Are We Entering a New Period of Racial Reconciliation?

A Canadian Broadcasting Corporation interviewer recently asked me if America is entering a new period of racial reconciliation.  I wondered if he knew something I didn’t because “racial reconciliation” and “America” are not often linked in the same sentence (unless, of course, one asks:  Why hasn’t America fully embraced racial reconciliation?).  After considering his points, I concluded that while the events he cited are significant and  occurring at about the same time, they represent nothing more than a symbolic coincidence that should not be seen as a turning point in American race relations.  While America has made much progress from its slaving (Blacks), murdering (Native Americans) birth to now, the fact is that things are not as good as some would argue.

The interviewer pointed to three recent events that led to his question, all of which sought to bring about “justice” in response to the brutal, murderous treatment of Blacks by racist, regressive White conservatives.  First, was the recently begun trial of Edgar Ray Killen, a Baptist preacher charged with masterminding the murder of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, three civil rights workers seeking to  register Blacks to vote in Mississippi in 1964.  Dubbed the “Mississippi Burning” trial, this represents a second bite at the justice apple.  Killen avoided a conviction in a 1967 trial for the same murders when the jury deadlocked 11-1 in favor of conviction.  The one holdout stated that he couldn’t convict a preacher. 

Second, was the exhumation and autopsy of Emmett Till’s body 50 years after he was murdered by White racists who, in their version of vigilante justice, beat and shot Till for allegedly whistling at a White woman.  According to the Associated Press, Federal investigators exhumed Till's remains to determine if DNA or other evidence might help determine who killed the 14-year-old and whether anyone still alive should be prosecuted.  This strikes me as closing the barn door after the cattle have left.  After all, the two men who admitted to the killing died long ago.

Lastly, was the recent apology issued by the U.S. Senate for failing to enact federal anti-lynching legislation decades ago when these criminal acts were all the rage in the American South.  For over a century, the U.S. Senate failed to follow the lead of the House of Representatives which consistently passed such legislation.  The Senate never overcame Southern racial conservatives in whose states Blacks were lynched for a variety of illegitimate reasons.  Now, decades removed from that era, the Senate wants to remove this inaction from its list of embarrassments. 

Forgive me for not cheering the Senate here, but the apology reeks of electoral politics.  As a cynic who views almost everything in political terms, I wonder if members wanted to get this resolution through to help their positions with their Black and moderate White constituents in anticipation of next year’s elections.  While the apology is notable, the fact is that it is also one of those “throwaway” measures in which members support something that won’t cost them anything or commit the government to do anything.  In this case, it allows conservative members to bathe in the relative warmth of racial enlightenment while, at the same time, giving nothing to African Americans that would anger their White conservative supporters. 

By the way, did you notice that there was no roll call vote to get the members on the historical record?  They used a “voice vote” which gives cover for those who did not support the resolution so no one can say they actually voted against the measure.  So much for standing up and being counted, huh?

While these events are important examples of what can happen when leaders decide they want to do the right thing, the reality is that these events are less than they seem.  After all, what if we look back a year from now and see that Killen walked again or otherwise avoided justice, Till’s autopsy failed to reveal any useful information, or the Senate continued to pass legislation that works against Black interests (all of which are distinct possibilities)?  In other words, if nothing of significance happens in the wake of all this, then this period will be seen as a blip on America’s racial radar.  My cynicism aside, let’s hope that this period is the start of something new and useful.  America needs it.

© Michael K. Fauntroy
June 21, 2005