The Great Divide

Well, I'm taking the lazy route today. Rather than come up with something fresh, witty and insightful...you know like i usually do, I'm going to share an email I received. The other day I alluded to having received a press release from a group protesting the supposedly racially-motivated failure to respond to the victim's of Hurricane Katrina in a timely manner. I mentioned that when I replied by voicing my concerns about the sincerity of such a protest, I had received a three-word response. Well, I must admit, the individual (whom I won't name) has sent me a somewhat more thoughtful reply. In all fairness, I will pass that on for you to read:

Dear Steve Cook,

Or, should I address you as "West End's Best"?

Now that the protest is over, I thought I'd give a more thoughtful answer to your e-mail -- mainly because I hate to write off anyone, no matter how boorish.

It's not necessary to go over the reasons why the Defenders called the demonstration about the government's response to Hurricane Katrina. The news media has made the situation very clear: One-third of New Orleans lived below the poverty line, but there was no attempt to get those without transportation out of the city. After the storm passed, up to a week went by before there was a serious attempt at rescue and relief. Then a virtual state of martial law was imposed. So we -- along with dozens of other groups around the country -- held a vigil demanding "Real Relief, not Repression."

Two weeks earlier, I had sent out a press release about an anti-war vigil in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a GI killed in Iraq who was asking for a meeting with President Bush. About 35 people came to that event, along all three major TV networks, the Times-Dispatch, Style Weekly and two or three radio stations.

For the Sept. 12 vigil on Katrina, I sent a press release to the exact same media list. We got about the same number of participants, but no media, except for WRIR, a small community-based radio station.

We did get your e-mail, accusing us of staging the protest to garner publicity.

My point is that the rules change when the issue is race. Katrina has exposed the deep divisions in this country based on race and class. It's relatively easy now to protest the war in Iraq -- it's increasingly unpopular, and sections of the power elite are getting nervous about where it is going.

But Katrina is different. It's potentially dangerous, opening up deep volcanoes of anger. I think that may have been why we got so much coverage on a little peace demo and practically nothing on Katrina. In this context, it doesn't surprise me that we got one e-mail accusing us of opportunism on the issue of Katrina.

I don't intend to carry on a dialogue with you. Both your e-mails were inane and hostile and didn't deserve any more response than the first one I sent. But you may benefit from thinking a bit about why it was that this particular issue got you so upset. Was it really concern that some group might be trying to make political hay off a disaster? Or was it because the issue dealt with race?

And if so, what does that say about you?


END OF EMAIL

I started to reply in my typical sarcastic manner, but in all seriousness, I felt the issue was too important to try for a cheap laugh. To me, the issue is so clear, and I am so right, that I wonder why everyone doesn't see it this way. Perhaps, my arrogance is clouding my vision. I would appreciate your feedback. Am I missing something here. I really would like to know.

Here is my reply:

Mr. ___________,

Admittedly, I am not overly happy with the way you have insulted me. However, I can appreciate that when emotions run high, one can respond in a manner that really does not reflect their true character. I’m going to assume that this is what happened. I really don’t think insults from either side is the solution.

I must admit, I do find it insulting to make the response to Hurricane Katrina a race issue. Admittedly, there are inequities in society, and obviously the minorities are, by far, the more frequent victims of such inequities. However, the generosity displayed by many Americans, has been totally devoid of racial under- or overtones. Americans saw scenes of predominantly poor, black fellow Americans, and opened up their hearts and pocketbooks.

To make this a racial issue, in the midst of this spirit of caring, is very wrong. It is counter-productive. Perhaps, there will be a time to explore the possibility that racial divisiveness has been at the root of the situation that put these victims of Katrina in such a pitiable plight. But, do you really think protests at this point are going to make white Americans more willing to help? I truly don’t.

If anything, I think it could cause many to reconsider. I feel that racial divisions are quite frequently based on our stereotyping those of a different skin color, ethnicity, or even economic background. And, I think your actions help to promote the stereotype of the “angry black American.” Certainly, the media promotes that image as they seek out stories of evacuees complaining and arguing and fighting.

I can’t imagine what it must be like to endure what these folks must have gone through and are continuing to go through. But, if I were you, and to be honest, I don’t know what your skin color or ethnic background is, I would be seeking to help paint a picture of the courage, the pride, the dignity, of the evacuees. Why waste your time making issues that, at this point in time, should not be made. There will be a time for that, I’m sure.

I just honestly believe that if you truly care about those displaced by Katrina, there are so many more worthwhile things you could be doing...things that would generate even greater generosity by persons of every racial background. Even, if you felt my original response to your press release was “inane and hostile,” why not reflect your high ideals by refraining from telling me to “go f_____ myself”?

I’m not upset by your response. Actually, I found it somewhat amusing. But I am upset because I feel your actions are not only a waste of time, but ultimately hurt those you seek to help. I don’t think your protest causes even one person to change his or her point of view, at least not in a way that’s positive towards your cause. If you had expended the same energy to go downtown and publicly thank Richmonders for their non-racially motivated generosity, and, at the same time, taken additional donations, you would have done so much more good. You would have demonstrated that while you have genuine concerns about racial issues, you realize that at this point in time, we’re all pulling together. And, if you don’t see that, or believe that, then I truly feel very sorry for you.

By the way, you don’t have to call me “West End’s Best.” Steve is just fine.

Sincerely,

Steve Cook