The Age Of White Guilt by Shelby Steel

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“Since the social victim has been oppressed by society, he comes to feel that his individual life will be improved more by changes in society than by his own initiative.” These words belong to conversative author and social critic Shelby Steele. Steele is often criticized by the Black community for his right-wing views on ideas such affirmative action and multiculturalism. In Steele’s short essay, The Age Of White Guilt, Steele discusses how the black community has been and still is losing their sense of individuality to the “mob mentality,” and how the modern-day black community is a victim of no-racism. Although Shelby Steele is a wonderful writer with senseful rhetoric, his stance doesn't cover the whole, true scope of Black America. Steele’s view on the African-American community is a broad, straightforward take and Steele’s take on a less-racist community is incorrect, for racism has only become more subtle. While Steele’s main argument is faulty, the techniques that Steele uses to convey his ideas form a coherent and senseful essay. Steele opens his piece with an anecdote about him growing up as a black child in segregated Chicago. In the dying days of rhetoric, Steele not only uses this story to keep up with the times, but to also establish ethos with Black readers and others who would criticize Steele as an “Uncle Tom” who can’t relate with other Blacks. His black experiences depict him as a black man instead of someone who kisses up to white people. Steele’s second anecdote is about his experience and inspiration after watching Paris Blues, a movie starring African-American actor Sidney Poitier in which a young black man seeks to find his identity in Paris. Steele uses this story to illustrate Steele’s idea ... ... middle of paper ... ... of white guilt are exceptional, but the actual content within his argument is faulty. Despite the intense criticism he faces, he manages to convey his idea with fluency and confidence. Sadly, Steele overgeneralizes the Black community and replaces the idea of racism with the “ Age of White Guilt ideas.” While the archaic and brute stereotypes of the old Black America still clench on, the only way to release the grip is to defer the argument, and look towards the future. Works Cited Montopoli, Brian. "U.S. Prison Population Falls for Third Year." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 25 July 2013. Web. 13 May 2014. Powell, Brian. "Fox News' Racial Crime Coverage Is Hurting People." Media Matters for America. Media Matters for America, 23 Aug. 2013. Web. 13 May 2014. "Statistics on Discrimination of Minorities." PapBlog Human Rights Etc. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.

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