I'm constantly amazed when different people can look at the same things, agree that they are looking at the same things, but come to diametrically opposite conclusions about their causes and effects.

When I read Hal's post about race, diversity, the Republican Party and the prospects for the Democratic Party, it strikes me as two posts in one. First, Hal quotes a Charlton McIlwain piece at The Gadflyer which looks at the current tribulations of the Bush Administration and sees them being hung on the necks of the two prominent blacks in that administration, Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. He concludes that Republicans are using them as scapegoats because they're black. For my part, I see the blame being assigned to Powell and Rice as coming from the Left rather than from the Republicans. I've heard nothing but praise for these two individuals, for whom I personally have the utmost respect for their performance in their respective offices.

McIlwain inexplicably links their supposed downfall to the decision of former Congressman J.C. Watts to leave office. According to the Gadfly article,

Shortly before facing re-election to his fourth term, Watts' once-touted dream, to go where no black man had gone before and attempt to change the party for the betterment of blacks, had turned into a nightmare. After challenging some of the party's political strategies and policies in 1999, even working with Democrats on issues such as affirmative action, economic development in inner cities, and funding for historically black colleges and universities, Watts became the target of harsh party criticism, and finally received the GOP message loud and clear: "Boy, stay in your place."

Now, I have to admit that I don't follow Oklahoma politics very closely, but this is news to me. I have never heard anything but praise for Watts from conservatives. But believing that Watts was run out of office for being uppity, I guess I can't be surprised that McIlwain concludes that

Watts, Powell and Rice...have met or will meet their ultimate decline of influence during George W. Bush's tenure as leader of the Republican Party.

Each of these prominent black figures promoting the inclusiveness of the Republican Party came to prominence in very different ways and for very different reasons over the past decade. But with the party's abandonment of each of them, the Republicans might just as well hang a shingle on the party door reading "whites only." While Powell and Rice have been the faces in the news of late, one can only understand the far-reaching racial implications of their imminent demise by recounting the Republican racial strategy set in motion a decade earlier.

I guess those wily Republicans pulling all the strings have figured out that this particular conservative Independent would be repulsed by the strategy that McIlwain imputes, and so have kept all knowledge of their scheming from me, hoping to retain my vote.

As I said, we draw different conclusions. Admittedly, to some extent we see different things.

Following that, Hal moves on to diversity, the rights of minorities and cleaning up the baggage from the discrimination practiced by past generations. Here, Hal and I share our disgust over treating people like animals because of the color of their skin. I'm sure we are both also contemptuous of modern-day discriminatory practices. But I suspect we only half-agree here.

We agree that the "white majority" (I'm not convinced such a thing still exists in America, but I'll agree that whites continue to overwhelmingly occupy the positions of power) must stop viewing people through the prism of race, and the sooner, the better. But I'm sure we differ on the next point: those who have been discriminated against must share in the responsibility in moving forward. I believe that a significant portion of what holds minorities back in the 21st Century is that a notable percentage of their populations cling to their victimhood. Bill Cosby seems to share my position, at least to some degree.

While I certainly understand anger on the part of minorities for how they as individuals and as a class have been mistreated in the past, it's important to focus on the future. I can't do my part to help my fellow Americans achieve the full membership in society that they deserve if they resent me for the acts of other whites. Everyone, on both sides of the remaining racial divide, must deal with each other as individuals rather than imputing characteristics, attitudes and skills based on membership in a group.

Let's just agree to stop viewing each other by our respective races, and view each other as individuals. I will if you will.

That offer includes liberals, by the way.

Update: Joining the Beltway Traffic Jam.