Each of us must look into our souls and ask, how am I contributing to
the attitudes that perpetuate white males' sense of entitlement? What
do I do as a parent? in my classroom? with my colleagues? in my
relationships? that allow white males to continue to dominate and to be
insensitive and unaware of the feelings and rights of others. As a
black male I encounter these attitudes almost on a daily basis in small
ways. I admit to being afraid to call white males on their aggressive,
insensitive behaviors because of a fear of violent reprisals (a fear
that is not without historical validation).
Now, before I get accused of white-male-bashing let me hasten to add
that some of my best friends are white males. :- ) If we are going to
look the problem square in the face, however, we need to discuss some
unpleasant realities. But I think it starts with each one of us asking
how do I contribute to the problem. The problem is not "out
there"...it's in here. Bob McIntosh <McIntosR@nwrel.org>