Nathan Chrastil

Multicultural Education
Prof: Clarence George
Multicultural Ed.
Racial Healing

Racial Healing by Harlon Dalton presents thought provoking questions along with
suggested directions for healing Americas putrefied lesions regarding race. Dalton suggests that
our nation will not get anywhere if people do not start to confront one another on race. But
where does America want to go? Dalton believes in order to break free of racism in American
society we must disentangle its current structure. The definition of racism seems simple however
when we take into account its true definition we will see that not only does it still exist but is
prevalent in todays society; silently lurking. Only through Americans reflection will it begin to
disrupt the subconscious social hierarchy and preconceived notions dispersed throughout society.
In order to reflect on the current crisis effecting African Americans today, Dalton
begins by expressing an encounter he had with a Polish white woman named Jadwiga. Jadwiga is
a recent immigrant who unleashes her harsh observations of the African American community.
At first, Dalton seems mildly offended with her because she is essentially asking him to be a
spokesperson for his people. He soon realizes that she is simply trying to understand what she
cannot and that initiating dialogue with her is what counts. The questions Jadwiga asks are
difficult for Dalton to answer, because in order to understand African Americans today he must
trace back years of damage done to the black community. Jadwiga is indeed an alien to this
history, which allows for her to not be guarded as many white Americans are when asking
questions about race. Through this encounter the reader can see that Americans are in desperate
need of a discussion just like this one. Blacks, Latinos, Asian-Americans, Native Americans

need to purge their resentment and anger and educate fearful whites. The sooner we can all talk
honestly and openly about race the sooner we can relieve these assumptions that are plaguing our
society and keeping quiet racism at bay. As educators the most vital piece to all of this
knowledge is that in the classroom teachers must own up to the tension, so that students will
become at ease with the differences in our society and break the social strata caused by clinging
to the old perceptions of race.
Most people in America today say that they do not notice that people are of a different
race or gender. However, Dalton sees the opposite. He points out that if we cannot visibly tell
what someones race or gender is then it is human nature to try and figure it out. This has much
to do with the foundation of Americas earliest purpose for the school system. One of our school
systems function has been to separate people into categories. Dalton calls this need to separate
the Race Game. In the Race Game each race seeks to define one another and the race that does
better in society is on top. Another part of the Race Game is manipulating other parties to believe
that they are expected to be a certain way. For example, many people say Oprah Winfrey is
popular because she doesnt act black. Whites have manipulated others to believe that the WASP
way is the standard. Dalton has had many people say that they dont perceive him as Black as he
doesnt act Black. Dalton perceives himself as an individual and from the unique perspective as
a very accomplished law professor at Yale. He claims that when people say this he is e-raced
and denied his own identity. While many people in this country wish we could do away with
racism our racial identity is still extremely important to us and shouldnt be denied by anyone
based on their perceptions.
Racial Identity is becoming difficult to define. Many biracial people have to choose
which side they feel most apart of when filling out a census or picking a group of friends. The

problem with this is that the more mainstream or white a person acts, regardless of color, they
may be given a pass to become part of higher class system. This creates problems for people like
Dalton, who because he could speak White was teased by his own race. Later, when Dalton
married a white woman he looked distrustful to other blacks because it looked like he disowned
his own women, his own race. Therefore, Dalton defines racism as culturally acceptable ideas,
beliefs and attitudes that serve to sustain the racial pecking order. With this definition we see
that it is not Whites, alone, who create racism in America. The problem lies within the fact that
everyone is used to the system and even when you arent on top of the pecking order sometimes
it is easier to stay where you have always been and perpetuate racial stereotypes.
Dalton believes that America must heal her wounds. However, he believes it will not be
easy. White people must stop being oblivious to the fact that they are a race. Most whites are
Euro-ethnic, but when people are on top of the pecking order they are oblivious to see that they
are a part of a race too. White people must acknowledge that they are at an advantage because of
their skin color. Most white Americans look at the race problems in America and do not think
that there is a problem. These white Americans believe they have achieved what they have
solely based upon merit disregarding the aid of white privilege. In todays society the
Eurocentric homogenization has become the norm. The standard turkey at thanksgiving
celebration of Christmas and watching of football is the normal culture. White America has
cleansed itself of their cultural heritage and is afraid of having any defining characteristic of
ancestry to attempt to fit into WASP culture. Whether or not homogenization is intentionally to
distance themselves from their history or natures effect on society trying to have a common
identity. Dalton believes that, What needs changing is the negative value our society places on
racial difference, and its use of race as a basis for maintaining a social hierarchy. The issue is

not the fact that some white peoples ancestors enslaved black people it is the creation of the idea
that in some way to be black or a minority is somehow a class of subservience or in some way
inferior to that of whites. The poison is in the sheer subconscious thought or inception of
inferiority inherently in all people.
The problem with many white Americans today is that they believe in the Horatio
Adler myth; as is the case at many of my family functions. This myth states that everyone in our
society has an equal opportunity to reach full potential, no matter what their race or class status
is. The Alder myth is a lie because it wipes whites free of all responsibility to those of color and
is the conclusion to most whites mention of societal issues in America. Some conservatives
will tout the Alder myth as being the solution to the problems in society with most never
acknowledging their own white privilege.
The myth forgets the fact that from an early age, especially in the school system, children
of color have all the odds stacked against them. Dalton suggests that whites play unconscious
games on minorities that serve to keep them down. One game Dalton calls Divide and Conquer,
suggests that Whites pit Asian-Americans against African Americans. Whites suggest that
Asian-American often succeed in school higher than Whites, therefore the African-Americans
do not have any reason to believe there is racism going on in the schools. Dalton suggests white
America uses its societal institutions to, promote and maintain inequality.
White America reinforces the Alder myth through citing the successes of Colin Powel or
currently Obama. Oppositely but similarly white folks must resist the temptation to also make
outrageous brash generalizations assuming that because there may be one radical black man
every other black man is similar to him. Whites need to start taking ownership of the little things
they do so that there is no longer these class distinctions of who is more smart, lazy and athletic.

Similarly, Dalton outlines African-Americans have work of their own to do on their

end of the race problem. Dalton wants African-Americans to not give up telling the story of how
their culture has been created throughout history and why slavery still affects Blacks today. No
matter how frustrating it maybe to have to spokesman and ambassador for your people in
societies situations. Dalton claims that Blacks need to pull together as a community as they have
in the past during segregation. During that time there was a strong sense of community and the
youth saw positive role models and business leaders. He claims Blacks do not have political
unity and for the young the Civil Rights Movement is long in the past.
With regards to rap music, Dalton says that Black men have chosen to exhibit their
gender domination and have not portrayed black women in a respectable manner. Dalton
outlines, To long has this unvarnished depiction of life on the street, contributed to the
lynching of the minds of our youth. Although rap music contains, a powerful means of
cultural expression that continues our oral tradition, it is important to use it with purpose. By
introducing positive artforms for our youth, who are passionate about rap music we can, urge
disaffected young people and ask them how they see the world and what they might do to
improve upon it. Similarly to rap music, slam poetry may be a powerful oratory tool to foster
the youth. Slam poetry can be used to break stereotypes as well as portray the change we want
for society. Through exposing the youth to the many positive avenues and mediums of
expression we can be the change we want in society.
Youth cultures have been absorbing, the worst aspects of Americas mass culture.
Youth have learned from mass culture that obtaining the right shoes jackets or cars is the ticket
to success. But that is just the surface of the damage of consumption acquisition and selfcenteredness; with this kind of quintessential American mentality, we are fostering a world that

doesnt value community or the acquisition of knowledge. The fact that ability and success is
determined by material goods and hard work and determination is arbitrary. Dalton explains that
these mass culture ideals are promoting an image of all of the negative societal stereotypes.
Generationally the youth are displaying through, basic youthful confusion, rebellion,
and swagger their cultural output tells a story of hopelessness, lifelessness, aimlessness, and
despair. It is the responsibility of all in the community to promote the people who embody the
most excellent characteristics of humanity either morally or intellectually. Dalton perceives that
there is an unfortunate disconnect in Black culture, that brains and blackness are somehow
antithetical. He has noted that, academically focused students in many inner city schools are
taunted for acting white. This problem needs to be addressed and real heroes that are minority
need to be identified and touted for their intelligence and excellence.
Similarly media has played a huge role in the education of many whites for positive and
negative. Many whites get their exposure to Black culture solely through BET which often is not
cognizant or caring of their white viewers as often times they broadcast the use of the N word.
Promoting a word mired in hate and even controversial usage to this day in the Black
community. Through this exposure Whites are experiencing a side of Black culture that isnt
necessarily intended for their view blurring their acceptable societal perceptions and interactions.
Dalton suggests that Whites are getting mixed messages in the media and consequently using the
wrong words to call them.
Media is a double edged sword and shouldnt be taken lightly as it has the power to
reinforce stereotypes or promote change and understanding. Similarly, Blacks need to create a
common culture and respond to criticisms, even if they are false. Dalton thinks the best way to
respond to dialogue about race is to not simplify views, but not to overcomplicate the situation.

Also, Dalton believes that African-Americans should not believe that they should have more
advantages over other peoples of color because African-Americans have been here longer.
In conclusion, Dalton proposes a view of the Promised Land. A fictitious look at what the
world would be like if suddenly we moved away to a different planet that was similar to Earth
called Beigia and everyones skin color was the same. Would we really want to live there? I
know from the theory that I did not want to wipe away my heritage. Is it worth it to get rid of the
racism? I think not, because people will always find ways to separate and group. Dalton believes
we would not, because our problem does not have to do with the color of one's skin it has to do
with the order of hierarchy that has been established.
Dalton's lasting metaphor for change is portrayed to the reader by his Salt and Pepper
choir group. His interracial choir has not tried to run away from the fact that they are mixed; In
fact they embrace their differences in the title of their group. Within his group they have given
up the right to dominate one another, allowing everyone to be equal. In Dalton's choir they
recognize that black voices are sometimes different from white voices, but that does create a
racial hierarchy of who sings what. To Dalton, it might take a long while for American's to reach
to the Promised Land and I agree as Dalton couldnt even attempt to guess at how the nation has
changed since his book was published.
At one time I believed racism to be an archaic thing of which had mostly been taken care
of during the civil rights era. Now I know that racism lives and breathes and rears its ugly head
more now than it has in quite some time. I believed in the great changes our country could go
through when I helped to elect Barack Obama. I figured his presence would be well received
and only unpopular in some of the more back wood country places in the rural Southern United
States. I wish that my perception were the case as the country was not really separated by the

divisions of politics as much as race. Liberals during the Bush Jr. days goat conservatives with
stickers calling for the impeachment of Bush however that was nothing compared to bumper
stickers calling for the death of President Obama. It struck me that this was not a war of ideals
held but of race as corporations and people so opposed a Black President that they were willing
to destroy the nation through economic and political means. As the nation plunged itself into
self destruction I further lost faith in the American people and the stage of the healing process
our country was in.
Now as I furthered my learning and am striving towards becoming an educator I have
renewed my sense purpose to make the place of healing I think our society should be at and
make it a reality. I dont think I can take seeing anymore surges of fanatics that wish to separate
our society along battle lines because it breaks my heart to witness the evils of humanity
manifest themselves. I suppose finally now we are seeing the truth of what degree of healing our
society is at; no more hiding in the shadows. I wish to embody an international train of thought
and imbue students with the frame of mind that there is no normal and we are all in this world
together and be proud of our differences that make us who we are. I believe that by talking
candidly about our histories and being the positive impact I might change society; a humanist
and optimist hoping not to be let down in the world of tomorrow.