An Expert Opinion on Race
By Brother Rogers
Race is a delicate issue, to say the least. In our society, it is comparable to football in this respect – everyone considers himself or herself an expert on the issue.
Ask someone to give you an informed opinion about health care, technology, economic development, or a host of other issues, and that person is likely to do a little research. Study the facts before stating a definitive judgment.
No so with race. We are all experts. Ask us what we think about race, and we don’t need to do any research or look at the latest statistics. We know exactly what we think, and we have honed our well-informed opinion from years of experience.
But there is a downside to everyone being an expert on race. Experts, by the very nature of their superior understanding, are not good listeners. They talk at people, not with people. Communication follows a one-way street – from the expert to the uninformed.
Experts also have trouble admitting that they are wrong. And they seldom change their minds even when presented with new information.
So how does this affect race relations? Meaningful dialogue on race becomes difficult to accomplish when everyone is an expert. Participants are eager to educate others, but not very open to listening to different opinions. Improving race relations requires open, honest communication. Experts find this type of two-way conversation hard to do.
Most of us are very comfortable with our opinions about race. We might not be comfortable sharing our views in public, but deep down we know we are right. Even new information, which goes through our pre-existing mental filter and gets discounted, cannot shake our opinion.
Is there any evidence to support this contention that we all think we are experts on race? Ask yourself how enthusiastic your co-workers would be if you told them that diversity training would take place to honor the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Would they think a) good idea because we could use some help learning to work together better or b) this is a total waste of time because I know all I need to know, and I’m sure not going to learn anything from some self-professed expert?
The King holiday is a time to reflect on the state of race relations. President Bush put it succinctly in a recent proclamation. He stated, “Through the efforts of heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr., our nation has made progress in battling racism and building a society that more fully lives up to its democratic ideals. However, we must recognize that racism still exists in America.”
Racism is still a problem locally as well. How can we make things better? Maybe all of us should start by being a little less sure of what we know. Take it from me. I’m an expert, like you.
Brother Rogers is a founder of the Race Relations Team.
Race is a delicate issue, to say the least. In our society, it is comparable to football in this respect – everyone considers himself or herself an expert on the issue.
Ask someone to give you an informed opinion about health care, technology, economic development, or a host of other issues, and that person is likely to do a little research. Study the facts before stating a definitive judgment.
No so with race. We are all experts. Ask us what we think about race, and we don’t need to do any research or look at the latest statistics. We know exactly what we think, and we have honed our well-informed opinion from years of experience.
But there is a downside to everyone being an expert on race. Experts, by the very nature of their superior understanding, are not good listeners. They talk at people, not with people. Communication follows a one-way street – from the expert to the uninformed.
Experts also have trouble admitting that they are wrong. And they seldom change their minds even when presented with new information.
So how does this affect race relations? Meaningful dialogue on race becomes difficult to accomplish when everyone is an expert. Participants are eager to educate others, but not very open to listening to different opinions. Improving race relations requires open, honest communication. Experts find this type of two-way conversation hard to do.
Most of us are very comfortable with our opinions about race. We might not be comfortable sharing our views in public, but deep down we know we are right. Even new information, which goes through our pre-existing mental filter and gets discounted, cannot shake our opinion.
Is there any evidence to support this contention that we all think we are experts on race? Ask yourself how enthusiastic your co-workers would be if you told them that diversity training would take place to honor the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Would they think a) good idea because we could use some help learning to work together better or b) this is a total waste of time because I know all I need to know, and I’m sure not going to learn anything from some self-professed expert?
The King holiday is a time to reflect on the state of race relations. President Bush put it succinctly in a recent proclamation. He stated, “Through the efforts of heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr., our nation has made progress in battling racism and building a society that more fully lives up to its democratic ideals. However, we must recognize that racism still exists in America.”
Racism is still a problem locally as well. How can we make things better? Maybe all of us should start by being a little less sure of what we know. Take it from me. I’m an expert, like you.
Brother Rogers is a founder of the Race Relations Team.
