Thread: Race
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Old Mar 19, 2010, 11:09 AM
KathyM KathyM is offline
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Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 5,518
Our world has evolved since the time of Martin and Malcom, and the pressure has increased. Holding peaceful protests are mere social gatherings these days - the message gets lost in someone's inbox, never to be read. Holding rude and outlandish protests are the same - but the underlying message could and will lead us into a civil war.

Again, this is nothing personal. It's not about specific people, and I hold no ill will towards you. This is about our national relationship. When I mention specifics, it's only to give an example.

In the late 70s, early 80s I had great hopes our new Civil Rights laws would give people the opportunity to learn the lesson that people of color are equal human beings and can do more than act as our servants, slaves, and punching bags.

Ignoring the problem or won't make it go away. Saying white people have the same history and problems does nothing to heal the wound. Pointing out one or two successful people of color is just window dressing.

Example: When I told a friend about my son being harassed by the local police when he was a teenager, she told me her white teenaged daughter had the same problem. When I worked at an "equal opportunity" large corporation, they only had a select few people of color in management positions. There was only one in an executive position, but not at the top level - he may have been labeled an executive, but he was treated like a servant, slave and punching bag. He was often late for work because the police would stop him to make sure his luxury car wasn't stolen and ask him what he was doing in their part of town.

I appreciate your input. Would anyone else like to jump in with some ideas on how to resolve the issues and heal the wounds?