The Pitfalls of Racial Reasoning

In Dr. West’s book he goes into a chapter that elaborates in details the downside of too much racial reasoning. I would definitely be doing too much to also going in detail and defining this. I suggest you buy the book… it is a classic called Race Matters.

It has come to my attention that we (African Americans) just might be doing this again in the current political race. Now I’m an Obama supporter and God knows that I hope he gets in the White House and turn it Black. But have become so preoccupied with the man’s race that we fail to be critical of his platform and policies.

As a supporter of Obama I think we should all take a step back and remember that this man is not Jesus. I asked a few supporters of Obama what do they not like about him today, and there response was “I haven’t found no fault in him”. Now call me crazy, but don’t that sound like a scripture or something? Have we made Obama into God… Is he the Anti-Christ??? No… he is definitely not the Anti-Christ but please people ***in the mocking tone of Bill Cosby*** lets be critical.

I read a good blog the other day talking about Black People’s not being honest in the presidential race (Shannon). But I believe this slight ignorance goes beyond the presidential race. Sometimes that we become so happy to have black person in position that we aren’t critical enough. And sometimes dominate culture is so happy to put one of us in position, just to shut us up.

Lets not let race go beyond truth. Now don’t get me wrong I’m all for bringing down the all white hierarchy that has been in place since the conception of America, but let’s do it with intelligence so that we don’t look like babbling fools. Case in point of foolish Racial Reasoning that we have supported in the past… R. Kelly (GUILTY!!), Duke Lacrosse (We were ready to start marching before the case even got started), and O.J. (Yes I understand the argument that Black people made about making sure there was a fair trial… and that is needed… but once again we jumped to conclusions from the start!!)

Come on people let’s begin to use those higher level thinking skills that we know we have and don’t act like because we want to see the race progress (and that we do), that we aren’t critical and smart people.