I know you understand the sarcasm of the subject line, but it really does speak to part of the problem: complacency. Too many, mostly whites, though a few others as well, seem to think we are in some racial/ethnic paradise, and while not perfect, is almost to the top of the mountain. Sadly, we aren't even close! IMO, this country has backslid in many ways. I am sure many thought, hoped, the election of an African-American president would indicate the amount of progress this country has made; it confirmed the opposite. The almost meteoric rise in the number of racist groups, the increase in membership among the Klan and other racist groups already in existence, and the disgusting displays against our current president, IMO, demonstrate we are still a long ways away from reaching the mountaintop. Of course, there is also the more obvious examples with the murders of unarmed black folk, racist billboards, the casualness of racist attitudes/sayings, that just a few years ago would have caused most people to blush with shame and embarrassment.
One the larger problems is the casual indifference (the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference) and lackadaisical attitudes about race and racism from the center to the left. It manifests in distractions (discussed in other threads in this group) of class issues, the problems within the black community (as opposed to addressing the topic at hand), the pitting of various minority groups against one another, and the refusal to listen to the opinions and concerns of the AA community (a perfect example is the raising of children and the use of corporal punishment). Those on the left, especially the white community have a duty to listen to, respond, and understand the concerns of the African-American community. Though I am gay and Jewish, which present their own issues and concerns, some very important to our survival, the fact remains, in this country, and much of the world, the color of one's skin still a heavier weight. Until more people, including those self-professed 'progressives', take their heads out of their butts and see white privilege for what it really is, little will change.
= new reply since forum marked as read