We were not born racists

Racism is a grown-up disease, 

and we should stop using our kids to spread it.  

Ruby Bridges

The word "racism" is like ketchup.  It can be put on practically anything - and demanding evidence makes you a "racist."

Thomas Sowell

At what point in your upbringing did you decide you might be a racist?  It's not a trick question.  Everyone in America has faced that query and whether we faced the possibility or not, we at least considered it.  I should point out that I do not see that moment as a watershed period in anyone's life.  It didn't have to be a defining instant when you decided - then and there - that you were either a racist, or you weren't.  It could have been a mere flash that gave you pause to consider that which is in your mind is also the same as that which is in your heart.

"Racism" is an ugly word.  It is also a powerful word.  Is it something we even want to contemplate?  How could I be a racist?  I believe all people are born equal.  They certainly should have the the same rights.  We did away with someone's thinking that a negro is worth only a fraction of what a white person is worth about 155 years ago.

I've often wondered how I would feel if I was forced to not only live as a slave, but to be told my total worth was less than that of a white person.  That just couldn't be...not here in America?

But that is exactly what happened, and in far too many cases, that is what is still happening.  How did it come to be that  a group of people decided they were the superior race of all Americans?  Which one of them held up the first idea that "they" could take a ship to Africa, kidnap a boat-load of black Africans, and bring them home to work as their slaves.  "They" would rule over them as their lords and commit their lives to a living hell.  They would beat them, starve them, and in some cases even kill them.

And today, the descendents of these slave owners are hell-bent on eradicating them from our shores.  In their hearts, they would like to bring back the concept of slaves, but since that will never happen, the next best thing is to purge them from our roles as voters, workers, home owners, neighbors, and any other civil right given to all other people.  In short, if they can't control them, then disavow them.

And yet, there are African Americans as councilpersons, mayors, governors, administration officials, U.S. Congressional people, U.S. Senators, Presidential Candidates, and, yes, even a U.S. President.

But still there is racism.

That boggles the mind.  It has nothing to do with the quality of the colored person.  It has to do with the content of the non-colored person's character.  

The racist's mind and heart is where 100% of the problem lies.  So why is this problem so hard to fix?  The minorities are working hard to change the mind and soul of the racist, but it's harder said than done. Worse yet, the racist is not even working on the problem.   

When we have a president who has weaponized the racist, the problem becomes amplified ten-fold. 

And in case you haven't noticed, we do have such a president.