In the past two weeks I have seen two similar perspectives on the emotionally challenging issues of race relations in our country. The common theme: minorities, and African-Americans in particular, have to work harder and overcome more to be successful. For a blog that focuses on how challenge leads to improvement, it is a point worth exploring.
The first example is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. McNabb has been successful for nearly eight seasons, and while outspoken, has rarely caused too much controversy. In a recent interview, however, McNabb claimed that black quarterbacks face more scrutiny than white quarterbacks.
"We [black QBs] have to do a little extra. No matter the style of play you're displaying, there's always going to be criticism."
These comments seem to have struck a nerve, as the general reaction seems to be that all quarterbacks are equally under the microscope - and if anything, playing in Philadelphia is the extra challenge. Now McNabb is defending himself against more than opposing defenses and the Philly faithful.
A second perspective comes from my world of advertising agencies. In an article about the lack of acceptable minority presence in the advertising world, Tiffany R. Warren, writes in Advertising Age that: "[People of color have] had to not only be culturally flexible but twice as good as their white counterparts."
Interestingly, I have no answers. I have never been a minority, so I cannot judge whether the perspective is true or false. On the other hand, neither Donovan McNabb nor Tiffany Warren are able to be truly objective in their opinions. To me, this is the central problem of race relations - neither side really understands the other.
I do believe that challenge leads to improvement, however. And I wonder if the extra challenge that McNabb or Warren have experienced ended up driving them to be more successful. I don't mean we should keep up barriers that limit minority advancement just because a few might turn them into success stories - that would be ridiculous. But on a personal level, most of us have a life story filled with challenges and bad breaks. Some were born poor, others lost a parent at an early age, many didn't get into the college or job they really wanted.
There is a real danger when people claim that "they have it tougher". First, you cannot be objective in the situation. Who can judge individuals' difficulties much less entire racial groups? And second, such a comment downplays the challenges and accomplishments that others have experienced. When Donovan McNabb feels bad he can be glad he's not Rex Grossman.
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