Racism's red flag aided by all-African American group exclusivity

Martin Luther King who offer the message of inclusion for everyone

Carol Forsloff---This month we celebrated Martin Luther King Day, and as we reflect on African American history, and the present stresses related to contemporary events, the film about Selma now popular, and the memory of King's speech of inclusion of 1963, it is time to decide whether or not all-African American groups makes sense.

The manner of the concept of racial injustices and African American individuals and groups reporting on this, and other issues, is surely important.  But does the fact they highlight their own exclusivity add to King's dream of inclusion?  Isn't it time to question having all black groups and their titles, which can only serve as a barrier to racial amity?


It turns out there is an all-black group for just about everything.  Although there are no spelled-out restrictions on the entrance requirements for these groups, an organization that calls itself the National Association for Black Journalists shuts the door to entrance of folks other than white by the title itself.

There is the Society for Professional Journalists.  Many journalists belong.  It is authentic, offers classes, helps to prepare journalists by advancing training and supports university training programs.  It does not restrict on the basis of race.  But if it said the White Society for Professional Journalists and had no spelled out entrance requirements, what kind of hue and cry would occur?

There is the Miss Black America Contest, despite the fact that the first Miss America of African American ancestry occurred decades ago.  Even the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People remains an enigma because of its name, advancing colored people and not everyone.

A media group calls itself BET, Black Television; and although there are white faces on miscellaneous shows, and Hispanics and other groups also (although rare), the message again is a powerful one.

Professor Henry Gates has a website called Roots.  It aligns itself with black issues, almost exclusively, with thought-provoking articles.  But it is clear from the title of the website and the articles at first glance, that this is an exclusive club.  Test it out:  apply to write on a link and wait for a response.  An article written by this author called  on whether integration hurt black children, where an African American mother was quoted extensively was underlined in agreement and nearly word-for-word copied as well.  A trial to check on writing for the group on several occasions with similar issues brought no response.  The article was good enough for the site because it was colorless, but the person who applied to write was not.

The test was a test of The Root that failed.  The Root failed to show any evidence that it posts an article by anyone other than someone who is African American.  Even if that is not the case, there was no effort to say anything.  What would a black writer think under similar conditions?

New America Media advances itself as the fastest growing segment of the media.   I had several articles published by this group, but all had the name of an African American colleague, the publisher of the newspaper I edited and put as the lead, despite the fact he had limited actual writing of anything.  Why?  Because I was told by him that was the way the organization wanted its representation.

But I drift here and wondered as well if my experience should be mentioned at all.  Mine, however, is the one I know most.  Without it, I must find references from others; but those may not demonstrate the problem quite as dramatically over time.

When white America had restrictive clauses in fraternities, sororities, golf clubs and just about every other organization in the South, these all-black organizations might have made sense.  These were folks who needed a sense of belonging, and having a group that said "We're okay, and it's just a matter of time before we completely belong"was important to form a cohesive group to lobby for changes when changes were too slow in coming.

Martin Luther King was not a man who spoke to separate but equal.  He spoke to the powers of coming together, of integration, of learning to live as brothers in every way possible.  He did so in a way, and with a love, that commanded respect of all people.
King's 1963 speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial offers perspective about inclusion vs exclusion and how that might impact how African American communities may be reinforcing the wrong image.

During the civil rights marches and the speech at the Lincoln Memorial one could see lots of white faces.  As a matter of fact,  Martin Luther King Senior told this journalist in the mid 70's during a trip made to Atlanta, that one of the largest groups to visit Ebenezer Baptist Church, the spiritual home of the Kings, were white Southerners.  He also pointed out the majority of visitors at the time were white.

Black Network.com speaks loudly.  On the title page are the words to a song, referred to as the National Black Anthem.  While the words speak of a history, of sacrifices and pain, what does it say to call it The National Black Anthem and to remind young people in church regularly of the pain and the history and not the future ahead where people come together in peace and in love?

The title of anything provides the overture to the message.  Isn't it time to take a second look at some of these organizational titles to see what type of messages they give?

There are many people who have friends and close relationships among the races.  There are many, however, who do not because of the demographics and choices folks make.  When these people, who may have no experience with anything of a positive nature see an organization titled The National Association of Black Journalists what is the message to them?  Does it help bring them into the fold or does it put a sign on the door that says, "Not welcome."

An all-black title is a red flag to folks who don't want to change, those who could and for those who have a feeling of remorse that the message was lost about change.

That is too many people to lose when the world needs more unity in its approach to solving problems.  Does diversity of opinion and ideas require exclusivity in membership.  It is a reasonable question given the message of Martin Luther King, which some consider as valid today as it was in 1963 when he stood on the steps and told us he looked forward to the day when people of all races could sit down and work together.