WASHINGTON -- The country's first African-American attorney general said the United States is a "nation of cowards" when it comes to the issue of race.
Eric Holder made the comment during a Black History Month program Wednesday at the Department of Justice.
"Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards," Holder said during a speech. "Though race-related issues continue to occupy a significant portion of our political discussion, and though there remain many unresolved racial issues in this nation, we, average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race. It is an issue we have never been at ease with and given our nation’s history this is in some ways understandable. And yet, if we are to make progress in this area we must feel comfortable enough with one another, and tolerant enough of each other, to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us."
Holder said America might be integrated in some areas, but is "voluntarily socially segregated" at home and on weekends.
Holder suggested using Black History Month as an opportunity to discuss race.
"This will be, at first, a process that is both awkward and painful but the rewards are potentially great," Holder said. "The alternative is to allow to continue the polite, restrained mixing that now passes as meaningful interaction but that accomplishes little."
Read Holder's entire speech by clicking here.
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