Racial equality- a Critical Issue
      
By Albert Mitchell
     - Director of Finance, Animal Agriculture Business, Monsanto Company

There are many critical issues impacting the St. Louis region that must be addressed before it can truly be seen as a top tier city.  To date, the 2002-2003 Leadership St. Louis Class has spent the past few months looking at regional economics, the criminal justice system, and poverty.  However, most people acknowledge that the divide between the black and white races is probably the number one issue impacting the St. Louis area, and the nation as a whole.  If there is any doubt of this assertion, or the seriousness of this issue, one need only look at some of the events that have transpired since the class met in early December, including: 1.) Senate Republican Leader Trent Lottís ill-fated comments praising the racial divide and segregation of the past, 2.) the Jefferson County schoolteacherís who shared her disdain for interracial relationships with her 8th grade class, and 3.) the Jennings School District teacher who was reprimanded for sharing racial jokes and poems with her 7th grade class, in order to explore a racial epithet.  For many African Americans, these events are not surprising or even shocking, as we have become conditioned to expect, and live, with racial prejudice in many forms, and on many levels.  To many in the white community, however, these are not as meaningful because they see no direct impact to their daily lives.  The FOCUS organization expressed a similar view in its report titled Racial Equality in the St. Louis Region: A Community Call to Action, which said, For many whites, the issue often seems remote and overblown. Yet, there are others who simply refuse to acknowledge the problem due to a conscious, or subconscious, thought of having to relinquish their access to power.

Realizing the criticality of this issue in building leadership within the region, the 2002-2003 Leadership St. Louis Class spent December 6-7, exploring the topic of racism from a historic, individual, organizational, and civic level, on the campuses of Monsanto and Edward Jones.  The primary objectives for the 2 days were to bring awareness to the lack of racial harmony in the region, provide some context and understanding on elements that perpetuate this divisive climate, and to develop skills that would allow for positive contribution in bridging the gap between the races.  To accomplish this, the program consisted of a series of presentations, open dialogue, and group exercises designed to increase our ability to recognize the existence of prejudice, discrimination, stereotyping, and racism in ourselves, while teaching how history, institutional policies, cultural stereotypes, and norms all interact to maintain racial hierarchies and inequities.

The subject of racism in America is not new.  It is a fact about our society that has impacted all of our lives, and if not addressed will impact our children's lives.  Although we have made some positive strides in addressing racial issues, we still have a long way to go.  A recent report indicated that St. Louis is the 4th most segregated city in the United States.  Talking about racism is difficult, uncomfortable, and can be personally risky for members of both races.  It takes courage and conviction in order to have open and honest dialogue on this subject.  However, simply talking about racism and its implications/effects can become just that talk that makes you feel like you are doing something when you are not.  We must understand and accept that racism is not just this year's or this decade's problem, and is not an issue that impacts the African American community only.  The ability to attract large businesses and the best talent to the area are directly influenced by how the region is perceived, and the effects of racism play a large part in this.  For evidence of this, one only needs to look at our own families.  Many of the young from the Bi-state region are getting their education elsewhere and not returning.  And, until we address this with a collaborative effort between the races to shift people's attitudes and behaviors, and get beyond just talking about it, we will not see the change that is needed in order for the St. Louis to be mentioned in the same circles with Atlanta, Chicago, and other more progressive cities.

So how do we do this, and where do we begin?  As Ron Jackson, one the facilitators for the program, stated, 'the first step in resolving the problem is to first acknowledge that there is a problem'.  It is evident from numerous surveys on race relations, and the FOCUS report mentioned above, that the black and white races differ on the severity of racism impacting the region.  So, if we are going to make progress in understanding and addressing the symptoms of racism, we must bridge this gap that exists in order to mobilize the races along a common objective. One of the things that create this difference in opinions is the lack of knowledge or understanding by the white community of racial prejudice because they are not subjected to it.  This is a privilege afforded them, which many are blind to.  As we discovered during our 2 day session,
 
Privilege, recognized or not, is a social and economic benefit, and all people have prejudices, but not all people can enforce their attitudes through institutions and systems of power.

On the surface these 2 statements may not seem like much, but it is important that we understand and acknowledge that this is factual, as it relates to being white or black in America.  It is the basis on which many of the civil right issues are grounded, and why it clearly is not a level playing field for the non-majority.