Are Interracial Whites America's Shunned People?
By
During the heyday of racial segregation, white persons associating with black people were labelled "nigger lovers." Thus interracial relationships were a nightmare for liberal whites in Mainstream America.
But some liberal whites ignored this upward mobility burden. These people worked in social programs targeted to the black community. A few liberal whites committed the mortal sin of marrying into black families.
There are roughly two hundred thousand black/white interracial married couples today. I guesstimate another 50,000 black/white interracial non-married relationships underway. Furthermore, competitive world market forces now demand that American businesses harness the full potential of their multiracial work-force.
The above shifts in America's modus operandi suggest that whites involved in interracial relationships have unique skills. These people know how to prosper in dual cultures.
I began to appreciate interracial whites when a white lady showed up at my home to pick up my youngest son to go to the YMCA. She claimed to be the mother of one of the black boys that is often around my house. I initially doubted her statement because the child is not a mulatto.
She read the doubt in my face. She replied, she was the child's stepmother.
I invited her into my home while Sherman II got his things ready. I was reviewing some articles so we began to talk about my writings. She then surprised me, revealing that she thought of writing a proposal to the management of her multi-national employer to work on projects significant to the black community.
This white lady expressed intimate understanding of the plight of black Americans. She attempted to give credence to her claim by revealing that she had once taught blacks mathematics at the Opportunity Industrialization Centers.
This lady's comments were very perplexing because they raised the issue of non-racial qualifications outweighing race on supposedly race related projects. I was left plagued by the issue, "Are interracial whites victims of defacto segregation in both Black and White America?"
I asked a number of mainstream white people the question, "Who would get the job between a black and white person if it was to manage a program targeted to the urban black community?" I proposed that the black person grew up in a predominantly white suburban neighborhood and attended private predominantly white secondary schools and an Ivy League university.
On the other hand, the white grew up in the black community or near it. This person was also educated at the local state college or university.
It was felt that the black would get the job. But would the black be the more qualified person, especially considering they know little about the community's problems or its culture?
I then asked: "Should the white person get special treatment because of their interracial relationship?" "No," was the overwhelming response to my question.
There was also general agreement that mainstream treatment of the white partners in interracial relationships is a difficult issue to address. Most people were still struggling with this issue when we terminated our conversation. One fellow even asked for a few days to tumble it over in his mind.
I feel that whites who are parents of mulatto children or who have lived and worked in the heart of Black America ought to be considered assets by the black community. Black America can ill-afford to be emotionally blinded by black racism when the upward mobility of the black community is at stake.
Furthermore, Corporate America should view interracial whites as a national treasure because these people can offer guidance on bridging the chasm between minority groups and Mainstream America.
I am sure I will get criticized by blacks who will argue that whites always get the leadership positions. These people will accuse me of attempting to legitimatize these shunned whites.
I only ask, "If interracial whites are the parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents of black people, should Black America not show empathy and sympathy for their plight?"