You have to be Carefully Taught

I was once assigned as the squadron commander of a squadron that had failed three inspections in a row. The old commander was relieved, and I was sent to “fix” the problem. Air Force squadrons are organized along functional lines, and I was not an expert in the function of this one. It didn’t take me long, however, to determine the problem. The senior staff had been told repeatedly that they were too undermanned to succeed. They had been conditioned to fail. In order to counter the self-fulfilling prophesy of failure, I had to become a cheerleader. I had to convince them that the squadron was staffed with people of exceptional talent. It took a while, but success bred success and they began to pass inspections. We need black leaders in America to become cheerleaders.

Young black Americans are bombarded with messages of despair and oppression. I watched a town hall meeting on local TV the other evening that included the Spokane Chief of Police and several representatives of the protesters. Everyone involved said the police needed to change, but no one said that community values or attitudes needed to change. A young high school student said that white America was against her. She claimed schools help perpetuate racism, and teachers are openly biased. Where did she get that? Several panel members discussed “The Talk” in which they warn their children of racially motivated police violence. Kurtis Robinson, the president of the Spokane NACCP chapter, said that there will never be justice until America repays black citizens for slavery. I am convinced the fear is real. I am also convinced the fear is taught.

I watched a very good movie about Carl Brashear, the first Navy Master Diver. Carl Brashear was a national hero who lost a leg in a diving accident, but was allowed to remain in the service, and became the Chief Diver for the Navy. A significant part of the story tells of official racial bias during training. Brashear’s instructors were ordered to force him out of diving school. In an interview following the movie, Chief Brashear said most of the movie was accurate, but he didn’t experience racial discrimination in the Navy. The story of flagrant racism during his training made a good story, but was simply not true. Those who watched the movie and missed the interview believe that blacks face insurmountable obstacles in the military.

President Obama has written several books both before and after he left office. A continuing theme is how difficult is to grow up black in America. His wife Michelle was also openly critical of the prejudice she experienced. Think about it for a minute. They were elected President and First Lady of the United States, the most powerful position in the world. I don’t doubt that life could be hard for young black men in Chicago. It was hard for poor kids in the small town I grew up in. But It couldn’t have been so hard that he didn’t have opportunities. He should be praising the opportunities afforded to all kids in America, both black and white. He should be a cheerleader.

Americans of color are being taught they have no alternative to intercity gangs, violence, and the drug culture. They are taught this message until they believe it. Not only do minorities believe it, but so too do many police officers and community leaders. We need to stop teaching despair and begin teaching hope and optimism. We need successful leaders like Colin Powel, Condoleezza Rice and Cory Booker to become Cheerleaders.

Frank Watson is a retired Air Force Officer and long-time resident of Eastern Washington. He has been a free-lance columnist for over 20 years.