The author believes the United States has experienced a hardening of racial divisions, that rivalries and conflicts among different racial and ethnic groups have intensified, and that the controversial issue of race tends to be discussed primarily under the cover of debate about other social and economic issues. Terms of this debate involve discussions that paint a negative picture of black communities. The starting point of any debate, however, should focus on flaws in American society, flaws rooted in historical inequalities and longstanding cultural stereotypes, rather than on the problems of black people. Open and critical discussions about the black "underclass" should be encouraged, and tackling economic circumstances of inner-city communities should be a high priority. The author attempts to dismantle ideological walls that trap many blacks in poverty, to expose the manipulative discourse on race that allows political and economic elites to escape responsibility, and to demonstrate how American society can be made decent enough for everyone. References and notes