CBS Suspends Andy Rooney

Despite Rooney’s denial that he made offensive remarks about blacks, CBS still should be commended for suspending him from the air. Racist stereotyping has no place in our society. And when public figures such as Rooney bash blacks or gays--which he admitted that he did--then they should be severely admonished.

But we should not kid ourselves. Punishing a Rooney for making offensive statements will not cure the problem of racism. As Rooney’s “gaffe” shows, far too many white Americans are still conditioned to believe the worst about blacks. We should not forget that racist stereotyping of blacks was all too common before the 1960s.

During that period many whites were far too willing to attribute a litany of ills to blacks. They were called sub-human, immoral, stupid and crime-prone. Each of these stereotypes at one time or another turned up in American film classics such as “Birth of a Nation” and “Gone With the Wind.” By promoting these stereotypes many whites viewed blacks as “genetically inferior.”

Modern versions of these stereotypes continue to crop up, particularly in media reports that overemphasize blacks as drug pushers, gang members, welfare cheats and the chronic poor. Rooney and a host of other public officials have happily picked up on the false notion that all black problems stem from broken homes. Racism and poverty are ignored as major reasons for the existence of the ghetto. It is a case of blame the victim with a vengeance.

Until Americans shed their stereotypical thinking and see blacks as productive and responsible citizens, rest assured there will be other Rooneys waiting in the wings.

EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON

Inglewood