How to Solve the Problem of Racism

People have been talking racism for centuries. People continue to be racists. How do we solve this problem. Everybody has dealt with it, politicians, spiritual leaders, community activities, and the problems of racism continue.

First, we have to admit that racism is a problem and that it’s a psycho-social problem.

But racists are like alcoholics. In Alcoholics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous, first the people have to admit they have a problem. Admit they are out of control alcoholics, admit they they are out of control gamblers before they can solve the problem.

The problem with racism and racialism is that everybody denies it. Everybody is in denial.

That’s why Sinbad’s statement about Michael Richards is refreshing. All these others are denying being racists. He’s the only person who made the public statement that everybody is that.

He’s correct. Everybody is a racist. And until everybody admits that you’re not going to solve that problem.

The great actor Marlon Brando, for example, stood with the blacks at the March on Washington, made his great statement of commitment to the Native Peoples of the First Nations, when he rejected his Oscar–great for Marlon. But he didn’t have any problem making anti-semitic remarks about Hollywood Jews–similar when people glibly speak of New York Jews.

And, as for Americans racial profiling of Muslims in America. This is racism. But it’s also a dilemma for Americans who are at war with "Muslim terrorists." How to tell the difference between the Muslims who are "good American citizens" and the Muslims who are terrorists, but from the point of view of (certain) Muslims "freedom fighters."

This is the same history with the Jewish people and their great independence struggles. From the point of view of the Jewish people Moses was a "freedom fighter," but certainly from the point of view of the Eyptians a "terrorists." However, because Moses is also a Biblical and Torah hero, we accept him as Spiritual Leader.

Racism is a dilemma and it’s a problem, historical and postmodern problem.

But until we all admit, that for whatever reason, historical, psychological, biblical, economical, etc. we’re racists, then we’re not going to solve the problem of racism.

Much racism is historical. Let’s say if I’m a Latina visiting Paris and I come upon gypsies, I don’t have any racism towards gypsies, because they’re not my history. However, the French start telling me all kinds of racist and outlandish tales about gypsies. The French are racist because they’re part of the French racist history. I don’t have any reason to be racist towards the gypsies. They’re not my history.