Washington -- Since it has become disturbingly obvious that some Americans want to fight another Civil War over "affirmative action," I must have a few more words about the subject.
My mail about "reverse discrimination" tells me that I must make one more attempt, however futile, to tell white America what is ugly paranoia, and what is fact about the recent efforts of political leaders and corporation leaders to do justice.
It seems that I get a zillion letters a month from whites saying generally: "Through 'reverse discrimination,' our government, colleges and businesses have given so many goodies to blacks and Hispanics, that a white man, or family, doesn't have a chance anymore."
I know that white people have read so much fiction about reverse discrimination, so much provocative propaganda about "the angry white male," that they really believe non-whites have become top dogs in this society. I only wish someone would force the affirmative action race-baiters to explain why:
* In 1993, the median income of white households was $32,960, but for black households, only $19,533.
* In 1992, 46.6 per cent of black children under age 18 lived in poverty, compared with 16.9 per cent of white children.
* Black babies in America are twice as likely to die within the first year of life -- and black women are more than twice as likely to die within five years of a breast cancer diagnosis as are white women.
* In November -- yes, this November -- the unemployment rate for black adults was 9.2 per cent, more than double the 4.3 per cent for whites. Or why 31.7 per cent of black teen-agers in the labor force could not find work, while only 12.9 per cent of white youth faced that plight.
Why? Why? Why?
Those statistics, released by the U.S. government, sure put the lie to claims that reverse discrimination has made blacks a privileged race in America.
More than white ignorance, or paranoia, lies behind the incendiary cries against affirmative action, which means nothing more than giving women, Hispanics, blacks and others a chance to get jobs, scholarships and other opportunities according to their abilities. Today we are beleaguered by craven politicians who know that they can dredge votes out of white jealousies and fears, however unwarranted they may be.
Social and political predators know that ordinary white Americans have been indoctrinated up to their gullets by propaganda that blacks are inferior to Caucasians. So it becomes natural in every work or study session for the dumbest white person to assume that any black person landing a spot above him or her is inferior, and just the beneficiary of reverse discrimination.
Do I believe that this column, or a thousand like it, will improve the mind set of any advocate of racial superiority, or any "angry white man" who is steeped in paranoia? No. But it sure improves my mind set to write it.
Carl T. Rowan is a syndicated columnist.