I'm black, you're white, who's innocent Race and power in an era of blame By Shelby Steele - Assignment Example

Sociology Topic: Im Black, youre White, who’s Innocent? Race and Power in an Era of Blame By Shelby Steele 1. The level of perfect innocence can be claimed and accepted by both whites and blacks when powers are equal. In the given conditions today in America and judging from the prevailing ground realities innocence and guilt are not alternative beats of the same heart, but they are the dominant issues in the theory elucidated by Shelby Steele in his essay, “I’m Black, You’re White, Who’s Innocent”.

His claims that races are competing power groups. In a democracy power is the source of generating and implementing the welfare activities for those who need it. In America, historical realities explain why the black race needs preferential treatment. The present generation of whites will take the shield of innocence for the past deeds of commission and omission by their race. Technically they are right. But no sensible individual will accept their position when they try to put the guilt on the other race.

The American racial history soaked in bloodshed, will protest at this position, page by page. As for black race innocence is it’s the ladder of power through which it will ascend to fight just cause. To be a victim – to be innocent – is actually to be powerful. 2. An individual belonging to the black race, at one’s personal level, may condone the victimization their race suffered on account of the atrocities committed by the white race, but history of race relations in America goes by facts.

For generations to come, or till eternity while reviewing the moments of history of America, truth shall be revealed and whites will never be able to avoid feeling guilty about their disposition towards blacks. The refusal by the whites to accept the guilt shows their helplessness and their inability to defend themselves against facts and figures. Their greatness of heart lies in accepting the guilt and support the cause of the blacks by meeting them at more than halfway in the royal road in the reformation and rehabilitation process.

The option to strike homogeneity between the two races is the moral power that is superior to racial power. According to Steele it is no use blaming the other color for one’s problems. He argues, “Race indeed remains a source of white shame; the goal of these provocations is to put whites, no matter how indirectly, in touch with this collective guilt.”(harpers.org)The approach of Bill Cosby to the racial issue, rather he makes a no issue out of it, is the best long term solution for the black/white scenario.

His television show and depiction of the Huxtable family, is the sterling example of American identity and his version of the American dream, which no one should have hesitation in accepting. He is not interested in taking undue advantage of the historically disadvantageous position of the whites. He articulates an acceptable deal for the America and does a yeoman service for the black race, and also earns the gratitude of the white race. As for Jesse Jackson, being a politician he does the tight rope-walking to be in the good books of both the races, and he has the principled approach to the issues and therefore finds acceptance.

Blacks and white races are willing to accept him as their benefactor. 3. Steele argues, “It is primarily a victim’s power, grounded too deeply in the entitlement derived from past injustice and in the innocence that Western/Christian tradition has always associated with poverty.” (harpers.org)He counts individual experiences as positive, but marked change as such, can be brought about only by the Society. He also warns that blacks are themselves to blame for creating their destinies and in the competitive area, to excel oneself in the chosen field is the only answer for self and collective development.

Education for one black individual would mean educating ensuing generations. Steele firmly believes in the capacity of the whites to be moral. But certain glaring cases of injustice come to the fore that cast doubts in the minds of black men. Nearly one third of black men between ages of 18 and 28 are in prisons. On the whole the legacy of white supremacy relates to the bygone era. There is hope for all Americans, both whites and blacks, and through their united front, hope for the entire humankind.

Works CitedSteele, Shelby: Im Black, youre White, whos Innocent? Race and Power in an Era of Blame. Web:harpers.org/archive/1988/06/0023431