The Color of Character

Race Relations

Race at the Local Level

Chicago continues to gentrify. White, Hispanic, and Asian populations of the city grow, while the black population of Chicago dramatically declines – creating a small net loss of residents, as our most violent neighborhoods empty out; their residents in search of jobs and a more peaceful life for themselves and their children. A result is a…

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Still Frustrated

I’m always looking for provocative information for this blog. I try to find new perspectives on the subject of race relations. Alas, all I read indicates to me that there are only two perspectives, and the twain never shall meet. No matter how much logic, reason, facts, history, and proof are presented by either side,…

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What’s To Discuss?

The Cries of Racism Reach a Crescendo If you were to do some sort of comparative search on Google, you would find that in the past few years, talk of racism has dominated much of America’s written, visible, and audio space – more than in any time since the 1960s. I can’t pinpoint the point…

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Race Relations Are Local

As I’ve mentioned periodically, I receive daily Google Alerts on the subject of race relations. The vast number of articles that are forwarded as part of these alerts discuss the depth of systemic racism in America. They remind readers of the daily struggles faced by blacks in America of which most whites are unaware. There…

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Race Relations – A Candid Perspective

Some of you might remember the Pulitzer Prize winning, Chicago columnist Mike Royko. He often wrote about his alter ego, Slats Grobnik, to represent the white, working class view of life. I’m going to introduce you to John Q. Whiteman. I don’t know if he is my alter ego or not, but I do think…

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Do the Right Thing – It’s a Commandment!

During the recent Jewish High Holidays, the rabbi of our congregation gave two sermons. One was about the rabbi’s participation in the recent march called America’s Journey for Justice. There were over 3,000 participants. This was a 1,000 mile journey from Selma, Alabama to Washington D.C. organized by the NAACP.  Among the co-sponsors was the…

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Mother (Peggy) Hubbard is Wise

If you’ve read my novel or my blogs, you know I am a white guy trying to address the frustrations on all sides surrounding racism in America. I’ve stated that blacks, whites, and all other Americans have work to do. Although that seems obvious, there are some who think that all the responsibility rests entirely…

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Let’s Just Stop It.

Message to racists of any stripe: You have a misplaced sense of patriotism. You dishonor our country and the best of our heritage. You stand in the way of an even better future for yourself, as well as the rest of us. Message to angry blacks: Racist whites do not represent your white neighbors. Message to uneasy whites: The gang-banging,…

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Does Race Only Matter When the Victim is Black?

I’ve taken a completely unscientific poll of a ridiculously small number of people, but I think that my findings can be extrapolated to reflect many more. Perhaps thousands or even millions. The important quality of my subjects is that they are white, and view themselves as liberal, progressive, or at least not harboring feelings of…

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