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Gunnar Myrdal died in 1987, less than 70 years ago.
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Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - I. The Approach - 2. Encountering the Negro Problem - 3. Explaining the Problem Away - 4. Explorations in Escape
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32 An American Dilemma
Statements that interracial relations are good thus belong in the South to
the etiquette of Negro college presidents, principals and teachers of Negro
schools, and all other Negroes enjoying upper or middle class status under
the sanction of the power of appointment and dismissal in the hands of
white boards or officials. They are also widely accepted as a way of getting
along by a considerable number of Negro preachers and by the handful
of thriving and successful Negro businessmen. In return, these persons are
allowed much leeway, particularly in the Upper South. These sentiments
are sometimes also expressed by Negro professionals who are aware of the
local requirements for successful leadership.
But, even in these cases, the statements that there is “no Negro problem”
have an easily detected difference in tone when pronounced by Negroes.
To begin with, they are usually restricted expressly to the local com-
munity, and often qualified by certain reservations as to this or that which
might need improvement, while the corresponding white pronouncements
are mostly broad and absolute in character. They are, further, as a defense
mechanism, primarily directed against provoking the suspicions of the other
group. They are, finally, not to be taken too seriously. The writer
repeatedly made the observation, both in the Deep South and in the Upper
South, as well as in the North, that a Negro seldom took this position when
talking freely and when there was no point in hiding his real feelings.
The difference between the two groups, with respect to the recognition
of the Negro problem, corresponds, of course, to the fundamental fact that
the white group is above and the Negro group is below, that the one is
intent upon preserving the status quoy while the other wants change and
relief from the pressure of the dominant group. The one group is tempted
to convince itself and others that there is “no problem.” The other group
has a contrary interest to see clearly and even make visible to others the
existence of a real problem. This latter group may be hushed by fear or
opportunistic calculations. These calculations can, of course, be of the most
respectable character j
indeed, they often are part of the cautious Negro
patriot’s wise policy of trying to safeguard his people from needless suffer-
ings and to gain favors for them from the dominating white group. But, in
any case, the explanation is not to be sought in such deep-seated internal
tensions as with the white people. The Negro’s rationalization, when it
is articulated, is likely to be much more overt and, indeed, sometimes
cynically so. It has not the same character of a self-deceiving defense con-
strucUon against one’s own moral feelings.
4. Explorations in Escape
In a big city in the Deep South I was once taken by a friend to an upper class
club for a social luncheon party. I’he conversation turned around world affairs, the
business trend, art, literature and some personal gossiping; the tone was most con-
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