by Morgan Johnson

Created on: June 21, 2008

Racism seems to be a permanent part of social interactions in most countries around the world. There is discrimination in all of the former colonies of European powers. In addition, some people discriminate against minorities native to their own lands.

But this is particularly reprehensible in America.

No other nation has at its foundation such a strong promise of equality for all peoples. The Founding Fathers codified this novel concept in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and even the Declaration of Independence.

It was their intention that America serve as a beacon of hope and an example for the entire world.

Their words and intent have no meaning unless our nation lives up to the hallowed words of these establishing documents.

What these men could not foresee was the degree of self-interest, greed and discrimination that would pervade the country for at least the next 234 years. Nothing has been able to dissuade the Ruling Majority to relinquish their death grip on the reins of power.

There is a good deal of anger, hatred and resentment that drives many of the most visible acts of racism. Guys in pointy white hats or goose-stepping Neo-NAZIs are the most visible face of racism.

However, anger and hate do not explain why the problem won't go away. Emotions can only carry so far. There has to be some perceived benefit that exceeds pangs of guilt that comes from denying others their rights.

That describes the most persistent form of racism. It is not burning crosses or screaming hateful words; it's the small little things done that tip the odds in favor of "one's own people."

- When two people are up for promotion, all too often the one with the lighter skin gets it.

- When a family moves into a new town, they are quietly steered into a more "suitable neighborhood" based on skin color.

- When two people commit a crime, the darker your skin, the longer your time.

A case in point - cocaine. No matter how it is ingested it still does the same thing in the human body. However, the courts and laws differentiate based on form and the likely customer.

Powder cocaine is preferred by White suburban users and rarely results in lengthy prison sentences.

Crack cocaine is labeled "scourge on society" and is sold largely in the poor urban communities. The War on Drugs has put thousands of Blacks and Latinos in prisons for decades.

How can this be when powder cocaine and crack are grown in the same countries, smuggled into the country at the same time by the same people? It only changes in form just before being delivered to their markets.

Examples of racism are easy to find, but it doesn't explain why it won't go away. Racism is persistent but it isn't permanent. For it to end in the US there needs to be a fundamental shift in core attitudes in all citizens.

To end racism you need to accept that all other citizens, regardless of their skin color, culture or religion, ARE "Your Own PEOPLE!" Everybody pays the same taxes, spends the same money and (I've heard) prays to the same God.

We deserve this. Our forefathers of every race fought tyranny on foreign shores. They shed their blood so that all can breathe free. Too many dark skinned people have served and died for their families and progeny not to receive a fair chance.

The bill has been paid, a thousand times over. All that is left is for citizens of the majority to let go of self serving greed, pride and hatred.

Our Founding Fathers wanted it that way. It falls to us to make it happen.

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