We have all seen the Black Lives Matter protests and riots and we have all heard dozens of leaders and news show hosts proclaim, “It’s time to have a discussion”; but they don’t start the discussion or offer a discussion framework, they all tiptoe away. So, let’s you and I have a discussion.
I doubt that a discussion between two white guys (a liberal and a conservative) will arrive at any long-term solutions; but we may discover that racism effects liberals and conservatives equally.
Merriam-webster.com defines racist as:
- having, reflecting, or fostering the belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
- of, relating to, or characterized by the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another
You’re a BLM sympathizer and I’m a simple cowboy who believes the color of one’s skin is not a measure of the person. However, you choose to ignore relevant social behaviors associated with skin color, while I look for observed patterns in groups of people, and in my surroundings; it’s a self-preservation mechanism developed over years of living outdoors.
So why does the term “racist” arouse so much animosity. Perhaps it’s because people of the same race were geographically separated for thousands of years; and when they met it was most often to conquer or be conquered. It was customary for conquering armies to enslave their captives. Such behavior has instilled in in all races, an unconscious distrust for people of different colors.
The United States is the greatest social experiment in human history, and it’s been around for less than 250 years, a blink of an eye, on the human history timeline.
Our country’s Founding Father’s gave men the gift of self-rule and the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. They also gave us the tools to extend those rights to the people who were without those rights when the constitution was signed, namely slaves, Native Americans, and women.
Today, we are the worlds melting pot. A home for all races from all the countries around the world. All new immigrants bring with them their own prejudices and distrusts for other races. It takes time to acclimate; many of the elderly never quite get there and some of their children never abandon the prejudices of the parents. As a society of mixed races, we’ve adapted remarkably well over a relatively short period of time.
When I look at the multi-racial make-up of Americans and our history, it’s obvious, no one race has a monopoly on intellect and all the people of one race are not superior to all the people of other races. The U.S. is not a racist society. It does, however, have small groups of individuals who use the bloody history of inter-race battles for their own personal and/or political gain. These muckrakers can be found in every race and at every level of society.
Be observant, curious, and wise; do not let these fear mongers use you, for their own personal and/or political gain.
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