Racism is NOT dead.
Nor will it be anytime soon. Racism is also not a condition resting solely on the shoulders of the black contingency.
I'm white. No secret there. And some would counter that, because of this fact, I don't know about racism, its effects, or even encounter this malady. This is a falsehood. I know my fair share.
Racism is a two way street. It must be fought by everyone, black and white alike. But it's not always dealt with in this way. Racism is usually thrown at "the white demon" like a hateful epithet and then left to fester. It has become a tool of victimization.
Where am I going with this? Roland Burris is the Jr. Senator from Illinois appointed by beleaguered ex-governor Rod Blagojovich. When the state was seeking a replacement for President Obama's vacated seat the black community raged on that it must be a black man. News outlets debated. Black religious leaders in Chicago all but demanded. Capitulation. Burris chosen. For many reasons an obvious mistake and now we are paying the price.
I'm not blaming, in any manner, this fiasco on black America because they are black. That would be silly and ignorant. I do, however, put much blame on their backing him because HE'S black. There was ample evidence that Obama was supported by more blacks than ever before. Was it his Senatorial record. He didn't really have one. Was it his platform on specific policy? Ask someone and they will tell you he is black and he is about change. They will know very little specifics. Ask those who called for a black replacement why they should be black and that will be the only reason. Not because blacks have better or worse records in things governmental.
Roland Burris was never able to get elected to high political office because no one of the electorate wanted him. He was supported this time because he was black. That is racist. That is discrimination. That is wrong. And look now where we are.
If we want racism to go away we should support people based on their qualifications. Not on their skin color. When we support someone because of bogus red herrings we lose. We lose good people, we lose integrity, we lose respect.
Chuck
I'm white. No secret there. And some would counter that, because of this fact, I don't know about racism, its effects, or even encounter this malady. This is a falsehood. I know my fair share.
Racism is a two way street. It must be fought by everyone, black and white alike. But it's not always dealt with in this way. Racism is usually thrown at "the white demon" like a hateful epithet and then left to fester. It has become a tool of victimization.
Where am I going with this? Roland Burris is the Jr. Senator from Illinois appointed by beleaguered ex-governor Rod Blagojovich. When the state was seeking a replacement for President Obama's vacated seat the black community raged on that it must be a black man. News outlets debated. Black religious leaders in Chicago all but demanded. Capitulation. Burris chosen. For many reasons an obvious mistake and now we are paying the price.
I'm not blaming, in any manner, this fiasco on black America because they are black. That would be silly and ignorant. I do, however, put much blame on their backing him because HE'S black. There was ample evidence that Obama was supported by more blacks than ever before. Was it his Senatorial record. He didn't really have one. Was it his platform on specific policy? Ask someone and they will tell you he is black and he is about change. They will know very little specifics. Ask those who called for a black replacement why they should be black and that will be the only reason. Not because blacks have better or worse records in things governmental.
Roland Burris was never able to get elected to high political office because no one of the electorate wanted him. He was supported this time because he was black. That is racist. That is discrimination. That is wrong. And look now where we are.
If we want racism to go away we should support people based on their qualifications. Not on their skin color. When we support someone because of bogus red herrings we lose. We lose good people, we lose integrity, we lose respect.
Chuck
posted by Chuck | 10:29 AM
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