Republicans historically perceive high-profile, white-on-black crime stories - like the Trayvon Martin and ongoing Michael Brown cases - as focusing too much on the issue of race rather than recognizing both the existence of an unanswered question of race relationships in the United States, as well as the opportunity for change and greater equality that such tragedies create.

It is a fascinating paradox that the anti-racist policies arising from the Civil Rights Movement would lead to a present in which any genuine reflection on extant racial inequities has become taboo. Excellently said; rather than promoting reconciliation, premature assertions of a 'post-racial America' preclude mutual understanding and inhibit progress towards a land truly of equality and justice for all. Thanks for the learning.

Republicans tend to live in rural (non diverse) areas and Democrats tend to live in urban (diverse) areas. Our attitudes towards race are highly shaped by what we are able to observe personally. That is only natural.

I certainly reject the premise that any genuine reflection on racial inequality has become taboo. Certain individuals based their entire careers on addressing the issues related to race relations. Race remains a very important factor within nearly every aspect of society, but with that being said, it is important to apply the lens of race relations only when necessary, and not jump to conclusions. I believe that the difference between Democrats and Republicans on this issue is the burden of proof required for one to conclude that a certain issue directly pertains to race.

Christian, thanks for the retort. I do not doubt, as you say, that race is (unfortunately) extremely salient within nearly every aspect of our society, nor that certain individuals concern their entire careers with race issues. My point is that for most people, racial injustice has been by and large solved with the eradication of the most obvious discriminatory policies (e.g. Jim Crow). That is-- most Americans now hold the misconception that institutional and large-scale racism is over, and that the only way in which peoples are discriminated against is by the direct misdeeds of an individual "racist." Assertions to the contrary are often immediately deemed as 'playing the race-card' or 'race-baiting' or the like. To use your analogy, the modern "lens of race relations" has been skewed; we are short-sighted-- incapable of recognizing the historical socioeconomic and structural forces that precipitate disproportionate outcomes in poverty, education, criminality, and opportunity in our society. While it is important to not arbitrarily consider something discriminatory, it is imperative that we as a society realize that ours is not 'post-racial,' that our policies and our perspectives allow for the widespread prejudicial treatment of various peoples in our society, to the detriment of some and the benefit of others.

Charlotte, I would argue that to be a valid point, but incomplete. Many of us do not interact with diverse groups and so draw much of our racial attitudes from media presentation. Reports have shown that the criminality of certain races is reinforced through unequal media portrayal of the suspect, depending on their race.

Here's one great article on the topic. www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0…