Can We End Racism in America?

The short answer to this question is very, very easy... NO!

But, should we end racism? YES!

However, let me suggest that if we are going to attempt to end racism, then we should end all of the inequality that currently exists in America, which is:

• Racism
• Sex
• Age
• Origin
• Religion
• Education
• Wealth
• Political Affiliation
• Height
• Weight
• Intelligence
• Mental Health

Still, let's not abandon our real intent to discuss the potential ending of racism here in American and the fact that it is going to be a lot more difficult that gaining our independence from Great Britain, abolishing slavery, controlling Legionnaires Disease, AIDS, and even Ebola; yet, it is something that a “civilized” nation should never let happen.

Let me also state that I am a liberal minded individual which does not necessarily make me a Democrat in my political beliefs; although, more Democrats share my opinions than do Republicans... I'm just saying...

There is a Center for African American studies that is located on the grounds and sponsored by an Ivy League school, and a graduate from that school became very wealthy and made a huge donation to that charitable organization to the tune of several millions of dollars. And, each year when this Center honors African Americans for their accomplishments against the TYRANNY of the White Man, this wealthy white man is invited and introduces one of the award recipients.

And, if you were to ask this wealthy white man which I did, if he thought racism was improving in America since the death of Martin Luther King Jr., he would tell you which he told me that it was improving... at least among the well-to-do African Americans.

And, I agree that we now have more African Americans, both male and females, who are:

• Lawyers
• Doctors
• Dentists
• CPAs
• Engineers
• Scientists
• Professors
• Athletes

than ever before... but do they have both white and black patients/clients or just black?

And, I also wonder if these African Americans are simply using this wealthy white man for his money or because they truly want to end racism on both sides of the fence? Obviously, this is a rhetorical question and concern because it can never be resolved to any type of real satisfaction outside of a belief.

During my first marriage (right or wrong), I had an affair with an African American poet for about 10 years and no matter where we went whether it was a predominately white place or predominately black place we were ostracized and I recall being asked to leave once we were inside this black restaurant. These events took place during the 1980's and 1990's so one might think that race relations is better but from what I have seen, heard, and read about they are getting worse.

Interracial marriages are more accepted these days than they were 20 years ago but their children are still not that accepted in public school by other whites or African Americans. And when interracial couples attend church services at a Southern Baptist Church they are treated with polite dis-courteousness.

But, what is really interesting to me is the fact that inside the overall African American Communities there is another type of racism going on which pertains to whether your color is light, medium, or dark and it appears that there is more discrimination in a negative way towards African Americans who are dark or darker than other around them.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate and if they can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” Nelson Mandela

Who is it that teaches us and them this hate? And, I do agree that if it can be taught and learned then it can be taught and unlearned... but, that also requires taking responsibility for our actions and no one wants to admit that they are doing anything wrong... and, the easiest way to see that concept played out is to observe your own marriage or the marriage of someone else.

Additionally, just about all African Americans treat Hispanics like whites have been treating them and neither side wants to improve relationships as is the case with African Americans and white and this may come as quite a shock to both African Americans and whites but by 2050 there will be more Asians and Hispanics in America that African Americans and white... so, who might you think will take control one day?

Sometimes, I think that neither side wants to improve racism and both sides seem to be feeding off of their animosities towards each other. Another reason why I do not think that we will ever end racism is because we are building African American Centers all across the country to honor and perpetuate the fact that blacks and white are different.

For instance, my ancestry traces back to Scot/Irish and I am sure there are many more like me around but we are not wanting to build a Scot/Irish American Center to celebrate our difference. It may sound a little silly when you think about it but it is more similar than not.

If African Americans wanted to end racism in America, I would think that a great place to start would be to stop wanting to be called African Americans and be satisfied and content with the fact that black or white or in between, we are all Americans.

But are we really... just all Americans?

More than 500 years after Christopher Columbus' encounter with the natives of the Americas, any enduring uneasiness between Indians and mainstream society is exemplified by the controversy over the Washington Redskins name, which took a new turn last week when President Obama spoke of "legitimate concerns" that the mascot is racist, some Indian leaders say.

Team owners strongly dispute any racism behind the mascot and won't change it, saying the Redskins name honors "where we came from, who we are."

But many Native Americans contend it's incredulous that a major sports team in the nation's capital fails to see the word's offensiveness, especially in a game Sunday whose rival mascots conjure up the bygone real bloodshed between cowboys and Indians. Some news outlets and sports writers agree and aren't printing "Redskin" in their stories about the NFL team.

"After 500 years, it's pretty unbelievable that this issue is at the forefront right now," said Jason Begay, a Navajo who's an assistant professor and director of the Native American Journalism Project at the University of Montana. "Even in the last 50 years (of the civil rights movement), we learned so much. It's just ridiculous that this is an issue."


When will it ever end?