Why race still matters

The controversy over Senator Obama's former minister Rev. Jeremiah Wright has brought to the surface a lot of feelings and ideas about race that Americans have. I think we learn a few things from this. As I've talked about before, there are cultural differences between racial groups in the U.S. This means that sometimes we speak past each other and misunderstand one another. These cultural differences exist for several reasons. In the case of immigrant groups, the source of these differences are obvious. For African Americans, the differences are less obvious. I think they have something to do with residential segregation that allow those of different races to largely stay out of contact with one another. I think it also has to do with religious segregation. The Black Church has grown out of the distinct experiences, needs, and hopes of African Americans. It continues to address different things today than you might hear or see in a predominantly white church. When we fail to recognize or appreciate these cultural or religious differences, we get into trouble. I think this is really at the heart of public concern over Rev. Wright's sermons. I am not defending his statements, nor did Obama. But there is a need to be sensitive to these cultural and religious differences.

The other thing we learn is that many white Americans feel that African Americans need to stop complaining and playing the victim. Sociological research on racial attitudes has revealed that for some time now, white Americans have begun to believe more and more that racial inequalities have largely been addressed, and that we don't owe African Americans any special favors. Unfortunately, racial inequality still does exist, even if it's harder to see for the average American and it is uncomfortable to think about. So, if racial inequality exists in things like education, income, etc., you are faced with the following challenge. The vast majority of white people believe that African Americans are just as biologically capable as they are. That is, they are not somehow inferior and thus not capable of achieving similar levels of education, income, or something else. Yet, if there exist significant gaps between whites and blacks, what is the source if not biological ability?

I see two possibilities, and both are addressed by sociological research using survey measures. One view is that African Americans are somehow less motivated or are culturally crippled. But for me this gets too close to biologically inferiority, which I absolutely reject. The only other possibility is that social conditions exist, referred to collectively as social structure, that tend to disadvantage African Americans and make them less likely to achieve at the same level as whites. I believe that this is the case, but many Americans are very uncomfortable with this idea. I think it's even more difficult to conceptualize or grasp than simply blaming African Americans.

I think that to recognize the role of social structure in perpetuating racial inequality does not merely blame whites and absolve African Americans. Obama knows that. Many people understand that. But that's how a lot of people feel.