Friday, August 29, 2008

Racism in our country simmers in this election

This Washington Post article from May of this year shows that ignorance prevails in many sections of our country. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/12/AR2008051203014_pf.html

In the 21st century, this is very sad news. Growth in consciousness takes place extremely slowly, which is why it takes so long for things to really change. Bigotry, prejudice, and intolerance are handed down from generation to generation. Tragically, the song You've Got to be Carefully Taught from the broadway show South Pacific, written more than 50 years ago, still reflects the beliefs and actions of a too-large portion of America's white citizens:

You've got to be taught to fear and hate,
You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You've got to be carefully taught!

You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a different shade,
You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught
To hate and fear,
You've got to be taught
From year to year,
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear,
You've got to be carefully taught.


I am praying that America's more open-minded citizens, after witnessing the great relationship between the Obama family and Biden family as they stood together onstage last night -- and after hearing the incredibly uplifting and INTELLIGENT speech by Obama, will realize the shade of one's skin is not the measure of a man. I realize there will always be some who are unable to change their spots and are ruled by old belief systems instilled in them by their parents and grandparents. But I have faith that enough Americans are willing to look and listen--and really see and hear what is in front of them, rather than following like sheep ("dittoheads") after loud-mouthed bigots like Rush Limbaugh, Karl Rove, and Ann Coulter.

After enduring the barren wasteland of Bush's Brain for the past eight years, isn't it WONDERFUL to hear intelligent articulation and wisdom from a man who will--hopefully--soon be our next president?
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