Time for a Summit on Racism
...ial self-determination literally and figuratively color major national policy decisions and challenge the equality of public processes the consideration of racism is fragmented and diffuse. In short, the problem of racism lacks public focus and the concerted public urgency and national leadership required to laser target the same powerful political, intellectual, and analytic forces on this social deficit which, seem determined to end the budget deficit. Such a bifurcate assignment of national priorities must change. There certainly is ample evidence of a turbulent and hungry need for structured discourse on racism which could lead to intentional and sustained racial reconciliation. Thinkers from both ends of the ideological spectrum write best sellers on racism. Race Matters by Cornel West’s response to William Julius Wilson’s thoughts on The Declining Significance of Race. Dinesh D’Souza’s assertions of racial victimization are challenged by Jewelle Taylor Gibbs’ powerful psychoanalysis of Race and Justice in California, and Derrick Bell’s lament against “... the permanence of racism.” Many independent and unilateral efforts attempt to open the discourse and close America’s growing racial fissure. The Race Relations Institute at historically black Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, has joined forces with the Center for Living Democracy, to sponsor a “New National Dialogue of Race.” In spite of intimations to the contrary, there is not yet scheduled a White House Summit on Racism. Racial demographics are changing dramatically. White Americans are no longer the majority, African-Americans are no longer t...