John S. Wolfe

The title of this post is consciously inflammatory. The motivation is to get Americans of all backgrounds to reject the rhetoric and theatrics of political “leaders” and acknowledge that, while racism may still exist in some forms, most maltreatment of individuals by other individuals is based on a slew of other factors.

Let’s look at the United States in 2010. It has the most diverse population it has ever had. Every study today – and a glance in any office or classroom – shows an array of races and ethnicities. It is right in front of you.

Ironically, Arizona – the subject of current controversy over the recently approved immigration law – is a saucepan to the nation’s melting pot.

In Arizona you’ve got: Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, African-Americans, Central Americans, white Americans, Asian-Americans, Indians and Pakistanis, Iraqis and Afghanis, and more than a few citizens of European descent.

You’ve also got: senior citizens, Mormons, Muslims, bikers, Buddhists, computer engineers, golfers, models, ex-pro athletes, RV owners, plastic surgeons, NRA members, celebrities, landscapers, the super-wealthy, waiters, call-center employees, cowboys, rocket scientists, and international students.

There are a lot of guys in pickup trucks, gals in convertible sports cars, families in SUVs with video consoles, couples in sedans doing 50 mph on the freeway, crews in landscaping trucks, and drivers of delivery trucks.

Arizonans know all of these people. They work with them. They’re friends with them. They married their daughters or sons, sisters or brothers. They sit next to them at school concerts and sporting events.

They may like them, or they may find them aloof, conceited, humorless, cheap, ultra-sensitive, liberal, conservative, a big talker, a deadbeat … fill in any adjectives overheard at any family reunion. And it probably has nothing to do with the races of the people involved.

Let’s go back to America in 1810. Or 1860. Or 1910. Or 1960. What did the racial landscape look like in each of those eras? As we’ve all been taught, it’s not pretty. Generations of families of all backgrounds – including slaves and European and Chinese immigrants – faced rules limiting their opportunities, restrictions on participating in elections or owning property, and access to public facilities and capital.

But times change. Anyone under the age of 50 grew up in a different world — with “Sesame Street,” “Electric Company,” “Welcome Back, Kotter,” new games, “Star Trek,” Oprah, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Jackie Chan, Halle Berry, Nancy Lopez and Tiger Woods. We’ve seen Thurgood Marshall replaced by Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg join Sandra Day O’Connor, and Nancy Pelosi elected speaker of the House of Representatives. Most of us wanted to “be like Mike” or laughed with Cheech & Chong or danced to Carlos Santana or the Commodores. Barack Obama is our president.

Schools continue to teach messages of tolerance, sharing, and cultural awareness. If someone steps out of line, he or she is ostracized for not being “politically correct.”

Businesses that reject candidates based on background, gender or race limit their access to the pool of talent. It may make the owner or manager feel better, but in the long run – as the free market demonstrates – the business person is limiting his or her chances at success.

Yet, despite these lessons, accusations of racism committed by white Americans – now white Arizonans — persist. Are they fair?

Do Arizonans want a crackdown against Mexicans because they don’t like them and don’t want them in the state? No.

Arizonans don’t want to welcome any person who defies authority, ignores the accepted immigration rules, and commits crimes in the state. The opinion is not based on race; it’s based on a desire for a safe and livable community.

Are all human conflicts race-based? While to the victim a criticism, snide comment or disapproving glance could be construed as “racist,” in today’s society it’s more likely that the response was a commentary on the individual’s actions or conduct, not his or her race. The “victim” may have been loud or rude, or disrespectful, or patronizing, or dull, or insensitive. The “perpetrator” may have been having a bad day and been a bit short with a customer. It’s unlikely it was because of the individual’s race.

To the extent that people stereotype other people, it should be noted that sometimes stereotypes have grains of truth. Think of people with piercings and tattoos who are often “rough around the edges.” Or folks who act pretentiously to project a superiority. Or young men with their pants low and boxers showing. Often people dress and act specifically to be perceived a certain way, or to fit in, or to gain the benefits or advantages that a stereotype might provide.

One can hear the comments of others on such appearances, and ethnicity may never come up. Yet someone who “suffers” from any scrutiny may instinctively think it is racism.

The situation is not helped when firebrands like Al Sharpton parachute in and attempt to commandeer the debate along racial lines, playing on some people’s ignorance.

It’s 2010. Let this be the year Americans of all backgrounds say “Enough!” and simply refuse to grant legitimacy to those who seek to divide us by race. Deflect the charges, knowing in your heart that America is not racist.