If anyone doubts that racism is still a big big issue in America they need look no further than the following news story
Justice of the Peace denies
marriage license to interracial couple
Whether this judge is racist or not may be open to debate, but even if he isn't, it was still an indicator that issues of race are far from being
insignificant in our society.
I remember my grandfather - a large white man who thought nothing of using disparaging terms for African-Americans that would get me charged with a
hate crime today. My father would never say such words....at least not in public. I don't believe African-Americans are shiftless or subhuman, but
because of my southern redneck upbringing I admit I still feel a little uneasy if I see a group of young black men gathered on a street corner. I
hope (and am doing everything in my power to ensure) that my children don't even comprehend that racial differences matter at all.
I am afraid that my kids will learn too much about race, though, because it is in the interest of certain groups on both ends of the political
spectrum (e.g. Rush Limbaugh, Al Sharpton, G.O.P. politicians, and the ACLU) to keep the racial divisions firmly in place. There is no doubt that it
is way past time for race as an issue in American society to come to a long overdue death, but it seems that some people just can't stop digging it
up.
Yes racism does still exist, but no, it is not acceptable at all. I wish that was the end of the story.
[edit on 16-10-2009 by total_slacker]
[edit on 16-10-2009 by total_slacker]