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I keep hearing people say that what we need in America is a more honest conversation about race. I agree. But how can such conversations take place when even the mere mention of race is seen to be prima facie evidence of racism?
In the latest example of he-who-smelt-it-dealt-it "racism," Atlanta Hawks owner, Bruce Levenson, has tucked his tail between his legs and apologized for having written an "inappropriate and offensive" email to team management two years ago. The headline writers agree: "Hawks owner Bruce Levenson sent racist email in 2012, will sell team," (CBS Sports), "Atlanta Hawks owner Bruce Levenson to sell team after racist email," (CNN).
I've read the offending email twice now, and I still can't find the offensive content. (I encourage you to read it for yourself here.)*
Admittedly, I'm a white man, so my perspective is no doubt steeped in all kinds of privilege, but here's what I read in his email:
- We're not selling enough season tickets.
- Around the NBA, most season tickets are sold to rich middle-aged white guys.
- Our games are geared to a black audience:
- All our cheerleaders are black.
- Most of the fans at the games are black (70%).
- The music we play during breaks is all hip-hop, etc.
- There aren't enough rich middle-aged black guys in Atlanta to sell season tickets to.
- Our target demo feels uncomfortable in the atmosphere we're creating at the games, and that's why we're not selling enough season tickets.
I can see how this could be read as "anti-black," but I think that would be a misreading of his letter. In fact, he's careful to point out that he's never felt uncomfortable at games himself, but concludes that "southern whites simply were not comfortable being in an arena or at a bar where they were in the minority."
I may soon be penning my own apology, but I just don't get how it is offensive to suggest that some people are uncomfortable being in a minority or in an atmosphere geared to another culture. I went to a wedding in Africa recently. What if I'd been invited to DJ the party (Not likely!) and played lots of Eagles and Nirvana? Would the Africans fleeing the dance floor be racists? Are women who complain about their discomfort being isolated in male-dominated workplace environments necessarily sexist? Would a couple of 60 year-olds trapped in Cancun during Spring Break be ageists for feeling uncomfortable around all the screaming college kids?
Maybe. But I doubt it. Discomfort is not solid evidence of bias. And in any case, whether or not you think racism is what keeps rich, middle-aged white guys from showing up to the games, simply hypothesizing that this may be the case can't possibly be racist, can it?
If so, these exercises in public shaming aren't eliminating racism; they're silencing discussion of racism. Just because no one mentions something doesn't mean it no longer exists. Haven't we learned by now that silence only fuels ignorance?
*[It's possible that Levinson has turned himself in at this point as a clever business move—hoping the controversy will allow him to get a better price for his share of the team than he'd get without it. If so, the NBA and the media appear to be taking the bait.]
** Update: Turns out, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar agrees with me.
