Racial Reconciliation
Black Masculinity, Societal Indifference, and Church Socialization
Steven Randolph Cureton
Racial Reconciliation: Black Masculinity, Societal Indifference, and Church Socialization pursues the deconstruction and construction of black masculinity. This book is partly exploratory in that it presents an abundance of profound quotes from historical and contemporary blacks who have a vested interest in race relations. It could be that the United States of America has not been ready to be receptive to the idea that blacks not only can recognize their own oppression but also can articulate with accuracy the human nature of the oppressor. This book aims to directly confront the nature and extent of racism and discrimination in an era that boasts about racial progress and a similar era whereby modern day churches perceive themselves as beacons of morality and racial harmony.
7. The Common Thread in Post-Racialism
Extract
Chapter Seven
The Common Thread in Post-Racialism
Prior to becoming the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama’s political journey as a community organizer and Senator was bolstered by inter-racial support. As a representative of Illinois, Senator Barack Obama took great pride in establishing rapport across racial and ethnic lines. Senator Barack Obama acknowledges that his family’s diversity makes it difficult to be singularly beholden to the black race for reason that he sees himself as the product of an inter-racial couple born in Hawaii. Senator Barack Obama contends that blacks and whites alike don’t offer blind judgments but make appraisals after years of interpersonal interaction.
They sensed what I’d come to know from a lifetime of experience: that whatever preconceived notions white Americans may continue to hold, the overwhelming majority of them these days are able—if given the time—to look beyond race in making their judgments of people. (Obama, 2006, p. 235)
This belief highlights Senator Barack Obama’s faith in the soul of people above and beyond racial loyalties. What’s more, Senator Barack Obama believed that blacks should resist declaring that there has ←121 | 122→been no racial progress because it takes away from the sacrifices of so many other blacks who routinely worked tirelessly to promote equitable civility and access to opportunities to enhance social mobility and improved resource acquisitions. Post-racialism implies that race no longer dominates as the primary ingredient determining advantages and disadvantages...
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