If we listen to some, the white man, all white men are the worst creatures to walk the earth. However, let us remember a few redeeming actions of men who were white.

1. Though he was not successful, Thomas Jefferson tried to make the black people equal under the constitution. He was forced into compromise in order that the revolution might succeed.
2. During all the years of slavery, white people, under danger of being imprisoned, moved thousands of slaves into Canada. It was not enough to move them into the North. Due to a Supreme Court decision, slaves that were caught in the North had to be returned to the South. The folks who took part in this were white and were referred to as the underground railroad. Moreover, most of them were Christian.
3. Let’s not forget that the vast majority of those who fought for the North were White. I will admit, many were conscripted. Many had other reasons for which they fought. Yet, they fought and died; and made the black man free.
4. John F Kennedy, a white man, originated the equal rights act. At the time they voted it into law, those in the Senate and the house were all white. As an aside, this was in spite of the democrats efforts to stop it.

We white folks aren’t aren’t perfect, individually and collectively. However, there are many of us who have tried. That we should be collectively convicted is in itself a crime. I must admit, I have had my moments that I am not so proud of. On the other side of the coin, I have met some men who were black that that had nothing but contempt for me, though they never knew me.

Maybe one of these days, men will learn to look beyond the color of the skin, as Martin Luther King dreamed of. However, at this point, it is certainly not true. It is improper to give one person any privileges over any other person because of the color of his skin, regardless of his or her color. It all leads to disaster. Either way, it will cause anger even if it is not manifested. It can and has led to violence even when there was no provocation.

In the end, there are no magic wands that someone can just wave over the land and all the prejudice will go away. However, there are those who want to take advantage of the natural divisions: black, white; rich, poor; man, woman; Irish, Italian and Asian. I am sure I left some out. Beware of those who know of these weaknesses which we have have created.

Some seek to riches. Some seek power. On the other hand, some of our our opponents seek to use these weaknesses to overtake us and remove our freedoms. Some even want to make our country part of theirs.

Even if there is no outside influence, our civilization will tear itself asunder if there is racism. There will always be racism when there are those who encourage racism for their own purposes. Martin Luther King insisted on non-violent demonstration. Today, it would seem violent demonstration is the only kind. I suspect Martin Luther King would have no part of it.

Personally, I believe it is about time for all of us to respect each other; but then, I have always been a little bit of an idealist.