Crossing the Color Line - Brian Elsasser

This chapter seemed to have a large focus on empathy. A more appropriate title may have been Empathy Race Line Breaker, Race Line Maker, but that is a little long. It is discussed how empathy is important for understanding racism but then it goes on to say that empathy without trying to understand it leads to more racism. Understanding the other parties side is important for any conflict if you completely ignore the other side no one is going to win. But if you understand the others side and do not make an attempt to honor it or see where they are coming from you are standing in place.

I found it entertaining when the author mentioned the 3 types of personalities. One been the type that understands and can talk about anything with anyone including race issues. Two being the "guilty liberal" (my favorite) those whites that try so hard to relate with blacks that they feel more pity for their oppression than understanding their culture. And finally those who can be friends and talk with blacks about most anything other than the race issue. I am not positive that there are only the 3 types of personality but it is an entertaining thought.

One thing that I am glad was brought up in this chapter was when he mentions a white friend of his saying that he should give more white people a chance and that he may be pleasantly surprised, meaning that not every white person is racist. I have run into experiences with a few black friends who every time they meet a white person they automatically assume he is a racist, I have always found this interesting as it parallels the some whites attitudes about the black stereotype. In that making those first assumptions you are automatically seeing that person in a worst light and then that person has little chance to win you over.

The last thing I want to mention is at one point it is brought up by the black author that he is often angry and that that anger stems from he racism he deals with everyday. "The black male as inherently angry" is a stereotype that we discussed in previous chapters and I do not believe this proves the stereotype. It is not an excuse but it does bring to light that black men sometimes struggle with a constant shadow of prejudice hanging over them.