Let's stop running and face racism head-on: let's talk

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In light of the fact that this month marks the 40th anniversary of the July 1964 rebellion
or "riots" that shook Rochester to its "smug town" foundations, and in light of the fact that a newly released Documentary about the 1964 uprising tugs (or should tug) at our consciences, and remind us that it could happen again --- it seems that we would be making every collective effort, and engaging in every collective action possible to make sure that it doesn't. But, how can we possibly take collective action on an issue that most of us can't even come together (across racial and class lines) and talk about honestly and openly? The situation outlined below represents only a small, minute example of how individual and institutional racism functions. The whole purpose of this article is to inspire dialogue. Thus, I am hoping, in fact, pleading for feedback.

To: James Lawrence (First black Editor of the D&C's Editorial Page)

From: Howard J. Eagle (Educator and Community Activist)

Dear Editor:

This is in response to a Letter To The Editor in this morning's (7/22/04) edition of your newspaper, written by a Mr. James Recco of Albion, Orleans County. Mr. Recco's Letter is critical of an op-ed essay that I authored, which was published in the D&C on July 14th.

I have absolutely no problem with people criticizing my writings. However, Recco's Letter is not mere criticism. Instead, it clearly represents a blatantly vicious, and possibly racist attack on my professional (not to mention personal) integrity, which cannot be allowed to stand unchallenged, especially since you have pointed out to me on several occasions that the D&C has a policy against publishing personal attacks. Thus, I am respectfully requesting publication of the letter/rebuttal below as soon as possible. A written response would be very much appreciated.

Recco's July 22nd Letter To The Editor :

Howard Eagle needs sensitivity training

Howard Eagle, a social studies teacher at Madison High School, is a frequent essayist in this newspaper. Yet in his July 14 essay, "America deserves rebuke that Frederick Douglass gave in 1852" as well as in previous essays he has written, he inserts disdain for people of European ancestry.

He certainly needs sensitivity and diversity training. I cannot believe you would print anything negative about people of any race, color or gender.

Maybe someday you will do an article about the millions of contributions to American society that people of European ancestry have made (especially Italian Americans).

One can only assume that Mr. Eagle's disdain spills over into his classroom, creating hatred in young minds.

JAMES RECCO
ALBION, ORLEANS COUNTY


My Response To Recco's Letter :  

Mr James Recco's Letter To The Editor (D&C, July 22nd) represents an unwarranted, vicious attack on my personal and professional integrity. He objected to a July 14th D&C essay that I proudly authored: "America still deserves rebuke that Frederick Douglass gave in 1852," which was written in response to another article that had been published in the D&C on July 4th ("Independence" Day) titled: "Douglass heard a mournful wail."  Based on my above referenced essay and others that have been published by the D&C, Recco believes that I need "sensitivity and diversity training."  First, it's important for Mr. Recco to understand that I didn't choose the title of my July 14th essay. Had I been granted that privilege, the title probably would have been something like: "Not much has changed in 152 years."

With regard to the assertion that I need sensitivity and diversity training, on the contrary, in the past, I have helped to spearhead, coordinate, and implement diversity initiatives at two Rochester City School District schools (John Marshall and James Madison), and gladly offer my services and expertise (free of charge) in helping to do the same within the general, so-called community of Monroe and beyond. If Recco's thinking (as reflected in his Letter) is indicative, such services might be badly needed in parts of Orleans County.

Lastly, it is just plain vile for James Recco to accuse me of including within my writings "disdain for people of European ancestry," and especially of "creating hatred in young minds."  Again, on the contrary, my labor of love (teaching) includes constant attempts to do the exact opposite, i.e. to create in young minds love of self, family, immediate community, larger community (society) in that order.

Howard J. Eagle

Social Studies Teacher (James Madison High School)

Adjunct Lecturer (SUNY Brockport)

Proud Community Activist

It probably comes as no surprise that Mr. Lawrence refused to publish my response/rebuttal to Recco's vicious attack. After all, if a black man in his position wishes to maintain job security, the last thing on earth that he can do is create the impression within the halls and/or board rooms of one of America's and the world's most powerful media conglomerates, or within the general community --- that he sides with a black community activist who is viewed (wrongly) by some as being too radical and racist. The information that follows represents part of a dialogue that took place between Mr. Lawrence and myself regarding this issue. During a phone conversation, I had challenged him to find one article or letter within the D&C's Archives (other than Recco's) that demonstrates a situation in which "his" newspaper had (during his tenure) allocated space for a reader to attack the professional integrity of another. He assured me that he would forward me at least one such sample. I don't know if he had time to search the powerful conglomerate's Archives or not, but about six hours later, I received the following communication, and responded promptly.

Email From Jim Lawrence Regarding Archive Search :

Howard
Because I don't have the time to invest in going through our archives to find specific letters as we discussed, I can only say that there have been countless complaints about letters responding to those, for example, on abortion or same sex marriage. Invariably, a writer will say they were maligned by another writer's comment about their letter. We simply can't allow the tit-for-tat.
Again, the best I can do is allow someone else to write a letter in your defense.
Thanks
 

James F. Lawrence
Editor, Editorial Page
Democrat and Chronicle
Rochester, NY 14614
jlawrenc@democratandchronicle.com

My Response To Lawrence's Email:

James:
Even if you had "time to invest"  ---  I am quite certain that ("as we discussed") you will not find a single submission in your archives in which you specifically allowed one of your readers to publish an article that clearly (in accordance with all sane and reasonable interpretations) represents a vicious attack against the professional integrity of another reader. This is especially true as it relates to the possibility of a black reader attacking the professional integrity of a white reader. I feel so confident about this fact that I will offer $100.00 for every such published letter or article (written during your tenure) that you produce. You can't possibly, legitimately (no matter how hard you try) construe my request to respond publicly to Mr. Recco's vicious attack as being representative of so-called "tit-for-tat."  As it relates to "someone else writing a letter in [my] defense" --- as I mentioned to you during our phone conversation, I am not going to offer encouragement nor discouragement. As I also mentioned, there is no legitimate reason why I should have been placed in a position of defending my integrity as a professional educator --- because Recco's unprincipled attack should not have been allowed in the first place, and you admitted as much. Recco's poisonous venom appears above (word-for-word --- as you published it on July 22, 2004). Finally, as I also mentioned to you, considering the fact that you have vehemently insisted in the past that your newspaper has a strict policy against publication of personal attacks --- this situation is particularly disturbing. You said it best when you noted that I am accusing you of violating one of your own policies ---- indeed I am!!!
Relevance:
Why does all of this even matter? Well, it's important because individual and institutional racism (one, which cannot exist without the other) still represents one of, if not the most profound and potentially dangerous issue and problem faced by our community, as well as communities throughout the "United" States of  America. As I mentioned to Mr. Lawrence during our above referenced phone conversation --- if it wasn't such a serious issue --- it would be ironic that the two of us, that is, two black men are engaging in this type of discussion at the same time that the Democrat and Chronicle and WXXI Television are dedicating major coverage to examination of conditions that led up to the Rochester rebellion, or so-called "riots" of July 1964 (exactly 40 years ago). The major concern seems to be --- the need to address the conditions and issues that could lead to a repeat of the long, hot summer of '64. Yet, our community and many others throughout the nation are still at an infantile stage, at which most people don't even want to dream about having open and honest dialogue about (God forbid I say it) the continued existence and festering of individual and institutional racism. Thus, vitriolic rhetoric, based on ignorance (such as that which was spewed by Recco) continues to add to the confusion and potential danger that surrounds this critical and potentially explosive issue. So, I thought I would take advantage of this opportunity to appeal to us to stop running away from the issue of (yes, I am going to say it again) racism. Let's confront this issue head-on. I want to be clear that I am not calling for another so-called "community summit," in which certain, select individuals (who are supposedly representative of the whole community) are handpicked to intellectualize and theorize about the issue. As Mr. Lawrence pointed out to me --- that approach is worn out and absolutely unproductive. Instead, we need open, (to anyone who wants to participate) honest, genuine, ongoing dialogue. In order for people to confront their fears, ignorance, guilt, anger, etc. --- we have to take the first step: Let's talk (with the goal being improvement, and ultimately eradication, if that's possible). Either we can do this, or we can just wait. The bottom line of the July 1964 Documentary was that the potential for a repeat is real. In fact, some of those who were interviewed as part of that important project --- seem to think that conditions are more conducive to the possibility of explosion in 2004 than they were 40 years ago. Now, that's something to think about!     

         

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