No room for White bigotry
Australian Financial review (May 14th, 1992)

I have little support for Greg Haywards (editor) article, "Race: Why the well of guilt dried up" AFR Weekend review, May 8th), which refers to white rage and purports an understanding and sympathy for whites displaced and impeded by affirmative action legislation in the US.

As blacks are prised into the workplace by social policies aimed at equality of opportunity (previously denied this group), we are to develop sympathy for the whites they displace.

We are to believe in and identify with a whites person's natural right to that position. This is exactly the kind of bigotry that inhibits further change and promotes the statues quo. It further echoes white insecurity.

I find the suggestion that the structure of the welfare programmes promotes the cycle of dependence for blacks, with the government as the new 'slave owner', offensive and unnecessary. Surely these are the same welfare programmes that apply to white slaves.

To change attitudes in society it is necessary first to alter behaviour. In the absence of legislation, white society is unlikely to implement change that would lever blacks into a position of equality. Why should they? Affirmative action, EEO and other social policies aimed at equality of opportunity are vital to promote change. The ideology is right. It makes moral and economic sense. Maybe now is the time to develop and build on the progress made. In the absence of such policies racism and apartheid would continue to be justified and promoted, and all of us would suffer.

America's racial problems stem from a deep-seated prejudice that spans centuries. It is the central issue of conflict in America and is deeply entrenched. Uprooting this has and will not be a quiet process. Implementing change and acceptance will be turbulent, controversial and sometimes violent. However, it is vital. America is a world leader in this field and as such is setting the international benchmark. It must succeed. We are all holding onto a rising balloon that can only offer a better view of the world. We must not let go.