OK. Let’s do that.
It ought to be a positive exercise, but the truth is, the scenario is not designed to be positive. We have plenty of proof that a bona fide and equitable dialogue on race isn’t going to happen in the foreseeable future.
Here’s why.
Without argument, the United States of America is the best country on the planet. An honest and realistic tracking of history tells a story of positive progression and the righting of a lot of wrongs, with the issue of race and ethnicity being among the plus-side accomplishments.
Irrespective of the incontrovertible forward leaps on race, there are those who do not want racism to fade into nonexistence.
Immediately jumping to mind are the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Regardless of how many times they are proven to be false promoters of racism, they resurrect themselves with the next perilous, manufactured scandal.
Realistically, their kind of mindset and actions are nothing short of dangerous.
We have only to recall the phony hysterics of the false white-on-black rape scandals of Tawana Brawley and the Duke Lacrosse matters to support the facts. Those lies ruined the lives of several white people, while the black prevaricators move on.
Likewise, unless one lives in a mole hole, everyone knows the name Trayvon Martin – yet how many are familiar with Joshua Reddin, Julian McKnight and Lloyd Khemradj? They are the three black 15-year-olds who, on video, horrifically attacked and brutalized a 13-year-old white boy, supposedly because he duly reported they tried to sell him drugs in a school bathroom.
There has not even been one call for an investigation into who, within the school administration, revealed the victim’s identity to the treacherous thugs.
Undoubtedly that community has the message: Do not report crime to school authorities. It might cost you your life.
Jackson and Sharpton are conspicuously absent on the school bus beating, and thanks to the overall media, the story barely saw daylight.
Forensic examination is needed on that issue, as well as into the lives of the hoodlums themselves.
Yes, the media are front and center with their irresponsible complicity.
In the Jackson-Sharpton world, racism is selective. Jesse Jackson is allowed to call Jews “hymies” and Sharpton freely called white people “cracka.” The opportunists garnering prominent press coverage when they conveniently ooze out of the woodwork to wreak havoc are grossly detrimental to America’s fabric.
Personally, I cannot grasp the ethos of summarily disliking or harming anyone merely for the color of their skin. I know that tenet exists for others, and it is ugly. A nation of 330 million people cannot be perfect, nor can such human darkness be legislated away. However, if more of the positive beliefs and actions of our citizenry were broadcast, the bigots would fade into the disgraceful splinter they are.
The trumpeted dialogue on race is not going to happen as long as there is money and power in promoting racism. As long as there are those who can exist only by keeping divisiveness in the forefront, bigotry will thrive.
For the lowest of the low, racism is their currency. It is the fuel for the vehicle that keeps them relevant and employed.
Keeping racism alive is a veracious shame for decent Americans. It is a huge obstacle in the path of America’s betterment.
A fruitful dialogue requires all sides to show up for discussion – not to amass an inflamed crowd, shriek rhetoric into a microphone and camera, and then promptly flee without confrontation.
Undeniably, America has made admirable forward strides and remains at the top of the world’s heap on acceptance of our differences, and we will continue to improve with each new generation.
Let’s pursue the sober goal of rendering the likes of Jackson and Sharpton as obsolete as racism itself.
Betty Arenson has lived in the SCV since 1968 and describes herself as a conservative who’s concerned about progressives’ politics and their impacts on the country, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She says she is unashamed to own a gun or a Bible, couldn’t care less about the color of the president’s skin, and demands that he uphold his oath to protect and follow the Constitution of the United States in its entirety. Her commentary publishes Fridays.
America's Dialogue on Race | Commentary by Betty Arenson
