"Why
aren’t White men subjected to racial profiling? Why aren’t White men closely
scrutinized? Does any woman clutch her purse or cross to the other side of the
street when approaching a White man? It’s no secret that Fortune 500 companies
like Enron and persons holding positions of power that led to the housing
debacle were White men. Not to mention the current Barclays investigation.
White collar crime perpetrated against hard working employees and innocent
consumers should make everyone suspicious of White men. Does this make sense?
I
say no. At the root of racial profiling is fear, negative stereotyping and the
lack of sufficiently meaningful relationships. Consider this – White men are
found in every sector of society and are considered as a group the founders,
backbone, and therefore creators of this country. Forty-three presidents,
doctors, lawyers, teachers, business leaders, major news casters, athletes, bus
drivers, pilots, engineers,entertainers,
co-workers, colleagues, friends and next door neighbors. And let’s not forget
fictionalized characters: Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, Superman, Spiderman,
the Pillsbury Dough Boy and the list goes on. Even Jesus has been adopted and
portrayed as a White man. And let us not forget the daily reinforcement via the
media. Don Imus is offset by Dan Rather, Anderson Cooper, and many, many more.
If the bad guy such as McVeigh is arrested, tried, convicted and executed as
the perpetrator of such a horrendous crime, regardless the number of times his
image is plastered in the media there are many more depictions of White men
that are positive. When we have a plethora of positive images and experiences
stored up, so when the perpetrator falls into the category – White Male – like
an antibiotic we have enough positive history to counter any fear that may seep
into our stream of consciousness. With so many positive roles models, and
experiences, an isolated incident here and there does not nullify the overall
picture and reputation. Conversely, in our society at large, Black and Brown
adolescents and men do not have the same luxury. Nor do women of color."
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