Response to Chapter 8 of "When Race Breaks Out"

One of the exercises recommended by Fox is to discuss with students the issue of relationships spanning the racial divide. The assumption is that it is difficult for people of different racial backgrounds to develop meaningful connections due to the ignorance of white people to the everyday plight facing people of color.

My problem with this particular argument and exercise is that I feel it simply fosters the notion of difference as being an obstacle rather than an asset, furthering the very thinking we are trying to overcome. Perhaps, as a white person, I am speaking out of ignorance, but it is my belief that truly meaningful relationships are often forged as much out of differences as similarities. In addition, it automatically challenges and belittles the close inter-racial relationships that do exist which may (understandably) offend many students, regardless of race.

On the other hand, it is a valid topic to discuss, and it may offer students an outlet to share with one another issues that would otherwise have been left unsaid. It also challenges students to re-think what they thought they knew and admit that perhaps they are not as enlightened and aware as they may like to think they are. I feel, however, that a better way to pose the question would be “do you believe that a racial divide makes it difficult to have meaningful relationships?” as this choice of words is less likely to offend and leaves the door open for a more varied debate.