My Own White Guilt

[L Verge]

Mike, you and I are on the same page. My personal opinion is that those who continue to try and cause racial and class discord have a political agenda that includes more than the issue of equality - and it does not bode well for the U.S.

I also question why those who fuss the loudest about racism, injustice, etc. do the least to overcome the problems. The press screams in order to get profitable ratings, the politicians take to the bully pulpit to get elected, some in the general public complain about the situation -- but how many put themselves out in the field to overcome their perceived grievances? Why aren't they working to solve the problems?

Why don't they become teachers in order to help overcome ignorance? Why don't they work with church groups and community groups to mentor and to train? Why don't they move en mass into political arenas and come up with feasible agendas for change? In other words, stop putting the blame on others for societal problems and work to overcome those problems.

I taught in the 1960s and 70s when the State of Maryland desegregated their schools via forced busing. I continue to live and work in the same county as I did then (and where my family has lived for over 150 years). It happens to be the wealthiest, majority black county in the United States, and I credit that to many of its people making good use of civil rights in order to educate themselves as productive members of society.

Yes, we still have pockets of poverty in Prince George's County where various races and creeds live. However, walk the streets, and you will see that drop-outs, the drug culture, lack of stable homes, and other negative factors are what are hindering upward mobility. You have to know what to do with the rights that you are given.