Part I: Race In America, Where We At?
March 18, 2026 by agutting@reviewjournal.com
Filed under Conversation
BY LOUIE OVERSTREET
With this column and two more to follow, I will attempt to frame America’s major unresolved issue of race.
The Civil War was to have ended the debate over what should be our nation’s path forward on matters of race. However, efforts by Presidents Johnson and Hayes, as well as a spate of Jim Crow laws, lynchings, and all types of discriminatory practices hampered America’s march of progress.
While it would be less than honest to deny that America’s march has experienced measurable progress along a number of fronts, it can be argued race remains the primary reason for the division that exists in America today.
As a starting point, I offer for consideration my belief that race issues have reached a level of divisiveness not seen in decades. As such, race needs to be given heightened attention, to ward off Americans experiencing a repeat of the mass protests and riots from back in the 1950s and 1960s.
Back then it was Blacks aided by whites addressing the issues of access to education, public accommodations, and voting rights. Shortly thereafter, the cause was for equal rights for women.
However, Hispanics pretty much sat things out. While not suggesting, LULAC President’s Felix Tijerina statement in 1956 was the universal sentiment of Hispanics, it was generally understood to be the attitude of Hispanic Americans at the time. He stated, “Let the Negro fight his own battles. His problems are not mine. I don’t want to ally with him.” Today, the primary focus is efforts by Hispanics and Whites to promote humane immigration policies.
Sadly, today many Blacks are sitting this one out, based on the belief, “What goes around comes around.”
However, the struggle by Blacks and Whites to stop efforts to erode voting rights and the eradication of our contributions to American history remains a challenge.
Over a month ago, I asked a number of Facebook friends to help frame the issue of race from their life experiences. Next month, we will discuss their well-reasoned concerns.
