By Kwame S. Salter
Nationwide — Robin Williams, the brilliant late actor/comedian, once remarked, “Reality! What a concept.” When the discussion comes around to race relations in America, we seem to have a difficult time dealing with the reality of race. On both sides of the racial divide, opinions seem to be set in quick drying concrete. Many whites feel that any mention of race is an attempt by blacks to justify or excuse some action or reaction. On the other hand, too many blacks believe that no white person can be trusted to be fair and objective in encounters between the races. In reality, the truth lies somewhere between these two extremes. Clearly, not every compliant by blacks is frivolous or a blatant attempt to obfuscate by playing the so-called “race card.” And, in spite of the sordid history of social injustices, political disenfranchisement and state sponsored terrorism in the guise of the Klan and other white supremacist groups, many brave and courageous whites have stood up for both our civil and human rights.
Issues such as black on black crime and the scourge of vicious black criminal cartels loosely referred to, as gangs must be faced up to and discussed. Approximately 12%-13% of the American population is African-American, making up 40% of the almost 2.1 million male inmates in jail or prison (U.S. Department of Justice, 2009). Crime, whether committed by blacks or whites, has become pandemic in our large urban centers. What are the contributing factors; why is our criminal justice system so efficient in the capture and incarceration of black offenders; and, how many are in prison due to being targeted in the putative War on Drugs? “Too many,” as George Wallace was said to have quipped when asked, “how many blacks are there in America?” But, why are we so protective of so many of the truly bad guys who live in and terrorize our black communities? Is it that we don’t trust the police? Many of the police patrolling these black communities are themselves black. Are these black officers quid pro quo better or fairer than their white counterparts? Some are and some aren’t.
Just recently, a highly commended black Police Commander in Chicago was stripped of his badge and gun while facing two felony charges. This top cop allegedly put his gun in the mouth of a black suspect. DNA test verified the presence of the gun in the suspect’s mouth. By the way, this cop, over the years, had been the subject of many citizen complaints. What comes of the complaints from black citizens against these black cops? According to records, only two citizen complaints resulted in discipline. Is this behavior by a black cop surprising? No, not if you consider that during WWII the Nazi’s used Jewish prisoners as “Kapos” or prisoner trustees to watch over and brutalize their fellow Jewish prisoners. The more brutal these Kapos the more rewarded by the SS Guards. As I pointed out in my piece of Ferguson, what we need is not, necessarily more black officers – but better officers. Attracting, developing and retaining better police officers is the key to tamping down some of the potential of violence by and against police. Having a close relative that was a police officer who was shot and blinded in the course of duty, I know their job is not an easy one. Every split second is over loaded with information and data that must be correctly deciphered – their life and the suspect’s depend on it. This is the reality of the situation.
Having discussions aimed at bringing about positive race relations appears to be a topic that America is not eager to put on the table. America, we have a problem. This is not a new problem; it is not even an isolable problem; still, it is a wicked problem. According to the Australian Public Commission, a wicked problem is one “that is difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements that are often difficult to recognize. The term “wicked” is used to denote resistance to resolution, rather than evil.” Improved race relations in America can be achieved by applying our unique American “can do” attitude. We have a blueprint. That blueprint is the Kerner Commission formed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967 to understand the root causes of the urban riots that plagued our cities from starting in 1964. Johnson rejected the Commission’s recommendations. Still, the Commission’s findings, known as the Kerner Report were spot on and prescient. The Commission stated that the nation was “moving toward two societies, One Black, One White – Separate and Unequal.” Moreover, the Report warned our country faced a “system of apartheid in its major cities.”
Obviously, we have not heeded the warning. Today, the concentration of blacks in the inner cities remains more fixed than fluid; the predicted racial divide has widened; and, poverty is more structural than generational. We need President Obama to issue a call to action, much like President Johnson did over 40 years ago. Thus, my modest proposal is for the President to create the Biden Commission on race relations. Joe Biden, our straight shooting Vice-President has both the street cred and needed gravitas to lead such a Commission – his 2007 primary gaffe, notwithstanding, of describing Obama thusly: “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” Biden said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.” I’ve heard worse and Biden has more than atoned for that politically incorrect statement.
Finally, I would also highly recommend that Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh be invited to join this august body. Why not? They always seem to have the right answers.
Kwame S. Salter is President of The Salter Group LLC, and the author of two books including “Striving While Black”. For details about his company, visit www.talenttrumps.com
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