Recently I was asked to explain a term I have been using rather frequently, its not a new term but its not exactly a well known term either. Its a term that defines and colors every effort for equality and demands equal pressure applied from both angles before that equality can truly be achieved. The major problem with any discussion had by those that don’t color the discussion in terms of this term is that a fair analysis of progress cannot be achieve because a holistic view is normally absent. One side of this coin is normally the socially accepted route to progress, its the most visible and because of that it seems to have more supporters. On the other side of the coin you have the proverbial bad guys, the route that although less flashy and less violent seems to cause a lot of turmoil and tension in the dominant society, this side of the coin seems to elevate peoples level of fear and cause wild speculation. As I began writing a short book on the term at the request of a group of organizers after participating in a strategy meeting, it became apparent that we needed to be re-introduced to this term. Below is a short excerpt from that short book/long essay regarding Comparative Progress.

What is Comparative Progress
Comparative Progress is a term used to convey a theory of analysis concerning race relations in America. This analysis deals with equality progression from 2 separate but equal perspectives one being from the perspective of the dominant majority and the other being the perspective of the minority. In terms of Black and White race relations in America, we are talking about the effects of both Black Progression towards racial equality and White Progression towards racial equality as well as how they influence each other and impact society and culture as a whole. It is impossible to discuss progress without breaking down what progress actually means not just to the collective but to each individual piece of that collective. The Comparative Progress Analysis Method looks at what progress means for both groups, how they affect each other, how they affect the whole of society, and how society affects them in return.

What is Black Progress
Two of the most important goals for any cultural group existing in a culturally diverse society are community development and independence. This does not mean that cultural groups in diverse societies operate in seclusion and isolation, but it does mean that their existence and quality of life be predicate on their own structures and peoples to the fullest extent possible. Essentially this means that the existence of one cultural group is not dependent on the civility or opinions of another cultural group.

Black Progress is essentially the construction of institutions, ideologies, and cultural traditions that ensure the Black People in America will be able to survive, compete, and thrive with all other cultural groups in the Nation especially but not limited to the dominant White Society. This means Black People don’t have to depend on the compassion and civility of other cultural groups in order to survive. The survival of Black People in America from this position is based solely on things within the realm of control of Black People.

Being able to send Black Students to White Schools isn’t Black Progress because that is putting the future of Black People in the hands of something outside of the control of Black People; namely white educators, administrators, and White Focused Curricula. Building a Black Center of Education however is Black Progress because this institution would be staffed by Black Educators, Black Administrators, and teach from Black Focused Curricula. The entire institution would be beholden to Black Control and Interest. In this way, it is not necessary to beg qualified White Teachers to come to Black Schools or to become culturally aware of what Black Children go through, nor is it necessary to beg White Administrators and teachers to be fair to Black Children. The quality of the education of our children isn’t dependent on White Civility but on Factors solely under the control of the community; this is essentially what Black Progress is.

What is White Progress
When we talk White Progress we shift the perspective from that of the minority or smaller cultures to that of the dominant or controlling culture. Since they largely own or control the vast majority of the institutions and structures used in controlling a society and shaping the opinions and ideologies of the masses, progress for them doesn’t mean building more of these institutions as they already have them. When you are in control of a diverse situation what is most important is tolerance, open-mindedness, acceptance, and the ability to see things from another perspective.

Essentially White Progress is a shifting of White Ideology and Thinking in a way that allows for and encourages increased tolerance and understanding of other cultural groups. This means getting White People to see, understand, agree, and believe that other cultural groups are equal to them, have contributed just as much as they have, and have just as much right to work, learn, exist, and live in specific locations as they do. This means understanding their place in society as well as the place of others in that society and being able to put on difference cultural lenses when necessary to allow access to resources and opportunities to other people, or allowing them to create their own without feeling threatened. The difficult part in all of this comes in the fact that it also means remembering, acknowledging, and ensuring the events of the past which led to one group being dominant over the other never happen again and are never forgotten.

Anything that makes White People adjust their thinking in a positive way towards non-white people is seen as White Progress. Thus integrating schools was an attempt at White Progress not Black Progress as it was an attempt to show White People that Black People not only deserved a better education, but that they could also keep up with White People in the classroom. Most marches, rallies, and protest as well as most Non-Profit organizations in existence today operate from the standpoint of White Progress.

Conclusion
The piece continues on in detail on a number of subjects from the Comparative Progress standpoint. However the major theme at work here is the understanding that BOTH dominant cultural and societal progress as well as minority cultural and societal progress are required to successful achieve equality and balance in a diverse environment. Without Both of these points being addressed simultaneously you will either end up with continued oppression that will eventually lead to genocide, extreme dependence, or an all out in the open racial/cultural war. With that in mind, while I work on the side of Black Progress which is essentially working in the shadows, I see equal value and have equal respect for those that are genuinely trying to create equality from the White Progress point of view. Even if we disagree on tactics, the understanding that both or necessary allows for some powerful cooperation and otherwise impossible tactics and strategies.