Race

Is it offensive to say that I’m annoyed at the amount of press in regards to our “first black president”? I think my irritation is only exacerbated by the fact that race seemed to trump principle, and one finds himself in an awkward position when expected to celebrate regardless of political affiliation.

It could also be argued that part of the absurdity lies in the fact Bill Clinton held this title before Obama, and it makes one wonder if Obama will eventually pass the mantle to another who might prove "blacker," however that may be interpreted. I sometimes wonder if we are so starved for significance that we’ll cling to any statistical importance that places us first in something. They do this in sports all the time: “He’s the first receiver to make a twenty yard or more reception with less than two minutes in the third quarter when the temperature was below freezing and the wind speed over five miles an hour.” Perhaps the "magnitude" of every play is now spilling over into the political arena.

Now, I'll concede that perhaps its my generational experience that contrasts my perspective from one who may be twenty years my senior. I grew up in a racially mixed environment, and events of slavery and oppression were little more than factual data in a history textbook. I have never been physically or emotionally wounded by racial hatred, and I know full well that I fall into a rather comfortable majority. I don't doubt that I lack some perspective on the issue, so these are honest questions that I ask.

But I would think the title of "first black" anything would prove offensive, as if the “black man” needed extra applause for his efforts. Capability is neither helped nor hindered by skin color. My guess is that many consider this "first black president" a milestone to be celebrated, as if we’ve overcome a fault in our humanity. But I hardly see racism as a thing of the past. In fact, if we’ve truly moved beyond our prejudices, his skin color should hold no merit whatsoever, correct?

My personal belief is that its the offended, not the offenders, that hold the keys to forward progress. Not to diminish one's pain, but no one can strip you of your humanity. It’s the discriminator that has forgotten what makes him human, and if anything, he should be pitied. Too many victims hold a death grip to the past, and such a tight fist of bitterness brings with it entitlement and a demand for reparations, and makes it impossible to advance.

But ultimately my conclusion is that although not all of us have been wounded as victims, ALL of us have played the part of the villain. Every single human being on this planet bears in his or her heart racist and prejudiced thoughts that devalue and dehumanize their fellow persons for one reason or another. This is not just a white-on-black problem. This is a human dilemma. And until we realize that we are all guilty, until we are willing to forgive and move on, we will continue to enslave ourselves in bitterness and resentment—chains of our own choosing.