Black History - With Blinders On

Lately, thanks to Rev. Jeremiah Wright, there has been a lot of discussion where many black Americans claim they have good reason to be angry. They claim that the "white" Americans somehow "owe" them something. They claim that, because we have not "suffered the black experience" that we cannot understand.

Now, here is why all of that is pure BS.

First, while it is true that hundreds of years ago whites owned slaves, let us set the record straight about a few things, such as:

1) It was Black Africans who captured and sold other blacks to the slave traders

2) It was also white Americans who FREED the slaves

3) It was white Americans who gave their lives in the fight to free the slaves

4) Now this one is crucial - had we not brought the slaves to America, and then freed them, all Black Americans today would not be free - they would still be in Africa, suffering disease, famine and AIDS.

5) Not one single living Black American was ever a slave in America, and not one single living white American ever owned black slaves in America. For them to want retribution for slavery is absurd.

6) No person is responsible for the acts of others, particularly if those "others" died before the person was even born.

7) I am not guilty, and do not owe any black American an apology for any white people who, generations ago, may (or may not) have owned slaves. I will not carry the sins of others upon my back.

8) If black Americans believe it is fair to hold white Ameicans accountable for sins long since past, then they, too, should be held accountable for the sins of their own ancestors - sins like cannabalism. Frankly, both are absurd.

9) In many early black cultures, the tribes also captured and enslaved their fellow man. By their own standard, should they not be held just as accountable for having enslaved people? What makes them so special that THEY can have slaves with impunity, but when a white person owns slaves, it is unforgivable?

10) While black Americans claim to have suffered discrimination, they would do well to bone up on their history - at one time or another, every race, and every religion has suffered discrimination. Are Christians to hold modern Romans responsible for being fed to the lions? Should Jews hold todays Germans accountable for the acts of the Nazis? Are all Scots to be held accountable for the acts of terrorist Timothy McVeigh? And should fat people pass guilt on to all thin people for the abuse they suffered in schoolyards across America? Black Americans do not have exclusive rights to claims of discrimination.

It is high time for black Americans to stop the whining and crying over something that happened long ago, and to stop perpetuating the hatred, suspicion and anger that divides, rather than unifies.

One step they need to take is to stop making it a point to differentiate themselves by always labeling things as "black" or "white" - "black" American, "white" church, "black" history, "white" supremacy. As long as they use such divisive labels, there will never be harmony, or full acceptance. I do not think of myself, or call myself a "white" American. I am just an American. I do not go to a "white" church - I just go to church. Imagine if we all were to go around calling ourselves by our labels - "Hello, I am Bill, a white Scottish Christian with some Indian blood." Or, "Can you tell me where I can find the closest Greek Orthodox Church for Half-Breed Orientals and Caucasians?" If it sounds ridiculous, it is. And it is just as ridiculous when black American do it. They are just, plain Americans. No more, no less.

While many Black Americans make it a point to cry "racism" or "discrimination", the simple fact is that they are the ones who are racist. They are discriminating. Most "white" Americans are color blind when it comes to race. But then someone like Rev. Wright comes along, and using hatred, anger and anti-American racism, fans the old flames back to life by trying to make us feel guilty for something we had no part in. And then when those flames burn once more, Wright points, and says, "See? I was right. They are racist." In fact, Wright is the racist - fueling the fire for the express purpose of causing division.

But we were not racist until he made us that way by using his color to try and paint us as bad people, in an evil country, just because 200 years ago my great-great grandpaw paid twenty dollars for his great-great grandpaw. He forgets that it was my great grandfather who fought and died to set his great grandfather free. He forgets it was my grandfather who changed the Constitution, giving him the right to vote. He forgets that it was me, with thousands of other whites who marched on Selma, Alabama to fight for the rights of black Americans.

If white Americans are guilty of anything, we are guilty of spending blood, sweat and tears for hundreds of years to try and make things right. To eventually do the right thing. And to understand that it WAS the right thing, and worth the price that both blacks and whites paid.

If black Americans REALLY want equality, and REALLY want a country where color does not have any bearing, then the first thing they need to do is abandon those who fan the flames of hate. People like Reverend Wright, and those who follow him.

In closing, it strikes me that Wright is not only anti-American and anti-white, but also anti-Christian. The Christ that I know would never stir anger, suspicion and hate in a person's heart, just to push His own agenda. Christ professed forgiveness - Wright will not allow his followers to forgive. Christ professed love of everyone - Wright only loves blacks. Christ said to turn the other proverbial cheek - Wright just gives us the proverbial finger.

As long as there are Rev. Wrights, and those like him, America will never be one people. And we will all - black, white, red and yellow - pay for that.

Labels - good for foodstuffs in the grocery store. Bad for people!