Many artists believe that the artist has a responsibility to society, to advance the cause of understanding the racial dichotomy that exists in America. Recently, I read an exchange between two poets; one white, one black; one male, one female. The white male poet's name is Tony Hoagland. The black female's name is Claudia Rankine. They challenge, in one way or another, the assertion that we live in a post racial society. They also raise other issues, for instance, sexism. A host of other people, in and out of the arts community, join the debate and offer much food for thought. I think we would all do well, to examine this issue honestly and from all angles. What lessons do we have, yet, to learn from the subject of not just racism, but about "isms," as a whole? The poem that sparked the conversation and the controversy, Is Mr. Hoagland's poem, entitled, "The Change." Which is reminiscent of the saying that "you must be the change, that you hope to see."
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