistering sun while they throw back can after can and bottle after bottle of Miller Light. In fact, race has triumphantly joined religion, abortion and gay marriage atop the Mount Rushmore of Topics Americans are Afraid to Discuss. As a member of this prestigious club, any educated, substantial, or warranted comment about this topic will be simply overlooked in our country. Instead, Americans will avoid discussing the comment (you know, like thrusting the issue into the mainstream to open a national dialogue and foster discussion so that something might change for the better in the future) and focus their collective attention on attacking the person that said it. It is the classic style over substance argument (a fallacy, by the way), employed so often in cases like this. Of all of the coverage surrounding Eric Holder’s comments, only a small percentage has actually discussed what he said. The majority of the coverage has focused on how he said it. Some criticized Eric Holder’s demeanor and word choice were “careless.” Perhaps they have a point. Perhaps coward was too strong of a word. Yet, if he chose a milder word, would his comments have riled any feathers? Would he have sparked any passion and emotions about race relations in America? Others argued that Eric Holder, the Attorney General of the United States, does not get to say what is on his mind, does not get to make comments about race. This argument may have some validity, too. However, if he is not the one shedding light and attention on this topic, then who is? Eric Holder definitely went on the limb and made questionable comments. But his actions, I believe, were intended to cause good and foster change. Now its up to Americans to do so, using his words as fuel.
I would have to agree that there is a large amount of cowardice with respect to discussing or tackling the topic of race. It’s crazy how after all these years that remains the same. NOBOBY wants to talk about it. What are we so scared of? I think this reluctance is for several reasons for people of EVERY ethnicity. One reason is because there is a large fear of being seen as a racist. Also, even if you aren’t afraid of being seen as a racist, you may just be scared of saying the wrong thing. I also think that people who are nonwhite are often afraid of being depicted as the angry militant or liberal “minority”. However, I can say that none of these really scare me at all. I mean, people will think what they want about you anyway so why not say and do what you want to while you are at it. I am assuming that the majority of the people in SOC 119 feel the same way, and are not just taking the class because its an easy A( Although I know many people are but I will give the benefit of the doubt). I wish we did have more conversations about these things because even in the small groups we have for this class there seems to be a lot that NEEDS to be talk about and cleared up. Perhaps if we all had these conversations in our homes, schools, and places of work we would have a lot less to disagree about and Eric Holder wouldn’t have to call the entire county out on national television. I didn’t at all see anything wrong with him saying what he did especially because he wasn’t accusing anyone….mmm guilty conscious. Damn those sensitive Conservatives…always complaining about something, right? I think is interesting to suggest that had he chose a word other than “coward” (like maybe used reluctant) there probably would have been no complaint. Maybe some people felt emasculated? I truly think that that is the real issue with the word coward here. I see what Sam was saying with White people feeling like they were being criticized but I feel there is something wrong here and someone NEEDS to criticize this country for dragging its feet and its lackadaisical stance on race. I am so tired of the progressive thinkers of our country being seen as radical and outrageous, they are doing what we ALL are suppose to be doing as Americans. They are trying to TRULY make this the land of the free and the home of the brave. So if someone( like Eric holder) has to put us all in check and let us know that we are not doing enough once in a while, everyone should take a second to think about what we have all promised to uphold as Americans and stop attacking the messenger…Please.
“American Cowards”
I think Eric Holder hit it right on the money with what he said. In this sense of race, people are cowards. Everyone is afraid to talk about race because they feel that they are going to piss someone off or be persecuted against. And everyone is to blame for this; blacks, whites, browns, etc. We are a nation of many different cultures, religions, races, and many people just need to put their shields down and start talking about our differences and stop pretending like we are all the same. The problem is someone will say something about race, and someone will misconstrue and make it seem like that person is racist. For a white person, if you say something that a black person, Asian person, etc. finds offensive for some ungodly reason, then they are considered a Nazi and will most likely be fired from whatever position they are in. If a black man says something that a white person finds offensive for similar idiotic reasons, they will be considered a black panther chanting “kill whitey.”
Of course there are people who do say offensive things that should be looked down upon and are, but most of the time, people will hear something, make and opinion on it and blow it out proportion for no reason. The Eric Holder situation is just one of many examples of this stupidity. The people criticizing his words more than likely took it as him calling white people racist which made them feel backed in a corner, so they lashed out for no reason. Like Sam said, Holder never mentioned a particular race, but since he’s black we just assume that he was calling out white people, and white people went crazy.
On the flip side, when Trent Lott said something along the lines that our country would be better if Strom Thurmond was elected President, people went insane and called him a racist because Thurmond ran on a segregation platform. All Trent Lott was doing was trying to say something nice to a 175 year old man (approximately) on his birthday and people went crazy. If he said something along the lines of “our country would be better off if Strom Thurmond was elected President, because his ideals and platform would still be carried out today,” then you have an argument. Is this what Trent Lott meant? Maybe, but did we even give him the chance to explain himself? Of course not, we chastised him, forced him to resign as Senate Republican leader and left him for dead. This country blows every little thing out of proportion and it’s a shame, because if we allowed ourselves to see it from the perspective of the other side, maybe we wouldn’t even have to have Eric Holder make the comments he did.
As I listened to Eric Holder’s speech, I found that I mostly agreed with the fact that many Americans are indeed afraid to talk about race. These people who are getting upset by the fact that he called American’s “cowards” do not really understand what he is trying to say. To solve any problem, it must first be uncovered. Clearly, the issues of race are exposed for all to see in this present day and time. The next step to coming up with a solution to an issue is to discuss the factors that are creating the concern in the first place. Without this step there is not way to determine why a problem really is a problem. The answer of it just is really doesn’t get you anywhere because it unveils no possible solutions. As the issue is discussed, the underlying causes will be exposed. It is simply the act of uncovering the roots. The reason this isn’t happening in America is because many people are afraid to talk about race. This is because people are far too touchy when it comes to race. Everyone is offended by the drop of a pin. If you say something trying not to offend something, there is always that one person who twists your words to make it seem like you said something wrong. An example of this is the ever-used line in movies where the nervous white guy says something to a black person and gets the response, “what do you mean you people?” Although I don’t exactly see this in real life, it still exemplifies exactly what the true problem is: many people are not brave enough to stand up and say what they really want to say. Much of their meaning is lost in the fear to not be politically correct or to offend someone. Personally, I think the whole “politically correct” concept is ridiculous. I think people should talk how they want to talk. That is the only way that any trace of racism can truly be beaten. That said there is one aspect of Holder’s speech that I really did not agree with. I think his claims of the unequal treatment to black history are ridiculous. This is especially false in his statement of the educational system. All throughout my schooling career, I have been taught about black history. Frankly I don’t even know how it could become “more important,” in that it already has a special month dedicated to it. I’m sure my statement would be argued with, “…but one month is not enough, it should be completely integrated into history teachings.” Of course, my rebuttal would be to ask where they went to school because my experience shows me it is very much integrated into normal history lessons. Also, as Holder talks he refers to black history as the utmost important and essential history to learn. He claims that this country was built on black history. I don’t like this statement much at all. I want to make clear that I don’t say this just from the standpoint of some little white boy thinking that Holder is some crazy advocate of black power. I simply say this because history is just that: history. It is all the things in the past that have made the present and will in turn create the future. However, my differentiation from Holder’s statement is that all America was built on everyone’s history. Granted, black history is absolutely part of this history, but so are Native American history, Spanish history, Irish history, Asian history, and all other possible histories. The point I’m really trying to convey is that instead of trying to make a certain aspect of the past more important to arrange equality, we need to accept that everything that has happened in the past is important history and should be seen as simply history and not separate by races.
As for the speech that Attorney General, Eric Holder gave, I think it was a good speech, and it is pretty much the entire reason for this class. The first thing that came to my mind was the first day of class when it was said that when a white person is put in the race circle to talk about race, that they are unable to project their views because, almost undoubtedly, they wouldn’t be taken seriously; for this reason white people do not talk about race, or their interactions with it. I am guilty of this. There was one black girl in my community and race topics never came up with her, but I think it went both ways- neither her nor anyone else wanted to talk about it because that would just seclude her from the rest of us. But I always thought, ‘I wonder if she wants to talk about anything, like her own identity’. But as race relations go, it was never talked about.
This brings me to the idea that race relations are not between white and colored people, and the fact that people were insulted by the statement, “In things racial we have always been, and I believe continue to be in too many ways, essentially, a nation of cowards” is just one of those things when people can’t handle the truth. We’ve gone a long way, beyond holding people back because of their race, i.e. Obama, but I do not know how different it really is in day-to-day life. I believe in this community, of such diversity, race is not a huge issue. For example, I was talking with my friend last night, who is Mexican, he was telling me how generally Mexicans and Puerto Ricans do not like each other. He met a girl over the weekend and when they were exchanging numbers she asked if he was Mexican, when she replied yes, she simply said, ‘Oh, I’m Puerto Rican. We’re not supposed to like each other’. He said ‘Oh.’ Then she went on to say that they can be friends anyway. He was relieved. This exemplifies two things: race is not a large problem at this University, and that race is not between white and colored people- this is the context which people need to address what Attorney General Holder said.
White and color is only one aspect of race relations. Attorney General Holder’s speech was addressing black history and he too is black, so I understand why people would be offended when being called ‘cowards’, but only true ‘cowards’ would be offended by being called so. It’s hard for older people to change their ways, but I believe this future generation is going to be able to talk about race in a different way, which I think would make Holder proud.
Is it really such a far stretch to say that Americans are afraid to talk about race? I don’t really think so. I’m not sure that calling Americans “cowards” was exactly the best choice of words, as most people would be immediately offended by this, and disregard the purpose of Attorney General Eric Holder’s words, but I would have to, at the very least, half agree with him. It is true that in the history of the United States, race has not really been a topic well dealt with. It has, in the lives of many, been a topic discussed with straight-up hatred and discrimination, and in the lives of others who don’t feel this hate, it has more often been ignored, avoided, because many people are afraid to talk about it. So if fear of talking about race makes American’s “cowards,” then I guess Holder is right. I think the root of fear of talking about race comes from a few different sources: 1 – people worry that in talking about race, they will somehow offend another race, which will increase one’s feelings of racism, even though the intent of the conversation was to make improvement in the issue. 2 – some people may feel pressured to express feelings about race, when they don’t really have all the facts to support their views. 3 – some people may not feel the need to talk about race, thinking it is not really a big issue for the United States. 4 - some people have never really been given an appropriate opportunity to talk about race, so it may seem uncomfortable for them to do so when put in the situation. I am hopeful that this fear of talking about race will decrease in our generations future. Our parents, were most likely never given the opportunity to talk about race or race was not seen as something acceptable for them to talk about growing up. For us, and I see this much more commonly in college, we are provoked to think and talk about race in almost all of our college courses. Programs like the Race Relations Project, force you to be in a small group with people of different races and really think about what your ideas are about race and voice them to others in a nondiscriminatory environment. This is a great concept, because it really gets you thinking and then when you see other people later in the day or week, you may bring up some of the topics you discussed and share it with them and get their viewpoint. It initiates a cycle of conversation about race and really gets everyone thinking. The key to talking about race is having the facts to know what you are talking about, and having a setting where everyone can express their own personal opinion, openly and without threat. The more this is able to happen, I believe the more people will stop being afraid to talk about race.
I do not think there is anything wrong with him making the claim that Americans are afraid about talking about race because this is definitely the truth. I think the major problem was the fact that an African American man said this and not a white man. Often times, I feel like white people feel some sort of guilt for the oppression of black people so they feel rather uncomfortable talking about racism, because they know what their ancestors did was very wrong and they feel really bad about it. In addition, no one likes the feeling of guilt and knowing that their actions were wrong so it is a topic that white people would just rather ignore and look to other issues. Eric Holder is not off base for saying that Americans are cowards he is simply telling the truth. He calls things how he sees things, and that attitude of frankness I admire. In a way I feel like people are assuming that when he said Americans are cowards he was specifically talking about white people because most black people enjoy talking about the oppressions and struggles that they and their ancestors have been through, where as white people so not particularly care about talking about how cruel they were to African Americans in the past, and the ones that are still racist do not want to bluntly be out in the open about the way they really feel.
If George Bush or Bill Clinton were saying this it would definitely be as controversial as it is right now. People would not take this as a racial attack like the way they are right now. It would just be a vague description of the way all Americans are behaving, but as soon as African American man says something it is always controversial. I guess just the way things are going to be and probably won’t change for a while. To defend peoples cowardness they are saying that they elected an African American president, but too me that means nothing. Racism still exists and it is still extremely pervasive and just because we have a black president now does not mean that racism just magically disappeared. It shows that America has significantly progressed and that Black people have jumped over a major hurdle, but racism does still exists. So the excuse that we have a black president is not enough for me to be convinced that Americans are not cowards. In addition, if we are not a nation full of cowards then we would have just accepted his statement and moved on and not have tried to be so defensive. In my eyes Americans are cowards that are afraid to talk about race so I do agree with his statement.
I agree with Holder’s statements regarding the current and historical racial issues in the United States. I also believe in him referring to our feelings regarding race as uncomfortable and our inability to discuss these things openly with one another. I don’t necessarily feel that no one has put attention toward the future of racial equality and treatment. It may be because I surround myself with open-minded people but I do feel that my generation is beginning to discuss and become comfortable with racial differences. I understand that there is a long way we need to go before African Americans/blacks are completely equal but there is also a long way to go with respect to women’s rights and respect for Muslims in this country. I understand what Holder is trying to say but I do feel that his speechwriter could have chosen words more carefully and placed an emphasis on progress toward the end. Yes there is still along way to go but if you look at how our grandparents were raised and what they believe compared to what our parents and now us believe and practice in everyday life you can see a drastic difference in how stereotypes and racial interactions are played out. On the remark of being cowards I am a little confused at what he was trying to get at. On one hand I understand is passion for wanting everyone to step up to the plate and discuss inequality but why not mention women still being payed less for equal if not superior work or the automatic terrorist stereotype associated with Muslim Americans? Is it because that these topics would cause too much controversy in the justice department? I hope that the overall intention of his speech was to get people talking about this and other topics of inequality in America at the water cooler the next day.
On a side note I think the point where he says that he used to be a history professor is funny because I remember recent history leading up to the election where all that was being discussed in politics and election polls was race. Everything that happened was compared to how it would have been taken if Obama was white; if people would still consider him as inspirational if he was of a different skin tone. I believe that his overall statement was meant to provoke people into talking about racial inequalities that still exist, but I don’t think that these are the only things we should be discussing in our society today. Yes there should be an open dialogue on race but it should pertain more toward ethnicity and cultural practice than it should to the color of someone’s skin. We should also focus on how gender and religion are still formed into a hierarchy in our country.
The reason I think Eric Holder found himself in hot water is because he drew attention to something that makes Americans look bad. While some people would prefer to shy away from the race issue, he, like many others have done so lately, was no afraid to bring the controversial topic up and was courageous enough to start pointing some fingers. There is clear evidence that prejudice and racial lines still exist and it takes courage just to bring up awareness of the idea. I think by calling people “cowards” he was trying to make people see that by shying away from racial issues, they are not making them go away, but rather ignoring a truth that is there. It’s like the old adage, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Those who choose to not be cognizant of our nation’s problems generally are not able to contribute in making things better.
As for did he intend to point the finger at one group? My opinion is he was pointing his finger at none other than the American population in general. I also do not think he needs to apologize for anything he said. He is a politician and in his profession most things they say and do will be scrutinized more closely by the public, but that does not take away his right to free speech and his opinions. By stirring up a crowd one can cause good and at least get people talking about the issue rather than just ignoring it, like he believed so many people do on a regular basis. Some people may try to point fingers and skew Holder’s words to sound more outrageous than they were, but as an educated man, I find it hard to swallow that he would make an openly controversial comment and actually direct it at one group. If this was anyone else, such as the President, it would probably be scrutinized even more. We would hear it over and over again on the news and we would be hearing two completely different stories depending on what news station or paper you were reading.
I think all races need to realize that everything is not always black and white and that a man, no matter his race, can make a comment and have it apply to all kinds of people. At the same time, whether I agree or disagree with his comments is really irrelevant in this case. I think the man should be able to speak openly about anything he wishes and the fact he is an elected official, the people chose him to speak for them and make decisions for us. I think we should at least consider what he says and if you disagree, than just take it with a grain of salt. Not every word out of every person’s mouth needs to be taken to heart and it is our right not to believe or support everything we here, but to simply not chastise anyone else for their beliefs and opinions.
In responding to the blog American Cowards is that the new Attorney General Eric Holder was expressing his beliefs of why Americans should talk about race more. Mr. Holder himself says that Americans are too scared to talk about race. He didn’t specify which race or races are scared to talk about race. I believe mainly that the African American race and the White race are really skeptical to discuss about race. Reason being for 400 hundred some years the White race had the African American race in slavery, and that can be really touchy for both the African American race and the White race to deal with. I figure that the majority of the people want to stay away from that conversation. Eric Holder has a point, basically don’t censor things such as race because its history. Sometimes history can hurt to talk about it and especially race mainly from the African American and the White race. Today African Americans go through a lot of racism and oppression in general. Another reason why some of the people in one race group don’t want to talk about race to another race group is that they don’t want to offend the group from a different race. The subject about race, especially from the African Americans and White race can bring a lot of anger and hatred towards one another. Bringing the race thing up especially to the African American race could bring anger towards the groups like I mentioned before slavery, law enforcement racially profile African Americans, lynching of African Americans, and the slave master raping the African American females regardless if they had a boyfriend or married to a man. Topics like that can cause lot hostility between both African Americans and the White race. Attorney General Eric Holder discusses about racism or anti-racism or racial preferences of how we live our lives and have to tolerate other races besides yours. Besides, every race in the world has some people in the race group that believes in ethnocentrism and that there race is the best and all others are under them. I believe that everyone deserves respect no matter what race are you. There is a line everyone should draw to a certain extent because everyone has to be careful of what to say. Sometimes is not what you say but it’s you say it. I believe that a lot of people still believe in censorship because they want to see everyone as equal. If society still focus on race instead of the person for who they, then we as America haven’t grown very far to put racism behind. Today racism is still a very sensitive topic to discuss about.
I listened to that video at least two times and I read Sam’s blog at least three, and I still cannot come up with one reason as to why people could find this to be offensive. I agree with Eric Holder one hundred percent. Take a look around the United States. We’re the “land of the free” and we are extremely diverse, but are we all comfortable around each race? More than likely you’re answer is “no.” Why is that? Why aren’t we comfortable around each race? I think we are just ignorant to what other cultures can bring to us here in the US. I think we are afraid that with all these different ethnic groups coming over and allowing them to practice their own beliefs, we are afraid that they will take over. Is that what it is? Or are we afraid that if we speak and interact with people of different races and cultures we may offend them? Either way, we are just backing away from the race issue just trying to get by day-by-day without having to deal with the racial component of our country.
Eric Holder never indicated which racial groups are cowards. He just said “Americans.” Someone heard that and along the way it was changed so people thought that it was geared towards whites. Doesn’t it seem like this always happens? Someone says something in which someone else heard, so the person who heard tells someone else and then they tell someone else, and by the time the last person hears, the message is completely changed. I’m glad that Sam included the video so we could hear the exact words that Holder said. Not once did I hear that whites were cowards. And I am thankful for that.
Just connecting with the “Making Peace...” book we have to read: Laurie Mulvey says that everyone experiences some kind of situation dealing with race. For example, you, as a white person, get on an elevator, but when the doors open, there is a white woman and a black man already on. You have to make a decision: stand in the space next to the white woman and have the black man think you’re racist, or, stand in the space next to the black man so the man doesn’t think you are racist but he still thinks you are because you chose to stand next to him. You’re between a rock and a hard place, what can you do? That whole thought process, to me, seems cowardly. You’re scared to make the wrong decision, but in the end, you’ll always be wrong because you will always be labeled as a racist. Laurie, however, also says in her book, that it isn’t just white people with this problem. Black people also face this problem as well as Mexican, Latino, and Indian people.
My point is this: people change words around to make it fit what they expect or want it to fit. Eric Holder simply said that Americans are cowards when it comes to race relations, and he’s right.
I think that there is nothing wrong with the claim made by Attorney General Eric Holder because I think it is very honest. He is only talking about this country as it really is. He did not single out any group, but instead just talked about a culmination of things regarding our fear of race and of the history. I can say that I agree with Mr. Holder because what he said rang true in my ears. Race relation issues still exist in this world; I have seen them first hand by being a Latina. If they didn’t exist, I’m not sure we would even have SOC 119. We may think that we do, but we do not talk enough about things that relate to race. We are afraid. By being in SOC 119, I believe that this is one of the first times where I have really truly talked about race without boundaries and without fear. Even so, it is not something that is easy to talk about, it is very difficult, but the fact that we are doing it is great and it is something that does not happen enough in our every day world. I do think that most people have learned to at least put out a front to others that they are tolerable, but in the end I believe that although people may portray themselves as being tolerable, there are times where they absolutely are neither tolerable nor comfortable. Dialogue between races is so important. It allows us to see through another’s perspective, to build an understanding, and to find similarities and it does not happen nearly enough. Diversity is something that is so prevalent in our country so I do not understand how we can prosper if we do not face this problem of being “cowards” and talking about racial matters. When Mr. Holder spoke about freedom, it really made me think, are we really free? Yes we have a great country that to the world is seen as strong and powerful and “the land of the free”, but I cannot say that I always believe that this is true. Although we have many rights, I do not by any means think we are free, especially people of different races or women compared to men. Others had to work hard in order for us to be where we are today and it did not come easily. This also relates to the history that Mr. Holder suggested that we never hear about or see. These are the things that we must search for, we have to stop being afraid of race, and we have to accept that some people in this country are in face, cowards.
Obviously, the issue of race in this country like he said is something “we have never been at ease with.” The whole point of this class is “to have frank racial conversations.” We celebrate black history month and that is possibly because the struggle for African American rights in has been one of the most vocal battles for equality based on race. But it certainly was not the first and probably will not be the last. What about a Native American month? Why don’t we have one of those? Certainly, there are influential Native Americans who have fought for equality and made substantial contributions to society.
Race is one of those things where I think it makes sense to say the first thing that comes to your mind no matter how controversial or hurtful it may sound. Then, once such a comment leaves your mouth, you have to question where those thoughts came from? Was it because something happened to you or because of something you saw or heard? Although it may be embarrassing to have others hear what you’ve said, the more people that hear your comments, the more suggestions you have to help in finding your freedom. If people try to monitor what they say then how we truly feel about all things racial will continue to be a facade and whether we realize it or not, our true feelings will be subtly passed on from generation to generation because other humans are the largest influence on our lives .
This post reminds me of a post from earlier this year discussing whether we felt Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream came true with the election of Obama. If I remember correctly, the majority of African American’s and black people in general thought that it was, (I do not remember the statistics for whites). In his famous speech MLK said, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." If we truly lived by the creed of this nation then we would consider every single person in this nation to be equal no matter the religion, ethnicity, body build, etc. But the fact of the matter is that we don’t. This is emphasized by the strong reactions people had to Attorney General Erick Holder’s proposition to have more discussions about race. It’s like people are getting so defensive to cover up the truth of the matter which is that by and large there are still quite a few of us that have racist thoughts (which is not necessarily a bad thing per say because many of those ideas come from a lack of knowledge, but never the less is something that can be dealt with through discussion.)
This is a really great example of the fact that the truth hurts. Attorney General Eric Holder has a lot of guts standing up and putting the racial issues America continues to face on national television for the country to see. Not that it’s anything new. It is just something we are not used to hearing. Until Sam’s class, I never really thought about race at all. Besides a few Indian friends, I honestly do not have many friends of a different race. Race is just something that is not EVER spoken about – except in Sam’s class of course. So it really is less than surprising that Holder is getting such a bad rep and backlash for merely bringing to television what we all know. On a side note, I view backlash as an indication of a guilty conscience. Guilty white people, anyone?
I found nothing in his statement to be outlandish or even worthy of bad press. If anything, it should be good press. But could you imagine the headline on the USA Today being “Attorney General Holder to end racism in America”? Absolutely not! Why? Well because there is no racism in America, of course, and therefore no need to ever even mention the word race. We would much rather be blind to the racial inequality that permeates our country to this day. We have seen it in class the last two weeks – on average, black and brown people and Native Americans especially earn like half the amount of money yearly that white and Asian people do. The percentages of black and brown people who are incarcerated are largely disproportionate to the amount of colored people there are in the United States. Again, though, I would not have known all of this if it weren’t for soc 119. These are not facts you read in the newspaper, or anywhere for that matter. I wonder where Sam found them, honestly.
I can only imagine the reaction of the American public if Holder’s statement came from Bill Clinton or George Bush. I think people respected Clinton enough to maybe hear him out, but he would for sure get backlash. The general consensus of Americans is that they do not particularly like George Bush, so he would for sure get backlash. People would probably call him crazy and senile for even mentioning race as an issue today (because it isn’t, obviously).
The fact that we have elected Barack Obama into presidency is irrelevant in this case. Yes, that was a huge accomplishment for the American public. But, he is our PRESIDENT. There is far more to him than skin color, and I am fairly sure that he was not elected solely on his skin color or background.
So I guess I am just wondering how Holder plans on making race more of an issue to be discussed. Will programs be implemented in public schools, seminars be held, will he speak more…what will be done? I hope something; it would make our country a better place.
I’m going to have to disagree with you on this one. I watched the segment over and over again (thanks to our new media that feels the need to make a mountain out of a molehill about EVERYTHING, and then paste it all over the evening news as “Breaking News.” Not once when I watched it did I feel that because of his color he must be critiquing us white folk. To me, it felt like he was talking to the entire nation: black, white, red, brown, everyone. I for one was very excited to see someone stand up and say what most people in this country would be too afraid to say. We ARE cowards—that’s the simple truth. So no, I don’t feel that he was critiquing us white people, I feel that he was critiquing us as a nation. AMERICANS are afraid to discuss race—each and every one of us. It’s very clear to me that everything he said held truth in it. We go to school or work, we are integrated, we are unbiased, we are not racist. Then we go home to our white families in our white neighbors (or black families in black neighborhoods), back to our safety nets.
It was also very refreshing to see a black man say what most people are thinking about Black History Month. Why are people so upset over his usage of the word coward? I guess it’s similar to the thought that people don’t really want to hear the truth about themselves. Having someone tell us that we’re cowards when it’s false would be a good reason to be up in arms. However, if we can all step outside of ourselves for just a minute to see the bigger picture, I think it would become clear to everyone that we are, indeed, cowards. Why try to fight what’s so clearly true? The only place to go from here is forward. This is part of the reason that the racial progress in this country is so irritatingly dilatory. Whenever someone like Holder gets up and says what should’ve been said years ago, people focus on his choice of words rather than the strong, honest message behind them. We are a nation of cowards, and when everyone is done being insulted by the word coward, perhaps we can come together and find ways to break down those barriers once and for all.
I’m not sure what Professor Richards was trying to get at with his question about ‘outlandish statements’ made in Eric Holder’s speech, but I saw absolutely nothing wrong with it. In fact, I found it refreshingly up front compared to the politically correct drones we are forced to listen to on a daily basis.
It would be really interesting to see the reaction of this speech if it was made by a white person. It is a similar notion to “only I can call my brother an idiot.” Self-deprecation is always taken more positively than insults from the other group. This is pretty close to what the Attorney General was talking about. It is way more difficult said than done, as we are a nation of cowards in that regard. We have been trained in the art of political correctness, and that “everyone is a winner,” to a point where we avoid uncomfortable conversation at all costs. This seems to be the road that our generation is going down. Ignoring differences is better than insulting differences, but it is still a far cry from equality. Our institutional laws are no longer obvious, are politicians no longer openly racist, and our schools no longer officially segregated. Instead, we have hidden laws of discrimination, politicians who will help some more than others based on race, and schools of mostly minorities with little to no funding compared to suburban white-dominated schools. In learning about America, we learned that we once were referred to as “a melting pot.” In an effort to prevent the claim that any cultures get lost in the mix, we are now a supposed “salad bowl.” This can also take on the meaning that we are segregated but all live in one location though. This claim that we no longer “mix” is a dangerous one, and something that we should not have changed our generic metaphor of America to.
We are going to have to re-confront race issues on a deeper level, and eventually we will. Obama’s presidency, while it may not fulfill MLK’s dream, at least puts it back on the table. Race is something that will be talked about far more in this presidency than in the last, which will be a solid progression for race relations. As these speeches come up more and more frequently, we will be able to talk about why we are cowards, or at least finally notice our cowardice in terms of race relations. Until it becomes engrained into our culture (television, news, schools), we will still see statements like this and believe it to be entirely false and negative. Once changes are made, we will see that this statement is a call to improve, to make our nation greater in the realm of race relations. This is why classes like SOC 119 are so important. We need to understand the importance and ease of conversing between races, ethnicities, and nationalities.
I can definitely agree with our new Attorney General, Eric Holder, that America, as a whole, is afraid to discuss race. I do not feel as though there is anything wrong with him saying that. In fact, I believe it is true. You do not have to be a racist or bigot to be uncomfortable to talk about race. That really does not have anything to do with it.
I grew up in an extremely diverse high school. It was about fifty percent white, forty percent black, and the other ten percent included Europeans, Indians and other ethnicities. In a nutshell, eighty three countries were represented in my school. I see every single person of any race as equal. I came across many races and ethnicities through my four years in high school and have learned many things from that. I can look at and talk to a Chinese woman the same way I do to a white male. I have no problem with that. Most of us, as a nation, do not have a problem with this. But what Eric Holder is saying is that we do have a problem talking about race and racial issues to one another. Personally, I had no idea I had this problem. I thought because of what I experienced through my life it would be an easy task to, for example, talk to a black person about slavery. I realized this the first day of my discussion group here in Soc 119. I censored what I said because I was not sure whether I would offend kids of other races in the class of the pertaining topic. But I admit that it can be challenging to talk about race with other races. I believe that in some way, shape or form, we are all bias. We all are going to defend our own race one way or another. With biases come biased answers and responses. What we are trying to achieve is a non-biased nation of America.
“If we are to make progress in this area we must feel comfortable enough with each other and tolerant enough of each other to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us,” Eric Holder said. I completely agree with this quote one hundred percent. The main goal is to be one with every race and ethnicity. Not being able to talk about racial matters with other races can indeed leave us stagnate in the pursuit of complete unity.
I have one issue with the Attorney General’s words. Why is he talking about race to begin with. The Attorney General’s job is concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States Government. I recommend that he deals with that instead of dealing with people feeling uncomfortable about talking racial issues.
I think that its not fair to compare illegal immigrants into this country to completely legal Americans living abroad. There are at the extreme most 2 million Americans living abroad uninsured, and I bet a lot of these are living in countries where health care is nationalized and they are paying taxes. Here, there are millions and millions of illegal aliens who aren’t paying a dime in taxes and are taking health care from legal citizens. It is not a fair comparison. At the same time though, hospitals will treat uninsured Americans if it is an American, and these Americans don’t need insurance. If it is an emergency, the patien doesn’t need insurance, and this should be extended to foreigners legal or illegal.
I am really not that concerned about hospitals bills. In my experience, Hospitals overcharge for everything and make a killing off of it. I know they are all underbudgeted and in need of a lot of money, but it really is not at the top of the list of problems for me.
As far as the comment by the attorney general goes, he is right. Were not a racist nation, were a race avoidance nation. Nobody likes to talk about the subject in general because every comment turns into something racist or something overly defensive. A lot of times it isn’t necessary to talk about race. I think that we are a nation of cowards, but calling us a nation of cowards does nothing but further the problem.
I think that whenever a black person does anything, the focus is on his race rather than his character. Jackie Robinson isn’t remembered for baseball, he’s remember for being black. Same with Barack Obama. No matter what he does, he will always be primarly remembered for being the first black president, probably. That’s the problem. Were talking about being over race but were not over it, were obsessed with it. Were in a transition to a post racial world before, it was hate, but now its constant awareness. Its compulsive. Everytime anything is done we try hard not to be racist but in doing that we become obsessed with race. And that is a form of racism.
In our recessitations I feel like we are just talking about the same things over and over again each week and it gets really boring. I think were really grinding the idea of racism. We really need to take a new angle on it. I also think we need new and fresh conversation starters. I really like the activity we did today in class I thought it was funny and pretty eye opening. I think we should do more stuff like that in recessitations.
I believe that Attorney General, Eric Holder’s comments on race are completely plausible. I think that most of the country are still “cowards” when it comes to the topic of race. I believe the outcry over this is because whites are feeling attacked. I, personally being a white American, do not feel that way at all though. I do not think that he is attacking us. And I do not see his comments as “reprehensible” and “inflammatory.” He is simply just trying to get his point across about the race issue, with the race issue being us stuck in our own race and by using “cowards” he got our attention- granted some people think not in a good way. I believe he is just trying to make the point that we still have a long way to go, even though we did elect a black (or half black, whichever way you want to spin it) president. I also believe it keeps going back to Martin Luther King Jr.’s and how it is still yet to be realized. Like Sam Richards said, it is merely a comment about how we live our lives. Yes, many of us have nothing against other races; we have no hatred for them, which is a step in the right direction. But yet we still go on living our lives basically only being acquainted with people of our same race. We are cowards when it comes to stepping outside of our comfort zone. We are afraid of actually breaking through the race lines and actually knowing or being friends with people of another race. We are afraid of meeting new people unlike us. At the same time though, this is just how we are you can’t explain it. We’ve been talking about it in my discussion group, and we’ve been discussing what draws you to people. It is hard to explain, some people said if they have similar interests or they are welcoming. But others, including myself, identified it as we are drawn to people like us and by like us I mean same skin color. It is just something we do without realizing it. So I believe the first thing we should do to fix it is address the issue. Now that I took notice about my being drawn to whites, anymore I am going to try to address it. Now it is at least in the forefront of my mind. And I think that is a step in the right direction- acknowledging the problem. I think that is all Holder was trying to accomplish- acknowledging a problem. Because once you figure out the problem you have a good chance of fixing it.
I agree with Eric Holder. We are a nation of cowards regarding race relations and discussion of racial issues. I do not believe he is criticizing one racial group. He makes no mention of that in the clip provided. I could understand how some could think he is particularly suggesting that whites are cowards since he is talking about black history month, but I do not agree with this. He is right. It is much more comfortable to ignore the white elephant in the room. It is easier to avoid certain topics, especially that of race. I admit I am guilty of this myself. If I find myself in the company of those of another race, especially blacks, I automatically find myself conscience of the language I use and topics I bring up to discussion. I don’t want to say anything that would offend or upset the person of the other race. So perhaps even I, in some respects, am a coward regarding race relations. But I am making steps to change this- being in this class for instance. I am always pretty liberal, tolerant, and open to other ethnic groups and cultures. I think the point Holder was trying to make is that we should simply be more open and tolerant of others. We should be open and tolerant about the racial differences that for some reason divide up. We should not avoid certain topics just because they are uncomfortable. I think it would be different if a white man presented this argument. I would be a bit more surprised. I think white people are going to easily assume that Holder is criticizing whites. But if a white man made these statements, wouldn’t black people be just as quick to assume blacks were being criticized? And why is it automatically assumed that Holder is just talking about blacks and whites. Although he does not specifically mention it, I believe Holder was talking about people of all colors and ethnic backgrounds. And why is what Holder is saying so bad? He wasn’t accusing anyone of being racist or even intolerant. He was merely pointing out the white elephant in the room- race. I think more people should point this out and race should be talked about more openly. Yes, America has made huge progress in electing an interracial president. And yes, the demographical make-up in this country has seen and will continue to see a shift in future decades. Because of this, I think now more than even Americans should openly talk about the issues that somehow divide us. Education, activism, and conversation is the only way race relations can change. People like Holder are using their position of authority to make that first step. We should not criticize it, but join in the conversation.
Yes our Attorney General called the American people cowards. I mean we can’t stop what we are doing and jump down his throat for his comments. In my opinion, he wanted to get everyones attention and explain how serious of a problem this really is. And we continue to ignore the problem and focus on little things. This man is making a speech about helping with the problem of racial tension and the large melting pot in society. It just so happened he used an offensive word for some people. So instead of focusing on the real problem he is trying to explain, we look to the mini details and flip out about him calling us cowards. Who cares? Do you really think that he truly feels that all Americans are cowards and are pathetic people? He is trying to get a good point across and we just let that go in one ear and out the other. He uses this language to truly express the importance of this problem in society. Him being African American certainly has a tremendous effect. And it is an example of our true racial feelings. We actually jump down his throat because we think he is talking to white people especially. White people assume this is directed at them because he is a different race.
Now imagine if Bill Clinton were to make these remarks. White Americans would take this as a wake up call since Bill is white and one of “them”. So white people must believe his remarks and listen to him. Again, if Bill were to make these remarks, I believe blacks would be the ones jumping down his throat and believe that the comments were directed at the black community instead of society as a whole.
White people need to imagine that this man is not black and really understand what he is trying to say. The point is incredible and is true. Do you really think that our Attorney General is hating his own country? And do you really think that this African American is racist against whites? Come on, it is pathetic. It really bothers me that people are actually getting worked up about him calling every one of us cowards. He is not singling out anyone in particular.
If we listen to what he has to say maybe together as a society, the majority of us can help fix this problem that will only grow and worsen. Instead of focusing and WAITING for other racial groups to make possibly racial remarks, we must listen to what they truly have to say and maybe it will make sense. If you come with a closed mind then there is no way we can fix anything.
I very much agree with Attorney General Eric Holder. It’s not often that people of different races come together in a social environment to discuss their relations amongst each other. If this was a daily occurrence, Penn State University, and I am sure other universities as well, would not need to have a “race relations project” to ensure that people are discussing race and getting their feelings out. I am not quite so sure if I would use the term “coward” to describe Americans because we do not discuss race every day. It’s more that people are uncomfortable discussing this issue and may be worried that other people may get offended if they speak their minds. It may sound like I am describing a coward, but I am really not trying to. Some people, like me, really value how others view them so they do not want to offend them in any way. For instance, I am not going to be forthright about my opinions on race and ethnicity with a complete stranger because I would not want to risk offending them upon our very first meeting.
I think it was perfectly acceptable that Attorney General Holder described Americans as “cowards.” He has the right to free speech just like the rest of us do. Personally, I do not think he was pinpointing a specific ethnic group, and if he was, he did not announce it and make it clear to us. Maybe he even used the word “coward” to gain people’s attention and maybe make them listen to his overall message.
When Sam said in his original post, “if we're not a nation of cowards, we would just allow him his critique and keep talking to each other, don't you think?” I think he is totally on the ball. Again, I don’t know if “coward” is the word I would choose, but I guess it’s the closest description to what Holder is talking about. I think maybe people are just ashamed of what Holder is saying; they do not want to admit to being extra cautious when discussing race because then that would possibly mean that they are in fact a coward, or maybe it could mean that they are a little bit racist, and neither of those traits are valued.
I think that since it was a black man who came out and made this claim, many people, especially white people, would think that he was bashing them, when in fact, he was most likely talking to every race in the US. If a white man or woman had made this speech, it could have seemed very hypocritical to say something like that because if there were to be cowards in this subject, it would probably be the white people.
I honestly find nothing that Eric Holder said to be offensive, and if someone or a specific group of people do find it offensive maybe it’s because they are a bunch of cowards and cant step up to the plate and admit it. I think it’s a good thing someone finally is bringing this issue up, because it seems as though many of our past presidents were scared to bring up the race issue. This whole speech was just a start to what we have to get used to. We can’t put race behind us anymore because we have a half black white president. I think that if George Bush or Bill Clinton were to say those exact words people would feel more comfortable with it, and I don’t feel as though that is right. I’ve seen many people claim not to be racist because they have friends at home or work of different races but I believe that if those same people were to invite that person over to party or have dinner with the family it would be a whole new story and many of excuses. I personally don’t have a problem talking about race because I am black and I have a lot of different friends of different races. So I like the idea that we can talk about race and not get offended. Like Eric Holder said we need to understand what black history is, because in high school we only talk about black people and what they contributed to this world in February, which is black history month, other than that we don’t really talk about the good things. We always seem to point out the bad things such as slavery and murders. We as a university need to do more things on campus to recognize black history or even black people. We don’t do enough and it is kind of unfair that even on black history month we don’t hold events to let everyone know what black people did to help PSU out. I feel as though our new attorney general should have the right to talk about this kind of issues because he is black who is an attorney who went through a lot to get where he is at now. I do feel as though people are cowards when it comes to race, I don’t think that people should feel any sympathy for my people because we are going to come out on top and no matter how many times we get pushed back down we always seem to get right back up. Now that we have people who are willing to bring up this issue is a good thing and people just need to open up and smell the coffee because like Eric Holder said sooner or later the world is going to become one race and I feel as though the whites are going to be the minority for once.
Initially, I did not really think there was any word you could call a white person that would offend them (being white myself). As Sam’s class progressed and he said different things, I began to think about it more and more. It really is true that the one thing a white person hates to be called is a “racist.” We’ve been raised our entire lives to ignore race in general so as to not be seen as harboring negative racial stereotypes. Because of this when race does come up we immediately shy away from the subject. Black people talk very openly about their race (my friends at least) in front of me. My white friends do too, in their own company. As soon as another ethnicity enters the circle, most racial jokes and even acknowledgement of race seems to cease. Is it because we do not know where to draw the line, like what is funny to them and what is pushing boundaries? Or is it our simple fear of being labeled a racist, held in the same league as the Klu Klux Klan?
I’m hoping that this is what Eric Holder is referring to. Our nation in general, being taught to suppress racial thoughts in the public to such a great extent, despite what goes on underneath mentally, acts as though it hides a wound, a wound that when not tended to becomes infected and festers. In that way we are cowards. We fail to address the racial tensions mounting all around us and it is not until they are brought to the table on a grand scale that we can move past them. Once cultures come to an understanding of one another, we can hope to finally live together as equals instead of pretending that we all are and hoping for the best.
I think it is ridiculous that Holder is being attacked over such a comment too. When taking a step back though, Sam’s comment makes perfect sense as to why. When one race makes a racially charged comment, it is normally seen as condescending to another. Holder, being black, is truly most likely seen as taking a stab at white Americans here. In calling people cowards, he is making many white people squirm in their chairs because they know not to bring up race in their social circles. Therefore this “criticism” attacks something that they have known for a very long time. It is much like attacking a devout Catholic’s faith who has been since birth. They only know one thing, and that is the religion of Catholicism. That is how they worship their God and they’ve never done it differently. Then a person of Jewish faith comes along and tells them they are merely afraid to do something differently. Of course the Catholic is going to get defensive in such a situation.
Attorney General Eric Holder spoke words that took many Americans out of their comfort zone. However, I do believe that Holder had a point. He did not speak out of ignorance and what he said was not completely out of line. I believe that what he had to say did not just apply to one race but to all races in the United States of America. I believe that we as a people have many issues when it comes to talking about race. What is appropriate to say? What is political correct? When do we cross the line? I do believe that Americans are afraid to bring up the topic of race because it has become so easy to offend people. I do not believe that Holder was completely off in saying we were cowards, but I don’t believe he used the right word. I think that by using the word coward he dug himself into a whole, and that there was a better way of saying the American people are scared to bring up issues relating to race.
I do believe that when talking about race people tend to really worry about being politically correct. I think that when people do worry about this it puts a strain on a person’s ability to talk about race. It is a subject that people tend to fell uncomfortable about because it is like uncharted waters for a person. I do believe that calling the people of America cowards was going a little too far, but I also believe that we are scared to go into the unknown. Talking about race is not a topic that most people want to bring up, and when it is brought up it is when you are around close family and friends. Because when you talk about with them you know where the line is and you know when you are about to cross it. I think now that Obama is president the topic of race is going to come up more frequently and I do believe this I a good thing. You can’t get over your fear of talking about something unless you get to talk about it. I think that having a black president will make it easier for the topic of race to flow easier. It is something that needs to be talked about in order to help this country become a better place.
Holder says that given our nation’s history, it is somewhat understandable that we do not talk about racial matters. He goes on that a solution of this is to dedicate the month of February to black history month, and make it a point during that month to have conversations across the races. Does this mean I should only talk to someone who is not white during those short 28 days? Holder does not address any particular race and therefore, I feel that if the speaker was George Bush or Bill Clinton, the same views could be expressed regardless of the speaker’s race. Perhaps that white speaker, however, would leave out the call-to-action to a solemn responsibility of bringing all races together, but only mentioning a black history month. If the ideas that Holder express were to come true, the idea that our nation becomes free like our greatest president once dreamed, then February would not be the only month to discuss and be more open to explore the black race. What about the brown and the tan race? There is so much diversity within our country that in order to fully come together as a country and become an equal nation, we should learn the history of every race living and flourishing within America’s borders everyday of every month.
True, it is a black talking about race. White people who don’t understand what he is saying would just think we are being criticized. Because Holder doesn’t say “white people have racial issues,” one can’t believe that is his message. Holder’s message is that our nation as a whole has racial issues. We have learned to get along with people of different races in the work place but not in a social place. I suppose these are the words that racism provokes. I think racism will occur regardless of who talks to who. Generations before ours has adopted racism and our generation will get over it, when we do just that. Get over it. Regardless of what color someone is, don’t avoid sitting next to them on the bus. Simple things like that, I think will help out generation become friends with people of different races and eventually knock out racism. Laurie Mulvey talks about seeing people as the enemy and then turning around and seeing them as friends. I think that racism will become abolished in every degree, when people finally open up and decide that it’s okay to be friends with people who aren’t white.
When Holder said that we as American’s, and more specifically, white Americans are afraid to discuss race, I could not agree with him more. We seem to have come a long way and believe that racism is in the past and we are free to discuss it, but this is just not true. In my discussion group yesterday, we had a very interesting discussion about whether or not we could walk up to a stranger and ask them what their race is and to then talk about it. The majority of us said no we would not do that, but once we got talking, the answers changed that we would like people to come up to us and ask us. I have had two very separate occasions where this has happened. Being the person that I am, I was not offended, but I know other people would be. And I do believe that there is a difference between ignorance in not knowing and asking to learn and ignorance in not wanting to know and assuming and most likely being wrong. I do think that because we have a black President who appointed Holder as the Attorney General gives them both a more sort of free reign over what they discuss, and race will probably be mentioned, as we can see. If this were George W. Bush or Bill Clinton, then no, this would never be discussed. This is because there is still the stigma that white people don’t know what colored people go through and they have no right to talk about it. That is why I think about the two separate occasions where I was called out on a race that people assumed I was. Because the one person was of color, she felt she could call me out and assume I was black. I know that I would never go up to someone and say, “I know you are Italian and we have to stick together.” Truth be told, I would be afraid to do that. The second time, someone assumed I was Hispanic and then told me that, “since I was a minority I could get a scholarship.” This person was white, and a teacher. I do not think that what he said was appropriate. I think this because I feel he was not insulting me, but insulting people of Hispanic origin implying that they would use their race to try and get by the easy way. With all this being said, I agree with Holder in saying that we are a nation of cowards. Anything one person of a different race says about the whole nation, every person of every other race will be insulted by it. We are all judged and I think that a lot of it has to do with not knowing. If someone asks because they want to learn, then I don’t see the harm in that. However, if you choose to not know and judge, then the cycle will not change.
I agree with Attorney General, Eric Holder, when it comes to his views on Americans ability to move forward and be more open minded in regards to race. Before taking this class I never really spoke about race, of course racial matters have come up but I never really took the time to think and really analyze the racial issue in this nation. I think he is right, a lot of Americans do not feel comfortable discussing race, especially with people of different racial backgrounds. The fact that he used the word “coward” when discussing Americans ability to speak about race was very powerful. Of course being called a coward is going to upset people of all different racial origins but such a strong word has brought this controversial issue to light; and hopefully people will begin to speak more openly about race after hearing Holders speech. I feel that coward is the perfect word to describe Americans abilities to speak openly about race. It’s not that whites or blacks or Asians are cowards, we all as Americans from different origins are cowards when it comes to speaking about a controversial topic such as, race.
My race-relations group has spoken about this on several different occasions and we generally come to the same conclusion; our nation cannot move forward in the ideas of race until we are all comfortable to openly speak to people of our own and different races about controversial racial topics. Americans feel that they always need to be politically correct when they are speaking especially when it comes to race, so that way they don’t offend anyone. I feel that if we are so worried about being politically correct all the time we are never going to get anywhere when it comes to race. People need to learn to be a little less sensitive, on all sides, when it comes to talking about race. Be more open to discussing your race with someone of a different race and don’t feel that you need to hold back when asking someone of a different race about their experiences. Of course everyone needs to maintain a level or respect, as race can be a very sensitive issue for most, but our society needs to wean away from being politically correct and start being real when it comes to race; otherwise we are never going to truly understand each other.
I don’t think that Holder was targeting any specific racial group when he called Americans cowards I believe he was referring to all racial groups and, I agree with him. All different racial groups need to become more open with their neighbors of different races to truly understand one another and to make a real step towards closing this racial gap we have in America. I found it very interesting when Holder mentioned that in the work place all different races come together and work with one another but then in our personal lives we are all still very much still segregated. It really made me think, if we are so successful with interracial relationships in the office then why hasn’t that transferred into our personal lives?
Overall I feel that Holders bold choice of words was appropriate and even beneficial. His controversial words might have offended many Americans but at least he got Americans talking about race. Taking this course it has opened my eyes to a lot of things that I was very oblivious to before. It has made me think about race in my everyday activities and I feel that everyone in our nation needs to be doing the same as well. It is impossible to move forward with race until we are all comfortable with openly and honestly talking about our own race and those races that differ from our own.
I think that we are a nation of cowards. I think Holder made a very accurate statement, and I don’t think any one group of people is more cowardly than any other. I say this because I’ve seen it on so many different levels and in so many different groups of people. The obvious answer is the white people. I’m white, so I’ve been there. Granted, now I’m very open about everything all the time, but there was a time when I didn’t feel like I could have a certain conversation or say a certain thing to a person just because they were of a different race. I think this is very common, and to some extent, it’s not all white people’s faults. Many white people would love to be in the situation that we get to be in every week in our discussion groups. They could talk to other people openly and learn about themselves and others. The truth of the matter is, that’s not how the world is. And the same goes for people of other races. I can give a perfect example. My roommate is black. I am white. We have one of the strongest and healthiest relationships because neither of us holds anything back. Just last Friday, I came home from work and knowing that she was having a party, I asked her to have a drink ready for me. When I arrived, I suddenly felt very awkward; something I should never feel in my own home. All of the people in my apartment were black, but this is not what made me uncomfortable. You see my presence as a white person in their all black party made them treat me very differently. They were watching Dave Chappelle and all of a sudden then wanted to change the DVD. I’m thinking, holy shit Dave Chappelle, this is hilarious! No one wanted to talk to me or act really friendly. So I asked my roommate to go smoke a cig with me outside (I know, boo to me), and we were laughing about how awkwardly funny it was to watch this sort of “reverse discrimination.” Needless to say, I just went on talking to everyone else and literally making them be my friends, making sure to say whatever I wanted to say, without trying to please other people or worry about what they’d think. After a few drinks, we were all dancing and carrying on, and one of my roommate’s black friends actually pulled me aside. He asked me how I felt so comfortable with people who were obviously so different, and whether I worried about what other people would think when I openly talked about my “white girl booty,” etc. I couldn’t really believe it, and I just tried to explain to him that because I don’t worry about barriers and color and things that don’t matter, no one else worries about them around me. He told me that he wanted to try to be more open and honest, without worrying about what other people would think if he laughed at Dave Chappelle, etc. The whole things was awesome because not so long ago I wasn’t that different from him. If we could all just stop over analyzing what other people say and how they meant it and just take it for what it is, then comments like Holder’s wouldn’t carry so much politic charge. It’d just be a statement.
I can agree with Holder’s speech in a way because it is somewhat true. A lot of people are afraid to talk about race-that is in front of people of a different race. Many people have no problem talking about race to their friends or family. In fact, if you were to put hidden cameras in various people’s houses you would probably find that all people-black, white, Asians, etc-talk about other races in not so positive manners. Just like Sam Richards says every white person has that “one racist uncle.” However, I think that all people have that one racist member of their family; the member of their family that says all the racist comments about other races that float around in the back of your mind every time you see a person from that particular racial group. It is unfortunate but many Americans hide their true racial feelings to the outside world, or rather, they just hide it from other races. For example, if a black person were in a store full of white people it is very unlikely they would say something mean about a white person. However, if a black person were in a store full of black people then they would more than likely say something derogatory about white people because they feel more comfortable. If they were to say something about race in a room full of white people then it could start an argument or even a fight. In a room full of black people it is very possible the other black people in the room would nod in agreement or just not say anything if they disagree in hopes of fitting in with their black crowd. Speaking about race is one of those taboos that you learn as a child. I remember when I was younger I was not supposed to even mention the color of a person in public. Like, if I saw a white girl with a toy I wasn’t supposed to say “there goes a white girl with the toy I want” instead, I would be expected to say “there goes a girl with the toy I want.” My parents were teaching me to conceal the fact that I notice color at a young age. However, just because we choose to ignore we are different it does not get rid of the problems we have. In fact, I believe that trying to conceal our differences and being “cowards” when it comes to discussing race will only make the problem worse. Ultimately, racism relies a lot on stereotypes and if we can educate ourselves enough to challenge the truth of some of those stereotypes then we can get closer to actually eliminating racism someday. So this problem is not just one group’s fault. Everyone needs to stop being cowards about talking about race so we can make some changes and move forward.
Saying that America is a nation of cowards, is really not so far off base. In fact, I really agree with it to an extent. American people, myself included sometimes, basically follow whatever trend seems to be in this particular season, I don’t just mean superficially either. It’s so hard not to though if you follow the mainstream media, even if you don’t follow, it still surrounds you. How does this fit in with our nation being cowards? Well, if people are constantly following the “social norms” as in, not questioning the norms and not questioning why things are the way they are. Why is it such a bad thing for someone to finally call out the majority of Americans?
I think the biggest issue with being called out, was who was doing the calling out. Many Americans aren’t used to being spoken to by minorities straight up. We’re always too busy being politically correct, and it’s time to stop that if we ever want to get past this racial divide that still exists. Political correctness is great, for not stepping on any toes, not so much for getting things accomplished. Being P.C. keeps real feelings and emotions from ever getting out, and if you can never get that out in the open, you most likely will never make any progress getting past your current views.
In all honestly though, I still would put most blame on the media in this country, this shouldn’t have even ever been questioned, but since it was a black guy saying this, it got blown out of proportion, naturally. The media helps keep these racial divides strong, they rarely focus on the good qualities of any race, it seems like it’s always just about what they’ve done wrong. The media doesn’t even just focus on the negatives of race, but the negatives of most aspects of life.
What if someone else made this speech/statement, basically a white man? I don’t know what the reception would have been. I don’t think this country is used to any race really putting a foot down and saying what needs to be said about race in this country. So I think no matter who would have said it, there would be plenty of people not sure how opt take it.
Overall, in order for this country to ever fully embrace our diversity, instead of shying away from it and either acting like it doesn’t exist, or discriminating against other cultures, we need to be honest with others and ourselves. No more trying to not offend people by not saying how you truly feel, or what you honestly felt. Get it out in the open and learn the real truth. We’re all in this together, and we simply do need to stop being “cowards” and talking about it, and moving forward together.
I can see how a white person could interpret Holder’s comments as intended towards only whites. I can see how that might frustrate them and see it as just another black man complaining about racial issues. I can see how being referred to as a “coward” would only anger them. But Holder is right. Most people are uncomfortable talking about race with someone of another. This is a contributing factor to segregation. Yes, this country has come pretty far in terms of racism, but in my opinion, today, being tolerant just isn’t good enough. Too many times do people claim that they are unprejudiced, and then go off and spend their life with people of only the same race. They preach equality but choose to surround themselves with only others that look the same as them. This country is incredibly diverse, but it seems that there are too many segregated groups, almost like clicks in high school. I feel that we will only reach Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream when the thought of race is forgotten. When people will have friends of all different races and think nothing of it. When the world becomes color-blind. When people stop saying “we” when referring to their own race. And honestly, I feel that it really shouldn’t be that hard. If the only thing that separates me from another person is the color of their skin, then honestly, that is not much of a difference at all. One of the major things that stop people from integrating in their normal lives is the topic of racism. One person might be uncomfortable hanging around with someone of another race because they think the other person has race on their mind. But as Holder says, with communication, people can go a long way. Discussing race eliminates that tension or confusion. It would be a shame if white people cannot see what Holder is saying. Taking offense to his speech is completely missing the point, and downright dumb. Being a white male, I can understand exactly what he is saying. Although, I can speak for neither the rest of the white race, nor anyone of any other race. Do people of other races think that white people are “cowards” for not being more proactive on things racial? Do they think white people really do not want to talk about racial issues with one another? My impression is that although Holder takes of race issues, he is focusing on only the African American and white races. In the beginning he notes the “experience of black people in this nation”, as well as the fact that this is Black History Month. I have no problem with this focus, but I can see why some white people may take his “coward” sentence to heart. The fact is, he said “we” and meant it, which means that we must all make a larger effort to address race with others so that we may move forward.
"In things racial we have always been, and I believe continue to be in too many ways, essentially, a nation of cowards." I would honestly say that I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. I can’t even begin to understand why such a claim would get Attorney General Eric Holder into trouble? In my opinion, it’s the dirty truth whether we want to hear it or not. Must we always complain about things that we don’t want to hear? Of course, it’s America…we always have to issue our complaints. Before taking this course, I never realized just how much Americans really are afraid to talk about race. And we are, we really are. In just the past seven weeks of class, how many times have we come across the fact that we are very hesitant when it comes to racial issues? This hesitance is demonstrated mostly by white people who can’t seem to look racial issues in the face. But why? Whatever the case, be it guilt, ignorance, or lack of interest, this is a problem. How will we EVER bridge the gaps between our races and better this ongoing serious issue if we don’t suck it up and handle it, individual by individual? However, it surely isn’t only white people causing the problem with their hesitance to discuss race and the various other things they may bring to the table to contribute to the situation. It is everybody. Sometimes people of color make excuses for why they are treated certain ways or can’t do certain things. Sometimes people of color get so defensive about anything and everything a white person may say. On the other hand, some white people don’t ever take the time to stop and consider the perspective of those of color. Some white people dismiss virtually everything others say on the notion, “It’s a black guy speaking about race. So he must be critiquing us.” That statement in the blog was so true. Where is the open-mindedness in any of this? An open and accepting mind is really what each of us needs to discover in order to get anywhere with our issues of race. Just because we elected a black president into office doesn’t mean that we don’t have a long way to go, because the truth of the matter is that we do. It will be a very long journey if you and I don’t swallow our pride and recognize our faults and agree to move forward to eventually right our wrongs. If more people in our world had the experiences that I’ve had in just seven weeks of taking this course, we would be on a sure path to true change. It is putting the hesitance aside and really facing the issues that need to be dealt with and talking about them. When you’re in a fight with your friend, how do you resolve it? You talk about your problems. Sure it’s not pleasant, sure it’s not fun…but it’s what has to be done to make things better. We are and have been in a constant fight with our racial differences. There’s no better way to get to the bottom of such issues than to lay them out and talk about them. By doing just this in class and our discussion groups, I already feel so much more aware and have a much better understanding of a realm that was once very foreign to me. What can we do to expand this experience to our brothers and sisters on all teams?
I do not think that there is anything wrong with our new Attorney General Eric Holder calling the American people cowards. I would like to think that our country has completely eliminated the racial problems that plagued our country during the 1960s and 70s and years before that, but that would be extremely naïve. Being in a race relations class I feel like anyone can talk openly about race issues, but once you leave the classroom and head into the real world the situation changes slightly. It is one thing for our class to be discussing issues like affirmative action, and a completely other thing to be talking about it in the workplace. Our class is made up of people willing and eager to get past the discomfort and any touchy subjects that may have happened in our country’s history. We recognize the mistakes that we made back then and, more importantly, look at the injustices that are still going on today. In the workplace, however, you are surrounded by a group of people who may have only one thing in common- the same boss that put you there. You do not know who is easily offended and by what they may take offense to. Not wanting to offend anyone and trying to avoid any conflicts, most Americans just try to be safe and not bring up race at all. In situations like these I can see how American’s of all racial backgrounds can be perceived as cowards. It is true that we cowards did unite to elect our first Black president, but this is not on the same social level Holder was talking about. While we fully support Obama running the country we do not have daily interactions with him. It’s almost like on the surface everything looks fair and equal but below the surface we are still struggling with the same problems that we have for hundreds of years. Obama can be our poster boy showing the world that times have changed, but until we follow this diversity through into our personal lives the problem is not solved.
I do not think that Holder said this to offend anyone. And I do not think that he was saying this merely to critic white people. Instead I think that he just wanted to get people talking, and if he gets people upset at least they are upset together. It is not just whites that are hesitant about bringing up race. There’s nothing like a shared anger to unite people no matter what their racial background. Maybe it was Holder’s plan all along for people to get upset; he obviously achieved his purpose because here we are talking about race.
We are a nation of cowards, especially when it comes to racial topics. I mean, no offense, Soc 119, but we have to have a class just to talk about race. And even then, is there one person in lecture or in group who hasn’t been made uncomfortable by something that Sam or one of our TAs or anyone else has said about race? Do you really want to say what you think of your Indian neighbors when there’s an Indian chick sitting next to you? Like today (Thursday) in lecture when we were supposed to turn to the person next to us and say what we thought about affirmative action. Well I think affirmative action is damned unfair, but I was sitting next to a black guy. And I’ll be the first to admit that as a white girl, I felt a little weird telling that black guy, “hey, I think affirmative action is damned unfair.” That’s just me. But I really do think that a lot of us kind of have a problem (or if not a problem, a bit of hesitation) saying exactly what we think about race, especially to those of different races than ourselves.
Of course, I can’t really speak for other races. Seems like most black girls have a lot of sass, maybe they don’t have a problem telling white chicks exactly what they think of them, or what they think of the white race in general. At least that’s what it seems like in the movies, when the black cheerleader tells the white cheerleader to get out because crackas have no rhythm or talent or creativity and therefore don’t belong on a cheerleading mat or at a football game. But realistically, I can’t speak for other races. I really can’t even speak for anyone but myself. Perhaps Eric Holder was generalizing about the white race (but really, good for him? Haven’t we generalized others enough too?), and only the white race; maybe Asians don’t have a problem at all talking about Indians, and blacks could really care less about talking about Chinese-White or Japanese-American relations. Maybe other whites don’t even have a problem with this whole “race relations” thing. I just know that people, and Americans specifically (because that’s all I really know) are a little uncomfortable and reticent when it comes to bringing up and speaking their minds about racial topics.
Either way, no one really likes Bush or Clinton from what I hear (or at least they don’t respect what either of them says…must be all the verbal grammatical errors and stupid comments), so if one of them said what Holden said, I feel like a lot of people would have just been like, “Oh whatever, he doesn’t even know what he’s talking about.” On the other hand, that might not be what would go down at all; who knows?
I can definitely see why Holder’s words offended many people. It offends the people who don’t know much about race and claim that America is truly equal. It offends people how trying to strengthen the race relation program. It offends people as a whole, as a community and as individuals. But was statement true? Are we really a nation of cowards when it comes to race? I think as a nation we are trying to understand each other, but we still have a long way to go, despite having a black man as a president, which is saying a lot.
For me, as a black man, here’s how I have to approach this problem we have with race. Yes, America clearly isn’t a fair nation, but my father has always told me that when you’re a black person in America, you’re automatically at a disadvantage. It’s just a fact. I can bet you that Obama’s road to being the president of the United States was tougher than any other road a person took on getting there. Being black, you’re gonna face adversity, whether you like it or not. The question is how you approach the problem. I’m not saying that blacks should keep their mouths shut and just work harder. That’s not the point. What I’m trying to say is that focusing all your energy on saying that the United States in unequal with race is not going to solve our the problem. My father does think that blacks are still treated unfairly, but the way he deals with it is by working twice as hard as his white colleagues because he knows that it’s the only way to get noticed in this workforce. Is it fair? Absolutely not…but that didn’t stop my father from working even harder.
It’s great that we have programs that stress the fact of inequality about race because those types of programs have effectively moved America forward in a positive way, despite America having a long way to go. But at the same time, us as blacks can’t just expect everything to be equal all of the sudden. That time by God’s grace will come eventually. But for now, we have to deal with what we have, but again, we shouldn’t just brush the inequality off, but rather take it as a challenge.
I believe what Holder was trying to say was that the nation of America avoids trying to talk about race because they’re fearful. I can’t disagree with this statement entirely. Having Obama being president clearly showed how race was being seen in America because it was shown nationally to the world, which is good because when race is shown on a grand stage, people pay more attention to it. As a nation are we “cowards”? In some ways we are, but at the same time, I believe we as a nation are trying to understand one another.
Eric Holder’s speech on how all races need to communicate more and address the current racial issues that we continue to face in our “melting pot” nation seems to make sense. It does not appear as though he was solely addressing White people, but rather the nation as a whole. I agree that we must start talking about race rather than pretending that these issues have been resolved. I think a lot of the reasons people are convinced that racism is no longer a problem in need of addressing is because we do not see acts of racism in our every day lives. It is rare to come across a blatant, obvious racist because we have learned through the years that this is no longer socially acceptable. I think a lot of the problems occur behind closed doors. Sometimes my friends will utter a racist remark to me, thinking that I feel the same way or will laugh at their “joke,” when in reality it shocks me that I have friends who still display these feelings. I have talked about my race relation’s course with one of my neighbors and he has openly stated that he would never be interested in taking such a course. He is one of the friends who will make racist comments or jokes, thinking that they are harmless. He is proof that we still have a ways to go in addressing these issues.
I think courses such as Soc 119 are a step in the right direction toward talking about other ethnicities and addressing issues that have been pushed under the table. Unfortunately, the students who choose to enroll in this course, as well as courses similar to this, are ones who are open to discussion. They are the ones willing to look at themselves from another point of view and step into the shoes of other races. People who are still closed-minded and discriminate against individuals who are different than them are unwilling to be educated. Holder says that we must start talking, but he didn’t say how we could get people to listen. Many individuals, especially those coming from small towns or living in the South simply don’t want to address issues of race. They believe living in America, being friends with people of different ethnic backgrounds, and not overtly exhibiting acts of racism is enough progress. Maybe they are afraid to really step back and examine subtle thoughts or acts of racism. Perhaps they are comfortable in their own White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American shoes. It is not just White people who are unwilling to learn. Black people are often convinced that the White man has put them down and will continue to do so. It would be great for our country to start communicating about these subtle race issues, but first we need to find a way for people to listen. I do not have a solution, but maybe making a race relations class such as this one a required course could be a step in the right direction.
I agree with the notion that people in America generally are afraid of talking about race. Before taking Soc 119, I really didn’t think that I had much to say in the race conversation; rather, I didn’t know what the race conversations could possibly be about. I thought “there are different races in the world, so what?” The topics we cover in lecture are really making me question more about race’s place in the world today. And, I would venture to say that most people in this country have not given much thought to how race has affected their lives. For example, often times, Sam talks about how the white skin he wears helps him in ways that he cannot understand. At first, I did not understand what he meant, or how this could have possibly been relevant to my life. But, upon reconsidering, I can see how my white skin probably has helped me. I probably have been given the benefit of the doubt and thought better of because of my white skin. All of my high school teachers were white. If I forgot an assignment at home, I usually felt confident that a teacher would believe that I had completed the assignment, giving me the benefit of the doubt. I cannot say for sure, but it is possible that if I had black or brown skin, teachers would be less likely to believe me. This is similar to the video shown in class today about the black and white man who spoke to the landlord. This video also serves as a prime example of the “fear” that most Americans have about talking about race. The landlord was quick to deny that he lied to the black man, and the owner of the building vehemently denied that any racism had gone on. She was visibly upset and her words showed her extreme self-defense.
I think when it comes to making racial comments, many white people quickly jump to self-defense. They feel that they may say the wrong thing, and others may see something in their words that they didn’t mean to convey. And, like in anecdote the first chapter of Making Peace Between Our Colors, one racial remark may damper a person’s reputation. Even the man in the video is being ridiculed for making a remark about the sensitive subject of race. What Eric Holder was trying to say is that we need to be more “courageous” and open up more about race. We cannot avoid racial issues, if we were able to speak more openly about race in general, we wouldn’t have to be overly defensive, and we wouldn’t feel offended by a single person’s remark on how the rest of us view race.
Soc 119 has really opened my eyes to the way that white people view racism. I knew before that issues dealing with race make some of them feel guilty, but I did not fully understand the mental conversation going on and the offense taken. Sam really put into perspective the feelings and apprehensions that many white people have when confronted with the issue of race relations. I do not think that it’s right that he is now under scrutiny or receiving criticism because of his words. He had a very deep message to convey and I think that many people’s anger blinded them from seeing what he actually wanted to say. I honestly think that if he were white, they would not have come down on him so hard. They would have see him as someone who wants to make an honest attempt to improve race relations and unify the country. I think that it honestly becomes exceedingly harder to deal with such issues because of the fact that many people in power immediately get defensive and shut down. It does not matter how wise, experienced, kind, or fair you think you are or even actually are. Everybody can use a little improvement and people who are in leadership positions, or may be a little older and stuck in their ways never want to hear that they can conduct themselves a little bit better. Equality in this country needs to come sooner or later and it will never come if people will not even look at the issue with an open mind. There was nothing too radical in his speech that warranted such an outcry. He was speaking the truth but I’m not even going to be self righteous because I know that I have acted similarly under criticism. I have kind of locked up and stopped listening, but eventually, as I ponder on what I was told later, I understand that I have some room to grow to. Conditions and blatant racism in this country are not going to change over night because we are all human beings and we all have the tendency to be self righteous and think that we are always right sometimes. And there are a lot of very bitter people out there as well as people who are just stuck in their ways. I just hope that at the end of the day, Holders critics let the message of his speech marinate and eventually actually give what he said some serious thought. I think that when they do this, since his message is so compelling that they will truly understand what is going on. Holder was not even calling anyone out. He did not point his finger at any racial group as being at fault, so this just shows that his critics know that they are in the wrong because of the fact that they got so mad.
After reading this article, the statement about “a nation of cowards” did not really affect me personally. It is obvious that there is still racism occurring everywhere. I think because Holder actually said these words in public, it probably hit a nerve with some people. He was basically saying that Americans are afraid to discuss race issues. In my opinion, this is the truth. I really do not see anything wrong with him making this statement because he did not directly choose a race and target them. I think because he is a black man, many white people took this statement and felt that it was directed toward them. Maybe the people who were bothered by this statement actually are the cowards who are not open to other races. Either way, we do need to start talking to each other and listening. No matter who it was directed toward, there is much truth in his words. People are afraid to confront each other in terms of racial issues, which keeps the issues locked deep inside. Currently, there are no more segregated water fountains or bathrooms, but there are still people who segregate themselves. After reading “Making Peace Within Our Colors”, I saw how segregated people acted in everyday conversations. The author described an experience she had when she tried to walk up to two Asian women. They ignored her and walked away. When are we going to start sharing our stories with other races instead of wanting to only share them with the same race? People are still so afraid to discuss their own race with other races. The thing that all people do not understand is that each race has their own fear of talking about this issue. Race is not an easy thing to discuss for anyone. This is why we need it to start happening. We are more all more alike than we think. If we open up discussions and start breaking away rumors and stereotypes, we will be more likely to concentrate on peace between us all. People who are afraid to talk about race, in my opinion are not the cowards. Some people may have a hard time opening up to other people no matter what race they are. I think the people who are cowards are the ones who ignore other races. The people who think that their race is better and do not want to listen to the stories and fears of people of other races. Although, I do think that if Bill Clinton or George Bush said this, many black people would assume that it was about them being cowards. In general, there are cowards everywhere. As I said before, these are the people who only want to listen to people of their own race. In opinion, we all need to change our ideas and start to become much more open-minded to all others.
What is wrong with categorizing us as a nation of cowards? When it comes to race, I think it is certainly correct to say that about us. We are absolutely afraid of addressing these issues, and more importantly, of really doing anything about them. Yes, I do understand how difficult it is to fully comprehend all of the issues surrounding racial topics, and even more so, how hard it is to actually implement action. But I feel that most of us do not even bring it up. Well, we are a nation of mostly “white” people, so are we simply racist? Perhaps we do not discuss or act on race because it is yet another method that we use to keep those people of color in their places and maintain our position as the king of the hill. Or, maybe it is because we “white” people simply are unable to really understand the severity of race. As a white person, (and a male at that), I just do not know what anyone else is dealing with. Sure, I can imagine what it would be like, and yes, I have obviously been teased, ridiculed, mocked, singled out, excluded, and all the rest. But it is simply not the same. I have never walked into a store and thought twice about a look I was given by the white clerk. I have never been walking home from class at night and seen a concerned stare from a young white female as anything but a necessary precaution. We talked about this a little in my discussion group, but we did not really get to elaborate on it fully. In my opinion, I don’t think we, (by we, I mean us “white” people), think about it. And we don’t think about it because we don’t really know of its existence. It is really hard to feel passionately about something to which you cannot relate. It is like saying that I know what it is like to live and work in a brick kiln in Pakistan or a charcoal camp in Brazil. Sure, I can “understand” or “appreciate” the hardships that they must face, but it isn’t really on my mind regularly. It simply doesn’t exist. We only really consider that which we face on a regular basis. Race, for white people, as I can only imagine, isn’t a primary concern. But that is not to say that we are off the hook. Whether or not we are directly affected by the pollution of Lake Erie, we implement programs to maintain its ecosystem. Why then do we do nothing to aid in race related issues. I am only hoping that research is being done and that sometime soon, a successful plan will come into play. But until then, let us continue on as cowards, as we have correctly been categorized.
First, I want to explore the idea that this speech would be taken differently if a white man- white man of power or not- would have made this speech. It would have definitely been taken in a more POSITIVE way, a more constructive way, if a white man or woman would have presented the idea that we are, “a nation of cowards.” I think this happens for just the reason Sam stated, that when someone of another race is talking about race, it always has to be seen in a NEGATIVE light, but in reality, in this instance anyway, this man, Eric Holder, is just trying to get us all talking about race. Honestly, I am sure after this speech, people have started to talk about race, but not in the way that Eric wants us to talk about race. It is impossible for us to be a “color blind” society, we are not going to just wake up someday and not recognize race, but people like Eric do not accept that. He is trying to create a forum that people of different races can take the time to get together and discuss race in a peaceful, but honest way. He is asking for ONE MONTH out of the year to be dedicated to these conversations. That is only one month out of the twelve months of the year, what is so hard about this? I honestly think it should be something addressed year round- I mean why not? Why is white history adressed so much more promidently than black history? It is just something that isn’t thought about and we needed Eric Holder to drop a word like “coward” to get people talking. To go past black people’s history, why aren’t Native American’s history addressed more? We, as a nation, are way more ignorant about their history and what we, as a white people, have done to them. How long is it going to take for someone to stand up and say that we are acting cowardly about Native American’s history, if ever? Like Sam said, all we need to be is cognitively aware of what is going on in the present, what has happened in the past, and what we hope to happen in the future. Honestly, knowledge and spreading the knowledge you know is one of the most important things we, as Penn State students, can do. It is hard because after class and after discussion groups, I always feel as though I should just leave the country and join the peace corps and physically try to change things, but deep down I know I could never do that. It is frustrating and kind of off topic, but I think I just have to take Sam’s advice and spread knowledge in a positive way.
The comment made about Black History month, and how we don't celebrate it enough and acknowledge all the people who helped make equality what it is today. My question and something that I guess kind of erks me is, why do we need a black history month to begin with? I am not racist at all and I do see everyone as equal, but we don't take whole months to celebrate all the white people or asian people or any other race for that matter to acknowledge them or think about all they have done for our country to this day. I understand all about how slavery was rid of by some of the people recognized during this month and thats great, but I see no need to have a whole month dedicated to it, and then go on to bitch about how we don't acknowledge them enough. Thats just dumb. No offense but it makes me mad because white people feel guilty enough as it is, not only that, the people growning up today in society have nothing to do with slavery. I sure as hell didn't own any slaves, so why should I feel guilty? I shouldn't yet I do because everyone makes you feel guilty all the time because of all their ancestors went through, not even them!
Yesterday in my discussion group, we talked about how one of the black kids in it attending school here, is here on a full scholarship souly because he's a minority. I am here on scholarship because I did so well on my SATs and graduate 3rd in my class, so finding out that I worked my ass off and made it to PSU on a scholarship, only to discover that a kid is here because he's a minority, granted he did work hard in school as well, that kind of pisses me off. When is our country going to stop treating people different because of their race only because we feel sorry for them and truely try to bring about equality. Until we start seeing everyone and treating everyone the same (not giving them benefits because they are a minority) our country will never be one truely after equality for all!
But i guess i'm just a big baby and shouldn't complain. Again, I don't mean to sound racist, but as Sam said yesterday in class, I guess I am one of those white people who are pissed off. Who just want it all to end and for black today to realize that they didn't go through the same shit as their relatives 50 years ago, and that they are living in the best time this country, if not this world, has racially ever had.
A central problem in the state of race relations in modern America is a false appearance of total equality. Although today people of different races no longer need to struggle to attain the same rights and privileges won by Civil Rights activists of the past, we live in a world that is separated by invisible cultural lines that serve to segregate America in its thoughts and relationships. The excerpt from Attorney General Eric Holder’s speech on race relations sums up some of the problems that we face today. In order to truly begin to form a society not bound race or color frank dialogue must take place in an atmosphere that is neither threatening nor judgmental.
The truth in Holder’s words is very clear as one begins to examine the social and cultural composition of American people. Some people have argued that by electing a Black president we have finally proven that racism or racial differences are a thing of the past. While I believe that for the most part people view others of different race as equals, there is an unfamiliarity that prevents them from becoming part of their personal lives; this is evidenced by the natural forming of social groups that usually are devoid of much racial diversity. People are gravitate towards things that are comfortable and familiar, and without regular open dialogue between races the polarization process continues.
In somewhat limited personal experiences interacting with people of different races, primarily African-Americans, I have always been aware of the potential to unintentionally offend someone. I believe that this uneasiness is a symptom of a lack awareness of what is acceptable to each person, and the defensive front people sometimes unintentionally put up. The reactions elicited by people listening to Holder’s speech are an example of this type of behavior. This speech was not meant to be offensive or even scolding, but a reminder that the battle for true equality is not won. Holder recommends frank tolerant discussion, and ironically he has become the victim of the intolerance one often runs into during racial discussions. I believe that the reaction for a speech of this nature would be similar had it come from George Bush or Bill Clinton, but possibly from a different section of the media.
People in today’s America are very defensive about being called racist or intolerant, and are very reactive to any real or perceived notions to the contrary. The use of the word ‘cowards’ in Holder’s speech is not directed towards any one group, but serves to illustrate the validity of his speech. This defensive wall is what Holder is referring to, and it is the main obstacle for growth in race relations and something to be aware of when holding conversations about race.
I tell many of the people that I hate fake people. I like people who know and tell the truth. That is probably why I don’t have that many friends. It’s hard to find a person that is always truthful. I totally agree with our Attorney General, Eric Holder. The country as a whole is cowards. People don’t want to face the truth. Race is a tough topic to talk about to any person especially someone you don’t really know that well. Although it is though, it should not be neglected. Everyone is not the same race and there are differences among us, why is it so hard to talk about differences. It is a universally known fact that everyone is different from the next person. People don’t want to acknowledge that there is still a racial issue. As many people want to try to avoid the issue or act as though it does not exist, it does. And it is about time someone bring it up
Actually I am tired of people talking about it. I know that to solve any problem, you have to brainstorm. We have been brainstorming for over sixty or eighty years and nothing has changed. I know that we now have a black president but people still acknowledge that he is half white and he was raised by his white side of the family.
A coward is simply someone who lacks courage. In the Wizard of Oz, the lion was said to be a coward but eventually he noticed that he did have it the whole time. It’s hilarious to me. Coward is just a word, a couple letters that make a sound and the whole country is making controversy over it. Would it be better if he simply said people are afraid to address the things that are racial or people avoid talking about race? It is just a statement that was true. He was not directing it to anyone specific. He said a nation of cowards. Not specifically anyone, but various individuals in the nation are cowards. I believe the people who were upset about his comment were the ones that are the cowards. Many people don’t like to face the fact of who they are and the people who were mad were trying to cover it up. What is said is said and there is no way to reverse time and change what happened and he shouldn’t apologize because he did nothing wrong. He just brought something to the light that people are now trying to put on the back burner because we now have a black president. Just because he is in office doesn’t mean that race is not an issue anymore. I hate when certain people try to say that when a racial issue occurs.
What Mr. Holder said was great and I am happy that people want to discuss it.
I agree with Attorney General, Eric Holder, as he commented on the cowardice of the American people when it comes to discussing race to an extent. It’s true that many Americans, not just white people, are uncomfortable with the topic. However, it’s also reasonable to an extent that people would fear this topic. Blood has been spilt over it, and people have died. To offend the wrong person, even if you weren’t trying to be offensive could have serious consequences.
His argument is legitimate, however. In Disposable People, it is explained that in order to bring slavery to an end, its causes must be identified. Just like a sickness, we must first find the roots of the problem in order to counteract it with a vaccine. So too must the races discuss each perspective in order to make all people more aware, of BOTH sides. I think that great progress is made in our discussion groups. I personally heard some stories from some of the black and brown people that were very upsetting. However, there is the perspective of the white person also. Both sides need to see each other’s points of view in order to start to understand the problem and work together. For instance, in a Race Relations Project discussion that I attended, a black girl commented that white people move out of their neighborhoods as soon as one black person moves in. Yes this is racist on the basis that since the family moving in is black, everyone assumes something awful will happen in the neighborhood. However, on the other hand, another girl commented that her family moved away once a black person moved in because it was after their moving in that her father’s store was robbed and held up at gunpoint by a black man. There are two sides to this argument: No not every black person would do that. In fact, most wouldn’t, but on the other hand, fear and risk are huge motivators. Why would the white man, hearing these kinds of stories, take the risk to stay when he has the means to move? Don’t get me wrong: I believe that it’s a very sad situation, and it’s not right, but there are definitely two sides to the story. This is why things do need to be discussed, so that both perspectives are taken in, and both sides have their thoughts acknowledged and respected. It’s not until respect is instilled that we can all work together.
Another comment that I would like to make is on the idea that whites assume that Holder is attacking them. On the other hand, in my very own Race Relations Project discussion, I made an honest comment about how I believed that racism existed in all races and against all races. Some are more harsh then others, but the rift between the races is not formed just because one race is prejudiced and the others are completely non biased. If racism was a one sided thing, the rift wouldn’t be so deep. I made the point that I’ve been judged on being white. People of other races might see me as sheltered and rich, when they know nothing about me but my skin. I believe that if a person of another race walked into the room, and in the two corners were me and a person of that same race, the people of the other race would feel more inclined to converse with each other than to converse with me. It’s not an evil intent, it’s what we know that we gravitate toward, and what we don’t know that we are more hesitant to approach (and are more likely to foster resentment against).
After making this comment, a girl of another background became offended basically making fun of my statement that racism occurs within and against all races. I resent the fact that whites are told that they don’t listen to other races sides of the stories, when here this girl was doing that very thing to me. It made me upset, but it was also somewhat comical that she was assuming I was being disrespectful because as a white person, I feel that I am very open to other races. One of my best friends is black, I’ve dated a black guy, I hang out with guys who are actually from India just about every weekend, etc. My list could go on. I was angry that she assumed I was racist but almost laughing at her ignorance. It was just ironic because here she was, implying only ignorance of the white race, when in her very statement, she was being not only disrespectful, but offensive and ignorant herself. This is why people are uncomfortable discussing race. There are ignorant people from every race who cannot be open enough to really listen to everyone instead of solely hearing what they want to, and there are people from every race who do discuss to really get to the root of the problem. In order to get past this, we need to hear everyone respectfully and truly consider them, not just throw out what we want to say and bash others without consideration for their points of view.
I agree with our Attorney General, Eric Holder’s statement about our nation being one of cowards when it comes to discussing issues of race. Although it can be argued that people of all different races in our country have a hard time opening up and talking about race, I tend to feel that it is the white Americans that oftentimes act the most cowardly. Although I personally feel that white Americans tend to be the most cowardly on the topic of race, I do not believe that was what Mr. Holder was implying. I also feel that because Holder is black, people who are of a different race then he most likely took the defensive side. Sometimes it seems as if people naturally feel targeted if the person making the claims is of a different group or category than themselves. If it were Bill Clinton or George Bush making these statements, chances are there would be a group of individuals from a race other than white who would feel offended or targeted. It is almost like people are feeling targeted or guilty because that’s what they are, guilty. The truth is almost all individuals, some more than others, have a hard time discussing race and when someone like Holder makes a statement like he did, those who have this issue will feel targeted and get defensive.
Sam once said in one of his lectures that calling a white American racist is the worst thing you can call them. And the fact is that this is so true. Because of slavery, segregation and all of the horrible things we have done to the black American culture in the past, and all of the heat we have suffered because of it, we are all so scared to come off as racist in our day to day lives. Sometimes it seems like we try so hard to not be racist that we come off as ignorant. For example: individuals try to claim that they don’t even see race when the fact is we all have eyes and can all see the differences. I’m not saying that some races, or differences, are more superior to others, but I am simply acknowledging the fact that they are present. If these differences are present and it’s a known fact that we are all different for a reason, then why can’t they be discussed without feeling anxious, offended or intimidated? When we shy away from discussing topics that are so obvious, and often relevant, due to fear of the past, that is nothing more than the definition of a coward. To not discuss something that has shaped our nation and our culture in countless ways is simply foolish.
So the media actually are making a fuss about this speech? Like seriously? I really respect Eric Holder for being bold enough to talk about this since many people seem to shy away from it because it is apparently the truth. Unfortunately, we like to be shielded from the truth and behave as if there isn’t a problem when there really is. Sam makes a very important when he pointed out that, Eric Holder was not attacking one racial group but the entirety of the citizens of the United States.
Many people have their own innate bias against other racial groups and even members of the same racial group are biased against each other. People like to put up the front while they are in public that they are generally accepting of everyone even if they are of different skin tones and so on, but as soon as they are in the privacy of their rooms or around others who are biased towards that same group of individuals, there you see their true colors and how hypocritical many people are. The fact that Barack Obama was elected president of this country does not automatically mean that people are going to throw their views out the window. Mr. Obama is a very remarkable individual who has set himself apart from many and deserves that respect. At the same time, Mr. Obama does not represent every lay man on the street or people being worked with in school or at work. So the sooner people realize his election does not mean total equality amongst Americans, they sooner we can work towards changing that.
I feel that in order to implement any changes in race relations, people must be able and willing to talk to each other and not just talk, but be honest and give their candid opinions on issues that truly matter to them. People are always being fake towards each other and may feel that their opinions may offend others which is why there has been no change at all. We fail to realize that, it is only when we speak to each other and recognize and explain our differences and similarities, that we can truly bond as a nation and propel to greater heights. One may say something like “ I have white/black/asian friends so I am not biased towards them.” But take these individuals who are a different race to you family and say you want to marry that person and see what will happen. Even sometimes within our selves, when it comes to things like marriage, we ask ourselves if the question of the person’s race does not come to mind before any other thing. It is there, we will realize that truly we are biased even if we do not openly express it.
It is amusing to watch how people react to any statement that is not praising our society for their pride and solidarity. Any comment to the contrary or any awareness raised to the fact that we may have weaknesses is bound to bring back a slew of responses of outrage.
Beyond my amusement with people’s thick-headedness and arrogance, I find it quite surprising that admitting our problems when it comes to race relations is such a feat. Eric Holder claimed us to be cowards. Will we live to see another day? Get over it, America. If we weren’t cowards, Holder never would have mentioned race relations to begin with.
The problem with this country is that unless you are enrolled in an excellent sociology course, when do we have the opportunity to discuss race relations? It is not possible for our country to overcome all of its prejudices when there is a fear in talking about our fears. There’s no reason to point the finger at any group or race of people and claim them as the “cowards.” Until we move far enough along to not have to discuss racism, we are all cowards. The burden is on every citizen’s shoulders to work together and bridge the divide. I can say that I have done my part if I want to, but until the job is complete, I, as well as every other citizen, must continue to push for true unity among people. It is a cop out to say “well I’m not racist.” Maybe it’s a true statement, but just because I don’t have personal prejudices against people on the basis of skin color doesn’t mean I’ve completed my part in society.
As a people, a united country, we are expected to make great strides to overcome our weaknesses. It takes some longer than others for individual accomplishments, but isn’t unity about helping those struggling to catch up? Until we stop centering the world around our own personal happiness and success, the country will remain one of cowards when it comes to race. To find true equality in a nation, we must all be at the same level of understanding.
At this point, many people are still failing and some we could give straight A’s, so perhaps we need the smart kids to tutor the struggling. It’s all about working together and accepting those around you. It sounds so simple, which irritates me, because it’s not. We couldn’t all just choose to make a great change overnight, but we could start the process by setting aside personal pride and overcoming fear of the uncomfortable. It’s not hard to talk about once you’re asked, but in a society where we try to hide our injustices, it can be very difficult to find common ground to start a race-related conversation.
Eric Holder’s speech in which he stated, "In things racial we have always been, and I believe continue to be in too many ways, essentially, a nation of cowards," was a truly genuine speech in which he spoke about the truth of race relations in America today. Of course any speech about race is going to bring out controversy and debate. I feel that those who are angered or question Holder’s true intentions in his speech are those exact people who are the cowards he was referring to.
I could not agree more that what our country needs are people who are willing to sit down at the race table and talk. Every week after I leave my discussion session I think, this is what this country needs. More than books, more than school, more than the media, we all need to open our eyes to what others have to say and talk about our differences. Holder’s comments relate greatly to “Making Peace Between Our Colors.” In her book, Mulvey discusses opening up our boxes to the thoughts and opinions of the of difference races around us.
Criticism of Holder came due in fact to that many felt it was an attack on White people. As mentioned before, I feel that those who feel most threatened by this statement are those who need to open their eyes to the situation the most. An interesting part of this situation is to think about like Sam said, what if it was a white man saying this, such as George Bush or Bill Clinton or an Attorney General from a past administration who was white. Would these exact statements then be viewed as an attack on people of color? Would this speech even have of occurred? It is hard to know for sure, but I don’t think that someone of white skin would have made the comments that Eric Holder made. They would not have made such comments out of fear of being labeled as a racist. Not only would this not make them a racist, but if a political figure of white skin would support Holder’s statement then that would be a step in the right direction. Then we have players from both teams who understand that it does not have to be an issue of right and wrong, or racist and non-racist, but rather is a time when we all need to as Laura Mulvey would said, “open our boxes” and sit down and realize where the other side is at. We need to realize that we can no longer point fingers. We can no longer avoid the situation in fear of being deemed a racist. Holder’s comments are what race relations and “Making Peace Between our Colors” is all about- not being afraid, not being a coward, and talking about our differences and our opinions in order to understand those from a different race and realize that our differences are few.
Race has always been a topic of debate and the way that people handle that discussion, whether black, brown or white, is the problem that Holder seems to be bringing up. It is extremely unfortunate that he as a black man is unable to say this speech that does not blame any race in particular, without it automatically meaning that he is blaming white people for not talking about race. I feel that he made a statement that was necessary and it’s similar to what we are learning in this race relations class. These are the statements and the questions that Sam Richards asks to the class everyday that are somewhat difficult to hear and often extremely difficult to answer honestly, but we are all in the same boat when it comes to this problem. I feel that maybe it seems that black people have an easier talking about race but this problem affects both races. This difficulty to speak about race is something that is holding our nation back from becoming united completely and that is what Holder was talking about in his speech. I think that this is something that needs to be addressed more often and the fact that Holder is black shouldn’t be a factor on whether or not it is important. Maybe I am being pessimistic when I say that if a white man said this speech it would be thought about more openly without automatically saying that he is saying this because he is white. I think that is why Sam Richards gets so far in his class without offending everyone. He is able to talk badly (or truthfully) about white people and after he says that stuff he gains the black people’s trust enough so as to not offend them when he speaks badly (or truthfully) about them. I suppose a black person could do the same thing if they were teaching the class but it would be necessary for them to go about it the same way by talking about his own race first and then moving on to the races. It is an automatic thing to think that a person of another race is going to judge or critique you but sometimes (like, I believe is true for Sam) there is a person who honestly doesn’t care about race and is able to see from others point of view easily and first, and also question everything they know to be true and see why it could quite possibly be false. This idea is something that is kind of new to me but I found that it is so important to have this outlook and mindset because there are so many things that the media tells us or that we have just grown up believing without being told why. If we don’t try and do this we could be leaving a lot of people shorthanded in the scheme of society.
I found Attorney General Eric Holder’s speech to be far from "reprehensible" or "inflammatory" as many said. Like Sam said in the blog what he is saying is nothing new. From my perspective he is just saying what others fear to acknowledge. We are a nation of cowards. Whether your black, brown, white, or yellow we are all cowards. Unless something directly affects us we brush off what we hear or see especially when it comes to race. Holder is right, people like to get in their (what he called) “race protected cocoons” and like to stay there. Yes, we did elect a black man into office so we should be over racism because he is in office race, right? Wrong. However this is not what Holder is talking about but rather talking about how Americans live their lives. We might have elected a black man in office but that does not mean that there still is not fear between races. We might not directly show it in our everyday lives but there is still an unspoken fear between the races. For example, in the novel “Making Peace Between Our Colors” by Laurie Mulvey, she talks about race issues that still exist today. She tells the example I am sure all of us have experienced one time or another about an experience on an elevator where you are waiting to get on an elevator when the doors open to one white woman and one black man. She talks about the struggle deciding which person you should stand next to as a white person. If you stood next to the white women she would be a racist. However if you stood next to the black man it would be just to prove that you were not racist and comfortable with the whole issues of race. In the end you end up standing next to the white woman because you realize you should not stand next to the black man to prove you are anti-racist. If we lived in a world without cowards I don’t think this internal struggle would even exist because it wouldn’t be something than even cross our minds. This is the kind of thought that should not be entering our minds and something that we need to work to change within ourselves and others. I feel as if Holder is not preaching to white people but rather trying to build bridges between the two races. He talks about breaking out of our comfort domes and led America to a more open nation. Sam is absolutely right; whites don’t know who to interrupt a black man telling them the truth about themselves and in return cause more friction between the races. However, if whites and for that matter anyone who became offended after hearing Holder’s speech should take a step back and see where this man is coming from. He is not there to judge, he is not there to preach, but he is there to open our eyes to a serious problem of race that needs to be addressed and not shoved to the side as it so often has done before.
I believe that Eric Holden was merely making a point and the criticism that he is receiving is being unfairly given. I agree with the statement that he makes when he says that when it comes to race, most people are cowards. The topic of race is a touchy subject that most people are reluctant to talk about. People are so afraid of being labeled a racist that they would rather keep their mouths closed and say nothing at all. Even the risk of offending someone is enough to stop them. The issue of race was plastered all over the news with the election of Barack Obama as the first black President. I think may people thought that by his election, racism would become a more widely talked about topic. For many people, that fact that he was elected was a hard pill to swallow. The fact that these same people are now being called cowards is what has everyone up in arms. Eric Holden simply stated the truth: many people are afraid to talk about race. It is the fact that he used that “c-word” that people are so offended about. When people heard Holden present this message, they took it has a personal attack that white people have not made strides in the world or racism. Personally I think that as a white person, we just do not know what to say when it comes to race and this is why we may come off as “cowards”. I know personally even in my recitations I sometimes find myself worrying about what to say and what to not say. And it’s not like I would ever say anything rude or racist, I just am worried about offending someone or someone taking something I said the wrong way. I would not necessarily call myself a “coward”, but I could be perceived as such. I think I would call myself cautious. I think if Eric Holden had used that “c-word” instead of coward, he would not be getting the backlash and criticism that he is getting right now. Coward comes off as a fighting word and people are more likely to take offense at being called that then cautious. I think he would have actually gotten a lot of people to agree with him if he had said coward. As to the question of what if George Bush or Bill Clinton said this, I am not sure what the response would have been. I do not think there would be this kind of backlash though. Coming from a white person, I think white people would be more likely to identify with this statement. I think that the fact that Holden was black made some white people take this as a personal attack. Hopefully this issue will die down soon, because I think there is no need for it.
The comments made by Attorney General Eric Holder are neither outrageous nor hurtful, but rather almost dead on accurate. In this speech, Attorney General Holder acknowledges the elephant in the room that is race. He does not attack or assign blame to any one racial community but decides to address it as a nation wide problem, which it most certainly is. I admire Holder’s stance on the issue being not to sissy step around the topic of race but instead have frank upfront conversations, much like those which are encouraged in our discussion groups. The more open each racial group is with each other, the easier it will be to understand one another.
Another thing which I took from Attorney General Holder’s speech is that our interaction between races should not just be civil but even transcend that category of racial harmony into one of friendship. It’s almost most commonplace today for people of different races to be able to work together, go to school together, live in the same community, and carrying on our daily lives without disrupting the “peace”. But it is definitely time for our racial groups to mix socially and begin to interact with one another on a less formal level then that of business or education. Penn State is a perfect example of how races live and learn with one another but when it comes to a social scene or a table in the dining commons, a majority of the time segregation is present by choice of the racial group. I truly believe the only way for us to knock down this barrier is to listen and really follow through with Attorney General Holder’s suggestions of having frank conversations about race. Once we understand about each other’s ethnicities we well be able to get over the simple fact of skin color and view people for who they truly are. We as a society allow race to play to big of role in our lives, it really is only skin color.
I really agreed with Sam’s finial comment of “ So if we're not a nation of cowards, we would just allow him his critique and keep talking to each other, don't you think?”, it really does show how much power we allow the issue of race to play in our lives. The reason I think that Attorney General Holder’s speech is drawing criticism is definitely because of his use of the word “coward”. At first I viewed it as a harsh name to call an entire nation but after some thought and viewing it in the context with which it is use, the description is dead on. Coward describes someone who allows fear to dictate their own actions and thoughts, and for us not to posses the courage to discuss race with one another truly is cowardly.
Attorney General Holder’s comments are correct. We, as a nation, are afraid to talk about race, regardless of our own personal race. While many white folk believe it’s just them and their white brethren that are nervous when discussing race, it’s actually true across most lines, at least while in mixed company, but it’s not so. Case in point, during last week’s group discussion a black girl in our class said she grew up in a black neighborhood but went to a white school and said all of her black friends would throw around the white stereotypes. When asked what those stereotypes were she wasn’t comfortable saying them out loud in front of a room full of white people, and understandably so. Eventually, after some prodding, she came out and said them, “White people smell like dogs when they get wet,” and, “White people always have these nice clothes but their shoes are always dirty.” The reaction from most of the white people in the class, needless to say, was pretty much laughter. Maybe this is from never really having to deal with racism first hand, but from my experience, white people pretty much just laugh at almost every white stereotype. Maybe that’s the way to solve it, but most other racial stereotypes carry some heavy and violently demeaning things, so joking about it is not the issue.
I know where the attorney general is coming from, during our discussion the “N” word came up in topic and one of the white members of the group said what has become a pretty hot topic of debate amongst black and white members of society, why is it considered OK for a black person to say the “N” word but not so for members of the white team? But then a good point was raised, why would a white person want to say that word anyway? It’s one of the most demeaning words of all time, but then again, as Sam said during the first day of class, it is a word, just like fuck, shit or asshole (I’m not going to get into the “C” word). Therefore the true meaning of the “N” word is in the mind of the person that says it and the person who hears it, so maybe they should be considered OK by everyone. Thinking about this debate makes me think about Richard Pryor and George Carlin’s take on the “N” word (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZCS5I80X-8) Carlin hits it right on the head, the word itself is not bad, it’s the context in which it is said that makes it bad. Just like guns don’t kill people, stupid people kill people (actually bullets kill people but that’s another discussion for another day). So essentially the ‘N” word is the gun of the racist bastard. But then you’d have to decide whether or not the person using the word is racist, but that’s almost impossible to tell unless you know them very well. So maybe if we actually open up our ears and listen to the context instead of just focusing on one word, actually listen to the entire statement, maybe we get past this debate. Obviously if someone is wearing a white sheet and a cone hat while burning a cross and uses it, they’re using it for malicious intent. But if someone just says, ‘What up my …?” Where’s the harm there? Then again, I don’t understand it because I’m white and probably considered pretty ignorant, so I don’t know. But from now on I’m going to use the word spaghetti to describe someone who is a friggin moron, a pain in the ass or just some dumb piece of shit whose only purpose on this earth is to steal the air we breath from decent human beings who actually do something good for this world. So if I call someone spaghetti, the world will know I truly hate that person. But do you think anyone will raise a fuss when I say spaghetti?
In response to the entry that mentions Attorney General Eric Holder’s comments on “America is full of cowards,” there are a few statements I would like to make on my own. In many aspects, I agree with what Holder said. In modern society, a society that has come very far since slavery in early America, and the Civil Rights Act, sometimes I feel that America is full of cowards; but, the word “coward” may be a little too harsh when describing these feelings. In America today, I feel that many Americans are fearful and scared when it comes to talking about race because no matter how far we have come, we still believe that racial discussions can still be somewhat sensitive. When most do not attempt to bring up the discussion, then yes, sensitivity can still exist, which is why in today’s society, race should be a topic that is brought up in casual conversation in order to finally eradicate these racial tensions. I would like to mention, however, that many who believe that saying something about race automatically makes you a racist is a completely false and uncalled statement. Just because someone wants to discuss race or even mentions the topic, this doesn’t mean that you have to run and hide from the conversation because “someone” from said race may be lingering around. I feel a lot of these situations can arise in the workplace around a water cooler. I think that it is good practice and good policy for college students to take sociology, or race relations to be more specific, as a class in order to help rid the nation and the rest of the world of racial tensions or beliefs. Surprisingly enough, though, even with a black president that has recently become the most powerful man in the world, many Americans still run away from racial discussion because they think that “someone in the government” may be listening. But the fact is, that today, we have surpassed many racial barriers and a black man has become president! These tensions should not even exist anymore. Who the hell cares about the color of someone’s skin today in the most powerful country in the world? I just find it to be completely ridiculous that in the year 2009, after enduring history lessons and dealing with the topic of racism sine the country began in the 18th century that we still need to handle this issue as a people. Even though many in the deep south and other areas around the country may still grow up with racial beliefs because of family history or whatever it may be, but the truth is, the emancipation proclamation happened, slaves were freed, the civil rights act happened, blacks were given rights, so what the hell else do we need to do to end racism. Just end it now, everyone is equal in the new millennium.
I am astonished, absolutely nothing in Holder’s speech could even be thought of as racial discrimination. He explicitly uses multiple times the word “we” to speak of the problem of a nation with a melting pot of ethnicities that all need to make an effort to transcend cultural barriers and communicate with each other. Ultimately he did not say anything that should be taken by any offensively. The only reason why some have decided to go up against this man is because they have made assumptions about the ideas he expressed. They took his words, added a few extra connotations and made him seem like a man that was directly challenging white people.
“So if we're not a nation of cowards, we would just allow him his critique and keep talking to each other, don't you think?”
The only reason why some white men decided to accuse him of being racist is because somehow deep down they feel guilty. If you have nothing to feel uncomfortable about, if you know you are being respectful to others regardless of race than no comment should engender this type of response. Only those that are afraid keep silent and never address issues of race. All these men that declare themselves strong and independent are not able to do the one thing they are most afraid of, going up against their true and deepest feelings. Even if one is prejudiced and biased, which lets be honest we all are in different degrees, we at least need to acknowledge that fact. If we understand that we have been socialized a certain way then we can start being more aware of what, in our surroundings, influences us most and how we can regulate it.
Furthermore what seems to keeps us divided are those crazy stories people divulgate out of their own personal reaction to a certain comment. It is dangerous because only a few might have seen the video but those few might interpret it in a contorted way. A video can be interpreted a thousand ways. This is why I do not like extremes and strong position on one side or the other. They prevent us from giving anyone the benefit of the doubt. So when we read, see, hear something we will exclusively evaluate it from the point of view of the little ideological box we’ve decided to join to feel more secure. Instead we should question whether our approach is truly right, if there isn’t any other way we could look at certain situations. People have an increasingly high tendency to take everything as a direct and personal attack on them. But ultimately a word is just a word and the connotations associated with it come from our own judgment and biases, which we should consciously try to control.
I read this article and I couldn’t agree more with the attorney general and his statement that when it comes to racial issues we are cowards. I think that he is addressing this mentality of think but don’t speak that we have acquired as a culture when it comes to discussion. We would much rather accept everything that comes up on the surface and just bitch about when we are by ourselves. And when I say “we” I mean mostly white people. I have a lot of friends that have very strong opinions about race that are intelligent and reasonable. But when I tell them to voice it or discuss it openly with other people they get uncomfortable and shy away. Me on the other hand I like to open my big mouth and say how I feel, but most people get nervous. They don’t want to be labeled as a racist or cause a scene. I think that one of the biggest reasons that white people don’t openly talk about these things is because just being in that territory for them is a lose lose situation. We assume that just by being in the discussion and having a separate opinion about race makes them a racist asshole and that as a white person they have no basis for discussion on this topic. Why not? And the media loves to jump on black people’s band wagon and they love to scorn and undermine the evil white man and portray him as an ignorant bigot. Anytime someone even remotely makes an off color statement the feds are brought in. The NAACP and Al Sharpten will be notified and everyone will be outraged. When Imus made that comment on the air about nappy headed hoes it was everywhere and he almost lost everything for a comment that is said by every rapper to ever grab a microphone. But because he is white it is different. So we wonder why race is such a touchy subject, we’ve built it up as this war zone where there is no room for opinion. Just keep your head down and follow instructions, go back to bed America everything is fine your government is in control and we know what is best for you. I believe that if we truly had freedom of speech and discussed these problems we have and really lay all are cards on the table we would have gotten past most of it would have moved on as a society. Race discussion isn’t black and white there are shades of gray, we can’t spend anymore time pointing the finger at people. So I think that we are starting to head in the right direction, but if we don’t get past the initial insecurity and be honest with each other and stop leading secret lives we will never do anything but run I place.
When I first read this story, I immediately thought about Mrs. Mulvey’s book, “Making Peace between our Colors.” One of the main arguments that she articulate’s in her book is that every race simply lives within their own race. We tend to not worry about race relations because we in our own race are perfectly fine. Although she was mainly talking about the white race, I can see where that could be applied to every race. It is called being close-minded. Because the issue of race is so “touchy-feely,” we tend to stray away from that conversation. These attitudes and actions are exactly what help to continue the problem between our races now. We all need to address the issue of race. We need to open our minds to other people’s perspectives, opinions, and feelings. We need to admit our flaws and what part we play in equation. We need to learn more than what our parents, teachers, family and friends have taught us; this way we can erase our ignorance. Until we can do that, we will be looked upon as cowards, and I believe this is the point that Eric Holder was trying to make. It is cowardly to not want change, because most of the time, people are afraid of change and that is why they do not participate in change. But, on the other hand, some people are simply stuck in their ways and do not wish for change. Those people are the ones you pray for. Race is a subject like religion, politics, abortion, or gay marriage. There will never be an agreement on these issues. People will never reach a common understanding on these topics. These subjects get deep, and many people do not bother to discuss these issues, so I can understand why Americans run away from talking about race. It is too complicated and quite frankly a headache. Like, every time I go over one of my friends house (their white by the way), we always end up talking about race. It’s like, the dude is overflowing with white guilt, and the chick just is not; they’re not racist, but during some conversations, I start to see a little racism slip off the tongue; and I get frustrated with my friend sometimes because, this might sound like a cliché but, she does not understand what it’s like to be black, so she will never be able to fully understand to articulate an argument to defend her race against my race. I mean, I do not believe that she should not not feel white guilt, but I just ask for her to understand and not try to act like racism and discrimination does not exist. The King of the Mountain philosophy is perfect in explaining why blacks or any other race other than whites feel the way they do.
But about Holder’s comments, it is inevitable to not assume that Holder was making his argument a black and white thing. Whenever this issue of discrimination and inequality is brought up it always seems to point in the direction of blacks and whites.
I would agree that people are reluctant, afraid even to discuss race. In the blog when Sam said that 50 million people seemed to have gotten over their fear by electing Obama as president, I would have to disagree. Voting for a black man is not the equivalent of holding an open discussion of race. Even though a lot of people voted for him because of his race, I think that that is different than confronting their own innate racism. I’m not one-hundred percent sure where I’m going with that thought process, so I’ll leave it there.
I think that what Eric Holder said may have been a little harsh—that Americans are cowards. It also struck me what he said about blacks and their “stay in this country.” Like they are just visiting and testing the waters. Part of what segregates blacks in modern society is the “race card.” It really gets on my nerves when people play the race card. It is a handicap, when things get too hard, and they can’t handle everything society dishes out, they automatically point to racism. I’m not saying that blacks are the only group of minorities who do this. Asians so it, Indians do it, Hispanics do it, everyone does it. And if you’re not a minority then you point to reverse racism, affirmative action, etc. I’m also not saying that in some cases people aren’t perfectly justified in flashing the race card. In class the other day we were talking about how there were thousands of identical resumes sent out, and some with “white” names like “Bob,” “Sue,” “Brett,” and some with minority names like “Akhil,” “Taisha,” etc. and there was a significantly higher response to the resumes labels with white names. There is definitely racism in the world, and the race card is there. But people have to be more careful when they use it. Society as a whole sees it as a crutch, as an unfair advantage that is used whenever you want to end an argument, because nobody has a comeback to being called racist. And they see it in that light because that is how it is sometimes used. We need to stop using that excuse so flippantly, and then people will see it less as whining, and more as a legitimate argument.
I guess I just proved my first point, about how people are afraid to discuss race. They’re afraid of being labeled as either whiney or as racist. I guess we all just have to stop putting labels on each other and open up channels of communication. As Holder said, we should use February, Black History Month as an opportunity to foster a dialogue.
Ebony Martin
Soc 119
2/28/09
American Cowards
In relation to what is mentioned in the commentary regarding the Attorney General, Eric Holder, I heavily disagree with the statements that imply that Eric Holder was referring to white Americans in his speech regarding that Americans are afraid to discuss race. I think in general, on the contrary to what some people believe this is true. And the fact that Mr. Holder was an African American who made that statement, if anything I think that it was taken out of context. The truth on more than one occasion is generally pushed to the side and disregarded for what it truly is and I believe that in order to actually decode what is, we must look past the biases and lean towards how to effectively initiate change addressing the things that we tend to hide about ourselves.
Perhaps the main discussion here is whether or not Holder is referring to white Americans as cowards, and with the deepest regard, I must admit that he is not! If anything he is addressing the fact that we, as Americans are all cowards until we hold ourselves to the absolute understanding that there is a detrimental problem that confronts our nation more so now, and possibly in the years to come.
In terms of race relations, I feel as though a lot of things are tossed out according to race. Most commonly in the U.S, a lot of people feel that race and ethnicity are never a topic of discussion because there are so many different viewpoints regarding it. However, I don’t feel that by ostracizing the topic altogether, that the differences among us will go away. In class, we talk a lot about how in race relations, true revelations come when there is a cognitive dissonance that resonates with those who believe that they know otherwise.
If anything, I think that the very disturbance of the issue is more pertinent in the argument rather than that of the actual issue. I think if people addressed why they feel uncomfortable about certain situations, then maybe it would actually be better in certain circumstances to resolve it. However, I feel as though many people like those who do not wish to neither address nor confront issues such as these, it will take more than just the mere thought of resolving the issues to actually construct a resolution that will set precedents for resolving future circumstances.
Lastly, I believe that it is necessary to address these issues on both sides of the spectrum, not just black and white. Indeed there is a race issue in this country and I feel as though if strides to protect the welfare and consideration of other peoples within our nation aren’t addressed, then this might perhaps be just the beginning of a long standing issue regarding race relations.
I believe that in today’s society no matter what way you phrase it or bring it up, the topic of race will always have the same reaction. Here you have a very intelligent man pointing out the obvious and people are over reacting. If he had made a statement about how we live our lives ignoring the growing poverty problems in the world people would agree, say something about it, then forget about it. People always react to the subject to race in such an odd way. White people deny being racist, hate that black and brown people “complain” to much, give and example on how they are not racist and then continue to allow racism in everyday life.
I personally believe that if we really tried, racism could disappear tomorrow. However, there are many people who are too afraid. There are many white people who do not want to lose the white power, they thrive on it and abuse it. Also, there are many white people who are afraid that black and brown people may reverse the racism on white people. They are legitimately afraid that if they lose power they will be punished for what their ancestors did and what they have done in their own lifetimes. Would that happen? Maybe. Should it happen? No. But why do they freak out so much when the topic of racism comes up? Why should they react so badly when Attorney General Holder makes a simple, brief and true comment about racism in today’s society. He was not singling out any particular racial group. The fact of the matter is no one should be racist and no one should allow racism to occur. Too often people, whites included, she others being racist and do not step in to stop it.
White people are not the only racist people in our country. I have seen black, brown, Asian, Hispanic and everything in-between be racist. I have seen black and brown people especially being racist against white people. They automatically assume every white person is the same, judging them off what some of the worst racist white people have shown. They display some of the same exact racist acts against white people that they complain about all the time. I believe that is the biggest irony in race related topics in today’s society.
The Attorney General is simply saying that we ALL are too afraid to speak up. We are too afraid to stop it. We simply allow it to continue because we do not believe we can make a difference. One day, assuming the world does not end in 2012, every person in the world will have the same color skin. While racism still exist then? I hope not.
I feel as though Attorney General Eric Holder was pretty dead on with his speech about race. This isn't just about one particular group, but as people we have to be aware of what's going on and how to identify racism. Not just black people, brown people, white people but all people. I think the reason why we look at it as though whites do not see it is because most white don't see it. I feel like most whites don't take into consideration that some things are affected by racism because they themselves aren't affected by those same racist circumstances. Not only do I feel that whites are unaware, but so are blacks, browns and many others. Sometimes I just think that poor blacks and browns that are affected go to work just to get money and by the time they get home they don't even think about the "why" factor in the work force or the community. They're so busy working harder than the upper class they don't see the disadvantages. I personally think as a majority blacks, browns, and asians are forced to work harder than whites in America's society because we have to adjust and conform to who controls society which are whites. With that being said, although I feel we work harder it doesn't always mean the hard work pays off. For some odd reason I feel as though if the commissioner of the NBA were black the NBA would still be there because the commissioner would be making decision based off of what whites think are acceptable. I think David Stern is makes decision based off of what White America thinks is acceptable and this way of thinking is what makes the money. Athletes I feel still don't understand this that they are pawns and who wouldn't see it when you're making $80million. Tommy Hilfiger took black styles and made money off of it because he can do that. He's white and he had the money to do that. Who was going to tell him he couldn't. Everything that blacks do it seems that there has always been a white man behind the scenes saying, "no let them do that" or saying "WE can make money off of this or them". Look at how many rappers there are and how many of them own record labels. Once you look at that then look at how many of those labels are owned by bigger labels where the CEO's are white. They're the big dogs. How do blacks have a black history month and have the lowest graduation rates. That's because every day is white history day just nobody talks about it. It's really bad what's going on man. I always want to know what going around me, I want to know my rights, and I want to make my money whether it's legit or not because I'm always two steps behind everybody else and the bad thing is I don't have it as bad as a lot of others out there do. I feel in society somebody's always going to try to have their finger on me and what I'm doing and my goal is to see to it that nobody ever tells me what I can and can't do especially if it because of racial reasons. The sad thing about society is that the whole time were racing to get ahead of each other and once we think we have finally won we realize the whole time we were running the wrong race. There was a much BIGGER race that we should have been running. Even sadder is when we realized that we end up just settling for that little race that we won. I'ma try and go after that bigger one though.
I think that what he said did have its points. It was true at least in my opinion because we as Americans should be one of the most outspoken about race since we are viewed as a melting pot. I think that we often times don't want to be put in the position of being looked at as a racist even if we did not intendt our words to be looked at in that way. I for one usually am quite comfortable talking about race and I am a white female. I think that white people tend to shy away because of the point that Dr. Richards makes, we feel guilty or are afraid of being viewed as a racist. Listen, if we live in fear of what others think then there is no room for progression. We need to stop being to anal and just let people identify as to what they feel comfortable with and call it how it is. I dont think that the speaker should have used the word cowards because generally when you ae trying to get a point across to a group of people and you want them to pay attention you should shy away from cutting them down, he should have instead made an understanding of where we are now without the name calling. It also came off as condescending and people obviously will stop listening after that.
I think Americans tend to be pretty sensitive people, we get offended pretty easily and remeber it. I think that an intesting thing to look at is when there are clubs designated on campus to certain races. I mean if we had a white people club on campus everyone would be runnign around screaming KKK, so I think that is kind of unequal that there can be an Asian club or a African American club. Now really my problem is that if you arent of these races you look like an idiot for joining and not that there isnt a white club because that isnt my point. I think these clubs should exist but that there should be more diversity and mixture of the people's in these clubs.
Getting a little off topic I think that this video proves many things about how this country works. We do claim to be a melting pot but whats the point of saying this is we dont actually blend our colors and realize that at the end of the day we are human. I know that we have come a long way but there is still much progress to be made and one way to do that is to simply just live your life without seeing color. This is easier said than done but it can be done.
Well in my opinion, the people that got mad about Holder’s comment about Americans being cowards are not used to hear a Black Attorney saying a word like this, just the work makes any person gasp. But if they get the meaning of the word coward in the whole sentence they might not be as mad. I honestly don’t think he said nothing wrong, but to let people know that they need to confront race because it’s part of America. Another thing he didn’t say who where the cowards, they might be Black, White or Asians or everybody. Race is a topic that not only Americans but everyone in America shouldn’t be afraid of talking about, because it’s something that exist and we can’t hide it, so the best way it’s for us to talk about it and deal with it. I think that because he is Black that didn’t help him keep the people with the word coward happy, because like Sam said imagine if it would be Bill Clinton or George Bush instead. If it would have been one of them I don’t think White people would think the word coward was for them, but I think everybody would agree about talking about race and not to fear about it. Race is always spoken the most by people of color because they are the one more expose to it, that’s why being a black man saying that Americans are cowards bother people a lot. I like the fact that he said that word because now they are going to argue about the fact that he is not afraid of expressing himself like that, and if Americans aren’t cowards then what’s the problem with him saying that word. Just in general, it’s going to be really hard for White people to get used to the word race, because they are always going to be the majority in the USA, plus they are always seen as white supremacy, so the people that are affect by race it’s the one that talks about it because they are the one being affected by it. So If I was white I’m not going to care about race, what for, if me being an American is perfect. Most of the people live like America are just fine how it is and we all get along; well when everyone goes home is not like that. Because we all different we all started in a different place, different environment so not everyone is going to think the same about race. So Having a General Attorney saying this word is really impressive, and once again I’m happy he did, because since Americans are not cowards then let him speak.
In my opinion the people who are mad about Holder’s comments about Americans are just not used to hearing a African American attorney speaking words like this, just him saying a word like that makes people gasp. But if they took the word in the context in which it was used then they would probably be less mad than they are. I don’t believe he said anything wrong. I completely agree with what he said. People do need to confront race because it is a big part of America. Also, he never explicitly stated who the cowards were. They could be whites, African Americans, Asians, or anyone. Race is a topic that everyone is thinking about, but that most are afraid to talk about and it shouldn’t be this way. There’s no way to hide it so the best thing for us to do is just confront and deal with it. I think him being African American didn’t really help his cause. Imagine if it had been a prominent white man who would have made the same comment. I don’t think white people would think he was talking about them and would be more willing to talk about race. Race is usually spoken by people of color not because they are the one’s more exposed to it, but because white people think that African Americans are the ones who are capable of talking about race. I like the fact that he said that word because now they are going to argue about the fact that he is not afraid of expressing himself like that, and if Americans aren’t cowards then what’s the problem with him saying that word. Just in general, it’s going to be really hard for White people to get used to the word race, because they are always going to be the majority in the USA, plus they are always seen as white supremacy, so the people that are affect by race it’s the one that talks about it because they are the one being affected by it. So If I was white I’m not going to care about race, what for, if me being an American is perfect. Most of the people live like America are just fine how it is and we all get along; well when everyone goes home is not like that. Because we all different we all started in a different place, different environment so not everyone is going to think the same about race.
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