Lomblog And Race

I don't publicly respond to reader e-mails very often, or even read them, but I recently received a message too sensitive and important for even me to ignore. It involves the issue of race. The e-mail comes from an African-American Lomblog visitor who calls himself "Concerned":

Dear LF,

Is it just me or is your site a little lacking in diversity? It seems like the only black in Lomblog is in the color scheme of your template. The discussion of issues involving racial minorities is always in the most superficial manner possible, though to be fair, this isn't different from your discussion of most topics. I'm certainly not accusing you of racism but it seems like Lomblog and Lombaire Fan orbit an ultra-privileged, lily-white netherworld where blacks and browns don't exist - except, quite literally, as cartoons. Have you considered taking any steps to make your site more welcoming and relevant to non-whites?

Concerned

First, let me just say this is exactly the kind of constructive criticism I appreciate. In fact, if I received more e-mails like this from my readers, I wouldn't have so many of you on block.

But in response - where to begin. "An ultra-privileged, lily-white netherworld" - oh, how I wish! Honestly, I am very in tune with the black community, enough that I don't feel the need to flaunt this connection like, say, the editors of Vibe. I know the first defense any white person accused of insensitivity resorts to is that old "some of my best friends..." bit, but truly, some of my best friends - as of this writing - are black. So your concerns, Concerned, are completely unfounded in my case, though in general, very well-founded.

If it seems I inhabit a world where African-Americans and Hispanics don't exist...well, this is called "the Internet." Sadly, there are probably more Americans of the Hobbit persuasion blogging on a regular basis than prominent minorities. Until the digital divide is bridged, I would personally favor an affirmative action program for bloggers who come from historically disadvantaged groups (but please, no special favors for people whose #1 disadvantage is "being targeted by the Borg"). Of course, such a proposal is not without controversy; no doubt there would be angry cries of "reverse discrimination" from the hordes of socially inept, acne-ridden, pajama-clad malcontents that make up roughly 80-90% of the blog-publishing world. For now, I will never hesitate to speak out on minority issues that I have at least a half-understanding of. But I think you would agree there are numerous others offline who can (and do) write about black America far more incisively than I, whether it's Toni Morrison, Michael Eric Dyson, or Abigail Van Buren.

Thanks again for your e-mail, Concerned. It's rare to see this kind of frank exchange on race anywhere in society today. I'm very proud if my oversight of your community is what helped make it possible.