In a "Post-Racial America"

If you didn't watch the Golden Globes this past Sunday, Tracy Morgan of the TV show 30 Rock, announced that because Barack Obama won the Presidency of the USA, Tracy was going to accept the awards for the 30 Rock show in a "Post-Racial America". It was a great/funny acceptance speech, very fitting of the show in my opinion, but in reality we are not in a "Post-Racial America".

I am not trying to downplay the historic significance of the President Elect Obama, who has arguably done the most for positive ethnic relations since Martin Luther King, rather I am being realistic about people's view points across the nation. I watched countless news programs during the election coverage where reporters found people who were willing to come outright and said they didn't trust Barack Obama because he was black. It is unfortunate to know that people still have fears based off someones appearance, but again that's the reality.

In my opinion, part of the solution for positive ethnic relations is to get people to dialogue about the subject matter. Acknowledging your biases and gaining knowledge of the unknown is the only way to deal with this unwanted subject. This is why I would suggest after you celebrate Martin Luther King day and President Obama's historic inauguration day, visit Community Change, Inc., in Boston, who have developed the Yvonne Pappenheim Library on Racism

This collection has been selected to support the development of racial and multicultural awareness and sensitivity and development of skills for communicating across differences of all kinds. The books, and videos they offer may be a great starting point in which to bridge the cultural divide with your friends, coworkers and family.

Please see their website for more information and who knows maybe with your help, we can live in "Post-Racial America".

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Photo Courtesy of: http://www.craigavon.gov.uk/community/racism.htm