The article, Issue # 9: Is Racism a Permanent Feature of American Society gives two sides to a critical argument in today’s society. Derrick Bell is introduced as a prominent African American scholar and authority on civil rights and constitutional law. Dinesh D’Souza is presented as a John M. Ohlin scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. After reading both arguments it is safe to conclude that Derrick Bell believes that there will always be racism towards blacks, while Dinesh D’Souza believes that racism has evaporated within society. Bell infers that the history between whites and blacks is a major reason why racism will be a stable component in American society. Dinesh implies that the trailing progression of blacks is due to culture
…show more content…
“Even if racism were to disappear overnight, the worst problems facing black America would persist” (183). D’Souza states that even if racism disappeared overnight blacks would still face the same issues, such as outbreaks on drugs, AIDS, high crime rates, and black on black crime. He thinks that blacks are holding themselves back and it’s up to the individual to pursue his own path to success. Dinesh mentions Colin Powell, Douglas Wilder, and Clarence Thomas in his excerpt as an example of America’s changing stance on race. Each of them overcame the social hardships of being black men in America and used it as motivation to become successful. D’Souza refers to cultural relativism as denying blacks the possibility of achieving success on their own therefore suppressing cultural independence. This suggests that all cultures are equal and all standards are comparative to culture instead of universal. In essence, he argues that modern liberals produced a new issue by blaming black problems on white racism. Subsequently, this means that if all cultures are indeed “equal”, blacks should do as well economically and socially as whites. He emphasizes that African Americans and society need to play a role in reconstructing the culture of blacks in America. This is true because if a culture is to take on its own responsibilities and duties, that culture can be changed. In order to do this blacks must eliminate the reckless and incoherent components of their culture. Thus, they must integrate a culture of decorum and civility throughout their
“Even if racism were to disappear overnight, the worst problems facing black America would persist” (183). D’Souza states that even if racism disappeared overnight blacks would still face the same issues, such as outbreaks on drugs, AIDS, high crime rates, and black on black crime. He thinks that blacks are holding themselves back and it’s up to the individual to pursue his own path to success. Dinesh mentions Colin Powell, Douglas Wilder, and Clarence Thomas in his excerpt as an example of America’s changing stance on race. Each of them overcame the social hardships of being black men in America and used it as motivation to become successful. D’Souza refers to cultural relativism as denying blacks the possibility of achieving success on their own therefore suppressing cultural independence. This suggests that all cultures are equal and all standards are comparative to culture instead of universal. In essence, he argues that modern liberals produced a new issue by blaming black problems on white racism. Subsequently, this means that if all cultures are indeed “equal”, blacks should do as well economically and socially as whites. He emphasizes that African Americans and society need to play a role in reconstructing the culture of blacks in America. This is true because if a culture is to take on its own responsibilities and duties, that culture can be changed. In order to do this blacks must eliminate the reckless and incoherent components of their culture. Thus, they must integrate a culture of decorum and civility throughout their