No One Has The Corner On Racism
Today, I read an article by someone named Raina Kelley, who addresses at great length the issue of race. In it, she takes the stand that much of the country is taking issue with president Obama simply because of the color of his skin. Here is the link:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/215742
I think she is being sincere, just sincerely wrong. She has arrived at a point in our nation’s history where she can freely express her opinion, regardless of the color of her skin. And I am also free to disagree. The full realization of this fact apparently escapes her as she puts forth her opinion based, from what I can see, on the color of her skin and not the content of society’s character. In fact, I take the position that she is not being completely honest. I think she is a racist. But, before you judge that last statement, let me explain:
I say she is right in the sense that there is racism in society today. But, it is not exclusively a white on black issue. There has always been racism in society, even before the advent of slavery involving blacks or, for that matter, the advent of the United States of America. Racism is not exclusive to this country; it is a worldwide phenomenon. And it has been around since the beginning of time.
And, that racism is not one-sided. There are those who look down on whites, blacks, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and all types of immigrants, as well as men against women and women against men. There is even racism within each race. We are constantly measuring the value of those around us based, at least in part, on how we see ourselves. It is called human nature. And, since we are all part of the human race, no one is completely exempt from racism.
So, what to do with Ms. Kelley’s contention that we must “play the race card” in order to openly discuss the issue and, by doing so, be able to finally put it to rest?
Personally, it is my position that, no matter how we address the issue of racism, we will never fully remove it from our psyche, simply because we are a melting pot of races attempting to make it through our day the best we can. Just as we sometimes find ourselves struggling to make ends meet, to pay the bills and put food on the table, we will always find ourselves struggling with this thing called racism.
As I post this blog today, president Obama has come out stating that, those speaking out in opposition to his administration are not doing so solely based on the color of his skin. I say “good for you Mr. president”! It should not escape us that, if we were truly a racist nation as Ms. Kelley would have us to believe, the first African American president would still be a far off future dream instead of a present day reality.
I once again default to the two Kings within our society today to hopefully begin the healing process that will once and for all deliver us out of this quagmire called racism:
“I look for the day when we will be judged by the content of our character and not by the color of our skin”- Martin Luther King Jr.
“Can’t we all just get along?”- Rodney King
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