Why we all can't just get along.

• Author: Loveless, Marc
• Position: Thinking Politically

Recently, I pulled out of a local coalition organized as a response to the post 9/11 anti-Arabic, anti-Muslim sentiments in the Chicago area. With my walking out, a coalition that was designed to organize against racism now has no Black people as active members. I had joined this coalition on 9/12 when the area peace organizations got together and held a brief meeting and press conference in solidarity with local victims of racist acts that had taken place less than 24 hours after the 9/11 attacks. At that meeting were other Black and Arabic people who also spoke at the press conference. Since then, the original group has divided as all leftist groups do and there are now at least two city-wide coalitions for peace and anti-militarism.

The specific reason that caused me to pull out of the coalition speaks less about either group than about the nature of most integrated grassroots efforts. All my life, I've had to struggle with questions from well-meaning liberal and progressive activists as to why "there aren't more Black people involved." To me these questions come much as updated versions of Rodney King during the L.A. disturbances: "Why can't we all just get along?" Such questions would arise whether it was a political group, a gay group, or even a religious group. I don't know, maybe it's now being over 40, but this year I believe I've come to a clearer understanding of this question.

Some time ago, when I was on the Detroit Archdiocese Office of Black Catholics Advisory Council, we were asked by the Ministry to the Bereaved why more Black people didn't respond to the support groups and programs. As a body, we thought about this and responded that as Black people we don't necessarily have the luxury to grieve by an elaborate process. The challenge of living and sustaining a way of life becomes primary beyond any personal devastation. Here lies the practical relevance of my new clearer understanding.

The point is not that such personal loss does not matter to Blacks; on the contrary, it is that the core of motivation among Blacks and whites is so different. For example, I recall a conversation I had with a leading member of the Green Party at which she stated her belief that even if we were to get Greens elected, we would not change the system or have any real impact on public policy. My response was explosive. I participated in a meeting of one of the peace groups in Chicago and heard someone actually say that what we are doing is good enough, like a finger in the eye of "the man," but we really aren't going to change things because we are not going to topple capitalism in our lifetime. This sort of thinking presents thorny issues for the Black community.

This issue cuts across class and other divisions amongst this race of people. Further, I must say my conclusions are shaped by my experiences as a Black activist, an openly gay male; and a person...