[Revolting cat!]

BY the incessant drawing of attention TO RACE, we remain racists.

Well stated. The obsession with race in this country is sickening (see the idiotic thread here today about a barber who won't cut black hair.) I always say, it's the culture not the race!

[nmh]

"I always say, it's the culture not the race!"

Absolutely right!

It appears we didn't have to read the article to figure that out.

God made all of us. There are good and bad in every conceivable color, shape and size.

[Question_Assumptions]

The problem is that we have a particular culture mapped extensively to a single race, encouraged by both whites who won't accept blacks as equals and blacks who consider the adoption of mainstream American culture as "selling out". I've had black friends be told by other blacks that they weren't normal because they weren't speaking to each other the way normal black people are supposed to. That all provides a powerful incentive not to stray from the cultural plantation.

[SuzyQue]

The obsession with race in this country is sickening...

I disagree a bit, and I think Shelby Steele was also doing so. By refusing to own up to our attitudes, we perpetuate these old stereotypes, and the shame and inaction that that brings. However - he says that "white" America has owned up and made progress, but now it's time for "black" America to do the same. Good essay. SS, as always, is a very brave and thoughtful writer.