Letters to the Editor
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The REAL Discussion We Need
Any "discussion" about race in America omits a basic component: hypocrisy. I'd posit that any real discussion of race needs to address and include the following points:
1) Many/most black people think that racism is a one-way street: whites hate blacks. I've been on the receiving end of some of the most virulent and undeserved racism possible; I'm white and the offenders black. Seems hypocritical to me.
2) There are "traditional black colleges" or "historically black colleges"...said with pride; however, "traditional white colleges" or "historically white colleges" are racist and must be desegregated...immediately. Seems hypocritical to me.
3) There is the NAACP...which is a worthy organization; however, a NAAWP would be called "racist". Seems hypocritical to me.
4) There is the Congressional Black Caucus for black members of Congress; however, a Congressional White Caucus would immediately become the focus of protests as...<<gasp!>>..."racist". More hypocrisy.
5) There is a Miss Black America pageant; the opposite would be seen as "racist". Black women have competed in and won the Miss America contest. Hypocrisy, again.
6) In the Philadelphia "Inquirer" yesterday, political writer Dick Polman wrote that "Democrats have a great choice to make: either a black man or a woman." Excuse me, why is Barack Obama's race important but Hillary Clinton's isn't mentioned? More hypocrisy.
7) Black people are "African-Americans" but white people are just Americans. (I may start referring to myself as a "Euro-American" in response. I'm serious!)
I seem to remember Dr. King's wonderful "I Have A Dream" speech included the inspirational line (paraphrased here) "I look for a world where my children will be judged on the content of their character and not on the color of their skin." I don't care for the blatant racial hypocrisy that trivializes Dr. King's words.
Just my opinion.