As racial tensions escalate across America, it is time for an uncomfortable but urgently needed conversation about race relations.
Many blacks correctly point to the reality that poverty in their communities remains higher than the rest of the nation. They note that young black males have higher rates of incarceration and altercations with police. Non-blacks point to a half-century of anti-poverty and affirmative action programs. Some blame police-black tensions on a higher proclivity to respond negatively to law enforcement on the part of those youth, and suggest an absence of fathers as benevolent authority figures leading to that attitude.
Both have a point. Yes, there have been extensive anti-poverty programs, but those efforts have been a failure. Poverty remains virtually unchanged in the half century since they were begun. The fact is, those endeavors have been a great benefit to the politically connected who administer them or who had the opportunity to work in them, but they have done precious little for the intended recipients. The rise of “poverty pimps” illustrates the problem.
After the elimination of officially sanctioned segregation laws and the death of the Jim Crow environment, it seemed that the path to full financial equality would finally begin. The results, to say the least, have been disappointing. In truth, Blacks have been denied the same chance to progress economically that other American groups once discriminated against have had (Irish, Italians, Asians, Jews, etc.) This denial was not the result of intentional discrimination, but rather the replacement of the formerly dynamic and flexible U.S. business environment with one laden with excessive taxes and regulations on the federal, state and local levels. It is doubtful that, given these conditions, any prior downtrodden groups would have had a viable shot at moving up the socioeconomic ladder.
The failure of the American school system also plays a key role. The philosophy of education was once heavily tilted towards preparing students for success in the workplace. About the same time as the Civil Rights movement succeeded, however, educational philosophy re-oriented towards more esoteric goals—learning for learning sake. The fact is, everyone can’t find employment as college professors. The traditional trades that helped the Irish, Italians, Asians, Jews and others to move into the middle class (and for many, beyond) were de-emphasized.
It is fascinating to note that in the one area where the anti-free free enterprise and excessively academic movements didn’t take hold—the military—Blacks progressed in about the same way prior minority groups did.
This is levitra cialis viagra due to the hard erection maintenance. You can enjoy these acts without adding the involvement of main sexual viagra pills in india activities. A higher-grade tumor is dispersed with uneven edges levitra without rx that are apt to spread rapidly. Thus, the mother can still use the baby’s sleep time to attend to other important viagra mastercard india matters, such as the mother’s own sleep time. The late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) wrote extensively about a political environment which inadvertently encouraged economic dependency and the resulting loss of family values within the Black community. Dismissed by many on the left, his vision has been proven correct.
Progressive or leftist politicians have unintentionally caused harm to Black America through adherence to government programs and taxes as opposed to free enterprise, and the downplaying of traditional values. An acceptance of radical viewpoints and a proclivity to only favor Black candidates and elected officials who slavishly—the word is used intentionally—stick to a liberal perspective has reduced the political clout of Blacks. Consider the vicious comments made by progressive and liberal politicians and pundits about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, or former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. The rejection of these brilliant and accomplished individuals and the acceptance of hucksters such as Al Sharpton indicate an agenda more about politics than truly ending the history of discrimination against Blacks. Consider the outright rejection of black candidates who ran in Republican primaries.
The white media shares blame with the politicians. It, too, has glorified unsavory cultural leaders within the Black community, while rejecting those who have truly been a voice of reason. It has failed to properly discuss the extreme harm done to minority communities committed by political criminals who rose to prominence as mayors in places like Washington, D.C. and Detroit.
It’s not just at the ballot box where this takes place. In popular entertainment, the promotion of “gangsta” rap over more savory versions of that musical movement has created destructive role models.
A half century of failure and political self-interest is enough. It’s time that traditional American economics and practices were given a chance.