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Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - VII. Social Inequality - 28. The Basis of Social Inequality - 7. Critical Evaluation of the “No Social Equality” Theory - 8. Attitudes among Different Classes of Whites in the South
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592 An American Dilemma
opportunistic rationalization, and because it refers directly and indirectly
to the most touchy spots in American life and American morals, tremendous
inhibitions have been built up against a detached and critical discussion of
this theory. But such inhibitions are gradually overcome when, in the
course of secularized education, people become rational about their life
problems. It must never be forgotten that in our increasingly intellectual-
ized civilization even the plain citizen feels an urge for truth and objec-
tivity, and that this rationalistic urge is increasingly competing with the
opportunistic demands for rationalization and escape.
There are reasons to believe that a slow but steady cleansing of the
American mind is proceeding as the cultural level is raised. The basic
racial inferiority doctrine is being undermined by research and education.
For a white man to have illicit relations with Negro women is increasingly
meeting disapproval. Negroes themselves are more and more frowning
upon such relations. This all must tend to dampen the emotional fires
around ^^social equality.” Sex and race fears are, however, even today the
main defense for segregation and, in fact, for the whole caste order. The
question shot at the interviewer touching any point of this order is still:
^Would you like to have your daughter (sister) marry a Negro?”
8. Attitudes among Different Classes of Whites in the South
Certain attitudes, common in the South, become more understandable
when we have recognized that, behind all rationalizing stereotyped beliefs
and popular theories, a main concern of the white man is to preserve
social inequality for its own sake. One such attitude is the great sympathy
so often displayed in the upper classes of Southern whites toward the ^‘old
time darky” who adheres to the patterns of slavery. The ^^unreconstructed
aristocrat” after the Civil War believed with Carlyle that “[the Negro]
is useful in God^s creation only as a servant” he remained paternalistic;
he wanted to keep the Negroes dependent and resented their attempts to
rise .through education; he mistrusted the younger generation of Negroes;
he had a gloomy outlook on the future of race relations. But he liked the
individual Negro whom he knew personally and who conformed to the
old relation of master-servant—who “stayed in his place.”^’
Even today this attitude helps to determine the relations between the
two groups in rural districts.^® It particularly forms the pattern of the
relationship between employer and employee on the plantation and in
household service. It is also the basis for the quasi-feudal use of white
character witnesses for Negro offenders, and for the great leniency in
punishing Negro offenders as long as they have not intruded upon white
society.* One is amazed to see how’ often, even today, white people go out
of their way to help individual Negroes and how many of them still take
* See Chapter 26, Section 2.
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