Matt, once again you've written an excellent piece. As a black man who has lived in Seattle for almost 40 years I have had the opportunity to not only study my own cultural practices, but also those of people from other ethnic backgrounds. I grew up next door to a large Japanese family, who I remain close to to this day. They didn't verbalize what "Japanese identity" meant. There was little or no discussion of academic achievement, fatherhood, family responsibility, and economic development being Japanese cultural traits. It was inherently ingrained in who they were, as is the case with other ethnic groups over thousands of years, in most cases. In other words, a long, historical, cultural connection with ones land and culture of origin is like water to a fish - you don't notice it unless it isn't there.

I say that to point out that the term "African American" is a misnomer, which is why I, and many other black people in fact refer to ourselves as black. We are the only people in recorded history with no clue as to where we came from, what the traditions and strengths were, and are absent of the cultural/physical/economic connections others utilize for commerce and a sense of historic belonging.

This isn't an excuse, its reality. Not only is our history a short 400 years in duration, most of that history was spent by America conditioning blacks not to be real men, women, fathers, and mothers. It conflicted with us being "good" slaves. If one doesn't know what they're sick from, its difficult to get well.

For those whites who roll their eyes and say, "Here they go again with the excuses." you are doing so because you are as trapped in an arrested way of thinking just as the victim-mentality blacks you are often so critical of are. Ask any black person who takes personal responsibility for their own life, from Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey, Henry Louis Gates Jr., or the man or woman successfully raising their children, we have all had to undertake our own healing and re-definition process. We define for ourselves who we are and what our priorities and values will be from a cultural perspective. Only then can we immunize ourselves and our children to the ridiculous and insulting media images of blacks that are perpetuated by others as well as ourselves. This is also why other youth "look through the key hole" as Gates puts it, at the hip-hop value system while many black youth embrace it as their cultural self-definition. Not only is 70 % of rap and hip-hop purchased by white youth, but I've wittnessed Asian and Hispanic youth who are not yet proficient in English, jamming to high-volume rap beats. A grounded cultural self-concept offsets much of the damage of the hip-hop culture.

I have no problem with whites engaging in an honest discussion of America's racial dynamics. However, I often equate it to myself watching a couple of seasons of ER, then going to Harborview and arguing with a nuerosurgeon on the best strategy in dealing with a brain aneurism. In other words, occasionally and periodically studying a phenomenon (racial bias) one may not have experienced, yet holding the privilege of my views of it being adopted as universal reality. In short, be a true student of life and be open to multiple realities. Not simply hold to the reality you are most comfortable in embracing.

Also, educate yourself about what institutional racism (which is alive and well) really is. Because you've had a negative interaction with a person of another race, don't compare that with the reality of systemic and institutional racism. Also, don't erroniously embrace the same whining, victimology you again condemn black civil rights leaders with by crying about reverse discrimination and white men being the truly oppressed. America was built on race from the time Columbus began enslaving the Arawak Indians, to free slave labor, and genocide of Native Americans. Modern day affirmative action pales in comparison to historical affirmative action where written laws stated if you weren't a white man, there were certain things you simply weren't allowed to do. Besides, 80% of jobs are filled through word-of-mouth, friends, and family members. I would love for black people to put victimology permanently to rest. An honest couragous step would be for whites to do likewise with the blatantly false concept of reverse discrimination.

Obviously, skin color does not translate into one being an authority on racial dynamics. I'll venture to say that as black people we may be doing more damage to ourselves than anyone else is doing - today. That is an important distinction to make since millions of Africans were murdered, tortured, maimed, and psychologically damaged over hundreds of years. That is beyond comprehension if one is open to thinking about it, but as a black man I haven't had the choice of dismissing or ignoring it the way others can if they choose. In fact, the road to taking personal responsibility for my own life and situation makes it essential for me to know what I need to heal from.

There has to be a new so-called civil rights movement among black people to openly discuss how we are killing ourselves physically and psychologically. The blame game is one of the most insulting, damaging and demeaning traits we have taken on in recent years.

Can, and should whites and others participate in the conversation? By all means, in my opinion. Don't we have a "good samaratin" law in Washington State where if you see someone in serious trouble and do nothing, you can be implicated? Watch an evening of BET (Black Entertainment Television) and you will soon experience the psychological suicide black people are engaged in. However, keep in mind that like the current hearings on 9-1-1, there is plenty of responsibility to go around. It took 400 years for the current situation to develop. Besides, singling out blacks as "damaged" is also a racist, media-maniplated, falsehood. A larger percentage of white youth drink alcohol and use illegal drugs than black youth. Same with suicide, school shootings, and some other negative behaviors. Check CDC and DSHS statistics if this is shocking and unbelievable news to you. America does damage to all of its citizens in some form, our damage is different because of the cultural disconnect. In fact, we are a remarkable people when one considers our unique experience. Our influence and contributions have been felt worldwide not just in entertainment and athletics, but science, social justice, the arts, medicine, and every other arena. If whites want to engage in the discussion, can they do so in the theme of self-responsibility as we are called to do? BET is insulting and demeaning, but isn't black owned. There are many positive black hip-hop artists who can't get produced or shown on BET, MTV, VH-1, and other white-owned mediums. UPN and WB turn their noses at programs that show blacks in a serious, positive light, in favor of the clownish buffoonery that is so common it is now normal. For every Jayson Williams currently standing trial for murder, there is a Warrick Dunn who has purchased over 30 homes for single mothers. The media drives the images of Michael Jordan, Shaq, Kobe, and Griffey into the minds of all our people. Yet, do any of you know who the world renouned neurosurgeon Ben Carson is? Or inventors such as Granville T. Woods, Garrett Morgan, or Frederick M. Jones? If whites became vocal about what white-owned institutions are shamelessly doing, it might change. Remember, America's God seems to the the dollar, not our Devine Entitiy.

Traditional so-called "black community leaders" have a vested interest in playing the race card when its unwarrented, promoting the victim mentality, and holding everyone accountable but themselves. Knowledgable, informed masses don't need a leader, and therefore these individuals would no longer make a living off the business of oppression. Also, it is the white media that identifies these individuals as "black leaders" not any black people I know. Since the Urban League, NAACP, and others receive most of their funding from whites, hold them accountable for sending a message of true empowerment and responsibility. But most importantly, educate yourselves. When a possible racial incident takes place, don't instinctively deny that it had anything to do with race. I can't say it did because I wasn't there and have no idea of the inner thoughts of the individuals involved. Neither do you.

"The Mis-Education of the Negro" by Carter G. Woodson and "Visions for Black Men" by Na'im Akbar are 2 outstanding books for anyone who wants to educate themselves about the struggles of black people from a self-responsibility standpoint.

Lastly, educate yourselves on white privilege. There are groups of whites here in Seattle doing extensive work in this real, yet unrecognized area.

For all of us, as the old proverb goes, "Self-deception is the easiest of things. For what each man (woman) thinketh, that they usually believe to be true."

I am currently in college and I've had a few ethnic training classes. Honestly, I am just confused now. Up until I took the classes I had no idea that there was a racial stereotype saying that blacks are stupid or mexicans are lazy. A lot of the examples used to support racism are from almost 50 years ago and what I'm learning doesn't reflect what I see every day.

How often are you confronted with racism on a daily basis?

For a final paper I focused on public schools in Topeka, Kansas (where I currently live)and how things have been going since Brown vs. The Board of Education. I don't know what to make of what I found. It still looks segregated but why? Is it because the government has some master plan to make segregation a reality again? or is it because of other reasons?

I can't grasp racism, I can't remember a single time in my life that I looked at someone and developed a negative opinion because of their skin color, accent, hair color or sexual orientation. I have an even harder time thinking that my unbiased view is unique.

I am curious about your view on all the cultural training. I have to admit in the last year after learning all the rules about what I can't say or what could be taken negatively I have become more fearful of being percieved as racist. It seems absurd considering I lack the bias attitudes the books tell me I have.