Speaking of Race

What would you say if I told you that everyone in America is a racist? What would you say if I told you that anyone who comes to America and stay for at least a month joins the crowd of racists? And, would you stop reading my post and start to cuss me out if I told you that all of my accusations are not only true but normal for us? We’ve created a national culture that disenfranchises and marginalizes Americans of color. Unfortunately, Americans of color in efforts to identify with the White and privileged, hate themselves and those who look like them. This is normal behavior as well.

Not sure how you’re taking this. But if you are an honest, open-minded person then you are neither mad or offended. Instead you are delighted that you can freely be who you are, racism and all. Okay, there is a catch. The catch is that you are free to think what you want about others, but not so free to mistreat anyone. The other catch is that if you want to live in a country where you can be free to be yourself, you’ve got to be willing to allow others the same freedom.

Now, allowing others to be free means accepting them, honoring their practices, learning about them and, maybe, finding value in the differences.  Our country can only be called the land of the free, if everyone is free; or, can only be ONE nation if everyone may share in those privileges. America is a beautiful idea. Those who initiated this ideal may not have seen the America that we have come to be. Perhaps they couldn’t see this far into the future. But, alas, here we are a country full of all kinds of people. People who are by birth or citizenship Americans. Since we’re here, let’s give the ideal a shot. Let’s treat the constitution like it was written for everyone who has become a part of this republic. Let’s imagine together and practice in cooperation what it means to be “one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for ALL.” What a beautiful thought/idea.

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