Shelby Steel's New Book A Step Toward Open Dialogue?

As We See It: Shelby Steele's take on 'White Guilt' is a step toward open dialogue - - - July 10, 2006

For those who are unfamiliar, Shelby Steele is a black conservative who recently wrote a book entitled "White Guilt". Although I've not read the book, from the reviews I've read, it appears that it may be a standard harangue against the affirmative action that most black conservatives abhor.

My problem with black conservatives is the same problem that I often have with so called black liberals; neither one really speaks for us per se. Effectively, those in either camp are really representatives to us rather than being representatives for us.

There's room in the African-American community for different views on matters such as affirmative action and etc. Most black conservatives have more of a following among their white supporters rather than blacks because they really don't spend time really talking to us. They really don't talk to us as at all. They're more interested in playing to the gallery so they can get books sold or gain influence in conservative circles. If they really had an interest in changing things, they'd be more engaged internally in our communities. Most of these guys would accuse people like Sharpton and Jackson of being 'bagmen" when they're effectively doing the same thing. The only difference is that they're on the other side of the political spectrum.

By way of example, Bill Cosby has said some pretty "conservative" things about what needs to happen in the African-American community and many people agree. Some disagree, but no one doubts that Cos is talking to us.