"I guess my concern is that there's just so many indicators out there measured with history that point to the more than possibility that could also be the beginning of the end that one of the messages in my new book is the issue of whether current American racial policies and economic policies could result in the annihilation of all but a privileged few group of black people. And, I think Professor Stone has been making the point with regard that the fact that this is not some far off, science fiction thing. It is something that is happening all around us.
Racial hostility, despite some of the things that we have heard today, worsening in this country. Everybody says, 'But can it get that bad?' Well, it is worsening, in part, as it always does, in times of economic malaise. And, while there are a few that are doing extremely well in the stock market, on Wall Street, what have you focus on those, the fact is that the disparity in the wealth, as well as the disparity with regard to prison, is going up. One percent of the society holds 40% of the wealth and each year that grows. And, traditionally, when things get tough, where does the blame go? Not on the those who are making policies, but on black people.
A century ago, as we moved from an agricultural to an industrial society, the racial outrage and violence were horrendous. We could be moving toward that point again. Does it mean that we should give up? Of course not, but I think that we all need to recognise that this is a period of well-being for some of us and success, but also great danger for all of us. And, in that sense, that knowledge should influence all of our actions, in our professional lives and in our personal lives."
- Professor Derrick Bell, 1996
Damn, he sure did teach his student well! It sounds like it could be read by Obama any time he steps in front of a TelePrompter.
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