In preparation for an even more intense exercise in American democracy, with race as the centerpiece, I suggest a few factors to guide the discussion.
Our history is the best proof that America is not a racist nation.
What delivered us from the undeniable racism of the past to the election of Barack Obama? The American creed-"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"-inspired the laws that changed our social and legal structure to make the aspiration real.
As a society, we have been slow to respond to those who propose to transform the U.S. We have not asked, as we should have: Transform from what to what? The answer to this question may be found in the bluest of American states-among them California and Washington-where the transformation is in full bloom.
"The operating thesis of a significant segment of the leadership in these states is that America is a racist nation, governed by a horde of white male supremacists who use the pretense of equality to maintain their superior position. When asked for evidence to support the claim of white supremacy," the only response I have been given is, "Look all around." They hold this untruth to be self-evident.
I am able to enjoy the fruits of American freedom with a slice of the American pie equal to that of every other American.
In 1996 California voters approved a citizen-sponsored initiative, Proposition 209, that added the following words to the California Constitution: "The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin, in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting." In recent months, much attention has been focused on the destruction of historical monuments and statues, while very little attention has been focused on action by the California Legislature to erase Proposition 209, and the principle of equality that it represents, from the California Constitution.
Our history is the best proof that America is not a racist nation.
What delivered us from the undeniable racism of the past to the election of Barack Obama? The American creed-"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"-inspired the laws that changed our social and legal structure to make the aspiration real.
As a society, we have been slow to respond to those who propose to transform the U.S. We have not asked, as we should have: Transform from what to what? The answer to this question may be found in the bluest of American states-among them California and Washington-where the transformation is in full bloom.
"The operating thesis of a significant segment of the leadership in these states is that America is a racist nation, governed by a horde of white male supremacists who use the pretense of equality to maintain their superior position. When asked for evidence to support the claim of white supremacy," the only response I have been given is, "Look all around." They hold this untruth to be self-evident.
I am able to enjoy the fruits of American freedom with a slice of the American pie equal to that of every other American.
In 1996 California voters approved a citizen-sponsored initiative, Proposition 209, that added the following words to the California Constitution: "The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin, in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting." In recent months, much attention has been focused on the destruction of historical monuments and statues, while very little attention has been focused on action by the California Legislature to erase Proposition 209, and the principle of equality that it represents, from the California Constitution.
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