Posted by
John - History Buff and Philosophy Buff on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 1:15:12 PM
When I was a boy, the word "race" was never used in the context of black and white. I grew up in a small town of very few blacks. When I went to high school, I knew most of them and played sports with most of them. I knew them as friends and very good people. I never equated them with being black and, therefore, to be shunned. I saw them as people and am happy to say that I knew them and got to be friends with them. Maybe growing up in small town Ohio shielded me from such bigotry in the world. Barry, Chad, Craig, Steve, Shawn and Mark (just to name a few), it was wonderful growing up with you guys and I still carry around many good memories of times with you.
When I was a kid, I could look at Mark or Steve and ask - Do you want to race? Never did I get a response out of context. We all knew that when we said "race", it was to see who could run the fastest. It never, ever had to do with the color of someone's skin. What happened to those days? I believe they are gone. I think the reason that they are gone may surprise you.
I believe that the reason the days of "race" being about a foot race are gone is because the black leaders make it an issue. Now, do I believe there are those that are racist? - yes. Do I believe that most Americans are racist? - Absolutely not. In looking at the campaigns, McCain has said absolutely nothing about race. Sarah Palin has said absolutely nothing about race. The only person to bring up race is Obama himself. However, when he does not bring it up, his campaign does. Amercians are good people and they don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but to be called a racist just becasue one does not like Obama is beneath comtempt.
Boy, how I long for the days where two kids of any color can say to each other - "Do you want to race?" or "I will race you." without there being anything negative attached to it. It is up to the black leaders to make this happen but I don't see that happening anytime soon. Trying to convice the people in this country that most of the whites are racist is there full time job and they are getting rich doing it. The "race" card is making many black leaders a lot of money so, fear not, the race issue will remain. So - on your mark......... get set........... GO!.........