Racism - The Elephant in the Room

It seems no one writes about racism unless they are nationally known or, a member of the media. It isn't discussed among politically correct society but like the proverbial elephant in the room it's there.

Yesterday, on national news broadcasts, we were informed of the firing of an Agriculture Department employee for a statement she made regarding a incident some 24 years ago. And she wasn't even a government employee at the time. Also, further probing revealed the statement was taken out of context and she did not discriminate in her actions.

The turn of events involved an Afro-American woman, who made a remark about helping a white farmer. She in fact helped him. The white farmer told an interviewer if it had not been for her assistance he would have lost his farm in Georgia.

I hope I'm NEVER considered politically correct. My one hope is that I'm considered honest and the realization I will not compromise my integrity for any cause. With that thought in mind, and with the hope of maybe provoking some thoughts of the reader this is simply One Person's Views on racism.

For any one person to stand and make the statement: "I am not prejudice" tells me they are either a liar or just plain full of sh**. We are human, we are different, and yes, to a degree, we are all prejudice whether it be biased for or against whites, blacks, Hispanics, Arabs, Jews, or any nationality or race. The best we can hope for is to acknowledge the fact and allow objective not subjective thinking color our decisions and the way we deal with people.

Throughout the history of the world great advances and discoveries have been made by people of all races and backgrounds. No one group has the corner on that market. And, no matter who made the discovery, everyone has benefited.

One example is Dr. Charles R. Drew, a black physician. In late 1940, before the United States entered World War II and during the time of segregation, Dr. Drew directed the Blood for Britain project. A program to aid British soldiers and civilians by giving U.S. blood to Britain. His methods and discoveries served to help form the basis of international blood banking still practiced today.

While it is true we are all different, in many ways we are all the same. Perhaps, the two most glaring examples of this are found universally ... on the battlefield and in the operating room.

In combat, it doesn't matter who is next to you. You trust them with your life and they trust you with their life. On the operating table, when the incision is made, the blood is the same color no matter the color or tint of their skin. And the surgeon sees only a patient who is trusting in his or her skill to return them to a life with a future.

If we put young children, toddlers, in a room together filled with other young ones of different races and nationalities, they will play together. They may exhibit some curiosity in the various colors or traits of their peers but there is no animosity, no hatred, no discrimination. They simply accept each other.

Racism is a learned behavior. We should learn from the children. There are good and bad in all peoples. Around the world people say they want peace. They talk about it, sing about it and pray about it. But, until we can emulate the little children and accept people for who and what they are, we will never have it.