Journalist Speaks Out about America's Racial Immaturity

An African American man who has issues with Black History Month and is a multi-award winning journalist with "no sacred cows in his writing," packed-out the UNCG Elliott University Center (EUC) Auditorium Monday evening, March 20.

Pulitzer Prize winner Leonard Pitts Jr. was the main speaker for the Friends of the UNCG Libraries Annual Dinner, which according to Ned Cline, the re-appointed chairperson of the Friends of UNCG Libraries, it was the most "outstanding turn-out" and the best they had ever had.

The preliminary reception dinner in the Cone Ballroom saw the announcement of the Friends of the UNCG Libraries new board members. Pitts said the dinner left him feeling as though he had shook hands with every single guest.

The presenting sponsor of the evening was Greensboro's very own publication the News & Record, where Pitts has a syndicated column. Since 1976, Pitts has been writing professionally as a freelance journalist and author. In May, 1999, his most recent book, Becoming a Dad: Black Men and the Journey of Fatherhood, was released.

The evening speeches included UNCG Chancellor Patricia Sullivan and Rosann Bazirjian who has been the university librarian for 18 months.

Sullivan announced UNCG's new classification as a "High Research Activity University," which was received by applause from the audience. Sullivan went on to publicize the new library and EUC connector; she said that it joins both the hub of UNCG's academic center and the hub of UNCG's activity center.

Finally, Pitts was invited to the stand, where he said he was told he could talk about anything, but of course he had to give a plug for the Libraries. Over a rumble of audience laughter he said,

"I spend many hours in libraries…I would consider myself as a friend of libraries."

And with more laughter he left it at that.

It was clear from the outset that Pitts had chosen to talk about race. What was uncommon about his speech was his stance as an African American man on African American issues.

Pitts said he has a problem with Black History Month and that Black history is American history, and it should be a bigger part of general education and curriculum, not segregated by devoting an entire month to it. Pitts continued to say he was tired of hearing about "Black American icons."

"The people [African American icons] and their achievements didn't live in a bubble," said Pitts.

By this Pitts was keen to only highlight truly great African Americans, although not as African Americans, but simply as Americans. Pitts said that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was the only organization in the U.S. willing to have the "racial immaturity discussion," which is a discussion that Pitts is keen to bring into the public arena.

Pitts was careful to point out that he wasn't trying to invalidate the atrocities that black men and women had suffered in the past at the hands of "white Christians," such as the trade of the body parts of black people and slavery. But he was keen for the anger of African Americans and the bondage of guilt of white Americans to be lifted.

"Black folks feeling righteous and angry - white folks feeling shamed," said Pitts, continuing to say that feelings of anger can feel good, as can "being the victim."

Seeing guilt in another person feels good, but anger is a corrosive thing and we as people do not examine our own anger, Pitts said.

"Anything that makes you feel guilty is almost certain to make you resent…If black people have never felt fully free then nor have white people.

"Have you ever hated anyone?" Pitts asked. "Well, it is hard work!"

Pitts talked about collective responsibility and that we are all partly responsible for the actions of the society in which we belong. He also broached the subject of a national apology for African Americans, but said the idea of an apology cuts too close to the bone of (national) self-image.

Rather than an apology, Pitts said that he is looking for someone to "acknowledge the pain of black people."

"It is not about validating black anger or implying white guilt, but the validation of the situation.

"Bare witness for a slave whose name history forgot. Bare witness and fly, because if history is roots, history is also wings," said Pitts in his closing statement. The audience replied with a standing ovation.

"Journalists shouldn't tell people what to think, but should talk and write in a way that causes them to think," said Cline in acknowledgement of Pitts' speech.

In a private interview for The Carolinian, Pitts was asked:

"In the UNCG dining areas, often white people only sit with other white people, black people sit with black people and even athletes segregate themselves from everyone else. What is your message for UNCG students?"

"This is not just for UNCG students, but for everybody. It is important to get out of your comfort zones - socialize with people," replied Pitts.

"Have a hamburger with someone who is not like you."