Batho ke Batho
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits.
I recently had the pleasure of reading your thought-provoking book, The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind Society. As a teacherpeneur who works alongside high school students to read, write, and make sense of the world and side hustle for social good, I have invested lots of time in fostering dialogue and understanding across diverse communities. I found your arguments challenging and enlightening.
Beyond DiAngelo and Kendi: Embracing MLK’s Vision
Your central thesis, advocating for a society that transcends racial division and critiques the prevailing anti-racist ideologies of educators, activists, and thought leaders like Robin DiAngelo and Ibram X. Kendi, strikes at the heart of America’s contemporary racial discourse.
Your call to return to the principles that inspired the civil rights movement, as embodied in the teachings of Dr Martin Luther King, is a powerful reminder of the ideals that once united us on this issue. In an ideal world, we really would care about the color of a person’s skin about as much as we’d care about the color of their eyes or hair. I’d imagine both Kendi and DiAngelo would agree with that as a goal. Sadly, we do not live in that ideal world — not yet at least.
As someone who has navigated the complexities of race and identity in America, I appreciate your bold stance on the dangers of reverse racism and the pitfalls of fixating on race. This fixation, as you rightly point out, risks hindering progress toward a truly anti-racist society. The more we obsess over our differences, the more we risk losing sight of our shared humanity.
Redefining Race, Power, and Education
Power dynamics change, consider the Jews of Europe, once hounded from country to country and murdered in their millions; now widely considered the oppressors in a racially-segregated ongoing conflict (rightly or wrongly).
Like you, I believe we ought to avoid tarring all members of one race, whether at the apex of privilege or not, with one set of negative characteristics. We shouldn’t build racial hierarchies of the oppressed and the oppressor. We should look to celebrate what we share: our creativity, our ideals, our aspirations.
Further, we might look to our educational institutions to find ways to celebrate the unique qualities of different cultures, without pitting these against one another. How might a curriculum that celebrates black culture be shaped with a non-adversarial stance towards canonical, often white, culture? Is that truly possible?
How might universities, and public institutions achieve a balanced approach that embraces our shared humanity while also addressing the unique challenges that emerge from racial identities and class disparities?
The concept of a colorblind society, while noble in its aspirations, confronts the stark realities of race and caste that continue to shape American life. Our nation’s obsession with race, albeit a reflection of its unresolved historical wounds, presents formidable challenges to the realization of your vision.
There are deeply established divisions in our society, entrenched by Jim Crow and redlining, by racialized urban planning, by punitively expensive healthcare, and by a legal system that disproportionately imprisons young black men for minor offenses (and in the case of drug possession, some would say, no offense at all).
Utopian Visions and Legacy Deprivation: Striving for Equity
These issues create whole communities we might term the “legacy deprived,” communities unable to build generational wealth, or to easily see a way out of their doldrums. I mentor the young folks of many such communities and experience daily the simple struggles they face. Broken homes, a lack of educational resources, crime-ridden neighborhoods; and other social ills can make upward mobility seem like a distant dream.
Left alone, it could take many generations to uplift the legacy deprived unless proactive measures are taken by governments and grassroots organizations. My practice as an educator and mentor involves trying to persuade young folks that they can become entrepreneurs and that investing in their education can help them reap rewards. The notion of a “level playing field,” in my experience, remains a distant fantasy.
Engaging with your book prompted me to reflect deeply on these challenges and the feasibility of achieving the colorblind society you envisage. In a nation still grappling with racial inequalities and divisions, the path toward transcending these barriers appears daunting. With political parties on the left and the right fighting culture war battles that often hinge on racial divides, the notion of colorblindness seems to drift further and further out of reach.
Yet, this is a journey worth embarking on, as utopian as it may seem. It compels us to confront the tribalism exacerbated by capitalism. When wage increases are held below the rate of inflation, workers’ rights are diminished, and society’s safety net fails, poverty extends across all racial classes. Gazing through the lens of class, we find hundreds of thousands of impoverished whites in America too. Their struggles are as real as the urban poor’s. I get that when advocating for a colorblind society, we do not need to leave them out.
Colorblindness asks us to reimagine a society anchored in genuine respect and understanding for all its members. The elimination of homelessness and poverty, regardless of the color of its sufferers, for instance, should be a foundational stepping stone on that journey.
Embracing Batho: Toward a Society of Equality and Respect
Your work also resonated with me on a personal level, reminding me of my time in Botswana and the Motswana concept of ‘Motho ke motho ka batho’ (I am because you are). This principle of Batho, embodying mutual respect and interconnectedness, echoes your arguments for a society that prioritizes our shared humanity over the divisive constructs of race.
Rather than reveling in our divisions and lambasting the opposition, we should aim to agree on social and economic policies that free all the downtrodden, regardless of race, from the degradations of poverty and exclusion. This, I believe, is fundamental to the achievement of the fair and equal country that Dr King espoused.
In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your courageous voice and the vital contribution your book makes to the ongoing discourse on race in America.
Your work not only challenges us to reconsider our entrenched positions but also inspires hope for a society that embodies the principles of equality and respect for all.
I eagerly anticipate your future works and the continued evolution of your thought-provoking ideas.
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This piece really takes you on a deep dive into the murky waters of race politics and the aspirational, albeit somewhat utopian, notion of a colorblind society. But hey, let’s throw in some humor because what’s the point of wading through murky waters if you can’t at least crack a joke about the odd fish you bump into, right?
1. Start Strong with a Dash of Humor: Open up with a comparison that hits closer to home, like, “Batho ke Batho reminds me of trying to sort laundry—you think you have a handle on all the clothing colors, but at the end of the day, somehow there’s always a mystery sock that refuses to conform.”
2. Poke Fun at Heavy Topics: Tackle the hefty subject of race by lightening the load a bit. “Sure, Coleman Hughes is advocating for a colorblind society, but getting Americans to agree on anything is about as likely as getting all of Congress to agree on where to order lunch from.”
3. Sprinkle in Anecdotes: Perhaps a story about trying to teach cultural sensitivity to students whose idea of diversity includes wearing different superhero costumes. “I once asked my class what it means to be ‘colorblind’ and got responses ranging from ‘not being able to see rainbows’ to ‘accidentally mixing all your candy in one bowl.’ Close enough, kiddos.”
4. Riff off Current Events: Play with current societal obsessions. “You know, in today’s world, race discussions are a bit like reality TV. They’re dramatic, polarizing, and nobody really agrees on how they end—but we all tune in anyway.”
5. End with a Considerate Zinger: Wrap up with some light-hearted wisdom. "In the end, maybe aiming for a colorblind society is a lot like aiming for a perfect Wi-Fi signal—seemingly out of reach but worth striving for. And who knows, if we ever achieve it, maybe we’ll finally also get rid of buffering.”
Incorporating playful elements like these could add a layer of levity to your piece, while still maintaining the insightful core message. It’s a balancing act, but hey, if you can balance a textbook on your head, juggling humor and insight should be a breeze—or at least worth a laugh.
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