Racism has no high ground

Deliver us
from racism
despite color

Tolerance does not abide in me when faced with acts or expressions of racism or bigotry.

Bluntly put: Racists are abjectly stupid.

It amazes me that when I became editor or publisher of the four papers from 1972 to 1982, there were company policies (unwritten, but understood) that blacks were not to be featured in the weddings and engagements section of the papers. In all four papers, it was a pleasure to eliminate that policy; in all four papers, the change was duly noted in the communities and the aginners were loud, raucous … and most times worked hard to keep their identities hidden.

It’s hard to explain in the context of the Year of Obama 2009, but in 1976, the action of opening up the Selma (Alabama) Times-Journal pages to allow photos of black citizens in something other than conflicts with law enforcement or in the sports pages was exhilarating.

One moderate white Selma community leader told me after the first wedding announcement for a black couple appeared: “I admire what you’re trying to do. But, you’re trying to change history too fast.”

Again, it’s hard to explain now, but two nights after that first historic photo appeared in the paper, when some Percale-covered sheet-heads burned a cross on my front lawn … I experienced a sense of fulfillment and vindication.

So, it’s no wonder, one can suppose, why I get more than a bit mentally agitated when I hear about some state legislature getting in a dither over black-and-white issues.

For example, most states have like-minded salons that get together and discuss issues. (Get those ducks in a row, boys! And put out the ones that are on fire!)

I still find it strange that legislatures, including Arkansas, have Black Caucuses, but the mere thought of calling a White Caucus would be condemned. Just recently in Arkansas, a white legislator tried to join the Black Caucus and was told his membership would not be accepted. The fact he is married to a black woman, and his district is 65 percent black changed nothing.

You have the wrong skin hue, he was effectively told, to be a member of the Black Caucus.

My logical self tells me there is no way a black member of society can have it both ways: Equal in all things … except when they choose to create separatism by made-up rules comprised of smoke, mirrors, and (dare it be uttered?) a philosophy of racism.

But, then, throughout history, logic has never had anything to do with segregation in any form. Why should logical thinkers believe those in the black community – who fought so hard for so long for equality – would see something wrong and vile in the acts of demanding equality and openness except when they choose not to allow the same equality and openness to those of a different color?

Again, logically, given the history involved, what black citizen would promote unfair treatment of a human being based on prejudice?

Oh, sure. When it suits their current agenda. Sorry. Should’ve thought of that.