Recently I was asked, "Are you a racist?" I chuckled at the boldness of such a direct question, but it caused me to consider the question and reasoning behind it. After all, the question came from someone that didn't even know me; so what would cause her to ask such a question? Part of that answer came from what I have posted in the "About Me" section of this blog. I am clear on my views about Affirmative Action. Why do I have such views? Does that make me a racist? Let's look at a few things and you be the judge.
To begin with, I do not wear a sheet or burn crosses in the night even though I live in the south. I do not believe that Affirmative Action is good for anyone. It promotes "selection" based on skin color, sex, handicap, veteran status, etc. My belief is that an individual should be selected based solely on their character and qualifications. Such laws create an imbalance and segregation. I may be more qualified, but someone from a "listed group" may be considered based solely on the "listed criteria." Does disagreeing with such a practice make me racist? There are places where qualification tests have the requirements "lowered for minorities." It seems to me that such a practice is an insult to those groups; as though they "can't make it on their own."
What about Black Entertainment Television? I do not watch it, so does that make me a racist? I do not support the NAACP or the United Negro College Fund. Does that make me racist? Each of those organizations listed relates to skin color. While I'm on the subject, but why can the United Negro College Fund use the word "Negro," but others can't? There was a recent outcry about a politician using the word. Also, what about the use of the word "nigger?" Yes, you read right, I said "nigger." I hear blacks refer to one another by that term, yet it's not offensive. Consider this, a word has only as much power as one gives it. If the black community stopped getting upset over the word, it would not have the power to offend that it does.
Another issue is how to refer to "black people." When I was young, they preferred "colored." Then later it was changed to "Negro." Then it was "black." Finally they refer to themselves as "African American." I do not refer to myself as "English American, "Cherokee American," or whatever blood I have flowing through my veins. Why can't we just use the term, "people" or "Americans?" Does finding the ongoing use of segregating terms and labels ridiculous make me a racist?
Today they are celebrating Martin Luther King's birthday. I enjoy the day off, but I still feel it's just another segregating thing that Dr. King was trying to do away with. Though he did great things, it was for a certain demographic. Frankly, the only birthdays that should be acknowledged at the Federal level are those of the Founding Fathers. So, does it make me a racist because I see no reason to acknowledge MLK Day?
Another thing that probably makes me a racist is I do not agree with Black History Month. My question is, "Why?" Starting February 1 the TV will be flooded with snippets about "Great Black Americans." The schools will promote education on the subject of "Great Black Americans." So, why bring race into the equation? Why not say, "Great American?" Why not have "Great American History Month?" I've heard the argument that there are other ". . . History Months," but you never hear about them. One of my great grandmothers was a full-blooded Cherokee. How come there isn't a "Cherokee History Month?"
It seems that those who cry out about racism the most are the ones who are the most racist. An individual is arrested for killing two police officers. That individual's fingerprints are on the murder weapon and there were witnesses. Still, there will be an outcry to "Let him go" because he is black. It has gotten old hearing the ". . . because they're, or I'm black" argument. There are hate crime laws that protect the same groups protected under the Affirmative Action laws, but no such laws protect me, a white male. How come I was questioned by the police when a crazed black woman physically attacked me and used racial slurs because she believed I had piled snow behind her car because she was black? Why, as a Military Policeman, were cases against black soldiers dropped merely because I was white and they were black? It made no difference that the individual was caught with the evidence or acted violently with a weapon when confronted. The only thing that mattered was, "The MP was white and the suspect soldier was black."
And finally, what about religion? I do not share the same views of worship and doctrine as those in predominantly black churches. I see no need for a separate ministry to "promote black churches." I worship The Lord My God and His Son Jesus Christ regardless their color. Jesus is Jewish, not black. Why has the color of one's skin become an issue in the church? The only thing that should matter in the church is The Word!
So, am I racist? I do not befriend people because "they are black." I hate hearing, "Oh, some of my best friends are black." That sounds so superficial, as though one chooses friends based on the color of their skin. I prefer to befriend people based on their character and qualifications to "be my friend." I do not befriend individuals based on skin color. If you share my values and interests, then we can be friends. If not, then have a good life and do not force your views on me.
To begin with, I do not wear a sheet or burn crosses in the night even though I live in the south. I do not believe that Affirmative Action is good for anyone. It promotes "selection" based on skin color, sex, handicap, veteran status, etc. My belief is that an individual should be selected based solely on their character and qualifications. Such laws create an imbalance and segregation. I may be more qualified, but someone from a "listed group" may be considered based solely on the "listed criteria." Does disagreeing with such a practice make me racist? There are places where qualification tests have the requirements "lowered for minorities." It seems to me that such a practice is an insult to those groups; as though they "can't make it on their own."
What about Black Entertainment Television? I do not watch it, so does that make me a racist? I do not support the NAACP or the United Negro College Fund. Does that make me racist? Each of those organizations listed relates to skin color. While I'm on the subject, but why can the United Negro College Fund use the word "Negro," but others can't? There was a recent outcry about a politician using the word. Also, what about the use of the word "nigger?" Yes, you read right, I said "nigger." I hear blacks refer to one another by that term, yet it's not offensive. Consider this, a word has only as much power as one gives it. If the black community stopped getting upset over the word, it would not have the power to offend that it does.
Another issue is how to refer to "black people." When I was young, they preferred "colored." Then later it was changed to "Negro." Then it was "black." Finally they refer to themselves as "African American." I do not refer to myself as "English American, "Cherokee American," or whatever blood I have flowing through my veins. Why can't we just use the term, "people" or "Americans?" Does finding the ongoing use of segregating terms and labels ridiculous make me a racist?
Today they are celebrating Martin Luther King's birthday. I enjoy the day off, but I still feel it's just another segregating thing that Dr. King was trying to do away with. Though he did great things, it was for a certain demographic. Frankly, the only birthdays that should be acknowledged at the Federal level are those of the Founding Fathers. So, does it make me a racist because I see no reason to acknowledge MLK Day?
Another thing that probably makes me a racist is I do not agree with Black History Month. My question is, "Why?" Starting February 1 the TV will be flooded with snippets about "Great Black Americans." The schools will promote education on the subject of "Great Black Americans." So, why bring race into the equation? Why not say, "Great American?" Why not have "Great American History Month?" I've heard the argument that there are other ". . . History Months," but you never hear about them. One of my great grandmothers was a full-blooded Cherokee. How come there isn't a "Cherokee History Month?"
It seems that those who cry out about racism the most are the ones who are the most racist. An individual is arrested for killing two police officers. That individual's fingerprints are on the murder weapon and there were witnesses. Still, there will be an outcry to "Let him go" because he is black. It has gotten old hearing the ". . . because they're, or I'm black" argument. There are hate crime laws that protect the same groups protected under the Affirmative Action laws, but no such laws protect me, a white male. How come I was questioned by the police when a crazed black woman physically attacked me and used racial slurs because she believed I had piled snow behind her car because she was black? Why, as a Military Policeman, were cases against black soldiers dropped merely because I was white and they were black? It made no difference that the individual was caught with the evidence or acted violently with a weapon when confronted. The only thing that mattered was, "The MP was white and the suspect soldier was black."
And finally, what about religion? I do not share the same views of worship and doctrine as those in predominantly black churches. I see no need for a separate ministry to "promote black churches." I worship The Lord My God and His Son Jesus Christ regardless their color. Jesus is Jewish, not black. Why has the color of one's skin become an issue in the church? The only thing that should matter in the church is The Word!
So, am I racist? I do not befriend people because "they are black." I hate hearing, "Oh, some of my best friends are black." That sounds so superficial, as though one chooses friends based on the color of their skin. I prefer to befriend people based on their character and qualifications to "be my friend." I do not befriend individuals based on skin color. If you share my values and interests, then we can be friends. If not, then have a good life and do not force your views on me.
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